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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