The Best Retinol Serums For Smoother, Brighter Skin
For Beginners
Intelligent Retinol, £39 | Medik8
Medik8 is one of those brands that invests so much into the science, you know you’re in safe hands. Intelligent Retinol 3TR is a great option if you’re new to the vitamin A category, with a strength of 0.3%. The formula contains climbazole, an ingredient that boosts retinol activity by blocking the enzymes that break down retinoic acid. Plus, squalane and vitamin E leave your skin feeling supple and baby soft.
Available at MEDIK8.COM
For Brightening
+Retinol Vita C Power Serum Firming & Brightening Treatment, £96 | Kate Somerville
Vitamin C and retinol are individually powerful but together, you’re guaranteed to see the difference. This Kate Somerville formula combines vitamin C in its purest form (L-ascorbic acid) with retinol for a brighter, smoother complexion. Dubbed a ‘power nap’ for the skin, it works by softening fine lines and targeting hyperpigmentation. Simply apply after cleansing at night and wake up to a renewed glow.
Available at KATESOMERVILLE.CO.UK
For Suppleness & Bounce
Squalane + Retinol Night Serum, £40.60 (was £58) | Biossance
One of the most common complaints about retinol is that it can cause uncomfortable dryness when you first start using it. Biossance’s gel version combines retinol and retinal with its signature sugarcane-derived squalane, as well as saffron, rosemary and vitamin E to solve this issue, leaving your skin visibly refreshed but also unbelievably soft and plump.
Available at SEPHORA.CO.UK
For Potency
Power A Retexturising & Renewing Serum, £39.95 (was £47) | Zelens
High-performance brand Zelens – created by skincare authority Dr Marko Lens – is all about clinically proven results. With Power A, you can expect a reduction in wrinkle depth of up to 31% – vital on areas where the skin is naturally thinner and therefore more susceptible to lines like the eyes and neck. It’s expensive but the quality is there, combining liposome-encapsulated retinol and two retinoid esters with nourishing fatty acids to restore bounce and softness.
Available at LOOKFANTASTIC.COM
For Affordability
Pure Retinol 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate, £37.95 | No7
With a lightweight, slightly milky consistency, this Boots bestseller is a solid, beginner-friendly option if you’re on a budget. Offering a whole host of side benefits while targeting the key signs of ageing, it’s enriched with bisabolol, the active component in chamomile, to minimise any retinol-associated irritation. For the best results, apply twice a week on non-consecutive nights, gradually increasing the frequency to every other night as your tolerance improves.
Available at BOOTS.COM
For Multiple Benefits
Midnight Ritual Retinol Serum, £57.60 (was £72) | Summer Fridays
Among the Summer Fridays skincare lineup, the Jet Lag Mask receives the biggest fanfare, but Midnight Ritual deserves your attention too. Formulated with two slow-release retinoids that gently encourage speedy cell turnover, this is the product for you if you’re after better skin. As well as reducing lines, minimising pores and sealing in moisture, it calms and comforts thanks to added tiger grass and oatmeal.
Available at SPACENK.COM
For Sensitivity
Retinol B3 Serum, £48 | La Roche Posay
Derm-backed La Roche-Posay caters to those with sensitivities, and this entry-level retinol is no exception. The primary goal is to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and create a smoother, firmer surface – but it’s also designed to combat dehydration. Formulated with vitamin B3 (otherwise known as niacinamide) and glycerin, it works to soothe and prevent water loss, so your skin has that coveted, glass-like quality.
Available at BOOTS.COM
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