These Retinol Creams Actually Smoothed Lines and Improve Skin Texture (2025)

TL; DR

Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni Retinol Cream earned our top spot on this list because it’s effective without being too harsh on the skin. We love that it improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles, helps skin texture, and reduces hyperpigmentation. For retinol newbies, or anyone looking for a gentle formula, we like Skinbetter’s Alpharet Overnight Cream because it doesn’t dry out or irritate the skin, but still delivers results.

Our Top Picks

Key Ingredients: Retinol, peptides, vitamin F | Benefits: Minimizes the look of fine lines and sun damage | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While there’s something to love about every retinol cream on this list, Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni Retinol Cream is our top pick because it delivers everything a retinol should. Within a week of regular use, our tester began to see a difference in the fine lines on her face and noticed an improvement in her skin’s texture and breakouts. Over time, with regular use, she also found that the retinol cream helped reduce hyperpigmentation.

This product is also super hydrating, with a creamy texture that still feels lightweight on the skin. It absorbs quickly (our tester said it absorbed within seconds) without leaving behind residue or making the skin feel greasy or sticky. We love this retinol cream because it’s effective, but it’s worth noting that those who are new to retinol should ease into regular use since it’s not technically a “gentle” formula.

Bianca, tester with combination skin: “This product helped a lot with my skin texture, even when I'm battling pimples around my nose and chin. I'd say after the first week, I started to see the difference. I have mostly fine lines on my forehead and around my mouth, which seemed smoother. This is also helping a lot with my hyperpigmentation. It's not an overnight fix, but with everyday use, I've seen a difference.”

Key Ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide | Benefits: Improves lines and wrinkles, boosts radiance, combats the look of dark spots and pores | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We love that this retinol cream does a little bit of everything, leaving behind a smoother complexion with less discoloration, softer lines, and more glow. In addition to retinol, it’s formulated with niacinamide, which helps brighten the skin, and glycerin, which helps hydrate the skin (though you’ll still need to use a moisturizer with it since our tester didn’t find it very moisturizing). It also has a thick, smooth texture that feels light on the skin and absorbs well without leaving behind any residue.

With regular use, our tester found her skin looked and felt tighter and smoother, and was really impressed with how much it helped improve discoloration around her eyes. She did mention, however, that SPF is nonnegotiable with this product (she noticed her skin becoming red on the days she forgot to apply her sunscreen). She also experienced some minor irritation from the strength of the formula, so those who are newer to retinol should ease into using this product.

Nicolette, tester with combination skin: “I saw a notable change in the tightness and smoothness of my skin. I also noticed that my skin evened out, and there were fewer lines around my nose/mouth and reduced dark circles around my eyes—especially discoloration on the lid.”

Key Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, vitamin E | Benefits: Improves lines and wrinkles, tone, and texture | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

At under $15, Good Molecules’ Gene Retinol Cream is a steal—especially given how well it works. It combines retinol, bakuchiol, and grapeseed oil to target fine lines and wrinkles, and the addition of vitamin E and allantoin ensures skin stays nourished and soothed. We like the product’s creamy texture and quick absorption and how smooth and hydrated the skin feels after application.

Our tester, who only applied this three to four times per week due to her sensitive skin, saw a noticeable improvement in her skin—particularly her fine lines and wrinkles—after about three and a half weeks of regular use. Despite having sensitive skin, this product didn’t cause our tester any irritation, and the overall experience was truly remarkable, considering how budget-friendly the cream is.

Ashley, tester with sensitive, combination skin: “The areas that I saw the most improvement were the wrinkles between my eyebrows. I have a natural frown line that was smoothed over with the Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream.”

Key Ingredients: Retinaldehyde, pre-tocopheryl, Avene thermal spring water, relastide | Benefits: Smooths and reduces the appearance of wrinkles, brightens and evens the skin, provides antioxidant protection| Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Avène Eau Thermale RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream outperformed all of the products we tested in terms of improving skin texture. It’s made with retinaldehyde, a more potent retinoid than retinol, which speeds up the cell turnover process to unclog pores and clear up skin quicker than other options. Our tester noticed an improvement in her skin texture within the first month of using this cream, and even though it’s a stronger formula than some of the other products on this list, it still didn’t irritate her sensitive skin.

