The Best Wrinkle-Fighting Retinol Products You Can Buy Without A Prescription

Now that skincare involves trendy ingredients like gemstones and snail mucin, there’s a temptation to drop your traditional products for shiny new ones—but don’t forget that classics are labelled “classic” for a reason. Retinol is about as close to a skincare miracle as you can buy in a bottle, and the best retinol creams can work miracles on any skin type.

There are a ton of advantages to retinol cream into your routine—even if you’re someone who turns red at the mere thought of touching your face. If you’re unfamiliar, New York City cosmetic dermatologist Sejal Shah, M.D., founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology, says, “Retinols are vitamin A derivatives that have been shown to boost collagen production, increase cell turnover, improve hyperpigmentation, brighten skin, and unclog pores. They can be used for a range of issues from acne to anti aging. Retinols do not require a prescription so are found in OTC products and tend to be weaker than prescription retinoids.”

Despite the horror stories you may have heard about irritation, there’s likely a great retinol option out there for you. According to Shah, you should “look for a product that lists retinol or Vitamin A high up on the ingredient list, ideally as one of the first ten ingredients” and comes in airtight packaging. “Both light and air have been shown to cause retinol to breakdown so you want to pick packaging that reduces the product’s exposure to both of these,” she says.

Here are the seven best retinol creams to start you down the path toward clearer, brighter, younger-looking skin.