If you’re hoping to find a product that’s gentle yet effective, our first recommendation is the CosRx Retinol Cream. The 0.1% concentration is low enough to prevent irritation but still strong enough to penetrate the skin and increase skin exfoliation. We love that this product also contains soothing panthenol, vitamin E and glycerin, and that a little goes a long way.

However, this product does contain some heavy moisturizing ingredients, including shea butter and sunflower seed oil. While both moisturizers are non-comedogenic, meaning they don’t clog pores, they may be too thick for oily skin. A few customers also experienced redness and burning, so we strongly encourage you to perform a patch test before applying. Lastly, it’s important to store this product in the fridge to preserve the retinol, which some buyers may find inconvenient.

Need something quick and relatively inexpensive? Pop over to your local drugstore to find the CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum. It contains encapsulated retinol which slowly penetrates the skin over time, along with hyaluronic acid and ceramides (lipid molecules that improve the skin barrier). We also like that the product is smooth and silky.

The downsides: CeraVe doesn’t disclose the exact retinol concentration, though estimates put it between 0.2 and 0.35%. Depending on your skin type, it can also feel as though it’s resting on the surface without getting absorbed, and it can pill.

If you’re looking for something more potent than retinol that still has a low, tolerable concentration, consider the Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream. It contains an 0.1% concentration of retinal — a retinoid that is more effective than retinol but very similar. We also like that the formula has thermal spring water which may ease inflammation, photostable vitamin E and peptides to increase skin elasticity.

Since retinal is a little stronger than retinol, it may cause sensitivity, even in low doses. We encourage you to perform a skin patch test with this product before applying. In addition, Avène products are pricey, and a few customers had issues with the dispenser.

If retinol dries out your skin no matter what you do, we recommend a hydrating product like the Innisfree Retinol Cica Moisturizer Recovery Serum. It’s gentle enough to use every day (though you should incorporate it into your routine gradually), and contains hydrators like glycerin, sunflower seed oil and allantoin. It also has niacinamide, which enhances the benefits of retinol by further brightening the skin and reducing signs of aging. Since this formula is water based, it’s lightweight and easy to apply.

The downsides? This product contains a small amount of salicylic acid, which shouldn’t cause irritation but may, simply because the formula already contains retinol. In addition, Innisfree does not disclose the exact concentration of retinol, though estimates put it between 0.1 and 0.45%. Lastly, this product isn’t available at most retailers.

While moisturizer is important for all skin types — even oily skin — it may not be wise to double down with a moisturizing retinol serum and a moisturizing cream. If you’re trying to avoid excessive moisture in your retinol product, opt for the Selfless by Hyram Retinol & Rainbow Algae Repair Serum. It’s extremely lightweight and contains 2% encapsulated retinol, which is strong enough to be effective but mild enough to reduce the likelihood of irritation. Other gentle, active ingredients include rainbow algae complex (a skin brightener) and 2% tranexamic acid, which enhances the effects of retinol to reduce the appearance of acne scars.

However, the additional active ingredients may not be ideal if you want a product with just retinol. The formula is also very runny, so it can be a little difficult to apply, and it has a shiny finish. We recommend applying a moisturizer afterward.

Struggling with both flaky skin and oil? Consider a gentle, gel-based formula, like the Cocokind Beginner Retinol Gel. It contains three types of retinoids (0.05% retinol, 0.025% time-released retinal and 0.025% granactive retinoid) which release at different speeds to reduce sensitivity. We also like that it contains soothing ingredients like cica (a soothing herb), aloe vera and squalane.

What some buyers may not like: Squalane and soybean oil (two hydrators in this product) are great for improving elasticity and hydration, but for some users, they may be too heavy. In addition, a few customers found that this product still caused irritation, while others found that it wasn’t strong enough.

If you’re struggling with acne or post-acne hyperpigmentation and scarring, adapalene (a topical retinoid) may be a better choice than retinol. It works by unclogging pores and increasing skin cell turnover, which prevents pimples from forming under the skin. We chose the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel because it contains a low 0.1% dosage of adapalene. The rest of the ingredient list is quite short and contains no fragrances or oils.

However, this product is drying, so it’s very important to apply a moisturizer afterward. It may also cause burning and it increases sun sensitivity (as with all retinoid products) so make sure you apply sunscreen on top of your moisturizer.

Why is La Roche-Posay’s Pure Retinol Face Serum so highly rated on Amazon? It has an 0.3% concentration of retinol, which is effective yet gentle, along with multiple hydrators that counteract retinol’s drying effects. It also contains niacinamide (vitamin B3), which works with retinol to brighten skin.

