Published Mar 26, 2019

Here’s exactly what retinol product you need, based on your skin goals

Take this retinol quiz to help you find the perfect match for your skin—and find out what our editors thought of the seven formulas, available at Sephora.

Here’s exactly what retinol product you need, based on your skin goals

Take this retinol quiz to help you find the perfect match for your skin—and find out what our editors thought of the seven formulas, available at Sephora.

Published Mar 26, 2019

In Partnership With

Sephora

Written by

Well+Good Editors

Published Mar 26, 2019

In Partnership With

Sephora

Written by

Well+Good Editors

Retinol is the universal go-to for fountain of youth vibes on your face, but finding the right formula to suit your skin isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. The wrinkle-fighting ingredient can also help combat redness, fight breakouts, brighten, and a whole host of other complexion-boosting benefits. Nope, totally not a one-trick pony.

To help you find the perfect match for your skin, we teamed up with Sephora to create this handy (and legit informative) quiz. And because everyone wants to know how a product actually works IRL before trying it for yourself, we got seven of our editors to try seven different retinols and share their thoughts.

Scroll down to take our retinol quiz, and click the hotspots to read what our editors thought of each formula.

Best for redness

“I have dry skin, so anytime I wear a retinol, I have to couple it with a heavy-duty moisturizer to help my skin handle it; however, when I started using Green Releaf Cream I was able to cut two steps down to one. The cocktail of cannabis sativa seed oil with two percent retinol allows me to slather it on and then hit the sack with an extra minute or two back in my evening.”

— Ali Finney, Beauty + Fitness Director

Peter Thomas Roth Green Releaf Therapeutic Sleep Cream

$65

Best for dark spots

“I was thrilled to have found a plant-based alternative to retinol, by way of bakuchiol, that gives my skin the same smooth, glassy finish I’ve always hoped for. OLEHENRIKSEN’S Retin-ALT Crème utilizes the buzzy ingredient (which happens to be one of Well+Good’s trendiest of 2019!) to fight signs of aging—like fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots—while I sleep. Rather than drying out my skin, this stuff leaves me feeling hydrated while still managing to do its job. Plus, it smells amazing.”

– Zoe Weiner, Associate Beauty + Fitness Editor

OLEHENRIKSEN Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Crème

$55

Best for breakouts

“I’ve tried a lot of retinols in my life, but Sunday Riley’s new A+ High Dose retinol serum is one of my faves. Even though it has a high percentage of the skin-boosting superstar vitamin A, it’s always been very gentle on my skin. Like, no redness or flaking at all. Instead, it leaves my complexion hydrated while working its skin cell-turnover magic, thanks to Hawaiian white honey, which draws in moisture, and glycerin, another hydrating staple. Ever since I started using it, my skin’s been clearer and more even.”

– Rachel Lapidos, Beauty + Fitness Editor

Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum

$85

Best for firming

“I’ve dabbled in retinol in the past, but now that I’m 32 the stakes feel, well, real. Whatever I was expecting from this lightweight formula, though, I was certainly not expecting dewiness. But that’s what I got: A sinks-right-in, glowy finish that left my skin looking somehow plump and taut. Add to the fact that it minimizes the appearance of the fine lines that are now a fact of my forehead, and it’s more than earned its spot in my medicine cabinet. (PS: My husband even uses it.)”

– Eva Rohan, Director of Branded Content

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum

$89

Best for eye area

“I’ve tried a lot of eye serums for my dark under-eye circles, and always feel like they don’t really do anything other than irritate my sensitive skin. So I was super impressed that wasn’t the case with this retinol-based eye serum. I was able to see brightening results after just a few days (I used two times a day) thanks to licorice root, and I love that is has caffeine in it for firming, tightening, and wrinkle fighting. Ten out of 10 would recommend.”

– Ems McCarthy, Digital Designer

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum

$69

Best for brightening

“This was my first time ever trying retinol, and honestly I was bracing myself for the worst—i.e. my skin drying up and flaking off, crocodile style. But that image couldn’t have been farther from the results I got from this serum. My skin stayed hydrated thanks to not one, but two forms of hyaluronic acid mixed into the formula, and L-ascorbic acid (just the purest form of vitamin C, nbd) gave my skin a visible glow boost.”

– Erin Flynn, Associate Branded Content Editor

Kate Somervile +Retinol Vita C Power Serum

$98

Best for sensitive skin

“I have dry, sensitive skin—AKA winter is my worst nightmare. So the thought of trying out a new retinol in the dead of winter made me nervous. This serum is technically a retin-alt (a retinol alternative that taps plant-derived bakuchiol for its youth-boosting powers), and turns out I had nothing to worry about: My sensitive complexion was happy as a clam, thanks to an assist from hydrating squalene. I apply it in the morning and at night, and not to brag but my face is looking pretty amazing. Plus, it’s sustainable and nontoxic, so I’m winning across the board.”

