We all have our own retinol origin story. Mine started the summer of 2013, when I was a beauty editorial intern at Condé Nast’s storied 4 Times Square Condé Nast building, helping with the most well-known beauty awards in the industry. It was on this assignment that my bosses introduced me to the world of retinol (and every skin-care ingredient I needed to commit to memory if I wanted a career in this field). Once I tried it, I was hooked. Was I too young at the time for one of the strongest and priciest retinol serums out there? Sure. But I could not deny how it helped my acne, nor how it made my skin smoother and clearer. More than a decade later, and I’ve fortunately perfected my retinol-focused regimen.
Vogue’s Favorite Retinol Products
Even if you’re a skin-care novice, chances are high that you’re somewhat familiar with the ingredient oft-described as the gold standard to anti-aging. A derivative of vitamin A, retinol is a multi-tasking ingredient that, as Y. Claire Chang, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm explains, increases skin cell turnover, stimulates collagen, and, if you’re like me, help combat acne. “Retinol is a powerhouse when it comes to achieving visible results,” board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD tells Vogue. “It brightens skin tone, helps clear acne, and boosts skin’s collagen production to address fine lines and wrinkles.”
Retinol does come with some known downsides; it is a strong ingredient that is known to be drying and cause irritation. But today’s formulations are more advanced, and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin to use. So what retinol serums and creams should you be using in 2026? See what the experts had to say below on their picks for the seven best ones in the market.
