As far as ingredients and actives that are consistently recommended—and receive top marks from dermatologists—vitamin A (aka retinols and their more powerful cousins, retinoids) is tough to beat. Beloved for its ability to encourage cell-turnover, the process that replaces your tired-out skin cells with fresh new ones, a retinol product can boost skin’s natural collagen levels, smooth wrinkles, fade dark spots, and even help clear away acne. But with so many retinol and retinoid products on the market, choosing one can be overwhelming. And of course, there’s always the distinction between Retin-A (a prescription, high concentration retinoid) opposed to a retinol (a subset of retinoids that errs on the more gentle side), which you can snap up without a doctor’s rec. It all comes down to how intense you want the product to be. Worry not—we’ve put together a list of our favorite retinol and retinoid creams, serums, and treatments for every skin type and need.
Looking to get rid of the signs of skin sins past? Niacinamide, vitamin C, and green coffee extract in this cream work together with a high dose of retinol to make dark spots and hyperpigmentation disappear.