Home Beauty 25 Best Over-the-Counter Retinol Serums, Creams, and Treatments of 2022 You Can Buy Without a Prescription

25 Best Over-the-Counter Retinol Serums, Creams, and Treatments of 2022 You Can Buy Without a Prescription

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25 Best Over-the-Counter Retinol Serums, Creams, and Treatments of 2022 You Can Buy Without a Prescription

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In our extensive search for non-irritating retinols, we’ve discovered plenty of standouts that are at once ultra-effective yet gentle enough for the retinoid-intolerant. What makes these non-Rx gems so transformative is that they all contain either pure retinol or a next-generation derivative shown to turn on those same aforementioned receptors to spark visible change.

What kind of skin-care products include retinol?

Before we explore their individual merits, heed this brief buyer-beware: There are a ton of serums and oils on the market masquerading as retinols. You won’t find retinol (or any recognizable derivative) on their ingredient lists since as they rely on plant extracts, like rosehip oil, as alternate sources of vitamin A. 

“There is no evidence that natural sources of retinoids are safer than synthetic, and often their effectiveness is highly suspect,” according to cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos. For instance, she says that rosehip oil contains only about 0.4 parts per million (0.00004 percent) of retinoic acid, which is further diluted in the final product.

To help you sort the amazing products from their suspicious or just-average counterparts, keep scrolling for 25 of our favorite, dermatologist-approved retinol creams, serums, and treatments.

Best Retinol Eye Creams:

Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum

Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum

If we could give Sunday Riley’s 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum a rating, well, I think you know what that would be. Treat your delicate eye area to this lightweight serum doused in retinol ester and liposome-encapsulated retinol to strengthen your skin’s natural collagen production, while niacinamide brightens instances of discoloration. 

Rounding out the dream team is a moisturizing blend of ceramides and olive oil to fortify the good ‘ol barrier, so your skin retains more moisture over time and doesn’t flake, itch, or generally look angry.

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

For a dependable retinol eye treatment that has withstand the test of time, may we point you in the direction of RoC’s Retinol Correxion Eye Cream, a three-time Best of Beauty Award winner. Pure, stabilized retinol helps seriously relax any creases you may have and it’s accompanied by an antioxidant-rich complex of zinc, copper, and magnesium, which Mona Gohara, M.D., associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, told us aids in the formation of skin-plumping collagen.

Best Retinol Serums:

Youth to the People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum

Youth to the People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum

Made with retinal, a vitamin A derivative that evens out the skin’s texture, the Youth to the People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum is a great “clean” pick in this category. The formula also holds niacinamide to minimize dark spots and adaptogenic mushrooms to smooth and replenish moisture in the skin.

Peace Out Retinol Face Stick

Peace Out Retinol Face Stick

The convenience of the Peace Out Retinol Face Stick is why we love it. Packed into this easy-to-use stick is an effective three-percent blend of encapsulated retinol to soften fine lines, a blend of papaya and pumpkin enzymes to minimize pores, and bakuchiol to even out texture. We suggest taking it on the go with you for touch-ups throughout the day.

RoC’s Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum 

RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum

RoC’s Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum gets an A+ for convincing us to skip a round of filler or even botox. Its three forms of hyaluronic acid immediately make a noticeable difference to plump up lines, while retinol helps create a smooth base — hence why it earned a 2022 Best of Beauty award.

Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 

Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum

Farmacy’s 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum is made with a bunch of skin-loving ingredients that will have you seeing results fast. First on the list is retinal, which immediately delivers a tightness to the skin that works to improve texture. Next is retinol, to fight wrinkles and fine lines, and lastly Kalahari melon oil, to soothe and replenish moisture. 

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum

$65 may seem a bit steep but let us explain why we believe the Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum is worth every buck. Made with a formula of glycolic acid and retinol, the texture of your skin will become clearer and smoother over time. There’s also hydrating and plumping ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen, as well as niacinamide so issues like dark spots and discoloration become things of the past.

Alastin Skincare Renewal Retinol .5

Alastin Skincare Renewal Retinol .5

New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Marina Peredo, M.D., tells us that the retinol in Alastin Skincare’s Renewal Retinol .5 is encapsulated, which improves stability and allows for slower delivery over time. She adds that “the antioxidants, including hydroxymehtoxyphenyl decanone, supports [the production of] natural hyaluronic acid.” 



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