You might have heard a lot of times before that if there’s one skincare ingredient you should not miss out, it is Retinol. Dermatologists and skincare experts always rave about Retinol because of its ability to treat and rejuvenate skin like magic. Retinol is considered the “gold standard” by dermatologists because of its endless skin benefits.

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But what is Retinol, really?

Retinol is a synthetic derivative of vitamin A that belongs to a group of retinoids. It’s a milder version of Retin-A or Tretinoin applied topically to improve the skin by increasing cell turnover and collagen production. Retinol is accessible over-the-counter, and available as an ingredient in skincare products like serums and creams for maintaining healthy skin.

What exactly does Retinol do to your skin?

Retinol is an anti-aging hero, as it helps lessen wrinkles and aging lines. It gracefully refines the skin into a youthful one through its collagen production.

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It can also even out your complexion by treating several skin conditions such as acne, uneven skin mixtures, lines, hyperpigmentation, oily skin, and collagen loss.  It is absorbed, broken down, and converted into retinoic acid– – helping the skin to achieve finer pores, and overall softer, smoother, more gentle and dewier skin.  

Although it is said that Retinol is milder compared to other skincare ingredients, it can still be challenging to find the right one for your skin type. So we’ve gathered here the best over-the-counter Retinol products based on your needs, which skincare experts and beauty fans swear by:

Best Retinol For Beginners

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Facial Moisturizer penetrates deep into skin’s surface layers. It is composed of Vitamin B3 + Retinoid complex that delivers visible improvements addressing fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots and pores. It can give your skin noticeable smoothness, brightness, and firmness. My favorite thing is it hydrates the skin for 24 hours!

Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturiser 50g valued at ₱1,749.88. Shop it here.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream is a rich moisturizing cream delivers the highest concentration of Accelerated Retinol SA deep into skin’s surface quickly and effectively. This results to visibly smoother and younger-looking skin in just one week.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair valued at ₱1,529.56. Shop here.

Best Retinol Products Overall

The Ordinary Retinol 0.05% in Squalane is easily a skincare fave because it helps to address visible signs of aging, including photo-damage, dark spots and wrinkles. 

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane valued at ₱745. Shop here.

Best Retinol For Sensitive Skin

To prevent premature aging, La Roche-Posay Pure Retinol Face Serum with Vitamin B3 is an ideal serum for you. The formula is highly concentrated in ingredients that reduce signs of aging, as it contains 0.3% of Retinol, which has high efficacy to address deep wrinkles, and Vitamin B3 2% with compensatory action for optimal sensitive skin tolerance. This makes this skincare product suitable for sensitive skin with premature wrinkles, deep aging lines and blemishes.

La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum Anti Wrinkle Concentrate 30ml valued at ₱1,483. Shop here.

Best Retinol for Acne 

Blended with L-retinol A to promote cell re-growth, CosMedix Clarity Skin-Clarifying Serum restores clear, smooth, refined, and healthy-looking skin. A great serum for oily, acne-congested and breakout-prone skin.

CosMedix Clarity Skin-Clarifying Serum 30ml valued at ₱1,913. Shop here.

When using Retinol for the first time, make sure to apply a low concentrated one until you build your tolerance little by little. Limit your usage to a milder one if you experience redness or peeling after using Retinol with a higher dose. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to consult your dermatologist before using one to avoid irritation and dryness in your skin.