A Comprehensive Guide To Drugstore Retinol

Retinol is one of my most favourite skin care ingredients because it has the power to brighten and firm skin, reduce pores and blemishes, destroy free radicals, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and fight hyperpigmentation.

More importantly, it has seriously transformed my skin, so I want to share this miracle worker with anyone who will listen, because we all deserve great skin.

This wonder ingredient doesn’t have to be expensive either; there are a ton of great over the counter drugstore retinols that you can find in the convenience of your local drugstore or online shop just waiting to give you a healthier complexion.

But which drugstore retinol is right for you?

Below is a comprehensive list of drugstore retinol creams, serums and more to consider for your skin care routine.

For more info, I recommend that you read my post 11 Things You Should Know About Retinol if you have never used retinol before or have had previous irritation with it.

Retinol products are not to be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

*this post contains affiliate links – I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no cost to you*

It’s recommended to start with a low dose retinol to reduce the potential for irritation, but fortunately, most drugstore retinols have gentle formulations to make picking one much easier.

Begin by using your drugstore retinol once or twice a week and observe if you have any irritation. If irritation occurs, reduce your usage until your skin gets used to the retinol and only increase usage as tolerated.

If you continue to experience dryness, flaking and redness even at a once per week use, consider trying a gentler retinol product, a retinol alternative product (like Bakuchiol) or skipping these products altogether – some people just don’t tolerate them.

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How Retinol Should Be Stored + Packaged

Retinol can degrade over time as it is exposed to air and light, so retinol products should be housed in UV-protected packaging that allows little to no air exposure to the product.

Pumps or tubes are the best way to minimize air exposure to retinol and the packaging should be opaque or dark glass. Retinol creams housed in tubs are the worst way to maintain retinol potency. Heat can also affect the potency of retinol, so always store it in a cool place to maintain its potency.

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The Full List: Drugstore Retinol Creams, Oils + Serums

The topics in this post include:

Retinol Reface by Indeed Laboratories

Currently in my skin care rotation, this drugstore retinol is a 3-in-1 formula combining retinol, bakuchiol (an ingredient that works similar to retinol, without the harsh side effects), and a “retinol-like” peptide that works to deliver softer, smoother, more even skin.

BUY RETINOL REFACE: BEAUTYEXPERT UK| SHOPPERS DRUG MART | INDEED LABS

drugstore retinol guide retinol reface indeed labs — *Source: @indeedlabs*

The Inkey List Retinol Serum

The Inkey List is a wonderful U.K. based drugstore skin care brand that pretty much has anything you could ever need in your skin care routine at super affordable prices. The brand’s retinol serum is another drugstore gem currently in my beauty routine; it’s a yellow-coloured, lightweight lotion that absorbs into my skin within seconds.

Similar to Retinol Reface above, the Inkey List Retinol serum contains both retinol (in a gentle 0.05% concentration) and 0.5% granactive retinoid (which is gentler than retinol) to give you healthier looking skin with minimal irritation.

Squalane, glycerin and hyaluronic acid work to hydrate skin, while peptides are included to boost collagen production. Overall, this serum is super gentle and makes a great drugstore retinol option for newbies or sensitive skin types. The tube packaging also ensures the retinol stays protected from air and light.

BUY THE INKEY LIST RETINOL: SEPHORA US | FEELUNIQUE US |

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Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic + Serums

Reviewed in full here, Pixi’s Retinol Tonic is another retinol product that I really enjoy and is perfect for retinol newbies. This liquid toner includes a time release retinol to fight the signs of aging and promote radiant skin, as well as Jasmine Flower to soothe any irritation.

This toner is super gentle and has given me great results; my skin always looks smoother whenever I use it! Just be sure to store this bottle in the dark, as the clear plastic bottle does little to protect the retinol inside. Pixi has also released several other retinol products in this range, including the Retinol Jasmine Lotion, Overnight Retinol Oil and the Collagen & Retinol Serum (I haven’t tried any of these ones yet).

BUY PIXI RETINOL TONIC: SHOPPERS DRUG MART | ULTA | KOHL’S

The Ordinary Retinoids

The Ordinary is a drugstore-priced brand that is probably the most affordable of all and easily shoppable online if you don’t have a Deciem store nearby. The brand’s vast range of retinol products come in dark, UV-protected glass bottles with pipette dispensers and include:

The Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (formerly the Advanced Retinoid 2%) has a 2% concentration of granactive retinoid to deliver a time released encapsulated dosage for less irritation. The brand indicates this retinoid is of moderate strength with no irritation.

The Granactive Retinoids in 2% and 5% in Squalane are of moderate to high strength respectively, with little to no irritation expected and are both suspended in squalane to promote moisturization. Both are great options for retinol newbies or sensitive skin types. The Retinol 0.2%, 0.5% and 1% serums have higher potential for irritation due to the inclusion of pure retinol and the higher the percentage of retinol gets, the more risk of irritation there is.

As a result, the 0.5% and 1% retinol formulas are recommended for experienced retinol users. I currently us the Retinol 1% in Squalane and enjoy it. It has a lightweight, slightly oily texture that has never irritated my skin (although I’m quite experienced with retinol) and it keeps my skin smooth and even. And the best part? Each of these retinoid serums will cost you $10 or less!

drugstore retinol guide the ordinary — Source: @cosibella_com_ua

Olay Retinol Products

Olay has long been a prominent drugstore skin care brand and they have three retinol-infused products in their anti-aging line. The Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturiser is a cream that includes vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and retinol to smooth, brighten and improve skin’s texture while you sleep and promises zero irritation, with better looking skin after 28 days of continued use.

