Retinol is widely used in antiaging products and it’s one of the most effective ingredients to eliminate and prevent wrinkles. It works by stimulating both the production of collagen and elastin, two skin components that grant it its elasticity and flexibility to be able to bounce back into its original position instead of creating wrinkles. If you’re looking to fight any aging signs that might compromise your beauty, these are the best retinol creams.
The best retinol creams to fight aging signs
Retinol increases the cell turnover, promoting a faster regeneration and in the process eliminating discolorations and spots of over-pigmentation. What makes this one of the best anti-aging ingredients is that this effect is combined with a stimulus to increase the production of collagen and elastin, thus helping the skin become firm once again and to get rid of wrinkles.
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

RoC is one of the most respected brands of OTC retinol products and they were the first brand to discover a method to stabilize retinol and reduced its side-effects.
This cream works through the night, increasing the cell turnover to eliminate any discoloration or over pigmentation while at the same time boosting the collagen and elastin skin levels to eliminate fine lines and reduce the visibility of crow’s feet.
It is oil-free and non-comedogenic, which means it can be used even in acne prone skin.
As for the downsides, this formula doesn’t contain many ingredients to soothe any possible irritation due to retinol. Sensitive skins can suffer the most in this case. It may dry them up and lead to peeling. This cream also leaves a sticky feeling even after dried.
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Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

Murad’s retinol cream is almost an all-purpose cream. The formula with retinol tri-active technology works to increase the cell turnover and boost collagen, thus reducing and preventing aging spots and wrinkles.
The remaining ingredients are similar to a regular anti-aging cream. It contains red algae extract, rich in peptides, and Swertia flower extract, both with regenerative properties that support the skin elasticity and firmness, as well as a brighter and youthful looking skin.
The nourishing ingredients in this formula, such as Shea butter, help to restore the skin plumpness and keep it moisturized, thus reducing the risk of possible irritations caused by the retinol.
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Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer SPF 30

Most of the best retinol creams are intended to be used at night. The reason is simple. Retinol increases the skin sensibility to UV rays which can lead to severe sunburns and irritations.
Neutrogena’s regenerating night cream is highly rated by users, but out of their anti-aging line, it’s this day cream that stands out, precisely for allowing the use of retinol during the day to enhance its effect.
This moisturizer and sunscreen hybrid, besides offering an SPF 30 protection, also contains hyaluronic acid that works like a magnet to pull water to the skin cells thus increasing its hydration. This formula also includes a glucose derivative that supports retinol in helping to brighten discoloration.
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Avène RétrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream

Despite being considered one of the best retinol creams, this cream by Avène does not contain retinol in its formulation. Instead, it uses a derivative called retinaldehyde, with a milder performance that decreases the risk of irritation and peeling, even for the most sensitive skin types.
This form of vitamin A encourages cell turnover in a mild way, to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and discoloration without causing as many side-effects. At the same time, the patented Relastide® of Neutrogena, a pro-elastin peptide, supports a plumper and firmer skin.
The French thermal spring water of this cream helps to soothe irritations and possible inflammations.
As a downside, this cream now comes in a pump can, which makes it hard to know when the product is ending and it also leads to more waste, since you cannot squeeze it out as when it came in a tube.
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La Roche-Posay Redermic R

La Roche-Posay has one of the best retinol creams’ line for beginners. First time users should start with lower concentrations of retinol to prevent a severe reaction and to get the skin used to this vitamin A derivative.
With only 0.3% of retinol, this cream is a good example. It was also formulated with sensitive skins in mind, and it doesn’t contain preservatives, fragrances, colorants or parabens.
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Dermatologica Overnight Retinol Repair

This retinol-based cream works to increase the cell turnover, thus reducing fine lines, discoloration, and aging spots. Its formula also contains peptides and vitamin C, both of which help the skin achieve an evener tone and a plumper look.
What makes this cream stand out, nevertheless, it’s a unique application that allows the user to adjust the retinol dose. It comes with a buffer cream, a highly moisturizing cream that you can combine with the retinol one to help the skin acclimate to this ingredient and reduce the risk of irritation, inflammation and peeling.
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Get to know retinol and retinoids better
Retinoids are a big group of vitamin A derivatives of which retinol is a part. There are different types and they normally divided between prescribed and OTC retinoids, with different concentrations and uses.
To know a bit more about these retinoids and retinol in particular, check the simple but complete explanation of Dr. Meghan MD in the video below.