Best Retinol Serums & Creams UK
Retinoids are the most studied ingredients for smoothing fine lines and refining texture. They can irritate at first, so start slowly, use them at night and wear sunscreen by day.
10 retinol serums & creams compared
Our top pick is The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane Ester 30ml: retinol is the 3rd of 6 ingredients and no fragrance is listed. The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion Anti-Aging Serum 15ml and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion come next. We rank on ingredient lists only, not skin testing.
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The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane Ester 30ml
- Retinol is the 3rd of 6 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
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The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion Anti-Aging Serum 15ml
- Retinol is the 6th of 32 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
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The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Retinol is the 7th of 28 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
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No7 Pure Retinol 1% Retinol Night Concentrate 30ml
- Retinol is the 9th of 31 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
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Neutrogena Retinol Boost Serum 30ml
- Retinol is the 9th of 25 ingredients
- Contains fragrance
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No7 Men Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum 30ml
- Retinol is the 13th of 32 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
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Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol
- Retinol is the 13th of 49 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
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No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil
- Retinol is the 8th of 12 ingredients
- Contains fragrance
- Drying alcohol high in the list
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No7 Cleansing Balm 125ml
- Retinol is the 13th of 17 ingredients
- Contains fragrance
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L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser Retinol Pressed Night Cream, Advanced Anti-Ageing Formula, 50ml
- Retinol is the 14th of 31 ingredients
- Contains fragrance
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How we picked
We compare products only on what their ingredient lists show — we haven't tested them on skin, and no brand pays to be included. On UK and EU labels, ingredients above 1% must be listed from highest to lowest concentration, so we rank products higher when the key ingredient sits nearer the top — a useful guide, though not an exact measure of strength. Products with no fragrance listed score higher; drying alcohol near the top and essential oils score lower; and we give credit when the brand says a product is made for the skin type in question. Whether a product is available on Amazon never affects its rank.
New to retinol? Read what it does and who it suits →