16 best retinol serums and creams for every skin type – tried and tested with pictures

Why we love it: If you’re a retinol novice, worry no more, for this serum is a great way to ease yourself in. Developed with dermatologists, the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol is a gentle yet effective way to reduce the appearance of acne marks and visible pores. Alongside retinol, it also includes CeraVe’s hero ingredient: ceramides.

See ceramides as like the glue that holds your skin together: they keep your skin barrier healthy and strong – sealing moisture in and keeping pollutants out. Refined skin without compromising its protective barrier? Win-win.

Glowing customer review: "After consistently using the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum, I noticed a visible improvement in my skin’s texture and tone. My skin appeared smoother, and some of the post-acne marks began to fade. The serum did not cause the intense irritation that can often accompany retinol, which is a significant plus for those with sensitive skin. I recommend starting with 2-3 times a week to allow your skin to acclimate, gradually increasing as your skin builds tolerance."

Why we love it: A powerhouse anti-ageing serum that blends retinal (11 times more effective than retinol) with hyaluronic acid and squalane, to smooth the skin without having to worry about all the irritation that usually goes hand in hand with a strong retinoid.

Cosmo’s Senior Beauty and Fashion Ecommerce Writer, Clare Stephenson, is a particular fan: “As a fairly new user to retinol (hi, hello, I’m 26), this has eased me in without the harsh side effects. When I was testing it for this feature, I used it – near enough – every day and it felt comfortable on my skin, mixed well with the rest of my skincare routine and I saw results after only a few weeks. I noticed my complexion looked smoother and glossier – and post-acne scars faded too.”

Glowing customer review: "I was hesitant to order, as I never used retinol before and have sensitive skin to acids. This product is literally the best skincare I ever had. It transformed my skin! The texture is smoother and more even now. No irritation at all, no redness just PERFECT!"

Why we love it: Pure retinol (not derivatives!) makes for SkinCeuticals' 0.3% formula – don't get it twisted. So, with that in mind, you can expect a stronger promotion in cell turnover, which diminishes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and blemishes. Y'know, all that good stuff.

The best way to use this potent formula is as a targeted treatment. Only apply it to the areas you need it most (read: fine lines, pigmentation etc) – and luckily so as, with a £90 price tag, you don’t want to be wasting this stuff. Just be sure to use it sparingly and respectfully.

Glowing customer review: "This is my first SkinCeuticals Retinol and I do not regret buying it. It is an expensive product but lived up to the hype. Though I have only been using it for a week, I see difference in my combination skin. There was a bit of redness for the first two days but it went away fast. My skin is brighter and more even-looking. I will definitely be repurchasing it. Wish we get to buy the 0.5% version here as well."

Why we love it: Listen up, if you’re new to retinol, on a budget and want to prioritise softening fine lines and wrinkles, this is the formula for you.

CeraVe’s serum combines retinol with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to not only target fine lines but to also support hydration and the skin barrier. The texture makes it genuinely enjoyable to apply too: it has a milky consistency that feels light and refreshing, which is exactly what you want in your evening skincare routine.

Glowing customer review: “After consistent use, my skin started to look brighter, smoother, and more refined. The serum helped soften small lines and gave my face a healthier, more even appearance. Another great point is that it doesn’t cause the harsh dryness that many retinol products do.”

Why we love it: Use this after cleansing at nighttime (never during the day as sun exposure will render it ineffective) and if you're patient (and consistent!) you will see results... we promise.

Not all retinoid formulas are made equally, but retinal is more effective and will work more quickly than retinol (it's confusing, we know), but most products that use it tend to be quite expensive. Well, that’s not the case with The Ordinary. They came along with its Retinal 0.2% Emulsion, which comes in at a pocket-friendly £15.20. Though the formula may look intimidating (a heads up, it‘s vibrant yellow), it’s a very tolerable formula that gently smooths your skin tone, fades pigmentation and promotes a brighter complexion.

Read our full review of the product, here.

Glowing customer review: "The Ordinary’s Retinal 0.2% is great and when I use is the last serum in my routine before my face cream. Great value for money and seems to be helping with reducing dark spots. I would recommend!"

Why we love it: Super dry skin, but still in need of a retinol? Look no further than Murad's Retinol Youth Renewal Oil Drops. We get it even those with skin drier than the Sahara desert sometimes don’t like the feeling of a heavy oil, but this formula is super lightweight yet ultra nourishing – a few drops is all you need to feel moisturised, never greasy. Alongside retinol, the formula also contains omega-6 fatty acids to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, boost moisture and improve elasticity.

Better yet if you don’t want to apply the oil directly to your face, you can also mix a few drops into your daily moisturiser – just make sure it’s a formula without any added actives. Not only will this make the retinol slightly gentler (which is especially useful if you have dry, sensitive skin) but it will make your money stretch further too.

Glowing customer review: "Since starting it I've noticed less redness and more hydrated skin. I love the Retinol Oil because a little goes a long way - it both lasts a long time and I've seen actual change from this product. It is easy to use and my skin is sensitive and this wasn't irritating at all."

Why we love it: As you may have gathered, retinol can be pretty pricey. But fear not for The Inkey List, one of our fave no-fuss cult brands, is here to save your day skin.

At just £14, this hero is no less than in comparison to its counterparts. With 1% retinol acetate, 0.5% granactive retinoid and squalane for hydration and soothing, we're hitting a home run in everything anti-ageing.

