10 Best Retinol Serums for Your Skin, Approved by Experts
Turn back time with these anti-aging serums, with picks for all skin types.
Reviewed by Danusia WnekSenior ChemistMedically reviewed by Mona A. Gohara, M.D.Board-Certified Dermatologist
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Aging skin beware: Retinol serums are here. Retinol, widely considered the gold standard in anti-aging skincare, "targets several skin conditions, such as acne, dark spots, discoloration, texture and other signs of aging," says Muneeb Shah, D.O., New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Remedy. Retinol "is a vitamin A derivative that can be delivered to the skin via various leave-on formulas such as serums, body lotions and creams," explains Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. Retinol serums in particular tend to be lightweight, leave-on formulas, she adds.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has years of experience testing anti-aging skincare formulas, including retinol face creams, retinol eye creams and more. When testing retinol products, our scientists take into consideration multiple factors, from ease of use to performance. This list contains our top-tested retinol serums along with expert picks. Ahead, we've rounded up the top retinol serums for dry skin, sensitive skin, mature skin and more.
Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment
Pros
- Visibly improves sagging skin on face and neck
- Softens wrinkles
Cons
- Retinal can potentially be more irritating to skin
Made with retinal, a vitamin A derivative that's a stronger form of retinol, Murad's anti-aging serum is proven to perform, earning a GH Beauty Award. In evaluations, GH Beauty Lab experts were impressed with clinical testing images; they showed visible improvements in sagging face and neck skin along with softening of wrinkles. Take note that this serum can potentially irritate skin more than a retinol serum, as it is faster-acting.
| Size | 1 oz |
|---|---|
| How to use | Use once a day, at night |
No7 Beauty Company Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum
Pros
- Proven to improve skin texture
- Proven to minimize the appearance of pores
- Absorbs nicely into skin
Cons
- May irritate skin
Coming out on top in the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging serum test, No7's winning formula contains retinyl palmitate, a form of retinol. Using the Visia Complexion Analyzer device to assess testers' skin before and after four weeks of use, the serum earned perfect scores for improving texture and reducing the appearance of pores.
"The skin on my face appears softer and smoother, and wrinkles and pores are less noticeable," one said, while another stated: "My skin looks younger." Users also gave the product high marks for having a pleasant feel and absorbing quickly, though some found it irritating.
| Size | 1.6 oz |
|---|---|
| How to use | Use twice a day, morning and night |
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Night Serum
Pros
- Fragrance-free formula
- Proven to work on wrinkles, skin tone and dark spots
Cons
- Users would like to see packaging improvements
Olay's serum is easy to incorporate into your skincare routine. Simply apply the fragrance-free serum at night and let the formula work its magic. GH Beauty Lab evaluations confirmed that the formula delivered significant benefits for wrinkles, skin tone and dark spots in a 28-day clinical study of 40 women.
"I have very sensitive and allergy-prone skin and have no problem with this," an online reviewer says. "This has helped with lines, spots and texture. Just bought my second bottle." Take note that many users have difficulty getting the serum out of the dropper applicator.
| Size | 1.3 oz |
|---|---|
| How to use | Use once a day, at night |
No7 Beauty Company Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi-Action Serum
Pros
- Proven to lift and tighten neck area
- Testers found it softens and firms skin
Cons
- Small size
More mature skin types may be dealing with crepey or sagging neck skin, and this No7 face and neck serum is here to help. The overall winner of the GH Beauty Lab's neck creams test, this retinol-infused powerhouse shone in before-and-afters: The Lab's digital imaging showed the most improvement in lifting and tightening neck skin of all products tested over 12 weeks of use. Sold in a small tube, "It softened my neck area and made it more firm," one tester reported.
| Size | 1.69 oz |
|---|---|
| How to use | Use twice a day, morning and night |
Roc Skincare Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules
Pros
- Single-use biodegradable capsules are easy to use
- Improves skin texture and radiance almost immediately
Cons
- Formula feels oily on some skin types
Retinol newbies can't go wrong with these GH Beauty Award-winning retinol capsules from Roc Skincare. Smartly designed, the portable, biodegradable single-use capsules are precisely-dosed to prevent retinol overuse, ideal for beginners.
