12 Best Drugstore Retinol Products, According to Our Testing
Treat signs of aging and breakouts without breaking the bank.
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Good news for people who love multitasking skincare products: Retinol is practically a one-stop-shop for better skin. When I’m battling a breakout, I’ll apply retinol. To prevent the signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles, I slather on a retinol serum every other night. Uneven skin tone gets treated with — you guessed it — a retinol.
“Retinol has so many benefits,” says Kseniya Kobets, M.D., director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care. “One is to treat and prevent acne because it can decrease oil gland activity and exfoliate dead skin, unclogging and shrinking pores. It also can treat mild scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Another benefit is collagen production when used over time, helping to improve texture and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.”
So, what exactly is this hero ingredient? “Retinol is a form of vitamin A that is used in anti-aging skincare products,” explains Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. “It is part of a larger class of ingredients called retinoids, which have similar effects on skin. Anti-aging products can use retinol or other retinoids like retinyl palmitate.”
Best of all, including a retinol in your skincare routine doesn’t have to break the bank or require a prescription because there are plenty of great OTC options, spanning moisturizers, eye creams, serums and even sunscreens. We’ve rounded up the best drugstore retinol products so you can reap all the rewards of the powerhouse ingredient.
Pros
- Shrinks appearance of pores
- Sinks into skin quickly
- Smooths skin
Cons
- May cause mild irritation
Size: 1.6 oz. | Key ingredients: Retinyl palmitate, peptides, hyaluronic acid
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging serum test, it earned perfect scores with the Visia Complexion Analyzer device for improving texture and reducing the appearance of pores after four weeks of use. The formula taps retinyl palmitate, a form of retinol that is less irritating, plus it replenishes skin with moisture with hyaluronic acid.
Testers gave the serum a high score for absorbing quickly and its pleasant feel. “The skin on my face appears softer and smoother and wrinkles and pores are less noticeable,” one user said, while another agreed: “My skin looks younger.” Two testers noted that it’s a great primer: “This was also good as a primer to my foundation and did not pill [like] with other products.” However, some did report slight irritation.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil for Face
Pros
- Immediately hydrates
- Softens skin
Cons
- May not be right for oily or acne-prone skin
Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Retinol, plant oils
Those with dry skin may be wary of retinols, but this mega moisturizer is safe for them. In addition to retinol, it also contains argan, almond and coconut oils to hydrate.
A double whammy, Palmer's face oil is both a GH Seal star and Beauty Lab test winner. Lab testers ranked it highest for immediately moisturizing skin and one said it made their complexion “plumper and smoother.” However, those with oily and/or acne-prone skin may find it too greasy.
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream
Pros
- Reduces dark spots
- Hydrating
- Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
- May not be best for oily or acne-prone skin
Size: 1.7 oz. | Key ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C
This retinol cream helps turn back the clock. It only took one week of use for skin to appear 32% smoother and more radiant. Additionally, it kept skin hydrated for 24 hours. After four weeks, testers saw fine lines and eye wrinkles even more minimized, and after eight weeks they saw fewer dark spots and deep wrinkles.
The fragrance-free formula can be applied to both the face and neck. But those with oily complexions and/or acne may find the cream too rich.
RELATED: The Best Retinol Creams
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
Pros
- Treats acne
- Lightweight
Cons
- Can cause irritation
Size: 1.6 oz. | Key ingredients: Adapalene
Bust breakouts with this lightweight gel that absorbs quickly, recommended by Dr. Kobets. It’s powered by the retinoid adapalene, which was previously only available by prescription for those with acne-prone skin to help clear and prevent blackheads, whiteheads, clogged pores and blemishes. But the strength of the active ingredient may cause irritation.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Face Moisturizer With SPF 30 Sunscreen
Pros
- Contains sunscreen
- Measurably firms skin
- Shrinks dark spots and lines
Cons
- Some didn’t like the scent
Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid
Retinol can make skin even more sensitive to the sun, so using a sunscreen during the day (even if you only apply retinol at night) is crucial. This Neutrogena moisturizer saves you a step by containing retinol and SPF 30. A GH Beauty Lab test winner, the multitasker firms skin, reduces dark spots and minimizes wrinkles over time. According to Beauty Lab calculations with the Visia Complexion Analyzer, the moisturizer reduced UV spots by 13% after eight weeks of daily use. Additionally, it improved the appearance of some consumer testers’ nasolabial folds (a.k.a. laugh lines) after eight weeks of daily use.
