Best Retinol Creams That Actually Work

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer

Courtesy of brand

WATCH

Maddie Ziegler Tries 9 Things She's Never Done Before

Shani Darden Retinol Reform

Courtesy of brand

If there's anyone who loves retinol as much as dermatologists, it's aestheticians like Shani Darden. She included Retinol Reform in her eponymous skin-care collection to serve as a way to deliver the in-demand title ingredient without the unwanted irritation — an especially impressive feat considering this serum also contains lactic acid, an exfoliating alpha hydroxy acid. Skin basically has no choice but to look smoother, more even, and clearer, whether you're using it once a week or — if your skin is more used to retinol — nearly every day.

$88 (Shop Now)

Kate Somerville Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer

Courtesy of brand

Kate Somerville is well aware that retinol and vitamin C are rare bedfellows, she has brought the two beloved and effective ingredients together in a formula that involves encapsulating the L-ascorbic acid in volcanic soil to ensure stability and cooperation. This night cream also boosts hydration via hyaluronic acid and antioxidant protect via wild gooseberry extract, which offers the extra benefit of soothing any irritation the star ingredients may cause.

Sobel Skin Rx 4.5% Retinol Night Treatment

Courtesy of brand

If 4.5 percent sounds like a higher retinol concentration than your typical OTC retinol formula, your suspicions are right: two percent is the usual maximum. Developed by a dermatologist, Sobel Skin Rx 4.5% Retinol Night Treatment offsets the extra retinol — the potential irritation it can cause — with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile and macadamia seed oil to help fortify skin's barrier. And while the retinol gets to work on fine lines, it gets a helping hand from similarly smoothing peptides.

$105 (Shop Now)

Origins Plantscription Retinol Night Moisturizer With Alpine Flower

Courtesy of brand

You've probably picked up on the trend that retinol is typically encouraged for nighttime use. Origins Plantscription Retinol Night Moisturizer With Alpine Flower is no exception, but it's really not typical in any other way. A relatively affordable retinol option, this cream's key ingredient is surrounded by a virtual garden of botanical ingredients. Its titular alpine flower is included for collagen support, while a wide variety of plant oils ensure moisture and calmness. Using it every other day, the brand says, will encourage the kind of cell turnover required to see more even, less textured skin.

Most Popula

$64 (Shop Now)

Marie Veronique Gentle Retinol Night Serum

Courtesy of brand

The pure retinol in this non-stinging serum is "encapsulated to allow for timed delivery to the skin, which results in less irritation," explains the product's famed formulator, Marie Veronique, who is both a chemist and an aesthetician. "We like retinol because the skin itself schedules the rate of conversion, ensuring less redness and flaking. It works just as well as [Rx] retinoic acid, though it may take longer to see the results." The green tea-based formula also includes moisturizing ceramides and l-ascorbic acid, a highly active form of antioxidant vitamin C, which ramps up collagen production and brightens the skin. After using this serum every other night for three months, my skin is glowier than ever and utterly content.

$110 (Shop Now)

Paula’s Choice Resist 1% Retinol Booster

Courtesy of brand

While the brand makes upwards of a dozen different retinol potions, this is the one, they say, that wins constant raves from women who can't normally use retinoids of any kind. While 1 percent retinol is no joke, a slow-release delivery system and a squad of soothing extracts exert a serious calming influence. Plus, the serum is made to be combined with (read: diluted by) your favorite moisturizer, further cushioning any potential blow. For the last few weeks, our rosacea-prone tester has been using it every other night, blending it with a hydrating serum, and consistently waking up "to smooth, sated skin that seems a bit plumper." When she tried it straight a time or two, she experienced neither stinging nor irritation, but says she prefers mixing for the superior sensory experience.

$52 (Shop Now)

Eve Lom Time Retreat Face Treatment

Courtesy of brand

After noting barrier-bolstering niacinamide high atop the ingredient list, we weren't all that surprised by this formula's nonaggressive approach. The retinol is encapsulated, which makes it less vexatious and keeps its strength up. Our tester loved its luxe vibe as much as the early returns: smoother, fresher-looking skin in only two weeks. If you're one to pile on multiple skin-care products before bed, you'll appreciate how swiftly this water-light serum sinks in.