We like that this product also helps tighten the skin a bit, resulting in a more youthful, fresh, glowy look. It’s also lightweight and doesn’t dry out the skin—though we wouldn’t say it has significant hydrating benefits, so don’t skip your moisturizer when using this product. Also, even though this formula is stellar at improving skin texture, we didn’t see as much improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, so if you’re looking for a product to target those concerns, this may not be the best option.

Hannah, tester with sensitive combination skin: “I'm impressed that this one product could help me eliminate my annoying blackheads and small bumps.”

Key Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, rambutan | Benefits: Helps reverse signs of photo-aging, lift and firm skin, replenish dry, dull skin, smooth uneven texture | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While no skincare product can totally reverse the signs of aging, this retinol cream comes pretty darn close. It does this by combining retinol with bakuchiol, another product that targets fine lines and wrinkles, and rambutan, which helps support skin elasticity. The formula’s texture is thick but still feels light on the skin, and it applies well and absorbs quickly.

After using this product consistently, our tester found that her fine lines were much smoother and less noticeable than before the testing period. She was also impressed that it didn’t irritate or dry out her skin—especially considering how effective it is. However, she still needed to follow up with a moisturizer to keep her skin looking hydrated and healthy.

Dalene, tester with combination skin: “I noticed a difference in my skin when using this product consistently day and night. I have a singular ‘11’ line between my brows, and it doesn’t appear as deep set as before I started using this cream.”

Key Ingredients: Retinaldehyde, adapinoid, pomegranate peel extract | Benefits: Clears skin, boosts collagen production | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re combating dark spots on your face, this cream by Paula’s Choice is for you. It’s made with retinaldehyde, which is more potent than retinol and triggers a faster cell turnover process. Our tester saw a noticeable improvement in dark spots and discoloration within a few weeks of regularly using the product. She also mentioned that her fine lines were softening, and her overall skin texture felt smoother.

Since this is made with retinaldehyde, it may take some easing into (and probably isn’t ideal for someone just starting to use retinol products). Our tester experienced some dryness and irritation when she first started using the cream, but it went away over time as her skin got used to the product. Additionally, this cream has a slight yellow tint, so be sure to thoroughly rub it in to avoid any leftover hue on your skin.

Amanda, tester with sensitive, combination skin: “I saw a noticeable difference in the dark spots on my forehead and appreciated that the retinol cream actively changed the cellular turnover in those problem areas.”

Key Ingredients: Ethyl lactyl retinoate, glycolic acid, ceramides| Benefits: Improves lines and wrinkles, tone, and texture | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Whether you’re new to retinol products or have sensitive skin, SkinBetter’s Alpharet Overnight Cream has you covered. This cream has a gentle formula free of parabens, fragrances, and dyes and is dermatologist-tested. It’s also made with SkinBetter’s combination of a retinoid and an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) to help minimize irritation. Our tester, who often experiences reactions to retinol products, was able to jump right into daily use without any problems.

Don’t let the gentle formula trick you into thinking it’s a less effective product because it still delivers in all areas that a retinol cream should. It targets fine lines and wrinkles, evens skin tone, and improves skin texture. After using the product regularly for a month, our tester’s skin felt softer and smoother, and she saw a slight softness in her fine lines. However, she didn’t see as much improvement in her dark spots as she’d hoped.

Joline, tester with acne-prone skin: “This retinol cream didn't irritate my skin at all. There was no redness, peeling, sensitivity, or any other negative side effects. I've used prescription retinol products in the past, but they've always made my skin very dry. This retinol was gentle enough for everyday use.”

Key Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Hydrates, smooths the look of wrinkles, reduces dark spots | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

There’s nothing better than finding a quality skincare product that can be picked up at your local drugstore, and this retinol cream by Neutrogena definitely fits the bill. Our tester found that her skin looked more hydrated, felt smoother, and had a new glow after using it product regularly. She also noticed that her fine lines were softer than before—to the point where her dermatologist commented on how great and young her skin looked during an appointment (is there a higher compliment than that?).

