The 8 Best Retinol Serums That Deliver Smoother, More Radiant Skin, According to Testers

Key Ingredients: Triple-retinoid blend, blackberry extract, 8% glycerin, and ectoin | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Scented: Yes

We can’t get over Glow Recipe’s Blackberry Retinol Blemish Serum’s lightweight texture and impressive results. This formula has a triple-retinoid blend of retinol, retinal, and retinyl ester, which work together to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, unclog pores, and fade dark spots. It also contains glycerin and blackberry extract to strengthen the skin barrier while also hydrating and soothing, making this product suitable for all skin types.

Our tester loved how easily this retinol serum absorbed into her sensitive, combination skin, leaving her with a dewy glow. The gel-like texture layered well with other products, and she appreciated the subtle berry scent. She used this product four nights a week for eight weeks and was impressed by how it improved the clarity and texture of her skin, while also reducing her hormonal breakouts. The formula didn’t irritate or cause redness or peeling to her sensitive skin. On the flip side, the formula may be a bit too gentle for those who don’t have sensitive skin and want more dramatic or immediate results. 

Lauren, tester with sensitive, combination skin: “I don’t think this is the strongest retinol on the market, but it’s good for sensitive skin, which I have. While it didn’t stop my hormonal breakouts, it helped manage them and kept my pores clearer. It also helped with fine lines and dullness.”

Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, ceramides, licorice root extract, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Scented: No

This budget-friendly formula is an ideal way to ease into retinol use, with a silky, lightweight texture that absorbs easily and layers beautifully under other products without pilling. Our tester’s goal was to address discoloration and mild breakouts; she felt this serum started to lift her dark marks while making her skin look brighter overall during her trial period. 

While our tester noticed some minor irritation and dryness, she found this serum to be milder and less aggressive than other retinols she’d tried in the past. She also observed that she developed a few more blemishes than usual while testing this formula, which could be attributed to purging. She’d recommend this formula to anyone looking for a gentle, lightweight retinol that can be used daily to help maintain skin radiance.

Tameka, tester with dark marks and mild acne: “I noticed my skin looked brighter overall, and some of my dark marks started to lift.”

Key Ingredients: Pure retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Scented: Yes

La Roche-Posay’s Retinol B3 Serum is both effective and easily accessible online and at your favorite drugstore. The ingredients rival those of luxury brands, containing pure retinol, as well as soothing vitamin B3 (also known as niacinamide) and hydrating glycerin. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which does a fabulous job of keeping skin plump and dewy.

Our tester loved how gentle and moisturizing it felt on her dry skin. She noted the soothing texture and how easily it absorbed into her skin. After using it for a few weeks, she was impressed by the results; it improved her skin texture, enhanced firmness, and faded dark spots. This product is scented, however, which may not be desirable to those with sensitive noses. 

Lauren Pardee, associate editorial director with dry skin: “What sets this [retinol serum] apart is how gentle it feels (for retinol!) when using an appropriate amount. It doesn’t dry my skin out to an insane degree like others can. After a few weeks of use, I noticed that it improved my skin texture and gave me a glowy complexion. Another bonus: It has a great texture that’s super easy to apply.”

Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, collagen | Skin Type: Best for aging, blemish-prone, and combination skin | Size: 1 oz | Scented: No

Naturium’s Retinol Serum contains vitamin C if you’re seeking an affordable retinol serum that brightens skin and evens out tone. “Vitamin C helps to work in conjunction with a retinoid protocol. It is great for protecting your skin from any environmental damage. It brightens the skin, helps with pigmentations and skin texture, and even addresses dark spots,” says Dr. Chacon. Our tester noticed a significant improvement in brightness and skin texture in just two weeks. It gave her combination skin a radiant glow, and the gel-like formula absorbed quickly, within just one minute, without leaving redness or irritation.

This formula contains encapsulated retinol for a slow, gentle release of the active ingredient as well as bakuchiol, a plant-derived retinol alternative. These two ingredients collaborate to brighten the skin, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and enhance elasticity without causing irritation. Some users have noted that this product is not very hydrating, so those with dry skin may need to use it in conjunction with a good moisturizer.

