We Picked Out the 10 Best Retinol Serums to Treat Signs of Aging

Ultraceuticals' Ultra A Perfecting Serum line comes in three different strengths, with the mild serum, intended as an introduction to retinol, clocking in at a modest 0.2 percent. Retinol is encapsulated with its signature Retinome technology, ensuring that antioxidants and penetration enhancers surround each molecule of retinol to increase its absorption into the skin.

After using up a bottle of the mild serum, Ultraceuticals recommends leveling up to their normal strength, which contains 0.4 percent retinol, while their highest concentration serum contains 0.6 percent retinol. They also offer a free online consultation if you’d like a little more guidance starting out.

We found in our research that some users complained of a medicinal smell when using this product, and it can be quite pricey. However, we like the slow introduction to retinol, as well as the extra guidance for those who haven’t used it before.

“[I] was impressed with how well it absorbed and how glowing it left my skin,” says Jill Di Donato, an Everyday Health writer who tested this product. The company recommends that beginners with normal skin start with their Crystal 3 serum, while those with sensitive skin should begin with the Crystal 1. You may not ever get to the “expert” Retinal 24 concentration, which is one of the most powerful serums on our list; your skin might be better off maintaining at a lower concentration. Medik8’s retinal is double encapsulated, which allows it to be released gradually throughout the night, which may help protect the skin from irritation. This line has a large and well-deserved fan base: it’s won over 30 awards globally.

If you tend to veer towards Korean beauty products, we get it. Korea is to skin care what France is to wine — they set the bar high, and continue to maintain it. Every product from Iope is developed in the Skin Science Research Center, one of the leading centers for makeup development in Korea, where Iope has been researching retinol since 1997.

Our research found that while many users saw skin improvements while using this product, not all saw major results on their fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also worth noting that this comes in a ceramic container, which, while beautiful, is breakable, so users, be careful.

Lamb recommends this retinol serum by name, and it also comes highly recommended by Kim Kardashian. “It feels nice going on your skin and absorbs well — almost like a facial oil,” says Caitlin Beale, writer at Everyday Health. “My skin definitely felt soft and smooth both after application and the next morning. … Looking at my before and after photos, it appears that my skin is a little more even than the initial picture. I took a break from my usual anti-aging products and still felt like it did a good job, which is great because it’s much more affordable.” Overall, the formula has a reputation for being highly effective with minimal irritation.

“I did experience a bit of burning around my eyes, but I also have very sensitive skin,” says Natasha Caleel, a writer at Everyday Health who tested this product. She adds that this often happens to her with retinol products. “If I was careful not to put it too close to my eyes, then it was totally fine! It didn't cause any redness or flaking on my already dry skin,” she says. Caleel found the application easy as well. “It has some powerhouse ingredients that could really benefit someone with fine lines or sun damage,” she says.

Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM uses only encapsulated retinol, which means each molecule of retinol is surrounded by a protective coating that slows down the rate at which your skin can use it. This time-released formula reduces the irritation of retinol. Pure retinol can be more irritating, as it is applied all at once without a time release, which can lead to side effects such as inflammation and redness. Encapsulated retinol is also less drying to your skin, making this a good choice for sensitive or dry skin, as well as for beginners.

There’s also a lot of excellent hydrating ingredients in this formula, such as antioxidants vitamins C and E, which help support the skin barrier, as well as squalane, which helps to hydrate.

DiDonato had one issue with this serum while testing it — she didn’t enjoy the application. “The consistency feels oily, making absorption slower for me,” she says. “I wouldn’t let the consistency deter me from buying this product because the microencapsulated retinol leaves my skin soft and smooth in the morning. I did not experience any drying or tightness, so I feel good about it as a choice for people [of] all skin types.”

This is the middle-strength retinol serum from Paula’s Choice. The company makes a more powerful “pro” retinal formula, as well as a milder formula for sensitive skin. “This is another product that’s made its way into my nightly routine for over a year now,” DiDonato says of this product. “It’s a keeper because it’s visibly diminishing the ‘11’ sign in my forehead, and I haven’t experienced any irritation.”

Paula’s Choice also has some unconventional views about application. Its website encourages daytime use of any retinol, which is usually considered a no-no, since it is reactive to sunlight, which can lead to sunburn. But this skin-care company claims it’s okay, as long as it’s under sunscreen. This serum also contains vitamin C. Mixing vitamin C with retinol is also pretty uncommon, as conventional wisdom says vitamin C is for daytime, and retinol is for nighttime. However, Paula’s Choice cites scientific studies stating they work better together. So if you’d rather have one serum to rule them all, this is the one.

Kiehl’s microdose serum is a humble 0.1 percent retinol, making it the least potent serum on our list. If you’re interested in trying out retinol on your sensitive skin, this is one of the gentlest introductions you can find. It claims to be suitable for daily use right out of the gate, so it's also a good choice for beginners looking to jump right into a daily routine.

Just because it’s a gentle microdose does not mean it isn’t effective. Our research found a high level of satisfaction with the serum’s effectiveness in diminishing wrinkles and improving skin tone.

“I’ve been using this product for over a year and can tolerate the high concentration without any flakiness or irritation,” DiDonato says. “Plus, the capsules are great for travel, ensuring you stay consistent.” This serum also contains ceramides to protect the skin barrier, and the single-use capsules are not only travel-friendly, they keep the serum clean and ensure the right dosage with every use.

Unlike the powerful serum listed above, this one has zero pure retinol. Granactive retinoid has a reputation for being well-tolerated by the skin, while still delivering the same level of efficacy as a retinol product. Granactive is a less concentrated retinoid than retinol, with some sources suggesting a 1:10 equivalent, making this serum approximately equivalent to a mild 0.2 percent retinol product. This product classifies itself as an emulsion, rather than a serum, meaning it is slightly thicker and more hydrating than a serum, making it great for users with dry skin.