How to Find the Best Retinol Night Cream for You, According to Dermatologists

For a well-rounded retinol, Skinbetter’s AlphaRet is a solid choice that’s  known for being well-tolerated by most skin types. The rich cream is formulated with a retinoid and lactic acid to tackle discoloration, even out skin tone and rev up collagen production without causing the usual irritation. That’s because each active ingredient is individually encapsulated and gradually released into the skin. (The addition of niacinamide, ceramides and fatty acids add to the moisturizing quotient.)

This fragrance-free night cream is enhanced with Olay’s proprietary Retinoid Complex and vitamin B3 (niacinamide) to smooth fine lines and leave skin feeling hydrated and replenished. The formula also visibly evens out skin tone and minimizes the look of pores over time. As PureWow’s Director of Branded Content and Cohost of the Royally Obsessed podcast, Roberta Fiorito, shares, “My face looked brighter, felt softer and firmer and my pores were just tiny little pinpricks.”

Dr. Engelman frequently recommends this gentler retinol alternative for her patients with sensitive skin. "Aging skin is a particular point of frustration for my sensitive skin patients due to increased risks of irritation and an already compromised skin barrier,” she says. “Active ingredients like retinol are especially not well-tolerated for them, so I'm thrilled to share gentle, but still efficacious options with them that can help combat the early signs of aging.” In place of retinol, Cetaphil’s night cream uses purified peptides, plus vitamins B3 (niacinamide) and B5 (panthenol) to help hydrate and repair the skin barrier, while targeting visible dullness and uneven skin tone.

Dr. Libby calls SkinMedica’s Retinol 1.0 one of her favorites. “It’s their strongest over the counter retinol, but it’s paired with hydrating and skin barrier-supporting ingredients like glycerin, squalene and niacinamide to improve tolerability on skin,” she explains Still, given that it’s a stronger formula, we’d recommend this one for more experienced retinol users and/or those with hearty skin that’s not easily irritated.

A fan favorite with over 9,000 5-star reviews on Amazon alone, this cream uses time-released retinol to slowly and continually introduce the ingredient to your skin for up to 12 hours, thereby minimizing irritation. On that note, it also has hyaluronic acid and glycerin to add back some moisture. As one reviewer shares, “This moisturizer isn't just about fighting wrinkles. It's also a hydration powerhouse. Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains moisture, leaving my skin feeling soft, supple and dewy all day long, even in the harsh winter months.”

Palmer’s is perhaps best known for their cocoa butter products for stretch marks and scars, but one of their sleeper hits is their retinol night cream. Packed with the brand’s core ingredient, it also has retinol and vitamin E to moisturize skin sufficiently, while promoting skin cell turnover. Note that though this night cream is non-comedogenic, it might be a touch too heavy for those with naturally oily skin.

Per Dr. Greeney, Gold Bond’s Age Renew Lotion “is gentle and well tolerated” and “an excellent option for your entire face and body.” It features a stabilized form of retinol and moisturizing ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin E and shea butter to minimize the risk of dryness or irritation. And priced at $15 for a generously sized 7-ounce tube, it’s a steal.

Though this isn’t technically a night cream, we had to include it because there are few over-the-counter treatments that are more effective at clearing up acne than Differin gel. Previously only available via prescription, the treatment contains 0.1 percent adapalene, which is a retinoid that helps regulate cell turnover to keep pores from clogging, effectively targeting acne before it even starts. One Amazon reviewer says, “I can put this on a breakout before it even surfaces and it either takes care of it, or greatly lessens the size/duration. I really wish I knew about this when I was in high school. Please help someone out and spread the word.”

This drugstore classic is beloved for its lightweight texture, fragrance-free formula and long-term results that include smoother, brighter skin, thanks to retinol and hyaluronic acid. “[This is an] oldie but goodie. I know this product is not new, but people need to be talking about it. Anytime I use this, I go to bed and wake up with visibly improved skin. Less texture, more hydrated, supple and plump, dewy looking...it really does everything. I cannot stress enough how much you need to try this,” says one reviewer.

For those who are just starting their retinol journey, we’d point you to this milder retinol serum. Lightweight and hydrating, it has retinol, but also niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and cica to deliver the brightening and firming effects of the star ingredient with less chances of dryness or irritation.

One Amazon reviewer sums it up nicely: "This is a very well tolerated intro to retinol. I just finished my first bottle. I used it nightly. I had no drying or peeling. I can see visible reduction in my fine lines and hyperpigmentation. Overall a great product."