Olivia, tester with combination skin: “Within two weeks of using this serum, I noticed an overall brightness in my skin and improvement in its texture. Plus, each night I used it, I woke up the next day with a glow.”

Key Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Scented: Yes

If your goal is glass skin, we’ve found the perfect retinol serum for you. Our tester was amazed at how this product improved her skin texture, making it smoother and more even. The secret lies in the combination of retinol, ferulic acid, and botanicals, including bakuchiol. These ingredients are formulated to smooth wrinkles, support plumping collagen, and fade dark spots, including post-acne marks.

In addition to improving her texture, our tester noted that it was gentle on the skin and didn’t cause irritation. In fact, you can use this product twice a day for faster results. She noticed smoother skin fairly quickly, but didn’t see as dramatic results with her fine lines. Some users also reported a strong scent due to the ferulic acid, but said it fades quickly as the product dries.

Karah, tester: “By the end of the testing period, my skin felt smoother and looked more even. It was also rather gentle for a retinol, and it wasn’t irritating in any way.”

Key Ingredients: Retinol, ceramides, peptides | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Scented: Yes

If you have dry or sensitive skin, microdosing your retinol can help you achieve results without irritation. Kiehl’s Micro-Dose Retinol Serum not only contains retinol but also hydrating peptides and ceramides to soothe and moisturize skin. “Peptides keep skin firm and help with skin’s elasticity by promoting collagen production, leaving your skin nice and plump,” says Dr. Chacon. “These are extremely beneficial for your skin and work great with the use of a retinol for well-rounded results.”

Our tester loved the creamy texture that absorbed nicely and left her skin feeling plump and moisturized. She did note a few minor breakouts, so those with oily or acne-prone skin may want to use a lighter product. Overall, this formula gently smooths wrinkles, firms the skin, and hydrates without causing irritation. 

Toni, tester with combination, sometimes sensitive skin: “The serum has a lightweight, slightly creamy texture—it absorbed nicely into my skin and left it feeling hydrated without being heavy.”

Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinal, olive, oat, and alpha glucan | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Scented: No

Whether you’re looking for a pre-wedding skin treatment or just impatiently waiting to see results, Murad’s ReSculpt Overnight Treatment features encapsulated retinal (vitamin A and retinol) that helps improve your skin quickly. Our tester said her skin looked smoother and her dark circles appeared brighter after just 10 days. She also noted the smooth texture, which absorbed quickly and didn’t pill when layered with other products.

This product also contains potent ingredients that help lift sagging skin, improve hydration, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Due to the more potent ingredients, individuals with sensitive skin should avoid using it or use it every other day.

Ashley, tester: “It’s stronger than what I’m used to, but it wasn’t harsh on my skin and didn’t dry me out. [After 10 days] the results weren’t drastic, but my skin looked smoother, and the horrible dark circles under my eyes looked slightly better.”

Key Ingredients: Patented TFC8 complex, retinol, zinc complex | Skin Type: Best for normal and combination skin | Size: 1 oz | Scented: No

Augustinus Bader is a luxury skincare line with products that are worth the splurge, and their retinol serum is no exception. Our tester was particularly impressed by how gentle and soothing it felt on her dry, sensitive skin. She noted no adverse reactions, including peeling, irritation, or dryness. The key is the zinc complex, which soothes skin, while the pure retinol goes to work improving texture, tone, and smoothing wrinkles. 

This lightweight retinol serum glides on smoothly, absorbing quickly without leaving a residue, making it easy to layer with other skincare products. If you don’t mind spending extra, you won’t be disappointed in the results.

Mary, tester with dry, sensitive skin with uneven texture: “My skin started to feel smoother and look brighter within about a week and a half of using this serum. Also, to my surprise, it didn’t dry out my skin; I haven’t encountered any persistent negative side effects like breakouts or peeling.”