When it comes to incorporating retinol into your skincare routine, slow and steady wins the race. This is not a product that can be rushed in its introduction to your skin and for very good reason. Vitamin A products are extremely strong, which is why we love them, but when used incorrectly, can produce an uncomfortable result.
Vitamin A products like retinol encourage the turnover of skin cells, while also working to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is also great at targeting uneven skin texture and tone as well as breakouts. It’s a pretty magical product but must be handled with care, especially if you’re a beginner.
To make this process easier, we’ve rounded up some of the best retinol serums on the market — for both beginners and more advanced users. These are beloved for their ability to target the signs of ageing and leave your skin glowy, but even the most gentle formulations should still be integrated slowly.
Each product will have its own directions, so best to follow these, but if you are incorporating a new vitamin A serum into your skincare routine, it’s best to start by using it one night a week. You can eventually increase this use once your skin adjusts but it’s best to start slow to avoid disrupting your skin barrier, which can lead to dryness, redness and irritated skin.
Here are eight of our favourite retinol serums that you can buy in Australia.
Paula's Choice
Paula's Choice Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum
The Paula’s Choice Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum ($59) is a favourite for many, thanks to its ability to impart both retinol and antioxidants into the skin. This stabilised retinol leaves skin feeling soft and smooth while also working to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is a mid-strength 0.1 per cent retinol concentration and is gentle enough for beginners to use.
Adore Beauty
Skinstitut Retinol
The Skinstitut Retinol ($49) contains 0.25 per cent encapsulated retinol that helps improve skin tone, fade pigmentation, clear breakouts and encourage cell renewal. This lightweight gel-like serum packs a punch and makes a noticeable difference in no time, so it’s best used by those with experience with retinol.
Alpha-H
Alpha-H Vitamin A Serum with 0.5% Retinol
Enriched with Australian botanicals and squalene, the Alpha-H Vitamin A Serum with 0.5% Retinol ($79.95) is great for targeting fine lines and wrinkles as well as oiliness and shine. This retinol serum is gentle, making it a great place to start with vitamin A products. It works to reduce the appearance of premature ageing as well as sun damage, uneven skin texture, hyperpigmentation and breakouts.
Adore Beauty
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1
There are a lot of products to choose from when it comes to Medik8’s retinol offering but if you’re a beginner, it’s best to start with the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 ($75.50). This entry-level serum is great for those new to vitamin A products or if you simply have sensitive skin. This baby reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also working to resurface the skin and boost collagen production to increase skin radiance.
Kiehl's
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
The Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum ($118) is formulated to deliver a daily dose of retinol to the skin with minimal discomfort. The blend of pure retinol, peptides and ceramides promotes skin turnover while also strengthening the skin barrier and reducing the appearance of premature ageing.
Adore Beauty
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
For those who can tolerate more advanced retinol products, The Ordinary’s Retinol 1% in Squalane ($12.70) is for you. Not only is this product extremely budget friendly but this high-strength formula assists in reducing fine lines and wrinkles and improves skin tone and texture. You should only give this product a go after your skin has gotten used to a lower strength retinol product.
Ella Baché
Ella Baché Retinol Night Treatment Serum
The Ella Baché Retinol Night Treatment Serum ($139) is formulated with 0.5 per cent encapsulated retinol, which targets skin discolouration, the signs of ageing and pore size while also working to plump and smooth your skin.
Sephora
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
The Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum ($138) is all about minimising the look of fine lines and wrinkles while also boosting skin’s radiance and glow. The addition of hyaluronic acid helps to visibly plump your skin while also minimising dryness.
