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Dermatologist recommended products for clear glowy skin, part 3: retinols (acne and wrinkles)
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items I’ve tested countless skincare products, so you don’t have to. I’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t), both in my own routine and from friends and family. Here are some of my top picks across all price ranges, from affordable staples, to mid-range g...
Sections
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Affordable staples (less than $50)
Mid-range gems ($50 - $100)
Luxurious splurges ($100 and up)
Affordable staples (less than $50)
A budget-friendly retinol that’s ideal for anyone easing into a topical vitamin A. The silky and lightweight texture of the serum glides smoothly onto the skin. Addition of niacinamide and glycerine balances the retinol, keeping the irritation to a m...
Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum for Anti-Aging l ...
A great topical retinoid that delivers prescription-level results without a prescription! Whether you’re concerned abut acne or fine wrinkles, this powerful gem should be a regular in your nighty routine. While it is the gentlest topical retinoid, it...
Adapalene Retinoid Acne Treatment
If you’re looking for a retinol serum that is gentle yet effective with a friendly price tag, you’re looking in the right place! This silky serum absorbs effortlessly into the skin and is gentle on sensitive skin. It improves texture, fine lines, enl...
LiftActiv Pure Retinol Serum
This serum packs a potent hit of vitamin A with a gentle twist. It’s rich yet soothing and feels like a comforting night cream, without the heaviness. As someone with very sensitive skin, I did notice some mild irritation at first. If you’re able to ...
Dermesse Retinol 1% Cream: Benefits include reducing redness ...
This retinaldehyde formula delivers visible smoothing and brightening effects, especially for sensitive, redness-prone skin. Retinaldehyde formulations can be stronger than retinols, which can cause some mild irritation initially. If you’re looking f...
Retrinal 0.05% Multi-Corrective Cream
Mid-range gems ($50 - $100)
This cream packs a strong, advanced retinol punch at a mid-range price. Its creamy but smooth consistency glides on nicely and absorbs without greasiness. You’ll notice that your pores seem less pronounced, your skin seems smoother, and those fine li...
Retinol 1.0 Cream for Fine Lines & Wrinkles
A dermatologist-favorite retinol that made me see a real difference without the flaking! However, you’ll still want to ease your way into nightly use. If you’re looking for a OTC retinol that delivers noticeable smoothing, pore refinement, and overal...
Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5 Cream
If you’re looking for a professional-grade, mid-strength retinol that smooths, brightens, and refines without being excessively harsh, this is a top pick! I love the easy-to-use pump that dispenses the perfect pea-sized amount with no guesswork on my...
Retinol Complex 0.5
A serum that offers a perfect balance of efficacy and nourishing, even for sensitive skin like mine! Thanks to its ingenious lipid-encapsulated retinol technology, I experienced zero flaking or redness while my skin texture smoothed and brightened n...
Renewal Retinol
A complex formula that blends multiple retinols with ferulic acid and bakuchiol, offering a glow-boosting serum with antioxidant properties. It might have been all in my head but I noticed a softness and glow to my skin almost immediately! Definitely...
Advanced Retinol + Ferulic
NEOSTRATA is slowly becoming one of my favorite brands, and this retinol complex is no exception! It is a well-balanced, mid-strength retinol that smoothened and brightened my skin without the harshness of prescription retinoids. The addition of niac...
Potent Retinol Complex
One of the best in the game at making retinaldehyde serums. Retinaldehyde is the middle ground between the strong prescription retinoids and gentler retinols. It feels smooth, hydrating, and luxurious, and the added niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid pr...
RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum
The Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum is honestly an impressive product. It’s one of the few retinol products I’ve tried that feels strong and gentle at the same time. My skin looks noticeably smoother, and the fine lines around my eyes are softer af...
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum - Fast-Acting Retinol Treatment with Swertia & Hyaluronic Acid for Visible Anti-Aging Results - Tri-active Technology Gently Reduces Wrinkles & Firms Skin
Luxurious splurges ($100 and up)
An amazing powerful OTC retinol that offers visible smoothing, brightening, and anti-aging actions! Its time-release retinol formula delivers maximal efficacy with minimal irritation. The addition of 5 powerful antioxidants and botanical extracts boo...
Retinol Complete ® 0.5 1 FL OZ
A true work of art! The AlphaRet technology combines a retinoid, an AHA, and a peptide blend for effective yet gentle skin rejuvenation. I love the texture and consistency of this cream, it feels so rich! At $145 per bottle, it can be a splurge, but ...
AlphaRet Overnight Cream| Anti-Aging Skincare
A rich cream that combines retinol, retinaldehyde, and a proprietary form of niacin that delivers all the benefits of retinols while providing barrier support. Cue the compliments, because you and everyone else might notice smoother and dewy skin aft...
Advanced Retinol Nightly Renewal Moisturizer
A beautifully luxe serum from a well-established brand from Spain. This serum combines retinaldehyde, melatonin, bakuchiol, and niacinamide to hydrate, calm, renew, and revitalize your skin! You’ll notice that those fine lines seem softer and your sk...
Isdinceutics Retinal Advanced