Best retinol on Reddit

169 reviews from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction, r/Skincare_Addiction and 20 more subreddits

169 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

The Ordinary

4.2

(23)

"Works like a dream and is super inexpensive."

"The ordinary 0.2 retinal emulsion is amazing!"

"I had no issues at all while using that."

"Made wonders for me in just two weeks."

"Loved it."

"The Ordinary is very affordable!"

"I use retinol from The Ordinary which is oil based and my skin loves it."

"People on this sub poo poo on the ordinary but I've been using their retinoids for 7 years now and they're very effective."

"I've been really enjoying their 0.2% retinal, it really helps with redness, dullness and pigmentation."

"If you wanted to step up a bit."

CeraVe

4.1

(14)

"For me Cerave really does the trick."

"Both of them are very good, would recommend."

"Retinoid: Differin or Retinol: Cerave"

"If your mom doesn’t want to start prescription tret then she can use CeraVe retinol."

"It's quite good. I've used one bottle."

"It's definitely a great beginner retinol and possibly a good one for sensitive skin."

"Either of the Cerave ones... they’re amazing."

"Cerave Skin Renewing Retinol Serum."

"I think a good beginner retinol would be CereVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum."

"Definitely Cerave’s resurfacing serum! I’m finding now though that I can probably take a step up from this."

Differin

4.5

(12)

"The differin is truly a game changer for my skin. I see the difference immediately."

"Adapalene (doesn't have to be brand Differin) is OTC in some countries and will be the most affordable and effective option."

"It’s medical grade retinoid and you can purchase it over the counter for less than 20 bucks."

"Retinoid: Differin or Retinol: Cerave"

"My mother, who will be 69, swears by Differin and she looks great!"

"Has been working great for me."

"I think this might be the thing for your situation."

"I use Differin every other evening, over top of my moisturizer."

"It’s helped my acne a LOT."

"Differin."

Medik8

4.4

(12)

"It is so gentle and effective."

"It has levels and good advice on introducing in stages."

"Medik8 Retinal is 12/10!"

"I just started with Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1. It is incredible."

"I’m seeing a difference with minimal side effects."

"Crystal Retinal 3 by Medik8. It has been mild enough for my very sensitive skin."

"Start on the lowest percentage and work way up."

"I enjoyed Medik8 crystal retinal before I switched to tret."

"Haven’t gotten any issues from that."

"The medik8 crystal retinal or the bondi sands baby face."

Good Molecules

4.3

(9)

"Try Retinol Cream from Good Molecules!"

"She did not experienced break outs or irritation."

"One of my favorite starters!"

"I have had no problems with these."

"Good molecules retinol until now yan pa din gingamit ko since 2022 pero before that is Vibrant glamour retinol."

"Just finishing the first tube of Good Molecules ($8) .. took forever to finish it."

"Good molecules gentle retinol cream."

"I used Good Molecules then Some By Mi. Mas bet ko Some By Mi."

"Good molecules retinol. Ok siyang retinol for beginners."

Olay

3.7

(10)

"Let her try Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer cream, Fragrance free"

"Start with the olay or Neutrogena retinol night cream."

"Some drugstore options would be Olay regenerist 24 retinol products."

"The cream would be the Olay Retinol 24 Night Cream."

"Fragrance free, also has peptides and niacinamide."

"I use Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer 2x/week."

"I like the Olay retinol nightcream, it's super moisturizing for my combo skin."

"Retinol creams like Olay retinol 24."

"I started using Olay 24 w/ retinol last week and within a few days of using it at night my skin was burning, dry, and irritated."

Tretinoin

5.0

(6)

"The best thing you could do is go to a derm and get a prescription for Tretinoin."

"My first 30gm (1 oz) tube of tretinoin.025% lasted a year."

"I use Tret now but have enjoyed both differin and A313."

"Tretinoin .0025 or if you've sensitive skin .001"

"Pharmaceutical tretinoin creams do wonders without breaking your wallet!!"

"Honestly nothing compares to tretinoin. Grab a script from your GP."

SkinBetter

4.8

(5)

"Skinbetter Alpharet is a very gentle yet effective retinol."

"Skinbetter alpharet is great for sensitive skin."

"I use the intensive one every night with zero irritation"

"The only retinol i can use is skinbetter alpharet. zero irritation or dryness."

"My intro to retinol was skinbetter’s alpharet and it was great."

Neutrogena

4.4

(5)

"If you liked the Neutrogena, they make a stronger version too!"

"That's the most beginner friendly."

"I got the neutrogena retinol and it’s worked really well."

"Has a track record of being effective."

"I used to use its Retinol Pro night cream."

#10

Adapalene

4.3

(4)

"If not breastfeeding, get Adapalene. It's science backed and available without a prescription."

"That’s the strongest without a prescription. Start slow, 2-3X a week and stay moisturized and use sunblock."

"If you’re in the US, adapalene can be purchased OTC."

"Skip it and get adapalene. apply to dry skin."

#11

The Inkey List

4.0

(4)

"Very effective and affordable!"

"I use the Inkey list retinol, the one without the percentage on the packaging."

"I've seen a noticeable improvement in my skin texture."

"I have been on the inkey list retinol, and I haven’t had any reactions, but I still haven’t seen any major difference."

#12

A313

7.0

(2)

"A313 from French Pharmacy. It’s 10000/10 the best."

"Not lux, but you should try A313."

#13

Paula's Choice

4.3

(3)

"I love Paula’s Choice, I’ve been using it for years now."

"I personally use Paulas choice 0.3 retinol."

"I heard the Paula’s choice one is the highest concentration after prescription products."

#14

Beauty of Joseon

4.0

(3)

"It's super gentle (0.02%) and can be used over the entire face especially if you have sensitive skin."

"Beauty of Joseon Revive with Ginseng and Retinal. People use it as an eye cream but you can use it all over your face."

"Haven’t started using it personally but planning on working it into my own routine"

#15

Byoma

3.7

(3)

"I just started using the byoma retinol once a week."

"I use the byoma retinol right now it's pretty affordable (20 ish bucks)."

#16

Some By Mi

3.7

3.0

(1)

"Went down a Korean brand retinol alternative rabbit hole recently."

#60

Innisfree

2.0

(1)

"Innisfree didn't help as i thought it would."

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