“Retinol, or retinoids, have been our gold standard for anti-aging and acne since the ’70s, and the science behind them has proven their value,” says Beverly Hills, CA dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD. “These derivatives of vitamin A act like the fuel for the engine in our cells to get to work. Retinoids work to speed up our natural cellular metabolic processes that slow down as we age. They signal our skin cells at the surface to turn over and make way for new cell growth underneath. They not only train them to act younger, but also to defend our collagen from free-radical damage and thwart its breakdown to thicken the deeper layer of skin. It creates a plumping effect, as well as helps minimize fine lines, wrinkles, acne, acne scarring, and enlarged pores.”
Though retinol is considered the number-one anti-aging ingredient in skin care, not all retinol products are best-suited for mature skin. It’s best to look for those with multiple heavy-hitting ingredients to get an even more effective treatment. These are the top retinol products for the face and body, as recommended by leading dermatologists and plastic surgeons.
