7 Best Retinol Creams for Fine Lines, Wrinkles, and Uneven Texture

Frequently Asked Questions

What is retinol?

Retinol is a transformative skin-care ingredient also known as pure vitamin A. Retinol is a retinoid—the catch-all term for these A-based formulas, over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription varieties alike, like tretinoin. (Adapalene is the only prescription-level retinoid available over the counter—Differin Gel Adapalene Gel 0.1% is a popular option.) This active vitamin A binds to receptors, helping them function better and increasing cell turnover and collagen production. This can translate into many benefits, like more balanced pigment production for fewer dark spots, smoother skin, and tighter-looking pores.

“The increase in cell turnover helps unclog pores,” Sheila Farhang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Tucson, Arizona, previously explained. “This also helps decrease the appearance of brown or red post-acne spots—post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—as well as help collagen synthesis for acne scarring,” Dr. Farhang added.

How should I use retinol?

“When it comes to a retinol cream, it’s important to know what percentage of retinol is included in the formula to determine if the product is actually going to deliver all the glorious benefits vitamin A has,” says David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “Studies have shown that retinol is about 10 times less potent than prescription-strength retinoic acid, so I usually recommend products with at least 0.25% retinol.”

First-time users should start by using retinol once or twice a week, gradually increasing to every other day—if your skin can handle it, you can bump up to nightly use. No matter how often you use it, you may have a brief adjustment period with some irritation, which is normal.

Over-the-counter vitamin A formulations, like those with retinol and retinaldehyde (often shortened to retinal), tend to be weaker because the skin has to convert them to retinoic acid before they can take full effect. With any retinoid, especially if you have sensitive skin, practice restraint and apply a pea-sized drop only one or two nights a week until your skin acclimates.

According to Chicago-based dermatologist Caroline Robinson, MD, it’s best not to mix retinol with benzoyl peroxide. When used together, they can cancel each other out, which means neither works as well as it should. Still, you can separate them: use benzoyl peroxide in the morning and reserve retinol for nighttime. Similarly, if you want to use both vitamin C and retinol in your skin-care routine, use vitamin C during the day and retinol at night.

Other no-nos? Mixing retinol with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) will result in major irritation and barrier disruption. Dermatologists recommend alternating the days you use AHA and retinol, or replacing salicylic acid with peptides—the latter enhances the penetration of retinol.

Will retinol irritate my skin?

Everyone’s skin reacts differently to retinol, but as a guideline, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, reminds us that some degree of irritation—like dryness, peeling, redness, flaking, and burning—can be anticipated and should subside by the fourth week. You can also buffer your retinoids with a dollop of anti-inflammatory serum or lotion—ideally, formulas spiked with niacinamide, polyphenols, lipids, and ceramides.

It’s also key to start your retinol journey with a lower-potency option. “Look for [something] like retinyl propionate, as it’s much milder on the skin as compared to pure retinol,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. “You can think of it as an entry-level version.”

What are retinol alternatives?

If you have sensitive skin, are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, or simply don’t want to deal with this active’s side effects (stinging, flaking, and skin purging, to name a few), you can consider the retinol alternatives explained below.

Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is the most well-known retinol alternative out there for its gentler profile and impressive fine line-smoothing results. “Bakuchiol, like retinol, works by increasing cell turnover, thereby stimulating collagen production and diminishing wrinkles, skin laxity, and overall photo-damage,” Ellen Marmur, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure, without the sting commonly associated with retinoids.

Niacinamide

If discoloration is your concern, niacinamide is the antioxidant for you. “Niacinamide works with your skin’s natural chemistry to improve overall skin texture by rebuilding a lipid layer, minimizing the appearance of pores, and preventing UV damage and inflammation as an antioxidant,” Seattle-based board-certified dermatologist Brandith Irwin, MD, previously told Allure. Also known as vitamin B3, this powerhouse ingredient evens skin tone, minimizes redness, and reduces inflammation.

Peptides

Last but certainly not least are peptides, a must-have for diminishing the look of wrinkles and firming up sagging skin. Dr. Kim previously told Allure that peptides are designed to boost and replenish amino acids, the building blocks of collagen production. Often recommended for mature skin, peptides can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and leave skin looking tighter.

Meet the experts

• Alexandra Bowles, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MONA Dermatology based in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Sheila Farhang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics, based in Tucson, Arizona
• Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology, based in Birmingham, Alabama
• Brandith Irwin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Seattle, Washington
• David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Soho Dermatology, based in New York City
• Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in New York City
• Anetta Reszko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Ron Robinson, a cosmetic chemist and founder of Beauty Stat based in New York City
• Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, based in New York City

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