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The Best Retinol Serums For Your Smoothest, Plumpest Skin Yet

Plus, experts explain the science behind the vitamin A boom

By ELLE Beauty Team
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If you’re old enough to remember Friends the first time around, it’s about time to get acquainted with retinol – aka the most effective skin-plumper out there.

Chances are, you've already heard of retinol. Famed for helping to improve a number of skin issues, the dermatologist-approved derivative of vitamin A is considered the gold standard in skincare. Clinical trials have repeatedly shown retinol to improve skin cell turnover and minimise the breakdown of collagen (which leads to fine lines), but that’s not all: retinol has also been shown to help with skin concerns such as acne, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, dryness, rough skin texture and blemishes.

But before you dive straight in, it's important to note that overuse of retinol can cause unwanted dryness or irritation, so to help prevent that from happening we asked Dr. Sam Bunting, founder of Dr Sam's Skincare, for her tips on how to use retinol the right way.

How to incorporate retinol into your skincare routine

'A good kick-off plan is to start slowly, every other night, using a pea-sized amount if you’re a first-timer doing this at home,' says Dr Bunting. 'You can then begin to build up to nightly use after a couple of weeks, as your tolerance levels start to improves.'

'If you’re nervous, like a lot of people are, it can be helpful to start a retinoid under expert guidance so that you have a structured plan and someone to check things with, especially as the first six weeks can be a bit up and down, particularly if you have acne. But in the long run, the effort is usually worthwhile,' says Dr Bunting.

It's also important to ensure you're only ever using vitamin A as part of your nighttime routine, because UV exposure deactivates most retinoids, rendering them all but useless. Another vital point to note is that you should always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen the day after using retinol. 'SPF should be everyone’s first anti-ageing step because least 80% of why we age is due to environmental aggressors and is preventable. Retinoids can make skin more sensitive, so extra UV protection is essential.'

So, now you’re all clued up, it’s time to dive into our verdict on the very best retinols out there – there’s one for sensitive skin, one for dark spots, and even one for extra added brightening benefits.

Shop The Best Retinol Skincare

1
Best retinol for smoothing skin

Medik8 Retinol 3TR

Retinol 3TR
1
Best retinol for smoothing skin

Medik8 Retinol 3TR

£34 at medik8.com

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.

2
Best retinol for dose control

Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules

On Sale
Retinol Ceramide Capsules
2
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.

3
Best retinol for fast results

Kiehl's Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum

On Sale
Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum
3
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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4
Best retinol for reducing the appearance of pores

Eve Lom Radiance Repair Retinol Serum

Radiance Repair Retinol Serum
4
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.

5
Best retinol for everyday use

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum

On Sale
Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
5
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.

6
Best retinol alternative

REN Clean Skincare Bio Retinoid Youth Serum

On Sale
Bio Retinoid Youth Serum
6
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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7
Best value retinol

Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Serum

Regenerist Retinol24 Night Serum
7
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.

8
Best retinol for sensitive skin

La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum

Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum
8
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.

9
Best retinol for all skin types

Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum

A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
9
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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10
Best retinol for quick absorption

The INKEY List Retinol Serum

Retinol Serum
10
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.

11
Best retinol for brightening skin

Kate Somerville +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturiser

+Retinol Vitamin C Moisturiser
11
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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