20 Best Retinol For Oily Skin (Jan 2023 Update)

Having skin that can react to some products, and knowing that this has retinol in it, I started applying it to the backs of my hands only. My hands look about 10 years older than the average 54 year old due to lots of sun and no sunscreen over the years. My before pictures confirmed a difference after only 3 nights of use. Visibly the skin was noticeably firmer and smoother, while feeling softer. The skin was not in the least irritated. I have numerous age spots on the backs of my hands and now that I have been using it for one wee, I am actually beginning to see those beginning to lighten as well. It is very subtle at this point, but it is there. I am only now beginning to use it on my fact, but after 3 applications it has not irritated my facial skin either which surprises me greatly. I am also finding that I do not need to apply any sort of moisturizer after the serum. The product itself is a thin milky serum that absorbs very quickly with no sticky or greasy feeling. It is fragrance free which I really appreciate. The dropper design could be worked on as it doesn't always dispense the serum as well as it should. When you think it should be full it isn't, while other times it dispenses more than intended. I am quite excited to see what a full month of using this product will accomplish.Janette1957

I received this product as a part of Olay Regenerist's campaign with Shopper Army in exchange for an honest opinion. Since I am past that threshold of age where I have to begin with the prevention of wrinkles and deal with smoothing and plumping of the skin, this is a great time to introduce a Retinol product and Olay's Retinol 24 Max was just the right product to begin this with. One of the pros is that it is a nighttime serum, that is when it Retinols are suggested to be used. I used it after cleansing my skin and before moisturizing, overnight. The formula was lightweight with no fragrance in particular. It absorbed a little too quickly than I would have liked, as I had to also spread and massage it to the face and neck. The product info suggested less is more, Ummm… not with that absorption rate. Either you take a little more product or work it super fast, it's a struggle. Once that is done, moisturize and off to bed. In the morning, no visible results, but then again, it's not magic. I used it for around 2 weeks before writing this review and I haven't noticed any significant changes besides moisturized skin, but then again, it might take time to take effect and I don't have any visible wrinkles. As for the claim of brightening the skin, unfortunately, not for my skin type perhaps. Nonetheless, did use SPF in the daytime as indicated in the info as well. In conclusion, not the product for me. No visible results in 2 weeks, perhaps have to give it a longer period of time.Sabiha2009

Love it! Only used it for 2 weeks and already saw a huge difference! I don’t like the inside of bottle, though it does keep it from accidental spills! Is it just me, or is my face, neck and chest larger than others? Because I need to use much more than it calls for! So what, I just ordered another bottle plus the largest size moisturizer as well. Super expensive for the amount my I need though. I DID order the MAX products this time around, as I read it has much more retinol compared to it’s original counterpart! I’m addicted and will never miss a night as long as I can afford it!Renee

The Kiehl’s Fast Release Retinol Serum was not initially what I expected, since I had never used a high concentrated retinol product before. I was a bit surprised when after about 4 days, my skin began to peel. I was worried that because of the peeling, my face was going to end up being really dry. I kept using it though for the full two week trial, according to the buzz agent instructions, based on a free full size bottle for a review and to my surprise, the skin underneath the peeling was baby smooth. Other reviews said this product did not make their face peel but mine did. It did not burn, feel tight or cause any discomfort during the peeling process though. After the full two weeks of usage, my skin is softer, the texture is slightly more even and I did notice very very slight improvement in discoloration of my skin. The most noticeable was that my 11 lines between my eyes and my forehead wrinkles definitely have improved and are less noticeable, especially under my eye wrinkles. Overall, I am pleased with the product and would purchase againHollyA77

I have tried to use retinol many times, but always end up stopping because it dries my face out and I can’t commit. I like fast results, but retinol is something your face needs to get used to. If used slowly and correctly you will eventually see the benefits. With this being a fast acting retinol, I knew to introduce my Skin to it slowly. So I started off using this every 3 days. My face has become a little dry but it’s manageable with a good moisturizer. I find retinol easier to use in the summer than winter even though you need to be super careful in the sun. I am still only using every three days and I’m another week or two I will move to every other day and eventually everyday. I know this is a great retinol because just with using 3 days I have already noticed the little bit of hormonal acne I have in my chin clear up. I Am fully committed to using this entire product and can’t wait to see the results.Tif63081

First time I bought this, I underestimated the effects of the retinol ingredient. So I was shocked when my face peeled and became itchy because I didn't research the effects. To add, i tried this at the most convenient time. Lol (Do not use this days before a major event) After, I stopped. I tried it again and stuck with It (through the known retinol peeling face), followed instructions and mixed it with B-Hydra by the same brand and WOW! My skin transformed within weeks. Texture was baby smooth, acne scars had faded and glow was at a high. It was like I followed a great skin routine for like 4 months but it had only been weeks. I bought it a second time and my skin no longer peels because it's use to retinol. It's still doing the job, not the dramatic transformation as before. In fairness you don't want it to everytime, it will thin the protective barrier on your face.alexis.s

I love this retinol. Heard loads of reviews saying it gave them a bad reaction/caused lots of purging, but that didn’t happen to me. I mixed it 50:50 with the drunk elephant b hydra for the first couple weeks (as they suggest), then slowly increased the ratio of retinol. Didn’t really get any reaction or purging doing it this way, except for the odd spot near the beginning (I don’t normally get spots so this was defo purging, however it was only like 1 or 2 little ones at a time max). The retinol also leaves a nice feeling on your skin after application. I have oily/combo skin, and find retinols/night time skincare in general to be too greasy. But this one is nice and not greasy at all, it absorbs really well and leaves my skin soft to touch. The only other retinol I’ve found that’s not greasy/oily is La Roche Posay’ serum one with B3 in it. Think I prefer the drunk elephant one now tho.bootscustomer28

