Retinol for Men: What To Know and What To Buy, According to Dermatologists

In order for your skin to utilize the retinol in a product, it typically needs to convert it into a usable form which can potentially decrease effectiveness. This cream is “unique because it is a retinaldehyde, rather than a retinol,” says Chicago-based dermatologist Raymond Kleinfelder, DO. “The benefit is that it does not need to be converted to an active ingredient,” meaning your skin gets to use the good stuff right away.

Santa Monica, CA-based dermatologist Elisabeth Shim, MD recommends this gentle yet powerful serum because “it feels light and isn’t greasy.” Dr. Kleinfelder also likes it because “it’s cheap and is a great, effective choice for beginners.”

This serum is “easy to find, easy to use, and gentle enough to not cause the usual redness, irritation and flaking often seen with retinols,” says Dr. Sarkar. 

This advanced serum combines retinol and azelaic acid to address texture issues like acne, scarring, and large pores—among everything else that retinol is good for (hello, wrinkle reduction). It’s a potent mix, but there’s also skin plumping and hydrating ingredients to help reduce potential irritation

This high-end serum uses a form of retinyl retinoate called Retinol 8 which “causes less skin irritation than typical retinoids,” says Noelle S. Sherbet, MD, a dermatologist in Washington, D.C. Studies have found that this ingredient outperformed traditional retinol in wrinkle-reducing effects and can actually improve skin hydration. 

Dr. Kleinfelder also loves this luxury serum because not only does it contain highly-effective retinol, but also “a unique formulation of heparan sulfates, components of the skin which are often lost with age. This replaces them, allowing more water to be drawn to the middle layer of the skin, giving a fuller, more youthful appearance.”

If you have oily skin or just don’t like the feel of serums or creams on your face, these single-use pads offer an alternative. Soaked in a serum that contains both retinol and bakuchiol (a plant-derived ingredient with similar properties) as well as ferulic acid to help control potential irritation, swipe a pad over your face 2-3 times a week before bed to help smooth fine lines and brighten skin.

“For retinol beginners, it’s important to start slow and work up to stronger products,” says Caroline Change, MD, a dermatologist in Rhode Island. She recommends this inexpensive serum because “it’s lightweight and can be layered under moisturizer.”

This serum “contains a combination of retinol and niacinamide, two ingredients that provide a synergistic effect in treating aging skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. “Retinol enhances cell turnover and stimulates collagen production while niacinamide calms inflammation and helps brighten the skin.”

Up until a few years ago, this version of retinol gel was only available by prescription and now is “one of the most effective over the counter retinoids,” says Dr. Sarkar. “Remember, a little goes a long way. I recommend patients put a pea sized amount on their whole face then slather the whole area in your favorite moisturizer to keep irritation at bay.”

If you’ve never used retinol or have sensitive skin, you might have a hard time diving into the deep end. This serum is tailor-made for beginners because the concentration is lower than most other retinol products, yet still effective. Even though it’s low, you should still start slow—but this one is the least likely to cause a reaction.

Dr. Zeichner also recommends this serum because it “contains a stabilized form of retinol in a formula that protects the skin barrier, hydrates, and calms inflammation with peptides, squalane, and antioxidants.”