Best Retinol Product

Retinol products are not all created equal. Like any anti aging cream your choice can mean the difference between a waste of money and younger looking skin.

Just because a cream contains retinol – doesn’t mean it will get rid of your wrinkles. 

You need a high level of retinol and a good delivery system so the retinol stays effective in the bottle and penetrates deep into your skin when you use it.

So – if you’re looking for a retinol product that really delivers results – here’s five of the best:

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 – Skinceuticals scores highly in my book for actually telling you how much retinol is in the product – unlike many other manufacturers. 

They make two grades of retinol product – this one is the recommended starter product and is used as an overnight cream.  0.5% retinol is the minimum effective level and you should try this if your skin is sensitive or you’ve never used a retinol product before.  Move up to the Skinceuticals 1% retinol serum once your skin is acclimatized. 

The retinol is stabilized and delivered to the deeper layers of the skin by Skinceuticals technology – so you should see significant anti aging results including: a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.  If you have enlarge pores, blemishes or age spots the serum will help with that too.

Skin Medica TNS Recovery Complex – A combination of three Pro-Retinoic acids (Retinol, Retinyl Actate, Retinyl Palmitate) together with Vitamin E.  The overall effect of this combination is the same as for a retinoic acid without the redness and irritation.  Improves the radiance, texture and tone of the skin, diminishes fine lines, aging, and sun-damage. 

The retinol is microencapsulated to deliver it safely to the deeper layers of the skin and prevent contamination.  Use with moisturizer especially as part of the superb Skin Medica TNS Regeneration Kit

La Roche Posay Biomedic Retinol 15 – revolutionary retinol formulation from Europe’s number one dermatologist recommended brand.  Part of a three step retinol series, this is the first step for sensitive skins or those beginning a retinol skin care system for the first time. 

The retinol is in a very low level (.15%) so if you have normal/tolerant skin you may be better off moving to the next step.  All of the La Roche Posay retinol products have excellent soothing and moisturizing ingredients to avoid skin irritation.  Highly recommended on skin care and dermatologist’s sites.

Leaf & Rusher Active Serum combines retinol and Vitamin C which are both activated by contact with the skin.  This is Leaf and Rusher’s best selling anti aging product – a light, velvety serum which dramatically improves the skin’s tone, texture and firmness.  High potency serum so gradually build up use to avoid irritation.  Maximum use is twice a day.  Excellent reviews.

Any of these products should deliver excellent anti aging results  but some are more retinol-focused than others.

If you want a single retinol serum that works then buy the Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5% because you know what you are getting and it delivers results across most skin types and ages.  Alternatively – try the Skin Medica TNS Recovery Complex but preferably buy it as part of the Skin Medica TNS Regeneration kit for maximum effectiveness.

Whichever you pick you can be sure all of these products are among the best of any retinol product available.

Related Articles:

• Retinol creams: what you need to know
• A retinol cream you can afford
• Best eye cream for dark circles