Let me preface this by saying I don’t have particularly sensitive skin—I’ve had no problem with even daily use of products like acids or other retinols in the past. However, even after 6 months of trying to get my skin adjusted to this product, I still can only use it once a week without getting EXTREMELY and noticeably flaky, even if I mix/follow it up with a moisturizer. I was introduced to this through a deluxe sample back when it was in a tube (I’m not sure if it was just an older and less active sample, if the tube had something to do with the stability of the retinol, or if they changed formulas). In the tube, I used the product ~4 times a week with no issue. I saw some improvement in forehead lines so I bought it myself (now in the pump bottle) and continued use as I had before. My skin got extremely flaky, but I figured I was just adjusting to a “fresh” (and therefore more active) bottle. After 2 or 3 weeks of continued flakiness with no sign of improvement, I scaled back use until settling on once a week only, which I combined with B-hydra to avoid irritation. I’ve been using this product once a week (Sunday nights only) for about 5 months now, so last Thursday I thought I’d probably adjusted enough to use it twice in one week. I was wrong—it has now been 4 days since last use and I’m still extremely flaky to the point it’ll probably take another day or two before I’m back to normal. I’m giving the product two stars because, even just using once a week, my forehead expression lines and “11” are noticeably softer (although I just turned 28 so they weren’t thaaat deep to begin with). However, I don’t believe this is a product most people can build up to regular use with, or at least not in a reasonable timeframe. And, if only used once a week, I don’t feel like I’m getting as much anti-aging benefit as I would from a lower % product I could use more often. Basically, it’s just not worth the price, and there are other retinols that don’t tear up my skin.cnd1993

For those of you who like a more scientific explanation: this contains retinal (also called retinaldehyde) and retinol. Retinal is one conversion into the active form and retinol is two conversions. Note: you cannot purchase the active form, also called retinoic acid, in the US. Per Farmacy’s information, the retinol is encapsulated, meaning that this truly does offer a slow release of these ingredients into your skin. You’re getting fast activity via the retinal and a slow release through the night as the encapsulation breaks apart and then the retinol converts. The opaque pump system also protects the ingredients from light and air – important especially with the retinal. In short: very nifty idea! I believe it works in practice as well. I didn’t experience discomfort in using this, nor did I see any reactions. I think it’s wise that they have this in a creamy base as I suspect that may improve comfort of the product. Overall, this is a very exciting release! Gifted by Farmacy BeautyAlicehoopz

This product was gifted by Farmacy in exchange for my honest review. This is hands down the most gentle but effective retinol serum I've tried to date. The consistency is great as it's runny enough to spread out and rub in nicely but has enough thickness to it that it feels like it's really coating my skin with enough to make it feel well covered. I don't have super sensitive skin but I do find that sometimes I need to ease into a new retinol over the course of a couple weeks but this one didn't cause any immediate side effects like irritation or dry patches. I have some very fine lines on my forehead and around my mouth that have already started to smooth out. There's no noticeable scent and it's not sticky on the skin. I love how it sinks in really quickly and doesn't leave any residue that I have to worry about getting on my pillow. If retinol normally causes a lot of sensitivity on your skin I would highly recommend this one as it's very gentle but really works great.ItsLP

This is an amazing Retinol + Retinal formulation, at a pretty fair price point. I did not notice any significant results as I stopped using my Tretinoin (prescription grade Retinoid) to test this out. However, the texture and formulation of this is so elegant. I've used other Retinal products that are yellow and kind of hard to blend in, but this formulation is light, easy absorbing, and moisturizing all at the same time. Sometimes retinol/retinal products can be irritating on the skin, but I have not noticed any irritation. Sometimes I actually forget to use my moisturizer after applying this! Overall, it's a bit expensive, but the benefits of Retinol/Retinal make it worth it. Sadly, there are not really any affordable Retinal options on the market at this time, but I'm guessing Retinal products will become more readily available over the next few years. I received this product complimentary from Farmacy Beauty for free, but these are my honest opinions.Eric G.

💎 Say hello to younger looking skin with @itcosmetics Hello Results Wrinkle Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream. This serum-in-cream combines the power of an anti-aging serum with the soothing care of a cream in just one step. Featuring dual retinol which is a blend of free and encapsulated retinol. This formula starts to reach at least 15 layers into your skin's surface in just "1 Hr" Plus, this formula includes tone-evening niacinamide. You will see dramatic clinical results on more than just your wrinkles! You'll see an improvement in your skins firmness a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots hyperpigmentation. This serum-in-cream ain't no joke! IT cosmetics daily retinol serum-in-cream was developed with a board of plastic surgeons dermatologists to balance efficacy with care, this serum-in-cream is suitable for daily use from day 1, even if you have sensitive skin this product is safe for you too! Infused with caring vitamins B5 E, this quick-absorbing retinol serum-in-cream soothes hydrates your skin, while balancing common effects of retinol usage such as redness, dryness flaking. You can easily integrate this product into your daily skincare routine for daily wrinkle reduction too! 💎How to use: *Press down to dispense pea-sized amount. *Smooth onto skin starting with the forehead, then outer sides of face, chin neck *Lastly, apply along T-zone around orbital bone. *Use once daily, morning or night. *Always use in conjunction with SPF for sun protection.💎Key Factors: *Co-developed with their board of dermatologists plastic surgeons *Clinically tested efficacy balanced with built-in care *For daily use from day 1 *Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. 🎁I was gifted this amazing product by @bzzagent In exchange for my honest feedback🙌trisha.m

A lot of reviewers say it burns. It does a little but this is what made me feel like it's working. I didn't get any redness just felt a tingle. Aren't retinoids supposed to sting a little if they're strong? I can't say I pay close enough attention to see a difference. Then again, I've tried other retinoids and don't see a difference with them either, so I might just not have an eye for gradual improvement. Some other Retinoid products didn't have the slightest sting, which made me feel like they just don't have any oomph. But I could be wrong. I also got the trial size as a gift with purchase so I didn't use it for long. Because I got the trial tube, I can't speak to the complaint I've seen about that and wasted product.Bea

