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Retinol walked so retinal could glow. If you’re ready to level up from your beginner-level retinol serum, the best retinal serums and creams deliver faster results in your skin-care routine—think smoother skin, fewer breakouts, and a brighter, more even skin tone—without jumping straight to a prescription-strength retinoid like tretinoin or adapalene.
“Retinal—also called retinaldehyde—and retinol are both vitamin A derivatives,” says Asmi Berry, DO, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, California. “However, retinal is one step closer to becoming retinoic acid, which is the active form that binds to receptors in your skin to stimulate collagen production and skin cell turnover.” Because of that, retinal can work more quickly and more efficiently than even the best retinol cream.
In fact, “retinal is 10 times more potent than retinol,” says Noah Levit, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut. It’s no wonder many dermatologists refer to it as liquid gold, and some even use a face serum with retinal themselves. “I’ve been using vitamin A for decades—it’s truly been my fountain of youth,” says Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Danville, California. "Even in my late 40s, people still think I’m in my 20s or 30s.” While you won’t see results overnight, consistency can pay off.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Medik8 Crystal Retinal, $55
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Eau Thermale Avène Retrinal 0.1% Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream, $79
- Best for Brightening: Eighth Day The Night Cream Treatment, $450
- Best Eye Cream: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Cream Ginseng + Retinal, $17
- Best for Beginners: Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05%, $29
- Best for Existing Users: The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion, $15
- Best for Mature Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Retinal Advanced Serum, $185
- Best for Dry Skin: Allies of Skin Retinal 0.1% & Peptides Advanced Repair Night Cream, $130
- Best for Oily Skin: Youth to the People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum, $72
Heads up: As with other retinol products, “retinal should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding,” Dr. Levit says. And, of course, it’s best paired with sunscreen (which is a must if you’re targeting signs of aging, but especially necessary alongside retinal, which can leave skin more sensitive to sunlight). If you have the green light, check out these derm-approved picks that deliver real results.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Retinal versus retinol: What's the difference?
- Is it better to use retinol or retinal?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Retinal Serum Overall: Medik8 Crystal Retinal
Why we love it: With strengths ranging from 0.01% to 0.24% retinaldehyde, Medik8 Crystal Retinal has something for everyone, from sensitive skin newbies to seasoned retinoid pros. Its stability system sets it apart, which is essential to ensuring you’re getting an effective formula with minimal irritation. This formulation uses crystal encapsulation technology (like encapsulated retinol, just with retinal), a patented carrot seed oil complex, and airtight packaging—all designed to keep the retinal molecule ultra-potent and ultra-gentle. “It’s also formulated with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to buffer any potential irritation, and the texture is creamy and fast-absorbing,” says Dr. Berry.
The gradual system has made it popular among multiple Allure editors. “The brand makes it simple to ease into retinal use: You start with level 1 (sensitive) or 3 (beginner), then graduate to higher concentrations once your skin can tolerate them,” says content director Kara McGrath. "I haven't experienced any irritation with level 3, a rarity for my sensitive skin.”
Tester feedback: “When vitamin A works, it really works—and this formula is a testament to the ingredient's line-smoothing prowess,” says features director Dianna Mazzone Singh. "Plus, it's one of few that doesn't make my skin extra sensitive or turn my pillow yellow. Once I finish this bottle, I'm going to move up to the ‘advanced’ strength version.”
Key ingredients: retinaldehyde, glycerin, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: beginner or expert retinal users
Best for Sensitive Skin: Eau Thermale Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream
Why we love it: For sensitive skin types ready to dip a toe into the world of retinal, Avène Retrinal 0.1% Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream is a gentle yet effective place to start. “This is one of my favorite brands for mature or sensitive skin,” says Dr. Berry. “It uses retinaldehyde at a clinically backed concentration to smooth texture and even tone—without the irritation that often comes with retinoids.”
Like all of the brand’s products, it’s infused with their signature thermal spring water, which “has a calming effect on the skin,” adds Dr. Levit. He also notes that adding niacinamide and hyaluronic acid makes it especially nourishing—even for eczema-prone skin. We can attest to this: Our own tester didn't need much of an acclimation process, and it absorbs quickly and easily. It doesn't have a pleasant smell, but it's also not particularly off-putting.
