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Our testers rated these the ultimate retinol serums to transform your skin.
Byrdie / Brian Kopinski
The reigning champion of skincare isretinol.
Diane Madfes, M.D.
“Plus, retinol helps regulate sebum production, which is a win for acne-prone skin.
PHOTO: Kiehl’s
Consistent use can even minimizesun damagein the top layers of your skin,” she adds.
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Lisa, tester with dry skin:The product definitely helped smooth and soften my skin texture.
My skin appears visibly more firm after using it and it improved my complexion overall.
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This option from Neutrogena smooths fine lines and targetsdark under-eye circlesto leave your skin looking fresh and even-toned.
She was impressed with how easily the formula absorbed into her skin, leaving it soft and never sticky.
Each capsule is perfectly portioned for the face and neck.
PHOTO: Amazon
Although it didnt leave her skin firmer than before, the overall effects were impressive.
It wasnt long before she noticed a significant reduction in fine lines.
It also gave my skin a fresh, healthy feeling.
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Elena, tester with acne-prone, sensitive skin:My skin loved this stuff.
My dry and sensitive skin loved it and it never made me break out.
Our tester, Ally, saw a reduction in fine linesespecially the oneson her neck.
PHOTO: Credo
Plus, it helped clear breakouts and her dark spots appeared less noticeable.
The lines on my neck especially look softer.
According to dermatologists, this means faster results, but it can also increase the risk of irritation.
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After four weeks of daily use, her complexion looked and felt better across the board.
But where it truly shines, in our tester Ciaras opinion, is its acne-fighting capabilities.
As Dr. Madfes explains, “All retinoids increase cell turnover.”
PHOTO: Sephora
But Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform takes it a step further.
It calls onalpha-hydroxy acidto gently remove dead cells, brighten your complexion, and improve uneven texture.
Our tester, Stacy, was impressed by how hydrating this serum is.
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My skin looks more supple.
It provides a burst of hydration that lasts through the day.
It even layered nicely under her go-to skincare and makeup products.
PHOTO: Sephora
The downside is that this super-potent formula did cause someskin purgingduring the adjustment period.
Our tester found that using it twice weekly was the best approach for her combination skin.
I think the added vitamin C helped brighten my skin, too.
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Three to four drops of the oil-like formula will cover your face and neck.
Mariya, tester with balanced to dry skin:I liked how my skin looked after using this product.
I think my skin texture and tone have improved and my skin seems brighter.
PHOTO: Amazon
This option from SkinCeuticals helps you do just that.
Our tester, Bailey, used this nightly and found the results were too subtle for her preferences.
It didn’t irritate my skin at all.
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It blendsretinol with niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Our tester, Kristen, raved about how much this product improved the look and feel of her skin.
Plus, it helped unclog her pores and reduce breakouts, leaving her with a clean, clear complexion.
PHOTO: Ulta
Kristen, tester with combination/sensitive skin:My skin texture feels amazing.
People close to me have noticed and have said my skin looks great.
That being said, the results were also less obvious, particularly for fading hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
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Katie, tester with combination skin:The product is runny, with a lightweight, lightly moisturizing feel.
It even helped brighten areas of hyperpigmentation, particularly herdark under-eye circles.
Maddy, tester with dry skin:The product made my skin feel smooth and buttery.
PHOTO: Murad
It brightened my skin a bit and I felt the circles under my eyes weren’t as dark.
“Retinol serums are safe for all skin types,” confirms Dr. Madfes.
“Retinol products arenotto be used while pregnant,” Dr. Madfes tells Byrdie.
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According to Dr. Madfes, a retinol serum should be applied daily, preferably at night.
“If you experience dryness, change to every other night,” she adds.
“It’s important toapply sunscreenin the morning to protect and continue the collagen-stimulating benefits.”
PHOTO: Sephora
Keep in mind that if you don’t like using a serum, there are alsoretinol creamsavailable.
A 0.5% concentration is a good baseline.
The strongest concentration of retinol it’s possible for you to get over the counter is 1%.
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Retinol serums and creams both deliver the wrinkle-fighting benefits of retinol but cater to different skin types and needs.
Retinol creams are richer, more moisturizing, and better for dry, sensitive, or mature skin.
Before landing on her final selections, she referenced several peer-reviewed studies and pored over ingredient lists.
PHOTO: Naturium
As a longtime retinol user, Theresa has tried a handful of products on this list.
She covers skincare, haircare, and makeup at Byrdie.
Byrdie beauty contributorEsme Benjaminupdated this story in 2024.
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Journal of Controlled Release.
2018;278:37-48. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.03.023
Tang SC, Yang JH.
Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin.
PHOTO: Dermstore
2018 Apr 10;23(4):863. doi: 10.3390/molecules23040863.
PMID: 29642579; PMCID: PMC6017965.
Maurya AK, Singh M, Dubey V, Srivastava S, Luqman S, Bawankule DU.
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-(-)-bisabolol reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production and ameliorates skin inflammation.
2014;15(2):173-81. doi: 10.2174/1389201015666140528152946.
Boswellia serrata, a potential antiinflammatory agent: an overview.
PHOTO: Amazon
Indian J Pharm Sci.
2011 May;73(3):255-61. doi: 10.4103/0250-474X.93507.
PMID: 22457547; PMCID: PMC3309643.
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PHOTO: Dermstore
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PHOTO: SkinMedica
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PHOTO: Nordstrom
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PHOTO: Sephora
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Byrdie / Ally Hirschlag