After exfoliating in the shower and application, the product stings my skin and it has a burning sensation that has lingered for several minutes. My face is quite red from it – probably from the Retinol and possibly from applying it ontop of my serum with hyaluronic acid (my mistake). All the previous times I've applied it, there is a slight tingling where you massage the product into the skin. Not unpleasant but on sensitive skin it may be irritating and may not be suitable to apply every day. Press down on the top to squeeze out the product – a full push down dispenses just a touch too much product for my face – but I would probably use this amount on an extra dry day. The product comes out the colour between pale yellow to pale seafoam green. There is only a slight scent – not overpowering but not fragrance-free and I quite enjoy it. Bonus: you can unscrew the lid to scoop out the product at the end of use. I know it's supposed to be a 2-in-1 serum with cream but it's consistency and the feel on my skin makes me want to either use a serum first and/or apply a moisturizer after. I've been applying a serum before and it seems to be the best route for me. It's also winter so my skin is naturally dryer than normal so I would be happy to use this product without an additional serum or moisturizer in the hot summer. It's got a thick consistency but is not greasy at all. It soaks into the skin quickly and doesn't leave any kind of residue. Sometimes when I use a serum and moisturizer, there's an odd reaction where it pills or balls up, like dead skin – this does not do that. I've been using it for over 1 month now and I didn't have any notable wrinkles to begin with, but I haven't gotten any new ones…so I am happy with that! (TopBox gives sufficient time for people to actually test the product and use them to see if there are any visible results) #gotitfree #itcosmetics #helloresults #goodbyewrinkles #retinol #serum #facecream #skincare #wrinklecream #freeproduct8klo8

I was very hesitant to buy this at first due to the cost, especially as an add on product as I was first buying the Jan Marini system. But man am I glad I did! I had used retinol products previously and had found them overly harsh. I always ended up with at least redder skin, but sometimes having peeling and cracking due to drying out too much, which in turn caused more clogged pores. I had to use hyaluronic acid on top of my night cream which then cut back on my exfoliation, leading to breakouts. This stuff is the exact opposite – so gentle and effective. One thin layer after cleansing at night, followed by your eye treatment and night cream, and you are set to wake up with even, bright skin! The first week of use might be dodgy, with the retinol cleaning out all of that debris, but after that you are set up to wake up to bright beautiful skin every morning!Alicia

Love the Age Intervention® Retinol Plus. I have sensitive skin and I have never had an issue using Age Intervention® Retinol Plus. I have been using Age Intervention® Retinol Plusfor 2 months now and it has made a huge difference in my skin. It has improved my hyperpigmentation, dark spots, wrinkles, etc. I can see and feel a difference in my skin since using Age Intervention® Retinol Plus. I swapped out Marini Luminate for Age Intervention® Retinol Plus and glad I did!Christina G.

I've been using this product for over a month and I can actually see some results already. This is a really thick oil, so if you don't like that texture, this is definitely not for you, because it takes a while to be absorbed. But if you're OK with the texture, GO for it. The retinol here is super gentle and does not irritate your skin. Over a month and I can definitely see some GLOW on my skin.stephanie.w

Review comes with caveat: I was using no nighttime serum before this product. That being said, I LOVE this serum. I’ve been using it for about two months before writing this review. -Makes my face feel dewy -Not too heavy: I use 3-4 drops on my face nightly. In the winter, I also added face moisturizer on top and it didn’t feel greasy. Now that it’s warming up, I have only been using the serum. -IT ACTUALLY EVENS SKIN TONE. I have rosacea and this has done more to even out my tone that anything else I’ve tried so far. -My pores seem smaller since using the product -Can’t say anything about the retinol. I don’t have lines on my face or any other issues I wanted it to work on, but it feels nice -No odorJo

I’ve began using it every other night and already notice a difference in my skin. Retinol is aimed to restore skin plumpness and it does just that. My skin looks fuller and healthier – been combining it with the glow sheet masks and they make my skin feel amazing. It’s also meant to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores but I havnt noticed the difference there (maybe I’m too old for that now). Will keep away from using nightly as I tend to have greasy skin and don’t want to upset the balance of my skin atm. Texture is like a light oil, it isn’t too oily nor does it weigh hvy on the skin. If you have sensitive skin be wary and use at night as this product may make your skin sensitive to the sun.themusclebaker

Having skin that can react to some products, and knowing that this has retinol in it, I started applying it to the backs of my hands only. My hands look about 10 years older than the average 54 year old due to lots of sun and no sunscreen over the years. My before pictures confirmed a difference after only 3 nights of use. Visibly the skin was noticeably firmer and smoother, while feeling softer. The skin was not in the least irritated. I have numerous age spots on the backs of my hands and now that I have been using it for one wee, I am actually beginning to see those beginning to lighten as well. It is very subtle at this point, but it is there. I am only now beginning to use it on my fact, but after 3 applications it has not irritated my facial skin either which surprises me greatly. I am also finding that I do not need to apply any sort of moisturizer after the serum. The product itself is a thin milky serum that absorbs very quickly with no sticky or greasy feeling. It is fragrance free which I really appreciate. The dropper design could be worked on as it doesn't always dispense the serum as well as it should. When you think it should be full it isn't, while other times it dispenses more than intended. I am quite excited to see what a full month of using this product will accomplish.Janette1957

I received this product as a part of Olay Regenerist's campaign with Shopper Army in exchange for an honest opinion. Since I am past that threshold of age where I have to begin with the prevention of wrinkles and deal with smoothing and plumping of the skin, this is a great time to introduce a Retinol product and Olay's Retinol 24 Max was just the right product to begin this with. One of the pros is that it is a nighttime serum, that is when it Retinols are suggested to be used. I used it after cleansing my skin and before moisturizing, overnight. The formula was lightweight with no fragrance in particular. It absorbed a little too quickly than I would have liked, as I had to also spread and massage it to the face and neck. The product info suggested less is more, Ummm… not with that absorption rate. Either you take a little more product or work it super fast, it's a struggle. Once that is done, moisturize and off to bed. In the morning, no visible results, but then again, it's not magic. I used it for around 2 weeks before writing this review and I haven't noticed any significant changes besides moisturized skin, but then again, it might take time to take effect and I don't have any visible wrinkles. As for the claim of brightening the skin, unfortunately, not for my skin type perhaps. Nonetheless, did use SPF in the daytime as indicated in the info as well. In conclusion, not the product for me. No visible results in 2 weeks, perhaps have to give it a longer period of time.Sabiha2009