– Alex Taylor, Assistant Branded Content Editor

Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum

$78

In partnership with Sephora

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Beauty

Published Mar 3, 2025

The Plant-Based Oil for Every Beauty Goal, According to a Dermatologist

Published Mar 3, 2025

In Partnership With

NOW® Solutions

Written by

Maeve McCormick

Photo: Stocksy/mahalo studio

Published Mar 3, 2025

In Partnership With

NOW® Solutions

Written by

Maeve McCormick

Everyone has a beauty goal. Maybe you’re looking to keep your skin feeling soft and hydrated, reduce the appearance of fine lines, or give your hair a little extra shine. Maybe you’re just aiming for five minutes of self-care every day. Maybe you’re feeling pretty good and want to maintain the status quo.

Wherever you find yourself, you’ve probably noticed that there are about a million products that claim to be the solution—which makes it easy to end up with an overflowing cabinet and a routine that feels more overwhelming than effective.

Instead of layering on more, the secret to achieving your beauty goals might actually be in paring down. Enter: plant-based carrier oils. These multi-tasking wonders can hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin and hair—all without a complicated, 14-step regimen. According to board-certified dermatologist Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, the right plant-based oils can be powerhouse additions to any beauty routine, helping to support healthy-looking skin and hair while keeping things refreshingly simple.

“Plant oils have many potential benefits for skin,” Dr. Mudgil says. “First, they are generally sustainable and biodegradable, which is an advantage over many synthetic alternatives. For skincare, many plant-based oils are moisturizing and rejuvenating.”

And while oils can sometimes get a bad rap for being greasy or pore-clogging, Dr. Mudgil explains that’s largely a misconception. Many plant-based oils are non-comedogenic and packed with antioxidants and fatty acids that help nourish both your skin and hair.

In the spirit of simplifying things, NOW^® Solutions has all kinds of high-quality, cruelty-free, and comprehensively tested oils that naturally cater to a variety of goals, no major investment included (and you can get 20 percent off through April 30). From skin hydration to scalp health, you can up the effectiveness and efficiency of your beauty routine with one simple (and budget-friendly) swap. So check out Dr. Mudgil’s recommendations, and find the plant-based oil for your beauty goal.

For boosted scalp health: castor oil

Think of castor oil as your scalp’s version of a deep-tissue massage: rich, nourishing, and exactly what it needs to feel rejuvenated. While it’s long been hyped as a hair-growth miracle, Dr. Mudgil says the real magic lies in its ability to help moisturize the scalp and reduce dryness, creating the ideal environment for healthy hair to thrive. A little goes a long way, so massage a few drops into your roots for that extra dose of self-care.

Castor Oil, 16 fl. oz — $16

To help reduce the appearance of fine lines: apricot kernel oil

Looking for that just-left-a-facial glow—on the daily? “Apricot kernel oil is a terrific emollient, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines,” Dr. Mudgil says. It’s also packed with antioxidants, helping to protect the skin from environmental pollutants that can prematurely age the skin. Plus, it’s lightweight and fast-absorbing, which means you don’t have to worry about waiting around for the oil to sink in (um, who has time?). Dab a little onto clean skin before moisturizing and let this little golden drop do its thing.

Apricot Oil, 16 fl. oz. — $15

For skin hydration: sweet almond oil

If your skin could text you, it would probably send a “TYSM” after a swipe of sweet almond oil. Full of skin-friendly vitamins and fatty acids, Dr. Mudgil recommends this ultra-nourishing oil to help lock in moisture and leave skin feeling soft and supple. Whether you’re fresh out of the shower or looking for some mid-day hydration, consider this your skin’s daily dose of TLC.

Sweet Almond Oil, 16 fl. oz. — $15

For nourished hair: coconut oil

Sun, salt, styling—your hair goes through a lot. Think of coconut oil as an unplug-and-unwind getaway in a bottle, delivering deep moisture to your thirsty strands. Packed with natural fatty acids, it helps hair feel soft and smooth (that’s why you’ll often find it in leave-in conditioners and overnight masks). Dr. Mudgil’s pro tip? Be sure to keep it on the mid-lengths and ends, because it can clog your pores when it’s applied directly to the scalp. Smooth a little onto your ends before bed and wake up with hair that looks like it actually drank its eight glasses of water.

Coconut Oil, 7 fl. oz. — $8

To protect against harsh weather: shea nut oil

Cold, dry air? Wind that feels personally offensive? Shea nut oil is here to wrap your skin up in a cozy barrier of hydration. “Shea nut oil is very hydrating and can therefore protect our skin against extreme cold, wind, and excessive dryness,” Dr. Mudgil says. If you’re facing unpleasant forecasts these days, keep a bottle in your winter survival kit for an extra layer of skin-loving comfort.

Shea Nut Oil, 16 fl. oz. — $17

For double cleansing: vegetable glycerin

If you love a good oil-based cleanser but hate the post-wash residue, vegetable glycerin is your skin’s new best friend. Made to be the second step in a double-cleanse routine, it helps remove lingering impurities while leaving skin feeling hydrated, Dr. Mudgil says. Think of it as the final rinse cycle for your face, prepping you for the rest of your pared-down, carrier-oil-based beauty routine.