Tester feedback: “I’m still early on in the old-enough-to-use-retinol phase of my life, but I have a nasolabial line that I’m trying to soften, and I feel hopeful about the trajectory of this product,” says contributing commerce writer Annie Blackman, who uses it every other night and has normal-combination skin that's prone to the occasional clogged pore. “It’s also hydrating and airy, and I feel like there’s definitely a bit more evenness to my skin.”
Key ingredients: retinaldehyde, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, thermal spring water | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: all skin types, especially people with mature or sensitive skin
Best for Brightening: Eighth Day The Night Cream Treatment
Why we love it: Eighth Day’s formulas are all about giving your skin what it already loves with bioidentical ingredients that mimic what your body naturally makes. So, when you slather on The Night Cream Treatment, you’re feeding your skin a blend of 24 peptides, growth factors, and amino acids that support its own repair process. Add in microencapsulated retinal to target signs of sun damage; it can firm, even out skin tone, and smooth skin without the dryness and flaking that usually comes with using retinoids. While it’s especially great for softening the look of fine lines and wrinkles, thanks to bakuchiol, it also helps even out texture and fade dark spots for a more radiant glow.
Tester feedback: “Though Eighth Day notes on its site that the Reparative Night Cream Treatment is made for experienced retinol users, I decided to use it as my dip back into retinol after five years of ditching the usually-harsh ingredient—it’s probably not my smartest move, but my skin looks brighter than ever, so I’m not going to question the process,” says Allure contributor Jennifer Hussein. “It makes my skin feel so soft and smooth by morning, and I noticed my Botox injections are lasting longer than usual after incorporating this night cream into my weekly skin-care routine.”
Key ingredients: retinaldehyde, bakuchiol, peptides, amino acids, growth factors | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: mature skin types
Best Eye Cream: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Cream Ginseng + Retinal
Why we love it: If your under-eyes are starting to rat you out for your doom-scrolling and repeat pizza nights, Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Cream is one of our favorite Korean eye creams for faking the look of eight hours of sleep—though maybe hydrate and log off once in a while, yeah? Inspired by traditional Korean hanbang skincare, this silky cream blends ginseng (the OG brightener and circulation booster) with gentle, effective retinal to smooth fine lines and depuff tired eyes. The lightweight, serum-like texture melts right in, leaving your eye area looking firmer, glowier, and way more put-together than you feel.
Tester feedback: "I'm unconvinced eye creams provide long-term, visible results (e.g. minimizing the look of fine lines) without retinoids involved. Beauty of Joseon's Revive has been a staple in that regard. The custardy formula absorbs almost immediately and makes my undereyes look refreshed and slightly brighter," explains commerce editor Sarah Han. "I even dab some onto my forehead lines (not super noticeable as of now, but you can't be too preventative)."
Key ingredients: retinaldehyde, ginseng, niacinamide | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: all skin types
Best for Beginners: Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05%
Why we love it: Using actives can be like learning to ride a bike—sometimes, you need a little help before you can cruise. Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum has three strengths (0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15%), so you can start low and work up to a stronger retinal strength as your skin builds tolerance. In our testing, the formula feels like a gel-serum—and doesn't get heavy, gloopy, or otherwise unpleasant. It features a gradual-release form of retinaldehyde that’s ideal for nighttime use (though daytime works too—just don’t skip your SPF). It helps smooth texture, fade hyperpigmentation, and soften fine lines over time. Biofermented oligopeptide boosts glow by refining skin texture and dialing up radiance.
Tester feedback: While Han loves many of Naturium's products, this stands out. It “absorbs practically as soon as it’s applied and helps plump my skin. I! Love! Peptides!” she says, noting that she started with the 0.05% concentration and has since worked her way up to the more recently launched 0.15%. “They’re all gentle enough for me to apply every night, but I typically alternate between retinal and a more hydrating serum every other night, or sometimes I cocktail them together.”
Key ingredients: retinaldehyde, glycerin, apricot kernel oil, amino acids | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: beginner or expert retinal users
Best for Mature Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Retinal Advanced Serum
Why we love it: Not your first rodeo with retinal? Then Isdin Retinal Advanced Rejuvenating Facial Night Serum is a great next step to level up your routine. “It’s a dual-phase formula with both an oil phase and an aqueous phase, leaning more toward the hydrating and moisturizing side,” says Dr. Levit. “The oil phase delivers the key actives—including retinaldehyde and bakuchiol—while ingredients like dimethicone help protect the skin and glycerin boosts hydration. Melatonin is another standout for its skin-repairing benefits,” he says. If you have sensitive skin, just a heads-up: It’s lightly fragranced. But, according to Dr. Levit, “most of my patients find the scent pleasantly subtle—and they actually appreciate that it tones down the overly ‘clinical’ smell you sometimes get with fragrance-free treatments.”