Love it! Only used it for 2 weeks and already saw a huge difference! I don’t like the inside of bottle, though it does keep it from accidental spills! Is it just me, or is my face, neck and chest larger than others? Because I need to use much more than it calls for! So what, I just ordered another bottle plus the largest size moisturizer as well. Super expensive for the amount my I need though. I DID order the MAX products this time around, as I read it has much more retinol compared to it’s original counterpart! I’m addicted and will never miss a night as long as I can afford it!Renee

I've used this for a few nights now and it has not broken me out. It absorbs well. My skin feels smoother after using it and I do think it helped calm a retreating spot. Also – Bonik were quick to ship 🙂KC

I usually have normal skin and a very simple routine.. After a few weeks of using this with the Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence my skin is clearer than ever before and totally decongested.Lili

Love the texture of this serum. Unlike several retinol serums I have used, this one isn't tacky. I suspect it is because it does not have Vitamin E. I could easily apply a night cream after it. It dries up quickly. I suppose it is because of cetearyl alcohol which is at the 6th of the ranking. Be aware of citric acid & fragrance if you are sensitive to them. Otherwise, it'd be an excellent choice to start your retinol trial. It'd be good if the brand can indicate the % of retinol. It's got 52ml which is bigger than normal retinol serum. Yet it suggests finishing it up within 6 months. I am not sure if I can unless I apply more every night without knowing if more will end up irritating my skin.iHerb Customer

Oh my God this retinol serum works like majic! I didn’t really know retinol serums are good anti-aging skincare products! This was heavily recommended by my sister and we both love to take care of our skin! My skin is just glowing and the red spots on my face is barely noticeable! The only problem is this retinol easily goes out of stock. I had to wait for a month for this to be available. And once it became available I ordered it instantly and I was so happy when they delivered the package. This retinol serum works wonders on my skin. I was looking for a product that would help my skin glow because with my crazy schedule I look really stressed sometimes but thanks to retinol that’s not a problem anymore. I will review this retinol on my YouTube channel. All in all amazing product!iHerb Customer

Im on my 30's and i wanted to maintain my youthfulness by using retinol, although i seem younger than my age. i just noticed that wrinkles/ fines lines starts appearing around my eyes. So i tried this one, i think this one is perfect. after a month of using it. my fine lines started to disappear considering the price and the contents. You must try it if you want to try retinol on a budget. Texture is like milky type serum which is good for everynight use. Update : Only mild purging that last for a few weeks. I use it on alternate days with mild exfoliant as we cannot use them together at the same time. Mild burning sensation when i use vitamin c in thr morning, never use them together. I really wanted to purchase again. But its always sold out. Please give me a thumbs upiHerb Customer

This a very good retinol serum. It has 2% retinol, which makes this serum a potent anti-aging product. This serum targets multiple signs of aging, which makes it a single product that will combat all signs of aging. Retinol can be very drying and irritating, but it is suspended in a facial oil in this serum. The facial oil counteracts the drying side effect of this serum, while also adding extra hydration to my dry skin. Although the oil does significantly lessen the side effects of retinol, I recommend applying a small amount of serum at first and increasing the amount as your skin’s tolerance increases. It is imperative to apply SPF every day when using retinol. This product has improved all signs of aging in my skin, so I am very pleased with the results. It is a very affordable product, which makes this a must have skincare product! I have used $200 CAD retinol serums that are not as effective and gentle as this serum. I recommend this product!stephanie.w

The time to replace my skincare finally came and I decided to give retinol a go. My skin is super sensitive, and often times dry, so I knew I had to be picky with what I ordered. After some research, I decided the granactive retinoid was a safe place to start. Since I'm new to retinoids, I've been applying a pea sized amount three days a week. I've been doing this for the last two weeks and the results have been shocking. My skin looks glowy, any redness or hormonal acne has gone down significantly, and the texture irregularities have smoothed over a lot faster than I thought they would! I know a lot of people say full results are seen in about three months. . so either my skin was starving for this formula or this is just downright the holy grail. It's unscented but it definitely has somewhat of an earthy smell. Not necessarily bad or irritating, but it's there. It's extremely gentle – I'm thinking of upping the dosage in the upcoming weeks – and lightweight. I love how effortlessly it melts into the skin. If this is just the beginning, I can't wait for the next months. Hopefully it'll help with hyperpigmentation. I'm currently pairing it with the hyaluronic acid serum and I've no complaints. This retinoid is great for those looking into implementing retinol into their skincare routine.Li

I'm older than most of you ( 75). I have some deep wrinkle areas this is not made to fix. But I got this because – those areas which years ago had acne have rougher areas, and some areas of skin are bumpy and I have both whiteheads and black heads. I suspect the problem is both the slowing of skin growth and the fact that some pores were damaged a long time back. What this does seem to do is to gently encourage a sort of natural exfoliation and regrowth of the skin. Fewer white heads or congested looking areas. Many years ago I used stronger stuff — but I had oily skin – and think it is better to be consistent with lighter products. Respect that the skin's job is to protect you, so treat it gently. No abrasives which cut the skin, no strong peels. After cleansing at night ( with a different company's oil based cleanser I've used for several years), rinse well, and the wipe on the O"s Glycolic Acid Toner. Let skin dry, and apply this. Usually I apply a light moisturizer. ( I love rose oil for dry skin, but even that feels too heavy sometimes). I haven;t settled on a favorite. To me this does exactly what it should do: as a part of a regular routine it helps your skin get better. Not over night or in 2 weeks but little by little. As you get older, on annoying thing is that it takes everything in your body, including the derma, longer to repair damage. [ Which is why you should always wear sun protection, long sleeves and a hat! } I am finding that this has helped eliminate some little marks on my face from pimples or other irritations, ( I wonder if it would work on hands damaged from a lifetime of sun exposure?) I do share with others a question about shelf life: Does this absolutely need to be stored in a refrigerator, temperature, 39-40 degrees F, or is there an acceptable room temperature range where it remains stable? Is there an expiration time limit for unopened emulsion? Expiration dates do not necessarily reflect the actual viability of medications — Many have a much longer shelf life than the official times, others really aren't fit to use. Certain items – oils, e.g, can go rancid in which case they can be damaging. High heats and UV light are a plague for most anything that is reactive. But nothing is good today and utterly useless tomorrow. So I do wish the O staff would give us some of their testing results (I'm sure they have them) and some idea of how the potency changes. Is this a half life sort of measurement, where maybe the emulsion has lost 1/2or 3/4 of its potency by the 3 month mark? Now if The O would please start making makeup again. The srum one worke beautifully under sunscreen, making skin just look better, not made up.Yodasmom