According to Beauty Lab evaluation, 94% of users showed improvement in skin texture and 81% in skin radiance after just one night of use, though it's important to be consistent with your retinol use to see change over time. Along with the retinol active, each pod contains skin nourishers like ceramides and soybean oil to help minimize irritation, though the texture can be oily for some.
| Size | 30 capsules |
|---|---|
| How to use | Use every other day, at night (can increase frequency as tolerated) |
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
Pros
- Contains ceramides and peptides to keep skin balanced
- Can be used by beginners
Cons
- May cause some irritation or dryness when first starting to use
Recommended by Dr. Shah, this Kiehl's retinol serum is also a customer favorite. He loves that it has "a hydrating base and encapsulated slow-release retinol," also noting that this makes it great for beginners as well. The formula contains ceramides and peptides, which is ideal for those with dry skin.
With hundreds of five star reviews, complaints are few and far between, but some online users did notice some irritation when first starting to use the product, so it may help to start slow (using two or three times a week and increasing from there).
| Size | 1 oz |
|---|---|
| How to use | Use once a day, morning or night |
Roc Skincare Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Advanced Retinol Serum
Pros
- Improves fine lines and wrinkles on the face
- Contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin as well
Cons
- Users would like some packaging improvements
Thanks to three types of hyaluronic acid as well as retinol, Roc's GH Beauty Award-winning serum is shown to treat both fine and deep wrinkles. It works immediately and over time to "fill in" lines in those classic problem areas, like around the forehead, mouth and brows.
In a four-week clinical study using image analysis, Beauty Lab assessment confirmed that 97% of users showed significant improvement in the look of fine and deep face lines. Good to know: The dispenser can be challenging to control; some users would like a smaller tip.
| Size | 0.5 oz |
|---|---|
| How to use | Use twice a day, morning and night |
Mary Kay Clinical Solutions Retinol 0.5 Set
Pros
- Improves smoothness and radiance
- Nourishing facial milk soothes sensitive skin
Cons
- Pricey
Though pricey, Mary Kay's retinol set is both a GH Seal holder and a GH Beauty Award winner, so it's safe to say we think it's worth the investment. No need to worry about those classic retinol concerns like redness and peeling; the two-piece kit includes a calming facial milk infused with plant oils, glycerin and squalane to nourish skin. Plus, the regimen calls for gradually increasing use over time to avoid irritating sensitive skin.
On top of all that, it truly works: Beauty Lab data analysis found that after eight weeks of use, 100% of users saw improvement in skin smoothness and radiance. "My skin felt very plump and smooth in the morning," said one tester.
| Size | 1 oz retinol; 2.5 oz facial milk |
|---|---|
| How to use | Use once a week at night for the first four weeks; twice a week at night for weeks five and six; three to five times a week at night for weeks seven and eight; after that, up to every night as tolerated |
Innisfree Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum
Pros
- Contains skin soothers like cica to counteract redness
- Doesn't irritate skin
Cons
- Bottle pump needs improving
K-Beauty fans, this retinol is for you. Korean brand Innisfree makes a water-light serum that contains retinol along with additional skin nourishers like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and niacinamide. What's more, the GH Beauty Award-winning serum also features the soothing herb cica to keep reactive, sensitive skin more balanced.
In Beauty Lab assessments, it proved to be effective on even sensitive and redness-prone skin. "My skin was clearer, brighter, softer and smoother with no discomfort," a tester shared. Some online users say that they've had issues with the pump, sharing that it stops working.
RELATED: The Best Korean Skincare Brands
| Size | 1.01 oz |
|---|---|
| How to use | Use one to two pumps twice a day, morning and night |
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
Pros
- Increases firmness
- Reduces the look of wrinkles
- Delivers noticeable results
Cons
- May cause redness on skin around eyes
Don't forget about the eyes! If you're dealing with sagging eye-area skin, crow's feet, puffiness or dark circles, try this retinol eye serum from Murad.
