These Are the 7 Retinol Products Instyle Editors Swear By

Dermatologists, shoppers, and editors all agree — retinol is an important and eventually necessary step (IMO) in your beauty routine. It’s so genuinely effective that it’s the only topical ingredient to have its anti-aging claims backed up by FDA approval.

Retinol does everything you could ask for a singular ingredient to do; it reduces existing wrinkles and lessens the formation of new ones, fades dark spots, smooths out uneven texture, helps with acne, promotes collagen, and plumps skin. 

Most people have at least one retinol product in their beauty routine, which is not something you can say for other ingredients like vitamin C or even other product categories like toners. In the interest of personal curiosity — and providing insight for those navigating the very saturated market — I spoke to my colleagues about their favorite retinol products. 

7 Editor-Approved Retinol Products

U Beauty Resurfacing Compound

I have written about my love for U Beauty’s all-in-one Resurfacing Compound many times, so I’ll try to keep it relatively brief. No product has ever had such a noticeable impact on my skin as U Beauty’s Resurfacing Compound. It’s thin and packed with active ingredients including vitamin C, vitamin E, and of course retinol. 

My skin is sensitive, acne- and hyperpigmentation-prone. This got rid of those pesky little bumps that aren’t acne but aren’t nothing, faded dark spots, and made my skin look the most glass-like it ever has. I barely register the high price tag because it is so incredibly worth it. — Tamim Alnuweiri, Senior Beauty Commerce Writer