2024's Top Retinol Creams for Smoother, Brighter Skin
Updated 04/18/2024We Uncover The Dangers of Cosmetic Procedures + How a Retinoid or Retinol Alternative Delivers Similar Results
With so many women opting for cosmetic procedures, elective surgeries, and non-invasive treatments, it's undeniable that these "quick-fix" solutions are becoming the new norm. And, if the high price tag isn't enough of a deterrent, side effects like infections, scarring, allergic reactions, prolonged recovery times, and even depression can be quite scary.
Surprisingly, many people have reported similar results from consistently using safe, high-quality skincare products, like retinoids and retinol alternatives. It’s widely accepted and backed by decades of research that retinol has the power to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles—and often proves to be just as effective as many expensive treatments that require consistent maintenance.
An Effective Retinol moisturizer can:
Diminish the appearance of wrinkles & fine linesBrighten dark spots & promote an even skin tone
Aid in softening rough, thick patches of skin
Help minimize breakouts & regulate oil production
Increase hydration to the skin by boosting collagen production & cell turnover
That's why dermatologists have been prescribing some form of retinol or another for over 30 years.
However, many retinol creams can be expensive, require a prescription, and even cause harsh side effects and skin irritation.
The Problem With Standard Retinol Creams
Although retinol creams are considered the holy grail of skincare, countless users experience damaging skin irritation and adverse side effects from low-quality or highly concentrated retinol formulas.
Users have reported splotchy skin, itching or burning sensations, intense dry skin, flaking or peeling, and increased sensitivity in the sun.
That's why so many people are choosing plant-based alternatives to retinol, like bakuchiol, which gives skin all the benefits of a high-quality retinol without the irritation.
Bakuchiol: Retinol Benefits, Zero Irritation
Bakuchiol is a gentle, vegan ingredient derived from the South Asian “bachi” plant that delivers all of retinol’s coveted skin benefits—without the skin irritation usually associated with retinoids.
That’s why this retinol alternative has been showing up in popular moisturizers everywhere. So, if you have sensitive skin or experience burning, flaking, excessive dryness, peeling, or redness while using retinoids, we suggest swapping out your retinol for a moisturizer with bakuchiol.
However, as with many skincare products, there’s a wide variation in terms of effectiveness and safety. We researched 91 retinol and bakuchiol moisturizers to help you better understand what to look for in a quality product and narrowed them down to our top 3 picks.
What Happens To Skin As We Age?
Did you know by the time we are 20, we begin losing 1% of collagen each year? Collagen is a protein that gives the skin (and body) its form and structure. With lost collagen, skin loses its elasticity and firmness, contributing to those wrinkles we try so hard to avoid.
How Do Retinol and Retinol Alternatives Work?
When you apply creams or lotions with retinoids or bakuchiol to your face, the enzymes in your skin convert them at the cellular level to retinoic acid, which has been clinically proven to improve your skin’s texture and tone. It gets rid of those fine lines and wrinkles associated with aging as well as outside environmental stressors like pollution and sun damage.
While many retinol creams have been clinically shown to successfully target skin health, not all are formulated the same way. To help you find the best product for your skin, here's what to look for in a quality moisturizer:
Ingredients to Look For
BakuchiolBakuchiol is a plant-based alternative to retinol that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, without harsh irritation.
Hyaluronic AcidOften listed as Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid is a potent ingredient that deeply moisturizes, plumps, and refreshes the skin.
Activated Vitamin CThis form of Vitamin C is dissolvable in oil-based products, making it 50x more effective than typical Vitamin C formulas. The acidity protects our skin cells and helps promote a youthful appearance.
Hydrating OilsPlant-based oils like Macadamia, Jojoba, and Olive oils visibly plump and hydrate skin due to their similar structure to the skin’s natural lipid barrier.
Polyglutamic AcidThis acid holds up to 10,000 times its weight in moisture and helps visibly hydrate, smooth, and plump skin.
Retinyl PalmitatePalmitic acid is bound to easily degradable vitamin A (retinol) to increase its stability in Retinyl Palmitate. Because Vitamin A is not stable, it can lose its potency. Look for formulas that are stabilized or encapsulated to protect the integrity of Vitamin A.
Ingredients To Avoid
- Sulfates
Sulfates are harsh skin irritants commonly found in skincare products. These corrosive ingredients used in floor cleaners and have been known to have adverse effects on the body.
- Parabens
Parabens are synthetic preservatives that can affect hormone levels and potentially cause skin damage when exposed to sunlight.
- Heavy Mineral Oils
Mineral oil sits on top of the skin, creating a coating that clogs pores and suffocates the skin.
- Petroleum
Petroleum-based products can't be metabolized and also create an invisible film on the surface that clogs pores and traps dirt and oil under the skin.
3 Must-Haves For a Retinol Cream
- Clear Labeling
Some skincare brands fail to list all of their ingredients, which means you might be using a product with potentially harmful chemicals, such as sulfates, parabens, heavy mineral oils, and petroleum.
