The Best Drugstore Retinol
- Jun 24, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 24, 2022
I believe that Retinol is one of the greatest skin care ingredients because it has the power to brighten and firm skin, reduce pores and blemishes, destroy free radicals, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and fight hyperpigmentation.
What is Retinol?
Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A. Retinol is a type of retinoid, the umbrella term used for vitamin A derivatives. Although discovered in 1909, retinol wasn’t formulated until 1947. As a supplement, it is used to treat vitamin A deficiency, but we love it for other reasons, especially its topical use as an anti-aging treatment.
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The Best Drugstore Retinol & Retinoids
The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum
The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains RetiStar Stabilized Retinol at 1% (combining retinol with sodium ascorbate and tocopherol for maximum stability) and Granactive Retinoid at 0.5% (a next-generation low irritation ester of all-trans direct retinoic acid) in a slow-release formula. It also contains squalane for its lightweight moisturizing properties.
Overall, this serum is super gentle and makes a great drugstore retinol option for newbies or sensitive skin types.
The tube packaging also ensures the retinol stays protected from air and light.
Retinol Reface by Indeed Laboratories
Retinol Reface contains both pure retinol and a form of encapsulated retinol (a.k.a. hydroxypinacolone retinoate or granactive retinol) that is gradually released into the skin to reduce the potential for irritation.
It also has collagen-boosting peptides for an extra anti-aging punch.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
One of The Ordinary’s many retinoid formulas, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, also contains Granactive Retinoid at 2%. (This is one of my favorite gentle over-the-counter retinoids.)
If you are ready to move on to more potent retinoid treatments from The Ordinary, you have additional options. They also formulate Granactive Retinoids in Squalane at 2% and 5% and Retinol in Squalane at 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1%.
PLEASE NOTE: This retinoid emulsion and all retinoid products from The Ordinary should be refrigerated after opening.
Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic
This liquid toner includes a time release retinol to fight the signs of aging and promote radiant skin, as well as Jasmine Flower to soothe any irritation.
This toner is super gentle and has given me great results; my skin always looks smoother whenever I use it! Just be sure to store this bottle in the dark, as the clear plastic bottle does little to protect the retinol inside.
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum
I am so impressed by Olay Retinol 24 products, especially the night serum. Of all the drugstore retinol serums I’ve tried, I’ve probably seen the best results with Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum.
This serum is potent. Unfortunately, my skin has not yet acclimated enough to use it daily. When you hear that retinol improves skin texture, it’s evident with this product, which combines retinol and retinyl propionate. Plus, my pores appear smaller.
Differin Acne Treatment Gel
Differin Acne Treatment Gel is a strong over-the-counter FDA approved retinoid formulated to target acne and blemishes by reducing associated redness and inflammation.
It contains pure retinoid in the form of 0.1% adapalene.
Differin gel also claims to prevent pores from clogging to prevent future breakouts and blackheads.
It’s recommended to be applied to clean skin daily, although I would start off using it only a couple times a week and increase use as tolerated.
This gel is oil and fragrance free and the brand claims that clinical studies have shown a 60% reduction in acne lesions after 12 weeks of Differin use.
Cerave Skin Renewing Range
Cerave has a day cream and a serum that include retinol to fight the signs of aging without irritation.
The Cerave Skin Renewing Retinol Cream Serum is made with encapsulated retinol (shown as “retinol” in the ingredients list) to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles with no irritation.
This cream also has 3 forms of peptides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin, as well as vitamin E, niacinamide (for pore/oil reduction) and glycerin for moisture.
The Cerave Skin Renewing Day Cream lets you get your retinol dose during the day and is made with squalane for hydration and broad spectrum SPF30 mineral sun protection (Zinc oxide 10.5%, Octinoxate 7.5%) built in to protect your skin from sun damage.
No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate
No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate combines No7’s next-generation retinol complex with Matrixyl 3000+, a peptide technology, to address the signs of aging. These ingredients target skin tone and texture to refine pores while brightening the skin, all with minimal irritation.
How to Use No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate
No7 suggests starting with this concentrate on one or two non-consecutive nights a week. They say it is customary to take four weeks to reach nightly use. You should apply this concentrate before anti-aging serums and night creams and avoid the eye and lip areas. You should not use this with other products containing retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, or beta hydroxy acids, as it may irritate the skin.
Roc Retinol Correxion Products
Roc is a French skin care brand dedicated to products that fight the signs of aging.
All of the brand’s products include retinol as an ingredient, even their sunscreen!
Roc has a number of drugstore retinol options to choose from in gentle formulations.
Honest Beauty Pure Retinol Serum
This Retinol Serum from clean beauty brand Honest Beauty includes retinol derived from tapioca to reduce the signs of aging, along with hyaluronic acid and squalane to boost hydration.
If you’re looking for clean, cruelty free skin care products to add into your routine, Honest Beauty is as clean as they come.
Pacifica Clean Shot Granactive Retinoid 5% in Seawater
Pacifica Clean Shot Granactive Retinoid 5% in Seawater is Pacifica’s max-strength concentrated solution containing Granactive, their advanced petroleum-free retinoid complex. This type of retinoid is typically less irritating than retinol while providing just as good results.
This serum is formulated to address multiple signs of aging and skin texture without other ingredients that impede performance. It targets fine lines and wrinkles and uneven skin texture.
Vichy LiftActiv Retinol HA Concentrate
Vichy is an amazing French skin care brand that I’ve really enjoyed.
Their LiftActiv Retinol HA Concentrate includes the brand’s highest concentration of retinol in a daily line filler formula.
Hyaluronic acid works to boost the skin’s moisture content to help fill in fine lines by plumping skin.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum combines Retinol SA, Glucose Complex, and hyaluronic acid to increase cell turnover, hydrate, and renew the skin. It works to reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines, hyperpigmentation and dark spots, discoloration, and uneven skin tone over time.
You can even use this lightweight serum around the delicate eye area. It combats pesky crow’s feet and brightens dark circles under your eyes. Neutrogena does not disclose the amount of retinol in their products, but retinol is listed as ingredient 24 of 30. Ingredients are listed in order of concentration, so the amount of retinol in this Neutrogena serum is probably not very high.
Please note that there is fragrance in this serum, which may be an issue for those with sensitive skin.
Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream is formulated with 0.11% retinol plus 0.3% bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative that won’t cause the skin irritation that often comes along with retinol. The lightweight cream is formulated with grape seed oil and glycerin to moisturize and plump skin while targeting the visible signs of aging.
If you are new to retinoids and prefer a moisturizing cream instead of a serum, this Good Molecules retinol cream is my pick for the best retinol cream for beginners, as I think it is the perfect affordable starter retinol. It targets wrinkles, fine lines, and lack of skin elasticity and contains ingredients to soothe and minimize irritation and dryness. Plus, you can’t beat the low price.
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