

This is a OTC product that contains retinaldehyde, a form of vitamin A, that has been shown to be more effective than retinol yet gentler on the skin. "I think this is a great product for someone just starting out with retinoids and might not be ready for a prescription product. Tretinoin is better for people with more sun damage, and for those with less sensitive skin." - dermatologist Jennifer S Kitchin, MD, FAAD That is going to be more effective than the OTC product, but can also be very drying, and is not always covered by insurance, which means it can get pricey. It's easier to tolerate than the prescription tretinoin, which is the other product that I recommend. "One of my favorite retinols is the Avène Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Cream, which I recommend to my younger patients and patients with sensitive skin.
SENTE INTENSIVE BIO COMPLETE SKIN
This combines all of these things with strong antioxidants to protect skin and a host of moisturizing ingredients to prevent dryness." - cosmetic and procedural dermatologist Jody Comstock, MD "With retinols, I like products that can multitask with peptides, amino acids, AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), and salicylic acid but still keep the active retinoid working well. "I like the SkinBetter Science AlphaRet because almost any skin type can tolerate it." - dermatologist Deborah Olhausen, MD "The SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream offers little to no irritation while combining two of the top antiaging ingredients - a retinoid and lactic acid - creating a revolutionary double retinoid that leaves your skin looking smooth, clear, and refreshed." - dermatologist Matthew Elias, MD Very tolerable, including in sensitive skin, and in addition to retinol, it has skin-damage-fighting antioxidants and lactic and glycolic acids, which provide gentle exfoliation for a clear complexion." - board-certified general and cosmetic dermatologist Kunal Malik, MD "A good splurge product is SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream. SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream ($135) So while dermatologists love to pull out their prescription pads, because we asked nicely, they've divulged their favorite over-the-counter retinols worth incorporating into your skin-care routine. You can even find some efficacious options at the drugstore. The most potent form of the stuff comes straight from the doc's office, of course, but there are also plenty of powerful iterations you can scoop up over the counter that don't skimp on results. The fact is, nothing else on the skin-care market has been clinically proven to simultaneously boost cell turnover, treat acne, fade fine lines and dark spots, or reduce the appearance of pores for a brighter, dare we say better-looking visage quite like retinol. The upside: not all formulas are created equal (the vitamin A derivative falls under a category with more than 2,500 different chemicals called retinoids, after all), and most experts would still agree that the workhorse ingredient is the best thing you can do for your skin. Like an anal-retentive roommate who's always after you about the dishes, retinol is extremely effective at making sure everything looks as pristine as possible - but it can also be pretty irritating, especially if you aren't using the right product for your skin type. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.

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