Wanna Try Retinol? Start With One of These ~Beginner~ Creams

If you’re not already using a retinol face cream or serum, listen up: “Retinol is the most effective product, after SPF, of course, for keeping your skin clear, smooth, and glowing,” says dermatologist Shari Marchbein, M.D. Retinoids (an umbrella term for all vitamin-A derivatives, like retinol) prompt collagen and elastin production—two proteins in skin that make it plump and firm (and, in turn, smooth those fine lines around your eyes and wrinkles on your face)—and boost cell turnover (aka your skin’s natural exfoliation process) for brighter, clearer, smoother skin. Bottom line: It's pure gold.

The only downside is you won't see results overnight. Usually, it takes a minimum of three months to see some reduction in fine lines, and trying to speed up the process or use a too-strong formula will only irritate the hell out of your face. So to help you figure out which retinol is best for you, I handpicked the 12 best retinol creams and retinol serums—broken down by every skin type and concern—for the glowiest skin of your life.