12 Best Retinol Oils of 2023, According to Dermatologists

12 Best Retinol Oils of 2023, According to Dermatologists If you’re new to retinol and want to gradually build up your tolerance, or a pro looking for a new formula to add to your routine, we polled a dermatologist and poured over dozens of customer reviews to find the 10 best retinol oils your skin will thank you for.

" />Skip to ContentEvery item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.1Best Calming FormulaSunday Riley LUNA Sleeping Night Oil1Best Calming FormulaSunday Riley LUNA Sleeping Night OilProsSoothes rednessConsCan stain pillowcase As you catch your Zzz’s, Sunday Riley’s cult-favorite Luna oil calms and corrects your skin so you wake up feeling and looking refreshed. Retinol can be irritating, so camomile calms down redness as licorice and retinol boost radiance and diminish dark spots and scarring. Key ingredients: Trans-retinoic acid ester, licoriceSize: 1.1 oz Dermstore rating: 4.5/5 stars A Dermstore reviewer said: “This product is one of my staples. I absolutely love it! I use it at night and in the morning my face feels smoother, plumper, and any outbreaks I was having look much better. I absolutely love this stuff! This is probably my 6th or so bottle. It lasts a very long time and I’ve been using it for years.”2Best Plant-Based FormulaMara Algae Retinol Face Oil2Best Plant-Based FormulaMara Algae Retinol Face OilProsGentle formulaConsPricey for the size With 1.2 percent retinol and a blend of plant oils, the skin is left plumped and hydrated without any irritation. The gentle formula nourishes the skin barrier as algae reduces the harsh appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Key ingredients: Retinol, green tea, algaeSize: 1 oz Blue Mercury rating: 4/5 stars A Blue Mercury reviewer said: “One of the best retinol oil I’ve used and the fact that the oil has very high-quality ingredients so your skin feels moisturized and refreshed in the morning. All my friends are using it after I’ve told them about this Mara oil!”3Best For Plumpinggood molecules 1% Retinol Night Oil 3Best For Plumpinggood molecules 1% Retinol Night Oil ProsSoftens the skin ConsMay not be suited for acne-prone skin An affordable oil that costs as much as a green smoothie, Good Molecules’ iteration is built around plum oil to nourish dull skin and restore skin elasticity. Key ingredients: plum oil, retinolSize: 0.40 oz Ulta rating: 3.8/5 stars An Ulta reviewer said: “I personally love this product! I know it mostly may be used for anti-aging, but it also works for breakouts too! If I have any blemishes or acne pop up, I put this lil gem on, and it mostly goes away overnight! The smell is a lil ew, but worth it!”Advertisement - Continue Reading Below4Best Moisturizing FormulaCOSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil4Best Moisturizing FormulaCOSRX The Retinol 0.5 OilProsSqualane and vitamin E provide a surge of moisture ConsCan feel greasy This oil is supercharged with hydrating squalane and vitamin E to impart a healthy radiance and improve the skin's barrier. Retinol works to address skin texture and pigment to reveal brighter, younger-looking skin. Key ingredients: Vitamin E, squalane, retinolSize: 0.67 oz Revolve rating: 4.5/5 stars A Corsx reviewer said: “I'm currently on my second bottle! This formulation is gentle very effective. After use, my skin is left glowing and feeling smooth.”5Best LuxuryTata Harper Skincare Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil 5Best LuxuryTata Harper Skincare Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil ProsAbsorbs quickly into the skin ConsPriceyHere’s an oil that’s calming and gentle enough for daily use. Because it uses rosehip oil, a natural retinol, your skin will be treated with a formula that slowly but surely reverses signs of aging and creates a supple feel that’s soft to the touch. Key ingredients: Rosehip oilSize: 1 oz Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 starsA Nordstrom reviewer said: “My skin eats up this product and the outcome is gorgeous glowing healthy skin! I love it and it has become a staple in my skincare routine!”6Best For Daily UseDrunk Elephant Drunk Elephant A-Gloei™ Retinol Oil6Best For Daily UseDrunk Elephant Drunk Elephant A-Gloei™ Retinol OilProsSupports skin barrierConsStrong scentAs retinol gradually removes dark spots and uneven texture, Drunk Elephant’s signature virgin marula oil and ceramides restore balance and moisture to prevent further irritation. Key ingredients: Retinol, ceramides, marula oil Size: 1 ozSephora rating: 4.5/5 stars A Sephora reviewer said: “This stuff is the absolute truth! I have had hyperpigmentation since I was like 12 (I’m 30 now). This stuff is the only face oil that doesn’t break me out or leave me feeling greasy and gross! I have extremely dry skin in the winter.”Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Best For Firming Pixi Overnight Retinol Oil 7Best For Firming Pixi Overnight Retinol Oil ProsMinimizes poresConsCan feel slimy Pixi’s Overnight Retinol Oil works overtime to correct uneven skin tone, improve wrinkles and fine lines, and firm the skin. You’re immediately left with hydrated, supple, refreshed skin; with consistent use, you’ll start to notice your skin appears brighter in areas that remained dull. Key ingredients: Retinol, peptidesSize: 1 oz Target rating: 4.7/5 starsA Target reviewer said: “I have been using this oil for about two weeks now and have seen improvements in my skin texture. I have less breakouts and brighter/clearer skin. This product is definitely a key in my skincare regimen.”8Best Splurge111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil8Best Splurge111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Retinol OilProsAbsorbs quickly ConsMay be too strong for beginnersCorrect uneven skin tone and texture with just a few pumps of 111Skin’s retinol oil. While the price is steep, the results are worth every penny spent. The lightweight oil effectively increases cell turnover to reduce the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation. A blend of natural oils provides a blanket of protection from further skin damage. Key ingredients: Retinol, natural oils Size: 1 oz Bluemercury rating: 5/5 stars A Bluemercury reviewer said: “I have just recently been recommended the use of retinol and this product is incredible. I can already see improvement. Really recommend it.”9Best For AcneDermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil Face Serum with Salicylic Acid9Best For AcneDermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil Face Serum with Salicylic AcidProsReduces breakoutsConsMay be too strong for Where most reach for retinol for skin renewal, Dermalogica’s oil has properties that aid in treating acne. Retinol takes the spotlight, but it’s important to note salicylic acid’s role in this lineup, which serves as the main fighter against breakouts. Together, this oil clears and prevents breakouts while giving you a youthful glow. Key ingredients: Retinol, salicylic acid Size: 1 oz Amazon rating: 4.4/5 starsAn Amazon reviewer said: “I have incredibly sensitive skin and have struggled with terrible acne for many years now and this line and especially this specific product has saved my skin. Everyone’s skin is different but it’s worked extremely well for me. I have tried so many other things but have been using this line for almost three years and it still works amazing.”Advertisement - Continue Reading Below10Best For Stubborn Marks Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair 0.3% Concentrated Retinol Face Oil10Best For Stubborn Marks Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair 0.3% Concentrated Retinol Face OilNow 45% OffProsGentle enough for daily useConsStrong scent If your face has been going through it, allow Neutrogena’s retinol oil to whip it back into shape. The gentle formula works rapidly to repair dark spots and fine lines, especially those stubborn areas. It can be used both AM and PM; just remember to wear sunscreen. Key ingredients: Retinol, Size: 1 oz Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars An Amazon reviewer said: “Been using it for 2 weeks now tho I’m still on my first bottle, but I can see the difference on my skin. My age spots have lightened up a bit.”11Best Oil Blend LAB-1012 0.3% Retinol Serum for Fine Lines & Wrinkles11Best Oil Blend LAB-1012 0.3% Retinol Serum for Fine Lines & WrinklesProsStimulates collagen productionConsCan feel greasyNo matter your age, this serum-oil meets you at any stage. The serum uses retinol to target signs of aging and to encourage collagen production so skin appears more youthful and plump. A blend of oils, including soy and castor, provides moisture. Key ingredients: Retinol, castor oil, soy oilSize: 1 oz Typology rating: 4.2/5 stars A Typology reviewer said: “This is really nice. No smell, absorbs easily, no irritation. Would buy again.”12Best Night Oil StriVectin® STAR.light Retinol Night Oil at Nordstrom12Best Night Oil StriVectin® STAR.light Retinol Night Oil at NordstromProsMoisturizes and softens skin ConsStrong scentUneven texture, fine lines, and spots are no match for this night oil, which combines naturally-derived retinol and squalane to delay aging. The nourishing formula soothes dryness and irritation, and absorbs into the skin so you won’t see any evidence come morning. Key ingredients: Retinol, squalane Size: 1 oz Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars A Nordstrom reviewer said: “Absolutely love it. It makes my skin feel so good. I can’t tell you how much I love it. I’ve been a Strivectin woman for years. I’m 62 and look & feel fantastic. Buy it. You’ll love it❤”Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13 Meet the experts14 Does oil-based retinol actually work?Retinol is an effective and powerful ingredient used to improve the skin’s most stubborn problems. Dr. Rose adds that retinol-infused oil “can be a good choice for those with very dry or sensitive skin.”15 What step do you apply a retinol oil? “Retinol in any form should typically be applied as your next step just after cleansing skin,” Dr. Rose explains. Be sure to use gentle formulas before applying retinol to prevent irritation or barrier damage.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below16 Why trust ELLE Beauty? As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items.Beauty Commerce EditorNerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.Watch Next play iconThe triangle icon that indicates to playAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below Original Source Link