This Retinol serum from The Inkey List has been reviewed a lot but I wanted to touch on a couple of things that I've learned that may not be noticed if you don't know what to look for in the ingredients (which is completely normal as I'm talking about bio-chem level stuff). was the first (and only) product I tried from the company, under the pitch they were cruelty free and sold only vegan skin care. Some easy research proved the later not true but with regard to this serum I was happy the Squalane used is plant derived and not from the livers of our shark "friends". The packaging is minimal which is fine by me because at a lower price point I'd rather know the money is invested in what is going on my skin than what I'm seeing on my shelf. This formula has barely any fragrance, it is not very viscous and feels rather lightweight; I've read where some people treat it like a moisturizer and use a compatible serum with it for better results. I took some points away because of the ingredient labels. Without boring you with a dissertation on retinoids it is important to know that retinoids are different types of vitamin A compounds that are labeled in 4 tiers based on varying potency. The strongest would include retinol and retinoic acid and these need a prescription while examples of lower tier retinoids are bexarotine, adapalene and tazarotene (all tier 3). [At one time all retinol creams were sold only by prescription] Essentially all retinoids aim to work like the top tier retinol but they have to process through phases to metabolize (change) which means less side effects and smoother transitions for a similar desired outcome that just takes weeks instead of days. What the ingredients list on this serum is "…1% stable retinol and 0.5% granactive retinoid…" where they list the stable retinol as Retistar. The short part is Retistar is only 0.05% Retinol after final concentration so this is a mistake for a skincare company not to catch. This makes this a good serum for anti-aging whether starting in your 20's, 30's or 40's. It wouldn't be ideal for someone combating acne and oily skin issues because the strength just isn't there. I noticed some overall brighter skin appearance after around 2.5 weeks of daily use (I tried every other day twice before using daily as a precaution). It is worth trying at the price point but I hope they address the ingredients or reformulate and mentin to the targeted consumer.becky.s

To start off, I want to disclose I am giving it a 5 star rating simply because it is the first retinol serum/product that hasn’t burned my skin. I have not been using it long enough to vouch for its effectiveness, but if I can figure out how to update this review when that time comes, I will. I’ve only been using it for about a month now and am THRILLED that it hasn’t ruined my skin! I’m 28. I’m hoping to reduce/eliminate some of my fine lines around my mouth and on my forehead with this serum but also like the idea of it also being a preventative so I apply it all over my face instead of only in those problem spots. I have dry sensitive skin with mild rosacea on my cheeks so I have to be very choosy about the actives I use on my face. This retinol is unbelievably gentle compared to ones I’ve tried in the past (granted I was a total newbie to retinol at the time so I’m pretty sure I was using too high of a percentage before). I did feel a bit of tingling or “stinging” sensation the first 2-3 weeks of using it every 2 days, but my skin has since then adjusted and I don’t feel it anymore. When I first started using this serum I did have to mix it with moisturizer (I used Inkey Lists vitamin a/c moisturizer) plus I was scared of my skin reacting horribly so I was being extra careful. Not totally necessary if you have a decent tolerance with retinol but I found it was a nice way to ease into it for my skin type in particular. Not really noticing any results so far but I’m glad my skin has adjusted so well. I’m going to continue using it and hopefully see some reduction in fine lines! I now am able to use it every other night instead of waiting 2 nights in between.gabrielle.b

I never saw results with Retinol before until I tried this one! The key is definitely consistency (every 2nd night for me), applying on clean skin and following with a moisturiser. It just makes my skin look so much better. It's not just that it softens the look of fine lines, I can see how its improving my skin texture all over. My skin is so much smoother and I already know it will slow down the appearance of future fine lines. There may be some purging as your skin adjusts to it during the first few uses. I had a very small number of tiny cystic spots. But to be honest, they disappeared overnight. I was glad I knew about the possibility of purging (from other reviews here) as otherwise I would probably have picked those spots and made them worse and also I might have wrongly thought it wasn't working or that I was having a reaction. So seen as the reviews here have helped me so much, I really wanted to contribute my own. It's a real affordable treat for my skin and a great find.Susan G.

I received this product from influenster in exchange for an honest review. I am fairly skeptical on skin care and only use brands that I trust, Biossance, is actually one of them. (I already use their squalane oil wash) After the first week, my skin felt noticeably suppler, but I continued to use it additional 3 more weeks to ensure the results were consistent. I've used this Phyto Retinol Serum for about a month now, and I can honestly say, my pores are smaller, my skin is softer. This is the only new addition to my skincare so I know the change can be attributed to this little jar of magic. The first weeks, I used this every 3 days to get my skin acclimated to it. The second week, I used it every 2 days, sometimes 3 if my skin felt a little irritated. Now its the fourth week, I still use it every other day because I have sensitive skin. I use this in combination with Biossance's squalane oil wash and its been greatitsviki

Really fantastic!! I received a sample size and felt like I was wrong results so I purchased a full size. I’m almost out of the full size and just ordered my second full size. One pump will cover your entire face! I’ve been using this for a solid 3+ months and my skin shows the difference!!! Skin is brighter, smoother and tighter. I’m always skeptical when people make comments after using a product for barely a week and they “claim” to see results. You gotta put in time to really see, IMO. I’m a 48yr old woman with fair skin and a sometimes oily forehead – for reference. Biossance has become my go to regimen with their eye product, repair cream, oil and this product. I’m a convert for sure!!Denise T.

