Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is one of the most powerful skin care ingredients for addressing fine lines, acne, skin dullness and other signs of aging. However, the popular ingredient isn't for everyone.
Although it is formulated in different forms and can be found in creams, serums, lotions and more, it's not the most gentle or easy to tolerate ingredient. Vitamin A is also not a suitable option for those with sensitive skin or for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
When I was undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma, which compromised my skin barrier, my care team advised against using retinol and other powerful active ingredients that could sensitize my skin even more.
Determined to find a skin care routine that was safe for me as a cancer patient but that addressed my biggest concerns (fine lines and large pores), I tried a number of alternatives to retinol. This led me to finding what really works and what doesn't while targeting my concerns. Ingredients like bakuchiol, resveratrol, peptides and azelaic acid (among others) came to the rescue and I even found some wonderful skin-firming, texture-evening products that were safe for my skin.
Shop TODAY consulted top dermatologists to find the very best alternatives to retinoids for helping with skin elasticity, fine lines, texture and hyperpigmentation, thanks to some powerhouse anti-aging ingredients.
Most hydrating, editor tested$undefined$84.00
Splurge-worthy, derm approved$undefined$188.00
Best retinol alternatives, according to dermatologists
One over-the-counter product that Dr. Katharine Saussy, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans, has personally used and recommended to patients who want to “improve skin tone and overall skin brightness” is this tranexamic acid, which also contains known brighteners like licorice and niacinamide. By targeting overall skin tone and discoloration, the product helps with the appearance of youthfulness when used over time.
“This product is at a good price point and is well formulated,” says Dr. Carmen Castilla, a Manhattan-based dermatologist, who recommends this product because “the combination of peptides and niacinamide works well for all skin types.”
She adds, “Generally, ‘signaling peptides’ have the best evidence that application on the skin increases collagen and elastin production.” With collagen-replenishing purified peptides and skin-soothers like panthenol, the hydrating serum is gentle on sensitive skin (it can be used morning and night), and it has been shown to improve skin texture and tone in two weeks.
Castilla likes azelaic acid because it’s “gentler than retinoids, and helps best with evening out skin tone,” though it still needs more studies, she says. She recommends this popular Paula’s Choice serum because it also contains licorice root, a great brightening ingredient.
Without irritating my skin, this cream-like booster helped with my acne and fading post-acne marks since becoming a staple in my routine.
With 1.25% bakuchiol, this oil-based serum also contains peptides, two ingredients that “offer benefits similar to retinol, such as improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of wrinkles,” says Dr. Zion Ko Lamm, a board-certified internal medicine physician who discusses skin care on TikTok and Instagram.
She recommends this serum because these ingredients “are generally better tolerated” than retinoids. Plus, centella asiatica (also known as cica) offers calming and soothing properties to the skin.
I’ve been a longtime lover of Caudalie, a French pharmacy brand that feels so luxurious on my skin and also proves that effective products do not need to be harsh or compromise your skin barrier. I turned to this patented resveratrol serum when my doctors advised against using retinol, and I found that it firmed and smoothed my skin after regular use, plus left my skin feeling hydrated after each application. (I love the product’s spa-like smell, but I know some people avoid fragrances.)
“Resveratrol acts as an antioxidant and also stimulates the production of collagen,” Castilla tells Shop TODAY.
“Azelaic acid helps with cell turnover, unclogging pores, killing acne-causing bacteria and preventing hyperpigmentation,” says Saussy. She recommends this pregnancy-safe product because it also contains powerhouse anti-aging ingredients like bakuchiol, which encourages the production of collagen, and hexylresorcinol, which “has antioxidant properties, helps prevent and treat hyperpigmentation and overall helps with tone and texture of the skin.”
My friend turned me onto Clarins when she was pregnant and couldn’t use retinol, and I instantly fell in love with this brightening, luxurious-feeling serum that gave my skin a smoothed effect without any harsh or irritating ingredients.
My skin drank up the turmeric, squalane and 21 plant extracts, and I loved the serum’s relaxing botanical fragrance (though I know some people avoid fragrance at all costs). After a few weeks of regular use, I noticed my fine lines seemed plumper and less visible. Turmeric, which is full of antioxidants, has been shown to help with brightness.
Castilla likes this serum-in-oil for its combination of anti-aging powerhouse bakuchiol and brightening vitamin C. “It also has melatonin, which needs more evidence, but can function as an antioxidant, easily spreads and absorbs, and will make skin feel hydrated after usage,” she tells Shop TODAY.
The serum has a luxurious, hydrating feel that makes it an especially good option for people with dry skin.
The lifting, ultra-concentrated serum is designed to visibly reduce five of the most common types of wrinkles — forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds — while strengthening the skin barrier, thanks to the combination of a growth factor complex and peptide complex.
“It’s important to note that not all peptides are created equal,” Dr. Shereene Idriss, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Idriss Skincare, tells Shop TODAY. “This product is formulated with Pentapeptide-48, which stimulates fibroblast activity to enhance collagen synthesis and supports skin repair processes, as well as sh-Oligopeptide-1, also known as Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF). There’s an immediate brightening effect with this product that also gives you instant gratification.”
Idriss likes this powerful yet lightweight serum because it’s “formulated with growth factors to address fine lines and wrinkles and other signs of aging,” she tells Shop TODAY. The holy grail product, which has been clinically proven to show anti-aging benefits in just two weeks, not only improves the appearance of wrinkles, but it firms sagging skin and texture. (According to the brand, a third-party study found that patients felt they looked up to six years younger after 12 weeks of use!)
Best retinol alternatives, tested by editors
Deputy managing editor Jess Bender loves the products from Korres. "Both my mom and I have several products in our beauty cabinets from them! One of the products we love the most is their Velvet Skin Drink, their oil that refines texture (a perk for me) and reverses a depleted, dull appearance (a perk for my mom). I really like to incorporate it into my nighttime routine with my moisturizer when I'm craving a little extra hydration during drier spells, but generally this is a great add for any part of the day when you're just looking for a little extra oomph," she says.
Whether you use a gua sha at night or need extra hydration, this serum will do the trick. "My mom has emphasized how important it is to have a proper nighttime skin care routine over the years, but I never properly took that to heart until I started to hone in on the subtle signs of aging I've started to see in my mid-30s. While I'm a pro at the basics, it's only been recently that I've been incorporating a night serum into my rotation, and this one has worked wonders with making my skin look properly hydrated and refreshed after long days out of the house," shares Bender.
Shop TODAY contributing writer PJ Gach says that “I was extremely pleased that I didn’t have any type of reaction from Andalou Naturals’ face cream. Even the scent was fine for me. There was no itching, and not once did my skin feel like it was on fire.” She adds that, “As someone with a super sensitive complexion (if I use the wrong product, I can be sick for a week — my skin is that sensitive), this was a major perk of the product for me,” after trying this cream, which is now a staple in her routine.
How we chose
Shop TODAY enlisted the expertise of dermatologists and doctors who shared their recommendations on products and ingredients that make great alternatives for people who cannot use retinoids. We also took their advice on which key ingredients to look for in retinol alternatives and took into account customer reviews. In addition, we’ve tested many of these products personally.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Shereene Idriss is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Idriss Skincare.
- Dr. Katharine Saussy is a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans.
- Dr. Carmen Castilla is a Manhattan-based, board-certified dermatologist.
- Dr. Zion Ko Lamm is a board-certified internal medicine physician.
