The 19 Very Best Starter Retinols, According to Experts

“I have been super impressed with YSE Beauty Last Call Retinol Serum ($88) as a new kid on the block,” says Louisville, KY, dermatologist Tami Buss Cassis, MD. This gentle yet potent serum features encapsulated retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan and linoleic acid.

BUY NOW- $88

Rochester, NY dermatologist Lesley Loss, MD, recommends Farm House Fresh Three Milk Ageless Sleep Cream ($49), noting “This is very hydrating and creamy! Usually, retinol causes dryness and necessitates using additional moisturizer prior to or after application.”

BUY ON FARM HOUSE FRESH -$49

BUY ON AMAZON – $49

“ZO SkinHealth offers a .25% Retinol Skin Brightener ($110), an excellent choice for beginners,” says Scottsdale, AZ facial plastic surgeon Kelly Bomer, MD. “Regardless of strength, proper application is crucial for success, which is why I created an instructional video on retinol application on YouTube.”

BUY NOW – $110

Nanuet, NY dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD, advises, “For an absolute beginner just starting retinol, it’s important to ease into it. Start two or three times a week for two weeks and gradually increase the frequency.” She recommends Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer with Retinol ($28) as one of the best drugstore options, emphasizing that it contains retinol in a moisturizing base with a low concentration.

BUY ON ULTA – $28

BUY ON CVS – $27

Beverly Hills, CA Facial plastic surgeon Kimberly J. Lee, MD, suggests, “There is a plethora of products, but a good starter retinol products is Saint Jane Sacred Sleep Overnight Repair Cream ($70).” This luxurious cream combines retinol with nourishing botanicals for overnight skin rejuvenation.

BUY ON SAINT JANE – $70

BUY ON SEPHORA – $70

Endorsed by Fort Lauderdale, FL dermatologist Dr. Matthew Elias, AlphaRet by Skinbetter Science ($140) “treats photo damage, fine lines, and evens out skin tone.

It boasts an “elegant formula, adds New York facial plastic surgeon Dilip Madnani, MD, who praises its quality. “It is tolerable for most skin types, providing great results without irritation,” he says.

Austin, TX facial plastic surgeon Yula A. Indeyeva, MD also counts it as a top choice for beginners: “It contains a retinoid molecule complexed with glycolic acid and lactic acid, allowing gradual release.”

BUY NOW – $140

New York dermatologist Jennifer Segal, MD, recommends over the counter Differin 0.1% Cream or Gel ($15) for effective retinol solutions, which promotes skin renewal and combats acne.

BUY ON TARGET – $15

BUY ON AMAZON – $15

“I prefer retinol from SkinCeuticals. Beginners should start with Retinol 0.5% ($90) strength formulation,” says New York facial plastic surgeon Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD.

BUY ON DERMSTORE – $90

BUY ON BLUEMERCURY – $90

Senté Bio Complete Serum ($118) gets Washington, D.C. dermatologist Tina Alster, MD’s vote. “Like all Senté products, it contains HSA, or heparan sulfate analog, which in addition to stimulating neocollagenesis, also calms the skin, making this retinol product tolerable even in sensitive skin.”

BUY ON DERMSTORE – $118

BUY ON AMAZON – $118

Fresno, CA, dermatologist Kathleen Behr, MD recommends Alastin Renewal Retinol .25 ($70) for retinol newcomers. “With its Lipid Encapsulated Retinol technology for enhanced delivery and slow release, coupled with oat and silver mushroom extracts for soothing hydration, it’s gentle on sensitive skin while effectively targeting fine lines and wrinkles through collagen promotion.”

BUY NOW – $70

Miami dermatologist Dr. Deborah Longwill recommends her very own Doctor’s Daughter Retinol Night Serum ($78) as an excellent starting point for retinol beginners. “With its gentle yet effective 0.5% retinol concentration and soothing ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin, it minimizes irritation and dryness,” she notes. “Free from harsh additives, it’s perfect for sensitive skin. Gradually incorporating it into your routine will reveal smoother, more radiant skin, making it a must-have for retinol novices.”

BUY NOW – $78

Delray Beach, FL dermatologist Dr. Janet Allenby advocates for a gentle introduction to retinoids using Avéne RetrinAL line. She notes, “I start my patients on Avéne RetinAL Serum ($78) to then prep them later for retinols then tretinoin. RetinAL products use bakuchiol instead of retinol.”

BUY ON AVÈNE – $78

BUY ON DERMSTORE – $78

“Avéne RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream ($79) is one of my go-to recommendations,” says Southlake, TX and Monroe, LA dermatologist Janine Hopkins, MD.

BUY ON AVÉNE – $79

BUY ON DERMSTORE – $79

Baton Rouge, LA dermatologist Ann Zedlitz, MD recommends ROC Retinol, like the Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream ($35), advising gradual application to mitigate irritation, especially on sensitive areas like the eyes and neck. “Use just a pea size amount just once or twice a week for a few weeks, then move to three times a week, and so on until you can build up to every day,” she says.

BUY ON AMAZON – $35

BUY ON ULTA – $35

New York dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD, recommends CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum ($22) for beginners. “It’s mild enough, only 0.3% retinol, and it contains ceramides and niacinamide, which will help to minimize dryness and irritation,” she says.

Glenn Dale, MD dermatologist Valerie Callender, MD, agrees: “It is my favorite OTC retinol for beginners. It contains retinol, ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It’s a good choice because it is fragrance-free and contains moisturizing and hydrating ingredients that will protect the skin from irritation.”

BUY ON AMAZON – $22

BUY ON DERMSTORE – $22

Tretinoin 0.025% is ideal for beginners, says New York dermatologist Jody Levine, MD. “I would start at the lowest strength. I generally use your .025% tretinoin and the trick is knowing how to apply it and how frequently and slowly increase frequency.”

New York facial plastic surgeon Jeffrey Wise, MD’s pick is the physician-dispensed Obagi Tretinoin 0.025%. He states, “We recommend this for beginners. Despite what people may think, tretinoin combined with the proper products can be quite easy to adjust to.”

New York facial plastic surgeon Lee Ann Klausner, MD, recommends Jan Marini Retinol Plus for beginners. “It is designed to have the benefits of retinol without the side effects of dryness and flaking seen with traditional retinols,” she notes.

BUY ON JAN MARINI – $100

BUY ON AMAZON – $100

Omaha, NE dermatologist Daniel Schlessinger, MD recommends the LovelySkin LUXE Advanced Retinol Serum ($64) for beginners or those sensitive to other retinols. “It has a 0.5% retinol concentration, surpassing many other entry-level retinols,” he explains. Its unique formulation with glycolipids and phospholipids “forms a protective barrier around skin cells, minimizing moisture loss and mitigating the typical drying and peeling associated with initial retinol usage.”

BUY NOW – $64

Omaha, NE dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD advises starting with LovelySkin LUXE Gel Mild 11% ($70) to prevent “skin purging,” characterized by redness, irritation, and breakouts. “This product contains a dermatologist-developed molecule called afaLUXE, which exfoliates and encourages cell turnover in a very effective, yet gentle way,” he says. It is an excellent alternative for those who cannot tolerate retinol, offering concentrations that graduate from 11% to 15% to 19%.

BUY NOW – $70