- Quality Moisturization
Research shows that hydration helps maintain your skin’s barrier and promote regular melanin production. To get the best bang for your buck, look for a cream that doesn’t just help smooth your complexion, but helps moisturize, too.
- Money-Back Guarantee
Look for a strong, risk-free guarantee that the company stands behind. This shows that it believes in the products it sells
What Not to do When Choosing A Retinol Cream:
- Forget The Research
Not all retinol creams are the same. Brands use different formulas, and some sneak in additives, so check that they contain the ingredients listed above.
- Prioritize Quality over Price
We found that the generic brands tended to fall short in potency. Focus on quality ingredients to avoid compromising your health.
The Results Are In...
We took all of these factors into account, and after reviewing 91 retinol creams, we found the best on the market.
Top Picks are updated monthly based on testing and analyses:
Top Pick
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Consumers Survey Recommended
- Formulated with gentle retinol alternative, bakuchiol
- Polyglutamic Acid
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Activated Vitamin C
- Made in the USA with imported ingredients
- Hydrating oils
- Naturally derived, no artificial additives
- 60-day money-
back guarantee
#1: Tru Alchemy Quench Crème
Tru Alchemy’s Quench Crème is made using naturally derived ingredients including polyglutamic, sodium hyalurate and Activated Vitamin C — a version that's 50x more powerful than traditional Vitamin C serums.
It also contains plant-based retinol alternative, bakuchiol, as well as a blend of hydrating oils including macadamia, olive, and jojoba oils.
Quench Crème's formula is free of synthetic dyes and fragrances, petroleum, sulfates, and other harsh chemicals. Tru Alchemy offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked, which also shows us they stand by their product.
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#2: BioBare Skin Revivify Encapsulated Retinol 0.5% Cream
The BioBare Skin Revivify Encapsulated Retinol 0.5% Cream ranks #2 on our list for a variety of reasons. We verified that this moisturizer is formulated with encapsulated retinol, along with squalane, retinyl palmitate, and Vitamin E.
However, BioBare’s formula contains controversial ingredients Laureth-23 and Trideceth-6—surfactants that have been shown to irritate skin. Some reviewers have even complained that the formula left their skin dry and reported an unpleasant smell.
Unfortunately, BioBare only includes a 30-day guarantee, which may not be enough time to see if the product works well with your skin. With all this in mind, we decided to make the BioBare Skin Revivify Encapsulated Retinol 0.5% Cream our #2 pick.
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#3: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair® Regenerating Cream
Rapid Wrinkle Repair® Regenerating Cream by Neutrogena targets wrinkles and fine lines.
In addition to retinol, the formula contains hyaluronic acid, one of the hydrating ingredients we look for in a good moisturizer.
However, the cream lacks some of the other skin-supporting ingredients we like to see. And unfortunately, it does contain fragrance.
Several people also reported irritation with this cream, so it may not be the right choice for those who have sensitive skin.
They offer a 30-day guarantee. And the reviews were quite positive, earning this product our #3 spot.
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#4: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer
Fragrance free and affordable, this night moisturizer is a fan favorite. But we had to place it in our 4th place spot due to complaints about the texture.
Most people report noticeable results and good hydration. Although, a few say they experienced minor irritation.
We were happy to see that the formula contains hyaluronic acid as well as a glucose complex.
Unfortunately, it also contains DMDM Hydantoin, which is believed to release formaldehyde, so the formula is not totally clean.
There is a 30-day return policy. But it specifies that the package must be returned unopened. In other words, they don't allow customers to try the product before they make up their mind.
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#5: SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0
SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 is a high-concentration retinol cream recommended for experienced retinol users. As with other pure retinol products, it’s important to contact a physician before using and to apply sunscreen when using this product.
SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 contains botanicals for hydration and antioxidant properties. SkinCeuticals scored fifth in our rankings because it contains c13-14 isoparaffin, which is derived from petroleum-based mineral oil.
SkinCeuticals offers a 90-day return policy with a full refund if the product is purchased via the SkinCeuticals website.
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P.S. While Tru Alchemy has the best moisturizer we've found, we would still love to hear about any others you've tried. If you have had a great experience of your own, please send me an email to Beverly@ConsumersSurvey.org with the details.
Sincerely,
Beverly Gratson,
Senior Health Editor
What We Do
ConsumersSurvey uses a unique three-step approach to reviewing the most popular products in the online marketplace
1. Research First we conduct in-house research with a highly qualified editorial team comprised of individuals who specialize in various fields.
2. SurveyWe survey our readers who have tried the product over time in order to learn from their experiences.
3. OpinionWe monitor public opinion in the world’s most popular marketplaces, from Amazon and eBay, to Bizrate and Pricegrabber.
As a consumer herself, Beverly is extremely dedicated to gathering and collecting reports and information and always on the lookout for highly-rated supplements. She's especially passionate about educating consumers in making wise decisions when it comes to purchasing health products.