Retinol reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 174 Reddit reviews across 23 subreddits and 73 posts to rank the best Retinol brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction, r/EuroSkincare, r/Skincare_Addiction, r/KoreanBeauty. Top-rated brands include The Ordinary (4.2/5), CeraVe (4.1/5), Medik8 (4.4/5).
Stats
Reviews174
Subreddits23
Posts73
Brands62
Products85
174 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
The Ordinary
4.2
(22)
"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."
"The Ordinary’s 0.2% retinal is probably the right answer here."
"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."
#2
CeraVe
4.1
(15)
"For me Cerave really does the trick."
"Both of them are very good, would recommend."
"Retinoid: Differin or Retinol: Cerave"
"I’d recommend CeraVe Blemish Control Resurfacing Retinol Serum."
"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."
#3
Medik8
4.4
(13)
"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."
"If i couldn't get tret, I would use Medik8."
"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."
#4
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."
"Differin is already a pretty solid choice."
"I use Differin every other evening, over top of my moisturizer."
"It’s helped my acne a LOT."
"Differin."
#5
Olay
3.8
(13)
"Let her try Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer cream, Fragrance free"
"I would probably go with Olay. It's a drugstore brand, so it's reasonably priced."
"Olay retinol serum is quite good."
"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."
"Olay regenerist moisturizers good for 40+ skin."
#6
Tretinoin
5.0
(7)
"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 cream from my doctor 💪"
"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."
#7
Good Molecules
4.4
(8)
"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."
"Good molecules retinol. Ok siyang retinol for beginners."
#8
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."
#9
Some By Mi
3.8
(5)
"As a serum of also love the retinol serum from Some by Me."
"I started using Some By Mi retinol serum, which contains low amounts of retinol."
"Really like it but my next step will be Seoul 1988."
"Could also be a good choice for you."
"I personally use the some by mi retinol serum, I haven’t finished the bottle yet so I can’t speak on long term results."
#10
Neutrogena
4.8
(4)
"Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ 0.3% Night Cream"
"Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ 0.5% Power Serum"
"That's the most beginner friendly."
"Has a track record of being effective."
#11
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."
#12
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."
#13
Paula's Choice
4.7
(3)
"The only stuff that has removed fine lines and gets you peeling if you use too much."
"I love Paula’s Choice, I’ve been using it for years now."
"I heard the Paula’s choice one is the highest concentration after prescription products."
#14
Beauty of Joseon
4.3
(3)
"It's super gentle (0.02%) and can be used over the entire face especially if you have sensitive skin."
"I love the eye revive cream retinal + ginseng from beauty of Joseon!"
"Beauty of Joseon Revive with Ginseng and Retinal. People use it as an eye cream but you can use it all over your face."
#15
Byoma
3.7
(3)
"I just started using the byoma retinol once a week."
"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
COSRX
5.0
(2)
"Hiyang ako sa COSRX 0.1 Pure% Retinol."
"I'm using cosrx retinol and its suits me really well"
#17
Foxtale
5.0
(2)
"I have been using foxtale one and it did not cause any breakouts"
"The Foxtale retinol is so good, it's lightweight and makes your skin so bouncy, my pores have visibly reduced in appearance and my scars are fading"
#18
Versed
4.5
(2)
"I've absolutely loved it. It's formulated for retinol beginners."
"Versed Press Restart!"
#19
A313
4.5
(2)
"A313 from French Pharmacy. It’s 10000/10 the best."
"Not lux, but you should try A313."
#20
Retinal
4.5
(2)
"Use retinal, its more gentle."
"I would go for retinAl instead of otc retinol."
#21
EGA
3.5
(2)
"Ega night cream is really good!"
"I am presently using EGA night cream but its heavy i dont like it."
#22
Somebymi
5.0
(1)
"The somebymi one have retinol, retinal and bakuchiol in the same time so it works better than just retinol."
#23
Drunk Elephant
5.0
(1)
"It’s the best OTC Retinol I’ve ever used."
#24
Enprani
5.0
(1)
"Is truly the best."