Editor’s tip: Applying melatonin to your skin kicks your skin’s natural defenses into gear to protect against free radicals.
Key ingredients: retinaldehyde, bakuchiol, melatonin| Fragrance-free: no | Who it’s for: all skin types
Best for Existing Users: The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion
Why we love it: If you’re already well-versed in the benefits of retinal, The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is a no-nonsense, high-strength formula made for the pros. “This potent retinoid serum contains 0.2% retinaldehyde, aiming to firm and smooth the skin while reducing the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles,” says Badreshia-Bansal. It works fast to refine texture, even tone, and boost overall radiance—making skin look brighter, smoother, and more youthful. Just be sure your skin is ready for it. You can use it all over your face, but it really shines on those stubborn sports where fine lines love to take up residence (like forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and frown lines).
Editor’s tip: If you’re new to retinoids but want the budget-friendly price of the Ordinary, r Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is a great beginner-friendly option to ease your skin into the game.
Key ingredients: retinaldehyde, synthetic oat analogues | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: all skin types
Best for Dry Skin: Allies of Skin Retinal 0.1% & Peptides Advanced Repair Night Cream
Why we love it: From dryness and breakouts to fine lines and dark spots, Allies of Skin Retinal 0.1% & Peptides Advanced Repair Night Cream is your skincare all-in-one. It blends encapsulated retinal (for a gentler retinoid experience), six firming peptides, and 11 antioxidants and brighteners to smooth texture, give an even tone, and bring out your skin’s glow. “This serum is great for anyone looking for retinal paired with barrier-loving ingredients like ceramides, and peptides,” says Dr. Berry. “It’s powerful but gentle, feels soft on the skin, and layers well with other actives. I especially recommend it for patients with drier skin.”
Editor’s tip: If you want to dial back the retinol, this formula comes in a 0.05% version.
Key ingredients: encapsulated retinaldehyde, peptides, ceramides, omegas | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: all skin types, especially for dry skin
Best for Oily Skin: Youth to the People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum
Why we love it: While it’s great for most skin types, Dr. Berry especially loves Youth to the People’s Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum for oily or combo skin. “It glides on smoothly, sinks in fast, and strikes a nice balance,” she says. The formula combines 0.15% stabilized retinal with five percent niacinamide to support your skin barrier and even out tone. “Plus, ceramides and adaptogens help calm and hydrate, so you get all the benefits without the usual dryness or flaking,” says Dr. Berry. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which gives the serum a refreshing, lightweight feel and delivers just the right amount of hydration, leaving oily skin feeling balanced, not greasy.
Editor’s tip: The yellowish tint you see when you apply this skin-care product is normal—that’s just the natural color of retinal. It’ll dry down clear.
Key ingredients: retinaldehyde, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: all skin types, especially for oily skin
Frequently Asked Questions
Retinal versus retinol: What's the difference?
“Retinal and retinol are both vitamin A derivatives, but retinal is one step closer to retinoic acid—the active form your skin uses. That means it works faster and is typically more potent than retinol,” says Dr. Levit. While retinol needs two conversions in the skin to become active, retinal only needs one, so you’ll often see quicker results when smoothing fine lines, improving texture, and fading dark spots. That said, “retinal can also be slightly more intense, so it’s usually recommended for those who’ve already built some tolerance to retinoids,” he says.
Is it better to use retinol or retinal?
It depends. “If you have sensitive skin or are brand-new to retinoids, retinol is a great place to start,” says Dr. Berry. “If you're already tolerating retinol well, or you're targeting deeper wrinkles, pigmentation, or acne, retinal can offer faster and more noticeable results with less irritation than prescription-strength options.”
Meet the experts
- Noah Levit, MD, PhD, a board-certified dermatologist of Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut based in Fairfield, Hamden, and Norwalk, CT
- Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf expert based in Danville, CA
- Asmi Berry, DO, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in LA
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best retinal serums, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Welcome to the wonderful world of retinoids—we think you're going to like it here:
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- 14 Best Retinol Creams That Smooth Fine Lines Without Sensitivity
- 14 Best Retinol Serums of 2025 to Treat Fine Lines & Uneven Texture
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