When presented in an oil format, retinol and other types of retinoids can work their firming, clarifying, smoothing magic without aggravating your skin. Some of these picks even reduce redness.
Retinol has become one of the most in-demand ingredients because of its proven and dermatologist-touted ability to achieve a variety of skin-care goals. By stimulating cell turnover, the vitamin A derivative offers its consistent, long-term users a host of benefits.
“Retinol has been shown to improve tone and texture, dyspigmentation, dryness, and fine lines,” board-certified dermatologist Caroline Chang, MD has told Allure. It has even shown effectiveness at helping to prevent acne breakouts and the marks and scarring those breakouts can leave behind. There’s just one catch.
“Retinols and retinoids can be helpful to make skin cells turnover and regenerate, but they can be really irritating or drying,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Anthony Rossi, MD. It’s this risk that has kept many people with more sensitive skin from trying or sticking to a retinol-inclusive routine, prompting some to seek out so-called “retinol alternatives” like bakuchiol (which we love, but there ain’t nothin’ like the real thing, baby).
However, there is a way to reap the rewards of real retinol with less irritation: retinol oils. To put it simply, “retinol oils put the retinol in an oil base,” Dr. Rossi says, explaining that this allows for more moisture that can “combat the dryness of the retinol.”
But does the less penetrative nature of oil mean the retinol won’t work its magic on your skin? “Even though the retinol is mixed with a hydrophobic oil, you will still get the benefits of the retinol,” Dr. Rossi says. “It doesn’t decrease the effectiveness, but it helps mitigate the irritation.”
Here, you’ll find 15 of the best retinol oils at different prices to try out, even if you struggle with sensitive, reactive skin. And remember this smart tip from Dr. Rossi: to go the extra mile in preventing retinol-induced discomfort, “it is best to apply [retinol oil] on a freshly washed face that is slightly wet,” he recommends. “The oil will help lock in the moisture, and the wet skin also helps combat the irritating effects of retinoids.”
NakedPoppy Renew Retinol Oil
NakedPoppy’s Renew Retinol Oil is made with encapsulated retinol, a form of vitamin A, and an alternative form of retinol, bakuchiol, that gives the appearance of firmer, brighter skin. With the addition of redness-reducing squalane and conditioning licorice root, the skin will feel and look rejuvenated and new in no time.
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
There isn’t much to this six-ingredient Retinol 0.5% oil from The Ordinary — and you could say the same for its price — but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a lot to offer. While squalane, jojoba oil, and tomato extract tip skin’s moisture balance in the right direction and offer antioxidant defense, retinol gets down to business firming your face.
Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Allure editors and dermatologists have been singing the praises of Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil for years. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD, says that it’s a good pick for those with sensitive skin. “It doesn’t have retinol but it does have hydroxypinacolone retinoate, a retinoic acid ester, a much more gentle ingredient so there is a lower risk for irritation, dryness, and flaking,” he says.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil
“Thankfully, a lot of the nonprescription retinoid products have really improved their formulations by having the retinol release over time,” board-certified dermatologist Sheila Farhang, MD, has told Allure. She recommends Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil, because, in addition to the gentler oil format, it’s a sustained-action retinol formula.
Drunk Elephant A-Gloei Maretinol Oil
New York City-based board certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, loves the Drunk Elephant A-Gloei Maretinol Oil because it hydrates and calms inflammation while helping with texture. “There’s also ceramides in the formula to help heal cracks in the outer skin layer to maintain a healthy barrier,” he adds.
Strivectin S.T.A.R. Light Retinol Night Oil
Strivectin S.T.A.R. Light Retinol Night Oil provides the benefits of retinol in three ways: retinol’s retinoic acid ester cousin, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, the retinol-mimicking bakuchiol, and of course, regular ol’ retinol itself. This trio packs quite a punch against lines and wrinkles, but don’t worry — that punch feels more like moisture replenishment due to squalane and chia seed oil.
Mara Evening Primrose Green Tea Algae Retinol Face Oil
Texture-refining retinol sits right smack in the middle of Mara Algae Retinol Face Oil’s long ingredient list of botanical oils and fermented extracts that deliver much-needed antioxidants and fatty acids to the skin. Retinol’s titular costar, algae, lends to the formula’s firming abilities, while other natural wonders — like hemp seed oil and cacay — replenish moisture and soothe.
Pixi Overnight Retinol Oil
Retinol and one of its esters, retinyl palmitate, have got the smoothing and refining aspect of Pixi Overnight Retinol Oil fully covered, while its peptides concentrate on firming your skin. Its sweet almond oil base also hosts a special ceramide that makes sure skin stays moisturized, letting your beauty sleep result in a revitalized complexion.
Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil
Although many — if not most — retinol products emphasize their line-smoothing prowess, Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil is focused on retinol’s ability to lessen breakouts. “From an acne standpoint, the increase in cell turnover helps unclog pores,” Dr. Farhang previously explained about retinol. “This also helps decrease the appearance of brown or red post-acne spots — post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — as well as help collagen synthesis for acne scarring.” This particular product gets a major assist from gold-standard acne-fighting ingredient salicylic acid, not to mention naturally sebum-like jojoba oil.
Votary Intense Night Oil
Don’t be scared by Votary Intense Night Oil’s name; although it’s potent, it’s also thoughtfully formulated to keep skin calm. The aforementioned retinoic acid ester known as hydroxypinacolone retinoate encourages radiant, plumper skin. Meanwhile, the nightly treatment’s impressive oil combination — grapeseed, avocado, apricot kernel, tomato seed, paracress, and more — ensure less inflammation and more moisture.
Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Oil
In Colleen Rothschild’s Retinol Supreme Oil, the vitamin A derivative is joined by vitamin C and vitamin E for extra antioxidant protection against environmental ickiness. While you sleep, its numerous plant oils — like that of cotton seed, evening primrose, and moringa — ensure you wake up to moisturized skin that looks a little more radiant each day.
Verso Super Facial Oil With Retinol 8
Retinyl retinoate, yet another retinoic acid ester, is the “retinol 8” in Verso’s Super Facial Oil With Retinol 8. (Retinoate, retinol 8 — see what they did there?) This simple yet sophisticated formula is made specifically to allow sensitive skin to reap retinol’s benefits. Not only does it keep skin from becoming reactive, but it may also visibly soothe it by reducing redness.
Naturopathica Holy Basil & Retinol Ageless Night Oil
Retinol and bakuchiol are united in this herb-infused formula that promises to reduce hyperpigmentation and encourage smoother skin. In addition to plant oils favored by many of the picks on this list, Naturopathica Holy Basil & Retinol Ageless Night Oil also features holy basil (of course) to combat the effects of stress and free radicals, as well as proven soothers like oatmeal and turmeric.
111 Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil
Made with a higher concentration of retinol than many other oils — 1 percent to be exact — 111 Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil is not messing around when it comes to making a difference in the tone and texture of your skin. The nighttime treatment may be on the more intense side, but it’s still super comfortable to use thanks to moisture-boosting sweet almond, olive, and grapeseed oils that reduce the irritation that can come with stronger retinol formulas.
Absolute Joi Skin Refining Night Oil
As the hydroxypinacolone retinoate in Absolute Joi’s Skin Refining Night Oil works to increase cell turnover for brighter, smoother skin, the antioxidant vitamins C and E help protect skin from the aggressors that threaten to dull your complexion. The base of largely organic oils like that of argan, jojoba, and evening primrose provide skin with moisturizing, fortifying fatty acids that give skin a healthy-looking glow and smooth feel.