A Dermatologist Approves Of This $17 Drugstore Retinol Cream

If you’ve never dabbled with retinol, it can seem a bit intimidating. From its highly concentrated strength to the side effects of redness, peeling and dryness, it doesn’t exactly seem inviting at first glance. But the truth is, retinol is one of those magical skincare ingredients that seems to address just about every common skin concern out there. From fine lines and wrinkles to dark spots and blemishes, retinol can tackle them all. And TBH, once you start using it, you’ll find it hard to stop.

“Retinol is the active form of vitamin A in the body and it is used topically to treat acne, build collagen and elastin and improve skin texture and tone,” says New York dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. And here’s how it works when we apply it to our skin: Within our bodies, vitamin A acts as a hormone, but like all good things, this vitamin depletes as we get older. According to Dr. Engelman, when vitamin A is lacking, signs of aging begin to bloom and that’s where topical retinol creams come into play.

Retinol yields retinoic acid, which "has the ability to connect to almost any skin cell receptor site and instruct it to behave like a healthy, younger skin cell,” Dr. Engelman says. “On top of that, it also functions like an antioxidant that can interrupt the free-radical damage process that causes wrinkling and other signs of aging.” See how this ingredient is a do-it-all wonder? Though don't expect results overnight. Retinol is one of those products you have to use consistently over time to get the best results. Not only will you see improvement in lines and wrinkles, but also dark spots, breakouts and texture, too.

But there are some cautions to be aware of when using over the counter retinol. For starters, if you are a pregnant or nursing momma, you’ll want to skip this step in your skincare routine for the time being. And it’s important to note that due to the powerful strength of retinol, there is the chance for redness, irritation, peeling and dryness. The good news: Dr. Engelman says the side effects will lessen with time as your skin builds a tolerance the key is to take it slow. “Start with a low strength, 0.25% or a retinoic acid derivative once a week and work your way up to a stronger strength and greater frequency if no skin issues arise,” Dr. Engelman suggests.

Now that you know exactly what retinol is and why you want it in your skin regimen, it’s time to find your favorite product. Here, a variety of skin doctors from across the nation share their go-to picks of over the counter retinol creams and serums to make your search a little bit easier. Ahead, find the best 15 retinol creams and retinol serums according to skin experts (including a few of my faves as well).