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Best retinol for smoothing skin
Medik8 Retinol 3TR
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Best retinol for smoothing skin
Medik8 Retinol 3TR
You may have heard the buzz around the more recent retinal eye cream launch, but this Medik8 formulation is where things began for the brand. The science-backed vitamin A serum is designed to work with the skin during its beauty sleep phase, firming and plumping while you catch thirty winks.
The 0.3% retinol infusion layers well with other products, making it super easy to incorporate into a nightly routine. It works to target evenness of skin tone, brightness and balancing of congested pores, and it works quickly on skin texture to smooth out any bumps. Sign us up.
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Best retinol for dose control
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules
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Best retinol for dose control
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules
Now 52% Off
Elizabeth Arden's genius portion-size capsules mean you get the perfect amount of retinol serum for each application. Formulated to visibly reduce lines and wrinkles without drying skin, these are the ultimate entry-level option. The capsules are convenient for travelling with, and they're biodegradable, too.
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Best retinol for fast results
Kiehl's Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum
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Best retinol for fast results
Kiehl's Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum
Now 20% Off
We love the lightweight texture of this serum and the fact it absorbs into skin quickly. It made a visible difference to both skin's texture and fine lines – this really is Kiehl’s promise of ‘dermatologist solutions’ delivering its finest performance.
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Best retinol for reducing the appearance of pores
Eve Lom Radiance Repair Retinol Serum
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Best retinol for reducing the appearance of pores
Eve Lom Radiance Repair Retinol Serum
The magpies among us may get giddy for the gold packaging, but this serum hides a treasure trove inside, too. It may be impossible to reduce pore size (they’re there to keep your skin balanced and happy, so be kind to them), but unblocking oxidised sebum from your sebaceous filaments — convenient conveyer belts for oil to travel to your skin’s surface — can diminish their appearance if they’re pigmented and noticeable. With the added help of gently exfoliating AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) this serum did just that, as well as working to make pores look smaller, dark circles reduced and acne subdued, too.
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Best retinol for everyday use
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
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Best retinol for everyday use
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
Now 40% Off
Powered by clever Tri-Active technology (a combination of three different types of retinol) this super lightweight serum feels weightless, whilst rapidly transforming your skin. The idea? To achieve the benefits of retinol without the annoying side effects.
It layers well with other skincare products, making it easy to incorporate into an existing routine – something that only serves to make us love it more.
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Best retinol alternative
REN Clean Skincare Bio Retinoid Youth Serum
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Best retinol alternative
REN Clean Skincare Bio Retinoid Youth Serum
Now 48% Off
First there was retinol, then there were retinol alternatives. Ideal for sensitive skin sufferers or if you're pregnant (retinol isn't tested on pregnant women so results are inconclusive), REN's plant-based bio retinoid replacement is just as effective as the original.
Gentle on skin, it soaks in quickly and over time promsies to help reduce hyperpigmentation while making skin plumper and appear more radiant, without being sticky or greasy.
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Best value retinol
Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Serum
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Best value retinol
Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Serum
This excellent value Olay offering is touted as the brand’s most potent retinoid solution so far, but with lashings of 40% more hydrating ingredients to negate dryness, it promises all the benefits without any retinol repercussions.
The silky consistency is satisfying to use, and it leaves skin looking and feeling soft and supple. Long term, it works to help smooth fine lines and generally improve the look of skin overall.
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Best retinol for sensitive skin
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum
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Best retinol for sensitive skin
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum
Yes, you absolutely can use retinol if you have sensitive skin, you just have to find the right one and remain cautious. La Roche Posay's lower concentration (0.3%) means sensitive skin is less irritated but the benefits are no less effective — a much more sensible route for retinol beginners, so if you'd previously blacklisted retinol because of irritation, give this game-changer a go.
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Best retinol for all skin types
Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
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Best retinol for all skin types
Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
If you've tried (and loved) Sunday Riley's Luna oil, this is the next step up. It combines 1% encapsulated, stabilised retinol with (less potent) retinol ester, plus humectant white honey to counteract the drying effects.
Retinoid first-timers should use the 'two days on, two days off' schedule, while seasoned users can apply nightly, following with a hydrating oil (the brand's soothing Juno is the perfect match).
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Best retinol for quick absorption
The INKEY List Retinol Serum
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Best retinol for quick absorption
The INKEY List Retinol Serum
Retinol doesn't get more affordable than The Inkey List's serum. Coming in at just £12.99, this lightweight formula combines 1% stable retinol with a slightly stronger 0.5% granactive retinoid to encourage skin cell turnover and reveal the glow below. So, if you’re looking for something inexpensive to ease you into retinol, give this brand a try.
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Best retinol for brightening skin
Kate Somerville +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturiser
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Best retinol for brightening skin
Kate Somerville +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturiser
Now 20% Off
Many brands shy away from combining vitamin C and retinol, as they typically require different pH environments to work optimally.
Kate Somerville has side-stepped the issue in this creamy, orange-scented moisturiser, which sees the vitamin C encapsulated in volcanic soil, keeping both ingredients as active as possible until the moment they hit your skin. As well as working to improve the overall appearance of skin, it'll also help brighten it.
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