The lightweight formula earned a GH Beauty Award and was a winner in the Beauty Lab's anti-aging eye treatment test. One tester raved that "it really delivered dramatic and noticeable results. The best I've ever used." And there are numbers to back that up: It increased skin's firmness by 33% and reduced the look of wrinkles by 7% in four weeks, per Lab measurements.
Some online reviewers say it irritated the skin around their eyes and caused redness, so make sure to start slow and avoid contact with the eyes. Bonus: The brand's matching retinol face serum is also a Beauty Lab test winner!
| Size | 0.5 oz |
|---|---|
| How to use | Use once a day, at night (avoiding contact with eyes) |
How we test the best retinol serums
Over the decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has tested all sorts of anti-aging products, including creams and serums with retinol in them. To evaluate these products, our scientists assess them in the Lab using instruments such as the Visia Complexion Analyzer (shown) to measure skin's changes, such as wrinkles and brightness.
The scientists also send out samples to consumer testers, who use the product for a set period of time and then report back on factors like ease of use, performance and more. The products included in this list are an aggregate of test-winning products, GH Beauty Award winners and dermatologist-recommended picks.
What to look for when shopping for a retinol serum
Nowadays, it seems there are endless retinol options on the market. When buying one, keep these things in mind to make sure you're getting the best of the best:
✔️ Packaging: Look for opaque and airtight packaging, advises Wnek. "Retinol is sensitive to air, heat and light, which can cause it to become less effective when exposed," she says. You can also look for the wording "encapsulated" which means the retinol has a protective barrier around it.
✔️ Ingredients: Of course, ensure the ingredient label includes "retinol" or one of its derivatives, like retinyl palmitate. Additionally, "You can get more out of retinol when combined with other high power actives like niacinamide and exfoliating acids," Dr. Shah notes.
✔️ Dosage: Check the dosage on the packaging, if shown, to make sure you're choosing the right one for you. "0.1% is a gentle, beginner dose, and 0.3% is a high-strength, advanced dose," says Dr. Shah.
✔️ Sunscreen: While you're picking out your new retinol, make sure to grab a sunscreen as well. Retinol can cause photosensitivity, meaning it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. It's imperative to wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen every day, but especially when using retinol, to protect skin.
What percent of retinol is most effective?
When it comes to retinol, more isn't always better, both Dr. Shah and Wnek say. With cosmetic products (non-prescription), brands aren't required to disclose the percentage of retinol they use, Wnek explains, though some choose to do so anyway.
"Non-prescription retinol has been shown to have anti-aging benefits at levels of 0.1 to 1% when applied daily for eight weeks," Wnek says. "A study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology showed that 0.1% retinol moisturizer used once daily significantly improved the appearance of fine lines, pigment, elasticity, firmness and photodamage after eight weeks." Note that tretinoin, or prescription retinol, comes in concentrations from 0.01 to 0.1%.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews and tested hundreds of skincare products including prescription retinol, non-prescription retinol and even retinol alternatives.
GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek has been testing skincare products, including retinol-based formulas, for more than a decade at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has experience in using specialized skin evaluation lab equipment to gauge changes in skin moisturization, firmness and facial features like wrinkles and texture before and after product use. She also regularly polls our consumer panel on their purchasing and product use habits as well as weighs in on the benefits of skincare ingredients, including retinol.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
Mona Gohara, M.D. is a Yale-trained, board-certified dermatologist, Oberlin College-bred feminist, medical media expert, and member of the ELLE Beauty Advisory Board. Mona enjoys educating on skin health, skin cancer, skin of color, and sun protection. She has done this through writing, lecturing on the local, national, and international levels, and by engaging popular media. Mona is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, where she chaired the social media task force, The Women’s Dermatologic Society where she serves as president, and The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, where she chairs the DEI Work Group.
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