Being a moisturizer, this retinol would also be a great choice for anyone with dry skin looking to add retinol into your routine with minimal irritation, although the tub packaging won’t do much to protect the retinol from light and air exposure.

You can add the Olay Eyes Retinol24 Night Eye Cream into your routine as well if you want a gentle, hydrating cream for your delicate eye area that fights fine lines and wrinkles. Again, the tub packaging means you’ll have to use this one quickly before the retinol begins to lose strength due to air and light exposure.

Looking for a more dedicated retinol serum? The Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Facial Serum is a lightweight hydrating serum that includes retinol higher up on the ingredient list, which means the dosage is a bit stronger.

olay retinol cream — *Source: @olay_canada*

Differin Acne Treatment Gel (a.k.a. Adapalene Gel)

Differin Acne Treatment Gel is a strong over-the-counter FDA approved retinoid formulated to target acne and blemishes by reducing associated redness and inflammation. It contains pure retinoid in the form of 0.1% adapalene. Differin gel also claims to prevent pores from clogging to prevent future breakouts and blackheads.

It’s recommended to be applied to clean skin daily, although I would start off using it only a couple times a week and increase use as tolerated. This gel is oil and fragrance free and the brand claims that clinical studies have shown a 60% reduction in acne lesions after 12 weeks of Differin use. Totally wish I had this stuff in my teens!

BUY IT: AMAZON | ULTA | WALGREENS

differin adapalene gel for acne — *Source: Differin Store Amazon*

L’Oreal Revitalift Anti-Aging Range

L’Oreal has a number of retinol infused products to firm and smooth skin while fighting the signs of aging. If you have dry skin or are slightly sensitive, the moisturizers in this line might be a good place for you to start to minimize the risk of irritation. Each include pro-retinol, which is really retinyl palmitate – the weakest form of retinol.

The results from retinyl palmitate will be slower and limited, but will likely cause zero irritation.

Moisturizers in this range that include pro-retinol are:

loreal revitalift drugstore retinol — *Source: @lorealparis*

Cerave Skin Renewing Range

Cerave has a day cream and a serum that include retinol to fight the signs of aging without irritation. The Cerave Skin Renewing Retinol Cream Serum is made with encapsulated retinol (shown as “retinol” in the ingredients list) to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles with no irritation.

This cream also has 3 forms of peptides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin, as well as vitamin E, niacinamide (for pore/oil reduction) and glycerin for moisture. The Cerave Skin Renewing Day Cream lets you get your retinol dose during the day and is made with squalane for hydration and broad spectrum SPF30 mineral sun protection (Zinc oxide 10.5%, Octinoxate 7.5%) built in to protect your skin from sun damage.

cerave skin renewing drugstore retinol — *Source: @cerave*

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Roc Retinol Correxion Products

Roc is a French skin care brand dedicated to products that fight the signs of aging. All of the brand’s products include retinol as an ingredient, even their sunscreen! Their Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream promises to reduce lines and deep wrinkles in 12 weeks and was the 2019 InStyle Best Beauty Buys award winner. The brand has several other gentle retinol formulations to consider such as the:

–Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

-Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Cleansing Pads

–Retinol Correxion Line Night Smoothing Capsules

-Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Restoring Night Cream

-Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Creme.

As you can see, Roc has a number of drugstore retinol options to choose from in gentle formulations.

roc best drugstore retinol cream — *Source: @rocskincare*

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair

Seen all those Neutrogena commercials featuring Nicole Kidman? Well, she’s pushing Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair line, which includes retinol infused products for younger looking skin. You can choose from the Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum (which has a higher amount of retinol), the Night Moisturizer, the Eye Moisturizer (which I use regularly, it’s hydrating and gentle!), Retinol Oil or the Regenerating Face Cream for a gentle retinol hit.

neutrogena drugstore retinol creams — *Source: @neutrogena*

Honest Beauty Pure Retinol Serum

This retinol serum from clean beauty brand Honest Beauty includes retinol derived from tapioca to reduce the signs of aging, along with hyaluronic acid and squalane to boost hydration. If you’re looking for clean, cruelty free skin care products to add into your routine, Honest Beauty is as clean as they come.

BUY IT: ULTA

honest beauty retinol — *Source:* *Honest Beauty*

Vichy LiftActiv Retinol HA Concentrate

Vichy is an amazing French skin care brand that I’ve really enjoyed in the past. Their LiftActiv Retinol HA Concentrate includes the brand’s highest concentration of retinol in a daily line filler formula. Hyaluronic acid works to boost the skin’s moisture content to help fill in fine lines by plumping skin.

BUY IT: AMAZON | ULTA

liftactiv vichy drugsore retinol serum — *Source: @drogariasaogeraldo_*

Revolution Skincare

Did you know that vegan and cruelty free Revolution Beauty (formerly Makeup Revolution) now does affordable skin care in the cutest packaging? Among many skin care serums sold by the brand (which are pretty much knock-offs of The Ordinary) they have a gentle Fine Line Correcting Serum with 0.2% Retinol for $8 that promises to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for retinol beginners.

A second option is the brand’s 0.5% Retinol Super Serum with Rosehip Seed Oil, a slightly stronger serum made with pure retinol and rosehip seed oil, which is a natural source of vitamin A. Looking for even more anti-aging kick?

Revolution Skincare also has a Skin Tone Correcting Serum – Granactive Retinoid 2% , which is made with hydroxypinacolone retinoate – a retinoic ester – which remains active in the skin for up to 15 hours and promises less irritation than pure retinol.

Looking for a drugstore retinol for your skin care routine?