#25
Innis Free
5.0
(1)
"I highly highly suggest it, especially for beginners."
#26
nø cosmetics
5.0
(1)
"Nø cosmetics Nachtcreme Vitamin A"
#27
La Roche-Posay
5.0
(1)
"LRP retinol + B3, it's 0.3%."
#28
Sesderma
5.0
(1)
"Sesderma Retises"
#29
Leahlani
5.0
(1)
"Very sensitive skin. She formulated this like a wizard!"
#30
Jm Solution
5.0
(1)
"I've been using Jm solution skin boost retinol serum consistently, and it’s worked really well for me."
#31
Curology
5.0
(1)
"If you can get a prescription for Tretinoin from your doctor, it would be much more effective."
#32
ZO
5.0
(1)
"I love ZO wrinkle + texture repair."
#33
Three Ships
5.0
(1)
"Do you want a plant alternative to retinol instead like bakuchiol?"
#34
Geek & Gorgeous
5.0
(1)
"Geek &Gorgeous offer reasonably priced retinal serums."
#35
phdoctorlab
5.0
(1)
"This one is brilliant, currently using it. Once the skin is used to it it can be used on your eyes too, and everyday."
#36
AccuFix Cosmetics
4.0
(1)
"A good place to start would be AccuFix Cosmetics’ Retin-oil 0.2% Serum."
#37
K SECRET
4.0
(1)
"My skin has been loving it! Definitely slight purging to begin with but nothing crazy."
#38
Gold Bond
4.0
(1)
"Gold bond retinol body moisturizer is good to start."
#39
Re'equil
4.0
(1)
"Try re'equil ones, start with 0.1 percent retinol."
#40
Cerave
4.0
(1)
"There are tons of OTC retinols that you could pick up. Cerave, no 7, and neutrogenia all have retinol products."
#41
Vichy
4.0
(1)
"I like the Vichy retinol serum, but it’s 0.2%... that being said, I think too much attention shouldn't be given to the percentage; in my opinion, the formula and stability are more important."
#42
Cosrx
4.0
(1)
"I've been using the Cosrx Retinol Cream and really enjoy it!"
#43
Mary&May
4.0
(1)
"I'd recommend either IOPE or Mary&May."
#44
Obagi
4.0
(1)
"I am currently using Obagi retinol that I found for like 19 dollars at Marshall’s."
#45
IOPE
4.0
(1)
"I'd recommend either IOPE or Mary&May."
#46
Superdrug
4.0
(1)
"It was a very good retinol."
#47
Some By Me
4.0
(1)
"It's a nice place to start."
#48
L'Oreal
4.0
(1)
"I use it for anti-aging along with their glycolic acid."
#49
Geek and Gorgeous
4.0
(1)
"It’s a pretty beginner friendly strength as retinaldehyde is stronger than retinol."
#50
SVR
4.0
(1)
"Has 0.1% of retinol and contains novectin a proven retinol precursor."
#51
Primera
4.0
(1)
"I like the primera vitanol serum- it has both vit c and retinol and is fairly gentle imo!"
#52
Murad
4.0
(1)
"Murad Retinal Resculpt! The whole line"
#53
LilyAna's
4.0
(1)
"Lilyanas"
#54
Cocokind
4.0
(1)
"Cocokind."
#55
Retinol
4.0
(1)
"I use retinol from my local med spa- they create their own line of medical grade products."
#56
+ful
4.0
(1)
"I like my +ful retinol."
#57
L’Oreal
4.0
(1)
"I’ve used this with no peeling etc."
#58
Paula’s Choice
4.0
(1)
"It’s a gentle beginner retinol."
#59
G&G
4.0
(1)
"G&G A game retinal serum is nice, has a 0.05 and a 0.1 strength."
#60
Zo Skin Health
3.0
(1)
"I would try using tretinoin 0.025% if you can get it."
#61
Korean Brand
3.0
(1)
"Went down a Korean brand retinol alternative rabbit hole recently."
#62
Innisfree
2.0
(1)
"Innisfree didn't help as i thought it would."
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