Dermatologists Say These Are the 19 Best Retinol Creams and Serums to Help Fade Dark Spots and Wrinkles
Dermatologists Say These Are the 19 Best Retinol Creams and Serums to Help Fade Dark Spots and Wrinkles
We updated this article in April 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team (and that of our sister team at the Good Housekeeping Institute).
If you want to maintain a youthful complexion, there’s one ingredient dermatologists will always stand by: retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives that help improve skin cell turnover.
Translation: “When you apply a retinoid, you’re constantly exfoliating the top layers of skin,” says Meera Sivendran, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Penn Medicine in Pennsylvania. So if you don’t already have a retinol cream or serum in your skincare lineup, now’s the time to add one.
The best retinoids can also help you achieve many skincare goals like preventing (and smoothing) fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin texture, getting rid of age spots, and unclogging pores to keep stubborn blackheads and whiteheads away.
“Almost everyone can benefit from implementing [retinol] or prescription retinoids into their routine. Retinols and retinoids aid in cellular renewal which also can indirectly boost collagen production over time, contribute to a brighter, more evenly pigmented complexion, and improve skin tone,” says Libby Rhee, M.D., dermatology Advisor for Ro Derm and founder of Liora Dermatology & Aesthetics.
The problem is that you typically need a prescription to get your hands on one. That’s where retinol creams and serums come in—a type of retinoid that is most often available over-the-counter (OTC). These retinol products usually aren’t as potent as their prescription-strength counterparts, so they will generally deliver less dramatic effects. That simply means they take a bit longer to work.
However, prescription-strength retinoids are often more irritating to the skin than an OTC retinol, says Dr. Sivendran, and can cause dryness, irritated, red skin, or even slight peeling. Trying out an OTC retinol cream or serum first is a great way to get some of the anti-aging benefits for fewer side effects.
How we chose the best retinol creams and serums
We consulted Dr. Sivendran, Dr. Rhee, Lady Dy, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Illinois and founder of the Dy Dermatology Cente, Melanie Palm, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor at Scripps Encinitas Memorial Hospital in California, as well as gathered top picks from Erum Ilyas, M.D., board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia, Mona Gohara, M.D., assistant clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine and co-creator of MELĒ skincare, Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City in previously reported Prevention stories, the Good Housekeeping Institute who tests countless products to ensure a fair and accurate representation of each item, and countless customer reviews to find the best retinol creams and serums for healthier skin.
[product-summary-view][/product-summary-view]
Smooth wrinkles, fade dark spots, and clear acne with the best retinol cream and serums. Here's where you can find the right picks and how to add one to your routine.