I swear by this serum. I have tried so many products that failed to do what they claimed. In all honesty, I’ve had that experience with a number of Biossance’s other products as well. But THIS one absolutely, definitely works for me. I don’t really have any wrinkles yet, but I had two, random, deep wrinkles in my forehead that seemed to be there for the sheer purpose of mocking me. When putting on makeup, I’d have to keep layering foundation on my forehead; otherwise the wrinkles would make my forehead look like it was cracking. I woke up one morning after having used this serum for a few weeks and realized that the deep wrinkles that were on my forehead had diminished significantly. It worked so imperceptibly well that I didn’t even notice the wrinkles were disappearing until that one morning where I didn’t have to spend extra time spackling my forehead. In my view, this product is expensive. It’s worth it to me, though, because it works.Mimi

Let me start by saying, I am 42 years old and the last 7 years of my life, I have been extremely concerned about my skin as well as self conscious. I've tried this and that and multiple retinoids. I suffer from fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, loss of elasticity, dark and puffy under eye bags and while I know there's no magic cure for all of this, I absolutely have fallen in love with this retinol serum! I have been faithfully applying every night after my cleansing and upon application, I feel the little tingle that retinol is suppose to give off. There is no harsh scent to it, actually there's really none at all. I have really noticed some slight overall improvement. My skin feels a lot softer. I feel there is more of a glowy look to it. I've also seen some slight improvement in my discoloration. Also, this particular product comes with a capsule that holds the retinol that you screw into the bottom and crush then mix yourself, so you don't have to wonder exactly how long it has set on a shelf or if it's lost any life because you do it yourself and that's is also another thing I found to be wonderful about this! I believe if I continue to use this as part of my routine, the slight improvements I've seen will overtime come to be major improvements. If you experience any of the facial skin issues that I do and have listed above, I highly recommend giving this a try! In my experiences thus far, no disappointments!Lanie1

I took a little longer to write my review for this product, Kiehl's Fast Release Retinol Serum. To see true results requires to wait about two weeks. This product is made to activate the retinol cream by adding it to the serum that is in the dispenser. You really get to see all of the retinal cream that is added to this where other products just say that they have retinal cream into their product, you actually get to see how much is added when you are combining them together. I am familiar with retinol products therefore I was able to do this treatment every night as opposed to a couple days a week which is advised in the directions for those who are not familiar with applying retinol products on their face. I really liked the texture and feel of it on my face, it did not feel oily but it also didn't feel like it dried in my face either. In about a week into trying Kiehl's Fast Release Retinol Serum, my face felt a lot more smoother and I could visibly see some softer appearance of lines on my forehead. As I continue to use this product, I will see more encouraging results. I think this will be a product that I would use regularly as it's very effective if you're looking for something truly with active retinol ingredient, Kiehl's Fast Release Retinol Serum is going to be it. I've talked to a couple of my friends about this product already and they are absolutely looking into getting it for themselves and I will say in the morning your skin does not feel tight or and dry which is really important for an overnight serum as well. This was a great product and I look forward to continuing it!TrulyBeautyGrl

The setup of this product to mix and use is extremely easy. It comes with a retinol powder capsule that you put on the bottom of the bottle, twist on and shake, remove the empty capsule, twist the bottom of the bottle back on and viola you're all set. The bottle also has two clear panels on each side so you can see exactly how much product you have remaining. This serum works great and really improved my wrinkles to the point of them no longer being visible! You only need to apply a very small amount for total coverage. Using my finger I applied this nightly after cleaning my face by just gently tapping my skin with it. It is thin but powerful, there is no need to rub this product in. I'm a natural redhead so I am very fair complected. This product easily and quickly absorbed into my skin, made a huge difference in my wrinkle appearance and did it's job without creating any unpleasant or uncomfortable side effects as I have experienced with other products. It did not make my skin super sticky or puffy nor did not leave my face bright red. AND it does not have any weird or unpleasant smells either. I could literally feel my skin tighter and smoother after my very first application, plus it leaves your facial skin very soft and moisturized, tighter and toner, with a very nice gentle glow. Try this product for quick and efficient results, you will not be disappointed!HisBabyGirl0413

When I applied it for the first time, unlike others I didn’t find any tingling feeling or any discomfort at all. I mentioned to my wife who said that is probably because I have brown skin and the tingling happens from retinol generally on white skin which is more sensitive. However what I have noticed is that my skin feels a little tender especially around the eyes and after shower and facewash my skin shines like I’ve applied something glossy or polished my skin. The skin around my eyes especially feels tighter and in general my face looks much more refreshed. I am only applying it twice a week but whatever it’s doing is definitely noticeable. Other brands and cremes I’ve used never had any noticeable effect like this one has.iHerb Customer

This retinol is superb, my second purchase. I use this retinol at night, my skin loves it. I have an acne prone skin, fine line, acne scars, pigmentation and since I started using this product my skin looks a lot better than before. My acne is gone and I only get pimples when I eat sugary snacks. Make sure to use Moisturizer as retinol can really makes your skin dry. If you have sensitive skin, better use it only 3 time a week. Sunscreen is a must when using retinol products so make sure to wear sunscreen everyday specially when you go out under the sun. The size is great for the price some other brand are incredibly expensive. Fancy packaging but a lot better if scoop is included more hygienic.iHerb Customer

First of all, I would like to mention the packaging. It is quite weighty and looks very expensive. 🙂 The cream itself has a yellow colour and a light scent reminiscent of citrus fruits. As I have been using retinol products for quite some time, this one did not appear aggressive on my skin, there was no flaking or irritation. The skin stayed moderately moisturized and nourished until the morning. Which is a very rare thing for my oily skin! I usually want to wash off the night cream in the morning as soon as possible, because of the greasy feeling on my face. But this cream is different and I like it so much. I won't judge the results yet, but it doesn't clog pores and behaves well on skin prone to rashes. So I think it is a very good product.iHerb Customer

This product does not recommend use on neck and décolletage. Therefore I am using it only on my face. So far it is the best retinal product I have used in years. It will be my regular nightly retinal facial treatment. I believe this is a product is meant to have an effect, it is truly a treatment product. It makes a noticeable difference in The smoothness/texture of my forehead. I highly recommend it for those not too sensitive, or start slowly. Now I use it every night and it causes no irritation of any kind and I have sensitive, thinning 71 year old skin.Grneyes

I have hormonal acne and I just finished telling my aesthetician that it's acne that is unbeatable with skincare. Well… I was evidently wrong, because she sold me this stuff and I haven't broken out since. The pealing process is short and not unsightly, so that was a nice surprise. My skin is outrageously soft, looks better than ever, and I feel so confident. I am glowing and I feel good without makeup on… first time since before starting to use makeup that I have felt this good about my skin! I've only been using it about two weeks and my skin does adapt to products pretty quickly (a once productive product stops working), so we will see with the longterm, but so far, I am in love. Finally something that works!!!sarahttune

I began using this after my esthetician recommended it—PCA is the only products she uses & swears by. I’ve used this line & this product for 2 years now, and I’ll never switch. It’s absolute MAGIC for your skin. I get compliments on my skin weekly.AUDRA H.