The hero ingredient is a form of retinol that works quickly to boost firmness. The one drawback is some testers didn’t like the scent, but others didn’t notice it.
RELATED: The Best Wrinkle Creams
Roc Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging Wrinkle Night Serum
Pros
- Improves texture
- Delivers radiance
- Single-use dosage is convenient
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- Formula skews oily
Size: 30 capsules | Key ingredients: Retinol, ceramides
Retinol newbies can find it tough to know exactly how much retinol to apply, but these single-use biodegradable capsules take out the guesswork because they’re perfectly dosed and also contain ceramides and soybean oil to moisturize and minimize irritation. They're also great for on-the-go and travel. Beauty Lab testing revealed that 94% of users showed improvement in skin texture and 81% in skin radiance after just one night of use. Note that the texture is on the oily side.
RELATED: The Best Retinol Serums
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer
Pros
- Firming
- Reduces wrinkles
- Smooths skin
Cons
- Some shoppers complained of irritation
Size: 1.7 oz. | Key ingredients: Retinol, retinyl propionate, niacinamide, peptides
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging night cream test, this fragrance-free night cream delivered improvement to wrinkles, brightness, firmness and softness. According to the Lab’s Cutometer machine, which measures skin laxity, it improved skin’s firmness by 27% over four weeks of use. Testers ranked it best at brightening; 100% said it made skin feel softer and 91% of testers agreed that they would continue using it.
“As for the anti-aging part, it seemed to work as well as my prescription retinoid,” a tester reported, while another said, “I loved this night cream because I think it is working to brighten my complexion and firm skin.” One con: Some Amazon shoppers reported it caused irritation.
RELATED: Best Night Creams for All Skin Types
Pros
- Dual formula is user-friendly
- Reduces dark circles
- Depuffs and smooths eye area
Cons
- Can cause irritation
Size: 2 x .34 oz. | Key ingredients: Retinol, peptides
Not quite sure where to apply an eye cream? This 2-in-1 answers that question with an eye gel for the upper lid to lift and firm while the cream formula for the lower lid smooths, depuffs and reduces dark circles. Both formulas contain retinol for long-lasting perks, as well as peptides for anti-aging benefits. In our Lab evaluation, after 30 seconds, this eye cream left softer-looking skin with no trace of formula residue. However, some shoppers claimed it caused irritation.
RELATED: The Best Eye Creams, According to Beauty Lab Testing
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Anti-Aging Day Cream
Pros
- Reduces dark spots
- Contains SPF
- Moisturizes
Cons
- May irritate eyes
Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Retinyl palmitate, vitamin C, glycolic acid
Topping the list for the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging day creams, this multitasking moisturizer has SPF, vitamin C and glycolic acid to protect skin, brighten and help exfoliate, respectively. It decreased dark spots by 11% in four weeks, according to Lab testing using the Visia Complexion Analyzer, and it also increased skin hydration 28% per measurements with the Corneometer machine. Testers said the “fast-absorbing” formula made skin “bright and radiant” and “decreased the look of wrinkles.”
However, those with sensitive eyes should know the lotion didn't score as well for causing eye irritation or watering.
No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum
Pros
- Can be used on face and neck
- Impressive tightening effects
Cons
- Smaller-sized packaging
Size: 1.69 oz. | Key ingredients: Retinyl palmitate, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides
Feeling self-conscious about your neck? This serum, which can also be used on the face, can help. The overall winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s neck treatments test, it works to tighten sagging and crepey skin. In fact, the Lab's before-and-after digital imaging showed the most improvement in lifting and tightening neck skin out of all products tested over 12 weeks of use.
Testers ranked it highest for its texture and quick absorption. “I think my jawline is firmer, and I like the fragrance,” one said, while another reported, “I liked the consistency of the cream. It absorbed quickly, wasn't sticky and it wasn't overly scented either.” This serum's one drawback was its smaller packaging compared to the other neck treatments tested.