Just use a pea-sized amount 1-2 days a week (to begin with) and see fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone diminish. The packaging may not look particularly exciting, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

Glowing customer review: "I have used a lot of Retinols but this one feels different. I follow a dermatologist and she swears by it decided to try and couldn't agree more. The product's colour, smell, texture itself shows it has great ingredients also the price is too good for the product quality"

Why we love it: This cult night cream is one to consider if you steer clear of retinol due to skin sensitivity. Scientists behind No7’s Pure Retinol 1% Retinol Night Concentrate carried out extensive research into the retinol “sweet spot” (maximum concentration meets minimal irritation), and added bisabolol (found in Chamomile) to calm and soothe. The anti-ageing formula is also boosted by No7’s go-to peptide blend, Matrixyl 3000 Plus.

Glowing customer review: "I would highly recommend this product. It really does improve your skin. I am 73 and my skin looks really less wrinkled. Like all products you have to keep using it and gradually you can really see a difference."

Why we love it: Two wrinkle-busting power players sealed in serum capsules, these are a dream if you're always on the go. Single-use air-tight pods preserve the potency, making it 76% stronger than unencapsulated retinol, while hydrating ceramides prevent the dreaded dryness that often accompanies retinol.

Clare Stephenson, Cosmo’s Senior Fashion and Beauty Writer, says: “One of the things I find most frustrating with skincare is knowing the right amount of product to apply. I find myself slathering on a serum that only needs two drops, or applying not enough moisturiser than the recommended amount. What I love about these capsules is it’s the perfect dose: you twist off the top, squeeze out the formula and apply.”

Glowing customer review: "The capsules feel super luxe and make it easy to use the right amount. My skin feels smoother and more hydrated without irritation. Absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel greasy. No strong scent either, which I appreciate. Too soon to see major changes, but so far I’m loving the texture and hydration boost."

Why we love it: Despite containing a potent hit of retinol, this clever serum also contains peptides and ceramides. Which means what, exactly? Sensitive and dry skin users, we’re looking at you. Thanks to these nourishing ingredients, you can comfortably use this hard-working formula and it won’t cause dryness, redness irritation. That’s why it’s called the Daily Micro-Dose Serum: you can use it daily, without any troubles.

As for the price tag, *gulp*. We know, it’s a spenny formula but it does a stellar job at gently promoting your skin’s natural renewal process, thus helping to fade pigmentation and texture. Stay loyal to it and you’ll understand the £75 price tag.

Glowing customer review: "Been using this for nearly a month. Good introduction to retinol. I like the pump gives you correct dose to use and a little goes along way. Looking forward to see the results after longer use."

Member price: £23

Why we love it: Is there anything Beauty Pie can't do? This retinol serum is one of our all-time favourites due to its super-smart formula. It uses an encapsulated retinol complex, which basically means the serum is absorbed by the skin before releasing, meaning you get maximum efficacy, without the dreaded irritation.

The Super Retinol Ceramide-Boost Anti-ageing Face Serum has a 3% encapsulated retinol complex, which works on the skin at 0.09% pure retinol. So you can expect some pretty punchy results when it comes to unclogging your pores, boosting collagen production and smoothing out the complexion.

Glowing customer review: "The fact that I am a repeat customer tells you everything. This tube of magic is the business. I have such a high level of confidence that this works as a result of my experience of using religiously every night. I’m holding back the tide with this magic serum."

Why we love it: This encapsulated retinol (meaning it's time-releasing) formula contains 0.3% pure retinol, so it is not one to be played with. Rather than reacting with your skin cells on the surface, encapsulated retinol protects the molecule as it delivers the ingredient deeper into your skin, and then very slowly releases it. This prevents adverse reactions from happening (think: irritation and redness).

Alongside retinol, it also blends hyaluronic acid and bisabolol (an antioxidant known for its skin-soothing powers) to nurture your skin barrier as it gets to work to help minimise any irritation. It’s a quick worker too: for the impatient, this claims to reduce crow's feet in just four weeks. Not too shabby.

Glowing customer review: "Love this gentle on the skin, only been using for a couple of weeks and my skin is already looking better."

Why we love it: This budget serum has received hundreds of five star reviews, and all for brilliant reasons. It contains an impressively potent dose of 0.2% pure retinol, but it’s also formulated with hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated and plump, therefore mitigating any drying side effects.

It also has a milky texture to it, so it easily absorbs into your skin leaving it feeling hydrated and soothed without any irritation during our testing process. If you’re new to retinol or want to tip your toe in without spending a lot of money, we think this is a brilliant place to start.

Glowing customer review: “L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Pure Retinol Serum: a product that has help target my fine lines. It doesn’t irritate my skin and I have had no stinging which is great. My skin looks and feels smoother it has also helped with firming areas. My skin is glowing!”

Why we love it: Olay’s Retinol 24 Night Serum is one of the best retinol serums we've discovered — and lucky for us, it won't break the bank. Yep, this budget bottle is packed with a potent retinoid complex and vitamin B3 (niacinamide), allowing it to smooth fine lines, reduce skin texture, improve brightness and fade dark spots.

The formula is also incredibly hydrating and fragrance-free, so expect to see an instant improvement as the skin gets a serious moisture hit. As for you sensitive souls, you have the green light to go ahead with this formula. But, as always, go slow and steady to begin with.

Glowing customer review: "I've been buying this for over a year now. Absolutely love it .and it really does make a difference to my skin. I was paying over £30 for it at Boots .Then I saw it half the price on Amazon .I did have my doubts as to whether it was genuine but believe me it is and I would buy it anywhere else now .I'm delighted"