Ok this stuff is strong, and it works. Prepare yourself for some dryness, little pealing, maybe tiny bit of redness, and tightness after just once use. When I started it, I only put it on at night 2x a week. I paired it with skincuticals lipid moisturizer, along with a good sunscreen during the day. Once you pass the dryness phase, your skin looks and feels amazing. Your skin will get used to it, and that phase will not last long. I gradually moved to 3x a week. I only use this two times a month. That’s exactly enough for me. My skin is so much brighter, even toned, smooth, and pores and fine lines diminished. If you have never used retinol, maybe start with lower strength, but for me, I want the maximum benefit in the shortest time, so I went full strength. I had used retinol before though. So I was prepared for the period of time that isn’t so great. If you know that going in, and really moisturize, and use a good sunscreen, you’ll be doing yourself and skin a huge favor. For reference, I have sensitive skin, and had no other reactions.Cynthia

I've used just about every top of the line 1% and this is definitely in my top three. The other two being Shani Darden Retinol Reform 1% and Drunk Elephant 1% which all three products perform as they should. All three are also around the same price range. The Skinceuticals and SD are both $88 for 1oz. And the DE is $74 for 1oz. The skinceuticals is definitely the strongest retinol IMO so your skin should really be acclimated to retinol before using the 1%. Skinceuticals also offers a .05% that they recommend to ppl who are just starting to use retinol. This retinol has never dissapointed me. The frown line between my eyebrows decreased by 85% using this nightly and it is now literally just a small wrinkle and not a crease anymore. If your looking for a strong retinol that delivers, you won't be dissapointed in this product. 10/10! Will continue to have this in my skincare arsenal.marci.s

My face is no stranger to retinoids, having used Tazorac nightly between the ages of 16 and 25. When my skin went absolutely crazy with hormonal acne in 2016, I stopped using the Tazorac because frankly it didn't seem to be doing anything. I found other ways to manage my particular type of acne (birth control and salicylic acid, primarily), and once my skin looked like skin again, I wanted to add a retinol back into my routine for the anti-aging benefits. So when I started by using this SkinCeuticals retinol 2-3 times a week for a few months, I couldn't figure out why I wasn't noticing a difference in my face. I forgot that my skin was already used to vitamin A! I tried others too, including The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane, which is a great budget option if they ever restock it, and the Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM (not at the same time). I wasn't expecting any of them to be miraculous – these days, I don't really have many problem areas to begin with – but it seemed like there were no results at all. I've returned to the SkinCeuticals 1% because I am a huge fan of the brand (though it is always a splurge) and this particular retinol seems to be the most recommended by professionals. The cream is also, in my opinion, preferable to the liquid formulas. I'm now using it every night and I'm finally noticing a difference when I wake up in the morning – especially when I use it alongside The Ordinary's Buffet Serum and the SkinCeuticals Emollience moisturizer in the winter. When I do get a breakout, it doesn't stick around, and the one fine line I have next to my mouth is less noticeable than before. If you're like me and had a dermatologist-prescribed retinoid as a teen/young adult (they don't all have easily identifiable names like Retin-A, so make sure you look up any prescription products you've used if you're not sure), you can definitely start out with the 1%. If you have no experience with retinoids/retinols at all, it really depends on your skin but most people would recommend starting with a lower strength like the .3% or .5%. You definitely can't go wrong with SkinCeuticals if you're willing to spend the money. Just make sure you wash it off in the morning and WEAR SUNSCREEN DURING THE DAY.Anonymous

Little to no scent, it does sting a little after applying but after checking multiple sources and many reviews, this is normal with retinol products. I have very sensitive skin so I imagine those with normal skin will not have any stinging.I dislike that CeraVe doesn’t disclose the amount of retinol percentage and instead gives a non-answer, but the tiny amount of retinol it has is indeed effective. I have REALLY uneven skin, lots of bumps from old blemishes that made hiding everything with makeup difficult. I bought this a little over three weeks ago and used it in tandem with Melano CC to lighten blemishes and it’s amazing how much has changed, my skin is nearly flat! I never thought any product could make my blemishes go away completely but I think it’s possible if I use resurfacing products for a while.For the first two weeks, I applied once daily before bumping it up to twice daily with the rest of my routine. Be prepared for a LOT of flaking at first if you had bad issues like me. After using up this bottle, I intend to change to a resurfacing product with a higher percentage of retinol!DN

I have sensitive and combination skin, parts are extremely dry and other parts are extremely oily. Many products break me out so I was hesitant to try this. After my first use I immediately noticed dry, flaky patches that begin to burn. I almost decided to stop it but thankfully I went online and did some research. After reading about retinol I learned that it's completely normal to have dry, red patches and some tingling or burning for the first week or 2. My skin was purging and becoming used to the product. I added in a non comedogenic moisturizer to help with the dryness. It has been a few weeks now of me using 2-3 times weekly and it no longer causes flakiness or burning. The red, post acne spots on my chin are already disappearing and my face is looking much healthier. I will be recommending this product to everyone who suffers from post acne spots and scarring.MandaK

I'm on my 3rd bottle of this serum. It is the only retinol I have ever used that does not burn my skin. "Resurfacing" is a great name for the effect, the application feels gentle but after a few consecutive days my skin starts flaking off like no tomorrow. Like, sheets of skin. In the first few weeks of use it dug up healed acne cysts, turned old scars bright red, and made my skin feel like a paper bag. Derma-E Vitamin C Night Cream makes for a great tag team. After healing up my skin is hydrated, bright and even and I rarely use concealer anymore. It's important to drink enough water, use moisturizer and sun protection with retinol, and to exfoliate gently and frequently. And don't ever ever put this on your lips lolLyz