Pros
- Improves fine lines and wrinkles
- Hyaluronic acid plump skin
Cons
- Packaging could be improved
Size: 0.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid
Wrinkles and fine lines are smoothed rapidly and over time thanks to the combination of retinol and three types of hyaluronic acid in this GH Beauty Award-winning serum. Designed to replace or work in tandem with in-office procedures, the serum “fills in” lines in areas prone to wrinkles, such as the forehead and crow’s feet.
The GH Beauty Lab confirmed that 97% of users showed significant improvement in the look of fine and deep face lines. Some users wish the packaging had a smaller tip to make dispensing easier to control.
Bio-Oil Body Lotion
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Contains nourishing ingredients
Cons
- Watery formula can be messy
Size: 8.5 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Retinyl palmitate, hyaluronic acid
A time-tested favorite, this GH Beauty Award winner is a lightweight body lotion that balances retinol with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and rose and jojoba oils. One tester was impressed with how quickly it absorbs and said there's "no waiting time for the lotion to dry or sticky, greasy film, and it feels incredibly silky on." However, some shoppers found the formula very watery, making it messy to apply.
RELATED: Best Retinol Body Lotions
How we test retinol products
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has tested a range of retinol products, including moisturizers, serums and eye creams. They are evaluated in the Lab using technical instruments, including the Visia Complexion Analyzer to measure changes in skin like wrinkles and dark spots and the Cutometer to gauge skin laxity.
Additionally, consumer testers also assess the products, sharing their detailed feedback on aspects like performance, ease of use and cosmetic properties. The products featured in this list are a combination of test-winning products, GH Beauty Award winners and dermatologist-recommended picks.
What to look for in a drugstore retinol product
When shopping for a drugstore retinol, keep these factors in mind:
✔️ Consider the type of retinol: “Look for retinol or other retinoids like retinal (also called retinaldehyde), retinyl propionate or retinyl palmitate,” Butler says. “A product doesn’t have to contain ‘retinol’ to be effective; the other retinoids are effective as well.” Dr. Kobets adds that she recommends adapalene. “It is a retinol that many OTC brands use but is also available in a higher strength with prescription,” she says.
✔️ Seek out hydrating ingredients: “I would also look for products that not only contain retinols, but other anti-aging and hydrating ingredients for added benefit,” says Dr. Kobets. Moisturizing ingredients, such as shea butter or glycerin, can help mitigate some of the drying effects of retinol.
✔️ Look for skin nourishers: Retinol products with nourishing ingredients can also help offset any sensitivity they cause. Think gentle options like peptides, niacinamide and bisabolol.
✔️ Opt for airtight packaging: Retinol is sensitive to heat, air and light, and all can reduce its efficacy when exposed to them. Look for opaque and airtight packaging, which will protect the formula.
What are the potential side effects of retinol?
For some, the “retinol uglies” can be a consequence. “Most people have either heard of or personally experienced the retinol side effect of skin irritation (also known as retinoid dermatitis),” Dr. Kobets says. “This usually presents itself as skin burning, itching, scaling and redness. This typically fades as the skin becomes more tolerant.”
Topical retinoids increase cell turnover rate, causing the skin to shed the dead and dull skin layer, Dr. Kobets explains.
“This process may temporarily disrupt the skin barrier while skin catches up to make new layers, especially those in which it was already malfunctioning (i.e. people with eczema or rosacea),” she says. “Patients can mitigate these symptoms by using retinol two to three times per week, slowly increasing as the skin becomes more tolerant. They can also utilize the ‘retinol sandwich method’ by applying retinol in between layers of moisturizer.”
What’s the most effective percentage of retinol?
“The most effective percentage of retinol is the one that you can tolerate on your skin without irritation and one that you could use consistently at least two to three times a week or more,” Dr. Kobets says.
But a higher percentage isn’t always better. “Retinol is effective at concentrations below 1%, even at 0.5%,” Butler says. “Different retinoids are effective at different concentrations, so products don’t always advertise how much retinol or retinoid they contain. It’s better to try the product yourself to see how your skin tolerates it than to search for a specific percentage.” You can even start out at 0.25% to play it safe. For example, tretinoin, or prescription retinol, comes in concentrations from 0.01 to 0.1%.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
This list was put together with insights from our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts, particularly GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler, who has researched, tested and evaluated thousands of beauty products.
Celia Shatzman wrote this guide. She has two decades of experience researching, writing and editing skincare-related content. She also consulted Kseniya Kobets, M.D., director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care.
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