It’s made with hyaluronic acid to deliver extra hydration and plumpness to the skin, and we like that the formula is gentle and fragrance-free—our tester didn’t notice any irritation while using it. However, since the formula is so gentle, the directions note that it’s best when applied twice per day, so keep that in mind if you want to add it to your regular skincare routine.

Heidi, tester with normal-to-dry, sensitive skin: “I noticed my skin felt smooth and appeared hydrated and glowing. I also saw some softening on the lines around my mouth.”

Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, avocado oil and extract, coffeeberry | Benefits: Visibly firm skin and smooth fine lines around the eyes, reduce the appearance of dark circles | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We recommend Glow Recipe’s Avocado Fine Line Eye Cream with Retinol for anyone looking for a retinol specifically made for around their eyes. It has a gentle formula that’s good for all skin types and is particularly great at combating puffiness and dark circles. Our tester saw a noticeable improvement in the texture and appearance around her eyes within two weeks of using this product, and she said the results gave her a big confidence boost. Also, despite having sensitive skin, she didn’t experience any irritation with this product.

We love this product's rich, creamy texture, and we especially appreciate that it doesn’t leave the skin around the eyes feeling greasy or sticky. There isn’t much we’d change about this fantastic product, but we do wish the packaging came with a spatula for easier application and less product waste.

Ayo, tester with sensitive, combination skin: “I think anyone looking to add hydration and firmness to their under eyes could definitely benefit from this product. To my folks with eyebags and puffiness for days: there is a solution!”

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, alfalfa extract, teff peptide, ceramide NP blend, acai stem cell extract | Benefits: Improves signs of aging, firms skin | Size: 1.69 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

KORA Organics’ Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Firming Moisturizer is an excellent option for anyone who wants benefits similar to retinol but can’t or doesn’t want to use retinol itself. This formula relies mostly on bakuchiol, which helps soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles while offering hydration. It’s also made with a teff peptide and ceramide NP blend, which help plump the skin and boost its natural barrier.

Our tester, who is prone to hormonal breakouts, did not experience any adverse reactions to the product. In fact, she saw an improvement in her skin texture within the first month of regularly using this cream. After testing, she noted how much she liked the product’s subtle, lavender scent, but this is something to keep in mind if you’re someone who is sensitive to smells or if added fragrance tends to irritate your skin.

Katie, tester with normal to dry skin: “After using this product, I saw a significant improvement in texture. I notice less redness and blemishes and my skin overall looks firmer and tight. I've been getting a lot of compliments on my skin and I fully attribute that to this moisturizer!”

FAQ

• How do retinol creams work?

  “Retinoids have many mechanisms of action,” says Dr. Kobets. These include influencing how cells proliferate, increasing skin cell turnover, and increasing collagen production. In short, they work in multiple different ways in the skin, which is why they have so many benefits, including helping to minimize wrinkles, improve the look of pores, smooth out rough skin texture, and help even out pigmentation.
  

• Are retinol creams good for all skin types?

  Yes, with one big caveat. “Be cautious if you have sensitive skin, which is more prone to the potential irritation, or have skin of color, which is more likely to experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from any type of irritation,” Dr. Kobets says. Start slowly, using a product only every few nights, and gradually increasing the frequency of use as your skin can tolerate it.

• Should you moisturize after retinol?

  Yes! And if you want to up the ante, you can even try the ‘sandwich’ method: “Apply a basic moisturizer both before and after using a retinoid, as this will provide both hydration and possibly help minimize any irritating side effects,” says Dr. Kobets.

• Is retinol safe to use in the summer?

  Yes, but don’t forget your SPF. “While retinol can increase sun sensitivity, it’s completely safe to use year-round if you apply a board-spectrum sunscreen daily and take additional protective measures like wearing a hat,” says Dr. Shirazi.

• How often should I use retinol?

  As long as you’re not experiencing any irritation or negative side effects from the retinol cream you’re using, Dr. Shirazi says consistency is key. “For best results, you have to use it consistently, at least five times a week to see skin improvement.” She notes, “It often causes irritation [at first], leading many to either give up or use it only once or twice a week, which is not enough for real results.”