This Retinol serum from The Inkey List has been reviewed a lot but I wanted to touch on a couple of things that I've learned that may not be noticed if you don't know what to look for in the ingredients (which is completely normal as I'm talking about bio-chem level stuff). was the first (and only) product I tried from the company, under the pitch they were cruelty free and sold only vegan skin care. Some easy research proved the later not true but with regard to this serum I was happy the Squalane used is plant derived and not from the livers of our shark "friends". The packaging is minimal which is fine by me because at a lower price point I'd rather know the money is invested in what is going on my skin than what I'm seeing on my shelf. This formula has barely any fragrance, it is not very viscous and feels rather lightweight; I've read where some people treat it like a moisturizer and use a compatible serum with it for better results. I took some points away because of the ingredient labels. Without boring you with a dissertation on retinoids it is important to know that retinoids are different types of vitamin A compounds that are labeled in 4 tiers based on varying potency. The strongest would include retinol and retinoic acid and these need a prescription while examples of lower tier retinoids are bexarotine, adapalene and tazarotene (all tier 3). [At one time all retinol creams were sold only by prescription] Essentially all retinoids aim to work like the top tier retinol but they have to process through phases to metabolize (change) which means less side effects and smoother transitions for a similar desired outcome that just takes weeks instead of days. What the ingredients list on this serum is "…1% stable retinol and 0.5% granactive retinoid…" where they list the stable retinol as Retistar. The short part is Retistar is only 0.05% Retinol after final concentration so this is a mistake for a skincare company not to catch. This makes this a good serum for anti-aging whether starting in your 20's, 30's or 40's. It wouldn't be ideal for someone combating acne and oily skin issues because the strength just isn't there. I noticed some overall brighter skin appearance after around 2.5 weeks of daily use (I tried every other day twice before using daily as a precaution). It is worth trying at the price point but I hope they address the ingredients or reformulate and mentin to the targeted consumer.becky.s

To start off, I want to disclose I am giving it a 5 star rating simply because it is the first retinol serum/product that hasn’t burned my skin. I have not been using it long enough to vouch for its effectiveness, but if I can figure out how to update this review when that time comes, I will. I’ve only been using it for about a month now and am THRILLED that it hasn’t ruined my skin! I’m 28. I’m hoping to reduce/eliminate some of my fine lines around my mouth and on my forehead with this serum but also like the idea of it also being a preventative so I apply it all over my face instead of only in those problem spots. I have dry sensitive skin with mild rosacea on my cheeks so I have to be very choosy about the actives I use on my face. This retinol is unbelievably gentle compared to ones I’ve tried in the past (granted I was a total newbie to retinol at the time so I’m pretty sure I was using too high of a percentage before). I did feel a bit of tingling or “stinging” sensation the first 2-3 weeks of using it every 2 days, but my skin has since then adjusted and I don’t feel it anymore. When I first started using this serum I did have to mix it with moisturizer (I used Inkey Lists vitamin a/c moisturizer) plus I was scared of my skin reacting horribly so I was being extra careful. Not totally necessary if you have a decent tolerance with retinol but I found it was a nice way to ease into it for my skin type in particular. Not really noticing any results so far but I’m glad my skin has adjusted so well. I’m going to continue using it and hopefully see some reduction in fine lines! I now am able to use it every other night instead of waiting 2 nights in between.gabrielle.b

I never saw results with Retinol before until I tried this one! The key is definitely consistency (every 2nd night for me), applying on clean skin and following with a moisturiser. It just makes my skin look so much better. It's not just that it softens the look of fine lines, I can see how its improving my skin texture all over. My skin is so much smoother and I already know it will slow down the appearance of future fine lines. There may be some purging as your skin adjusts to it during the first few uses. I had a very small number of tiny cystic spots. But to be honest, they disappeared overnight. I was glad I knew about the possibility of purging (from other reviews here) as otherwise I would probably have picked those spots and made them worse and also I might have wrongly thought it wasn't working or that I was having a reaction. So seen as the reviews here have helped me so much, I really wanted to contribute my own. It's a real affordable treat for my skin and a great find.Susan G.

This is my favorite retinol product. It is suitable for any skin type already accustomed to retinol. Skin Medica Retinol Complex smooths and refines your skins texture and enhances radiance. It is created with PhytoShield Complex, an antioxidants complex which enhances the skins texture while minimizing irritation. This was created for all skin types including sensitive and acne prone skin. I use it on my face, neck, and décolleté and have never had any adverse reaction or breakouts. While using , my skin is softer, hydrated, my fine lines and wrinkles are diminished, my skin tone is smoother with more resiliency, and brighter. This is one of the few products I have found which also helps with my hyperpigmentation. Although I use other Retinol products, if my skin becomes stressed or starts looking dull, I go right back to Skin Medica to heal the damage and bring my skin back to a healthy state. The only things I would change are the cost and the pump system. I never know when I’m about to run out of product.tracey.d

I am really enjoying this product. I did use a .25 retinol prior to this (a different brand) but decided to use this as a next step after my med spa NP recommended it. Honestly, I love the results. I use after I cleanse, use hyaluronic acid, and then moisturize as I have sensitive skin. I let the HA absorb for a few minutes, then put on the moisturizer and let it sit for at least 15-20m before putting a pea size amount of the retinol complex on my face. I have been doing it every other evening and my skin is already looking amazing. I put it on right before bed BTW. I will eventually try it as recommended, on clean skin after cleansing but before any other product, but for now, I am going to continue layering to protect my skin barrier and to decrease any retinol side effects.katieeee

This is wonderful for anyone who wants to start using retinol and not have their skin go crazy and peeling. I use it 3 times a week at night mixed with my moisturizer. It has made my skin look so much better and I will probably go up to the next .50. definitely amazing product � [brand:influenster] . #nightroutine #influenster #complimentary #voxbox #influenstervoxbox #influencer #beauty #makeup #contest #skincare #k #beautyblogger #blogger #influencers #discoverunder #makeuplover #mua #makeupjunkie #review #influencerstyle #productreview #instagood #skincareproducts #instagram #bblogger #followkeila.c