10 Best 1 Percent Retinol Creams in 2023 [Safe to Use]


If you’re looking for a non-surgical solution to restoring your skin’s youthful look, then you may want to consider investing in a good 1 Percent Retinol Cream. These creams use pure retinol, which is a form of vitamin A, to help improve the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, and other signs of skin aging.

Best Overall
1
4.9
Organic Anti Aging Retinol Face Cream

Organic Anti Aging Retinol Face Cream

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  • Trials show PERIORBITAL AND CROW’S FEET WRINKLE DEPTH is REDUCED by 32.7%. After just 8 weeks, hyperpigmentation, redness and acne scars are 28% LESS VISIBLE. Rejuvenated skin, guaranteed: if dissatisfied, contact us for a full refund within 100 days & keep the cream, no questions asked.
  • Other creams use retinol derivatives (retinol esters, retinyl palmitate) with a lengthy 3-step conversion process, reducing anti-ageing benefits. We use DERMATOLOGIST-RECOMMENDED 1% retinaldehyde that only requires ONE CONVERSION to be absorbed by skin, making it 45% MORE POTENT.
  • Our unique complex combines the power of retinaldehyde with regenerative antioxidants shea butter & vitamin E. It’s the only TOPICAL RETINOL FILLER treatment on the market that’s stabilised by nanoemulsion, with RESULTS EQUAL TO THREE CHEMICAL PEELS.
  • When leading brands nanonise their particles, they become unstable, lose potency and turn into harmful pro-oxidants. We NANO-EMULSIFY our fat and water-soluble powerhouse ingredients, for NO INSTABILITY, MAXIMUM PROTECTION against photodamage, and 3x better PRODUCT DISPERSION.
  • Other creams contain 25+ chemical ingredients, including phenoxyethanol, that can be toxic to skin. Ours is formulated with just 6 potent ACTIVE ingredients, proven to INCREASE COLLAGEN PRODUCTION & PREVENT TRANSEPIDERMAL WATER LOSS. We’re proudly preservative, cruelty and alcohol free.
Best Runner-Up
2
4.8
QRxLabs Retinol Serum

QRxLabs Retinol Serum

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  • AS SEEN ON DR. OZ: the Top 3 most effective ingredients against aging are Niacinamide, Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid, all of them included in our serum, along with other synergistic vitamins and extracts.
  • ANTI-AGEING: This must-have serum is the ultimate tool in your arsenal to slow down aging and restore your skin's elasticity and youthful look. It is the only serum combining 5% Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) with 1% Retinol to create a synergistic formula that will do wonders for your skin.
  • GLOWING COMPLEXION: This rich serum comes in a LARGE 2 fl oz Dark Glass Bottle packed with ingredients that will make your skin glow, including Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Green Tea and Organic Aloe.
  • UNIFORM SKIN TONE: In addition to its anti-aging properties, this serum will also help keep your skin hydrated, reduce spots and redness, help control acne breakouts and encourage healthy collagen generation. Start using it daily and expect compliments within a week!
  • QRxLabs products are Made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility. We only use professional-grade ingredients and never any silicone or parabens. We also take pride in our cruelty-free practices and eco-friendly packaging, so that you can purchase and use our products with confidence.
Best for All Skin
3
4.7
Paulas Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment

Paulas Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment

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  • BEST ANTI AGEING INGREDIENT : A powerful treatment with 1% pure retinol that firms skin, fades brown spots and smooths wrinkles. Beside it improves skin tone and texture and makes your skin act younger. Licorice, oat extract and other soothing ingredients to help calm redness.
  • WITH RETINOL : Powerhouse ingredient that can improve a variety of skin concerns, most related to visible signs of ageing: It’s skin-restoring, wrinkle-smoothing, an antioxidant and improves sun damage.
  • HOW TO USE : Apply a pea-sized amount after cleansing, toning and exfoliating, and then follow with your serum and/or nighttime moisturiser. Avoid the lips, direct contact with the eye, and corners of the eyes. You may apply up to the orbital bone of the eye area. When first using the Clinical 1% Retinol, start with no more than 3 evenings per week, then gradually increase frequency to every other night and, finally, every evening as tolerated.
  • SUITABLE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES : This retinol serum is suitable for all skin types, including normal, dry, combination and oily skin. The lightweight lotion absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving an oily or greasy residue.
  • 100% FRAGRANCE FREE : Our skincare products are fragrance-free, from synthetic aswell as natural fragrances. Plus, our products are never animal tested! Smart, Safe Beauty to take exceptional care of your skin.
Best from Eclat Skincare
4
4.6
Eclat Skincare ORGANIC Retinol Cream