However, this product has a slightly tacky finish that some users may not like. It’s also pricey and a few customers have experienced quality issues when purchasing from Amazon.

Looking for the gentlest serum out there that won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin? Try the Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum. It contains just 0.03% encapsulated retinol along with 0.05% bakuchiol (the gentlest member of the retinoid family) and 1% arophira (fennel extract that mimics retinol and controls sebum production). The formula is also full of hydrating ingredients to plump skin and increase elasticity.

What some buyers may not like: This formula includes several heavy moisturizers like shea butter and rosa canina seed oil, which are non-comedogenic but may be too hydrating for oily skin. In addition, the active ingredients may not be strong enough to make a significant difference. A few customers thought that the product smelled strange — putting it in the fridge to preserve the retinol may make a difference.

On the hunt for a high-quality, no-nonsense retinol serum that gently reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? We recommend the First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum. It has a buttery-soft feel when you apply it, and we like that it contains hydrating ingredients to soften the skin and prevent irritation and dryness. The retinol concentration is just 0.25%, so it’s great for sensitive skin and beginners.

However, this product contains a small amount of BHA, a preservative and potential carcinogen. It’s also expensive, and the concentration of retinol may not be strong enough to tackle deep wrinkles.

Looking to add a little luxury to your skincare routine? Consider the Skin Better Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream. The key active ingredient is AlphaRet — a combined molecule made of retinoid and lactic acid (AHA). The result is a visible reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without the traditional irritation of retinoids. Other beneficial ingredients include a peptide blend, skin-barrier protectors like ceramides, squalane and niacinamide and antioxidants like coenzyme Q10, vitamins C and E and green tea extract.

The downsides: This is one of our most expensive product recommendations, and Skin Better Science doesn’t disclose the concentration of AlphaRet. This product also isn’t available at most retailers.

For the ultimate retinol serum that is designed for sensitive skin, opt for Peter Thomas Roth’s Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum. While the retinol concentration is at 1.5% (a good amount for experienced users), it’s encapsulated to reduce irritation and deliver gradual retinol all night long. We love that this serum contains squalane to improve the skin barrier and increase hydration, as well as vitamins C and E to fight free-radical damage.

However, this product is pricey, especially when you consider that the bottle is just one fluid ounce. The concentration (despite its encapsulation) can also cause irritation depending on your experience level.

What we like about the RoC Retinol Correction Line Smoothing Cream: It’s gentle enough for the delicate eye area while still targeting fine lines and wrinkles. It also targets dark circles and puffiness, and it contains gentle hydrators like glycerin and panthenol to prevent dryness and irritation. Though the bottle is small, a little goes a long way — especially if you only apply this product around your eyes.

What could be improved: We wish RoC disclosed the exact retinol concentration, which we estimate to be around 0.1%. Despite the low concentration, this product may still cause irritation, and many customers found that it didn’t reduce their dark circles.

The Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum not only focuses on improving skin texture and elasticity, but also gives it a glowy appearance. It’s all thanks to a combination of low-dose vitamin A (a gentler form of retinol), hyaluronic acid salts (which resist oxidation better than hyaluronic acid alone), aloe vera and coconut oil. Plus, this product is relatively affordable.

However, this product may still be too irritating for the most sensitive skin types, and the formula feels a little tacky after applying. (Applying a moisturizer on top should eliminate this, however.) We also wish Mad Hippie disclosed the exact concentration of vitamin A.

Worried about your skin texture? We recommend the Bliss Youth Got This Prevent-4 Pure Retinol. The hydrating formula contains amino acids, peptides, squalane and antioxidants to improve the skin barrier and increase elasticity, while a low concentration of retinol helps create an even texture. We also like that this formula is gentle enough to apply daily.

The downsides: This product may not be the best for oily skin and it has a sticky finish. Bliss also does not disclose the exact concentration of retinol.

Looking to target only a few problem spots on your face? Consider Innisfree’s Retinol Cica Patches. They are similar to hydrocolloid patches, which target underground acne and whiteheads, but have additional benefits like soothing dry skin and preventing future flare-ups. We like that they contain anti-inflammatory ingredients like allantoin and hyaluronic acid.

Note that these patches also contain salicylic acid to target breakouts. While the concentration is low, some buyers may not want to combine retinol with salicylic acid. In addition, this product isn’t available at most retailers, and some buyers feel that the formula isn’t strong enough.