Eclat Skincare ORGANIC Retinol Cream

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  • 𝟐.𝟓% 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐎𝐋 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐄 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀: Most water-based retinol face creams dry the skin, increasing wrinkle formation. We use HYDRATING ALOE VERA (rich in polysaccharides & sterols) to promote moisture retention. In a study of 43 users, results showed an 84% increase in skin plumping within 2 weeks.
  • 𝟓𝐗 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐁𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐎𝐋: Our encapsulated retinol liposomes DELIVER PURE RETINOL 5X DEEPER to fill deep-set lines and BOOST COLLAGEN. Regular anti-wrinkle face cream features less effective retinol derivatives (e.g. retinyl palmitate & retinol powder) that hardly penetrate.
  • 𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓-𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐑-𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐗: Generic wrinkle creams either have too little retinol (<1%) to have an effect, or irritatingly high amounts (3%+). Our cream features a SCIENTIFICALLY OPTIMAL 2.5% CONCENTRATION for gentle yet effective rejuvenation. 93% of users saw FEWER WRINKLES.
  • 𝟒𝐗 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈-𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐔𝐋𝐀: Our synergistic retinol cream features AGE-DEFYING VITAMINS & ANTIOXIDANTS. Vitamins C & E fight free radicals & boost radiance; pennywort & sea oak extracts (rich in polyphenols) restore the skin barrier, and hyaluronic acid hydrates.
  • 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘: Antioxidant vitamins A, C & E are often heat processed at 90°C. By the time they’re added to anti-ageing face creams, their active compounds are depleted by 31%. Our active vitamins are COLD PROCESSED at 1-4°C to preserve our retinol night cream's anti-ageing properties.
Best Under-Budget
5
4.5
No7 Pure Retinol

No7 Pure Retinol

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  • 0.3% Pure Retinol - the expert recommended powerful level for efficacy and skin comfort reboots the skin helping it to act like younger, healthier looking skinMatrixyl 3000+ - No7's powerful anti-wrinkle peptide technology for helping to restore a more youthful appearance to your skinRetinol optimiser - an intelligent slow-release oil encapsulation system for enhanced delivery throughout the nightBisabolol - the active component in chamomile helps to minimise irritation by calming and soothing the skinFormulated to be kinder to your skinItem volume: 30.0 milliliters
Best Gulten free
6
4.4
ROSVANEE Retinol Serum for Face

ROSVANEE Retinol Serum for Face

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  • Powerful Yet Gentle - This advanced vegan serum is formulated with pure vegan retinol that increases cell turnover and boosts collagen for velvet-smooth skin. Gentle enough to use every day and night, the high-performance formula helps enhance skin strength and elasticity, visibly improves skin texture and resistance to gravity, and minimizes the appearance of fine line & wrinkles.
  • Anti Aging Face Serum - Unclog pores to reveal brighter and firmer skin with retinol face tightening serum. Retinol helps improve uneven skin tone, sun damage, dull skin, acne scars, brown spots and age spots, large pore minimizer, eyelid puffiness, skin discoloration, and sagging skin. Skin is left looking renewed, refreshed and restored.
  • Timeless Beauty - At a concentration of 2.5% retinol, our face serum is more potent than other topical retinoids available. Enriched with skin restoring ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E and varieties of botanical extracts. It is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin, and can even be used around the eyes.
  • Friendly Formula - Free of parabens, formaldehyde, synthetic fragrances/dyes, phthalates, sulfates. Cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, ethically-sourced. Never tested on animals.
  • Facial Serum For Your Daily Routine - Our serums are lightweight, not sticky or oily. It helps even out your skin color, improves texture, and enhances the overall look.
Best with Aloe Vera
7
4.3
Medix 5.5 Retinol Cream

Medix 5.5 Retinol Cream

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  • RETINOL CREAM – Vitamin A (Retinol) is considered to be the #1 Dermatologist recommended anti aging skin care ingredient. It is known to diminish the look of deep wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, crepey skin, & sun damage while boosting collagen production to help with firming. Medix 5.5 Retinol Body Lotion Age Rewind Moisturizer Cream is the perfect combination of anti aging ingredients with natural-antioxidants to help you promote more radiant skin and a more youthful look.
  • EFFECTIVE ANTI-AGING INGREDIENTS – Medix 5.5 Retinol Cream is infused with Ferulic Acid, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, & Green Tea, which all work together to effectively firm skin + reduce the appearance of sun damaged skin, wrinkles, fine lines, & crepey skin. Aloe Vera defends against visible redness & irritation. Green Tea + Chamomile guards against environmental damage & reduces puffiness. Combination of ingredients make this Retinol Body Cream non-irritating unlike many other retinol products.
  • HYDRATING & NOURISHING – With age our skin loses elasticity & moisture, our Clinically-Tested, Dermatologist-Tested, & Allergy-Tested hydrating formula visibly smooths the look of skin's rough texture, brightens skin tone with enhanced luminosity, & replenishes essential moisture to visibly restore volume to areas prone to sagging, dark spots, & wrinkles. Nourish, hydrate, & plump your skin for a healthier, fuller, & younger appearance while also improving your skins elasticity all at once.
  • TREAT YOURSELF – Our Medix 5.5 creams & boosters are designed with your daily skin care routine in mind. Immediately apply Medix 5.5 body creams combined with optional body boosters after a relaxing hot shower or bath to allow powerful active ingredients within formula to absorb deeply into the skin and for the delicious scents to invigorate your senses. Our luxuriously rich creams melt into the skin absorbing quickly, leaving your skin nourished & delectably silky smooth.
  • RELAX & RESTORE – Non-Greasy Formula, Vegan, Cruelty-Free. Free From: Parabens, Drying Alcohols, Animal-Derived Ingredients, PEGs, Sulfates, Dyes, Talc, & Mineral Oil. Manufactured in our FDA-Regulated & Inspected Laboratory in Chicago, USA. RETINOL BEGINNERS, please take care to test cream on a small area of skin, gradually phasing into your skincare routine, working up to twice daily as tolerated. If irritation occurs, reduce frequency. If irritation persists, discontinue use.
Best Cruelty-free
8
4.2
Poppy Austins Miracle Face Serum

Poppy Austins Miracle Face Serum

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  • Potent Serum for Acne Prone Skin - The secret to radiant, younger-looking skin? Poppy Austin's face serum for acne prone skin! A cocktail of the finest skincare actives that work together for brighter, clearer skin: Vit C, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinol & Salicylic Acid.
  • Safe for All Skin Types - A botanically derived infusion of natural ingredients, our skin clearing serum for face is ideal for hyperpigmentation and blemish-prone skin. It penetrates deep into the dermal layers, aiding in visibly improving the appearance of dark spots and restoring your youthful glow.
  • Visible Results within Weeks - Infused with skin-saving antioxidants, our pore minimizer serum for oily skin nourishes the skin from deep within. After consistent use, you may notice visibly smoother skin with fewer wrinkles and fine lines, revealing younger-looking skin.
  • Amplify Your Skin's Natural Radiance - Let our acne scar serum bring you your best face forward. Vitamin C and niacinamide repair sun-damaged skin. Salicylic acid gently exfoliates, while retinol works to smooth out fine lines. Hyaluronic acid promotes supple skin. The result of using this combination cocktail? Glowing, smoother and brighter skin.
  • Simple Solutions, Real Results - We believe in the power of natural, plant-based elements that deliver real results. Poppy Austin is proudly vegan society registered and our skincare essentials are cruelty-free. Not satisfied with your purchase? Let us know, and our customer service team will assist you with a full refund.
Best with Pro Moisturizing
9
4.1
Best fragrance free

Best fragrance free

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  • Night Cream for visibly smoother and glowing skin
  • Unique formulation with Retinol & and Vitamin B3
  • Instantly Hydrates Skin for 24 hours
  • Night Cream Penetrates up to 10 layers deep into skin surface
  • Specifically designed for the time when skin is most receptive
Cheapest Option
10
4
Eclat Skincare Pure Retinol Serum for Face

Eclat Skincare Pure Retinol Serum for Face

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  • ⏰ 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛: Our retinol serum features an optimal concentration of 2.5% pure retinol for faster anti-ageing results. We’ve added hyaluronic acid for heavenly hydration and wrinkle-smoothing, along with a potent blend of botanicals and antioxidants, including aloe vera, green tea and vitamin E.
  • 🏆 𝟲 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛-𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦: 🎯 This advanced serum is proven to tackle 6 common signs of ageing and dull skin, including wrinkles, elasticity, texture, pores, hyperpigmentation and breakouts.
  • 🏆 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜-𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: Encapsulated 2.5% retinol penetrates deeper, accelerating skin renewal, smoothing the appearance of wrinkles, and visibly fading dark spots. Plus, hyaluronic acid and vitamins B5 & E keep skin moisturised, soothed and supple.
  • 🔓 𝗨𝗡𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗘𝗥, 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥-𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗡: Our formula features shea butter and camomile to soothe and rejuvenate, plus aloe vera and jojoba oil to reduce the appearance of redness. After 6 weeks, 89% said skin looked plumper, and 92% said wrinkles appeared softer.
  • 🧑‍🔬 𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘𝗦 & 𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦: Focusing on natural ingredients, we’ve created a dermatologist-backed vegan & cruelty-free retinol serum for all skin types. The Mirror, the Daily Mail and more have named it one of the best wrinkle-targeting serums on the market.

She has contributed to Perseus Promos, Hazlitt, Rolling Stone, New Republic, Atlantic, GQ, Racked, VICE and The New Inquiry.

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