If you’re old enough to recognise a floppy disk as more than the ‘save’ icon, remember using CDs and watching pre-streaming television, and lived through the popularity of low rise jeans the first time around, it’s probably time to consider using retinol. Unlike the plethora of grooming products that exalt miraculous age reversing and gravity-defying properties with little to no science to back it up, retinol – and other retinoids – actually walks the talk. Retinol, topical vitamin A derivative, can improve pretty much every skincare issue out there. Whether you’re noticing your smile lines getting deeper, still struggling with the acne of your youth, facing uneven skin texture and enlarged pores, or looking for something to assist with fading dark spots, a good retinol for men can help.
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While it doesn’t change your skin overnight, when used consistently retinol has some pretty impressive results. Retinol works deep within the skin to speed up skin cell turnover and promote collagen production, which is why it’s so effective at softening wrinkles and fine lines and treating sun-damaged skin, dark spots, and acne. Using retinol works on a biological level to encourage faster skin cell turnover, which is why it takes time to see results from retinol; with consistent use, you should start seeing real results in two to three months. And from then on, it only improves.
For the uninitiated, retinol can cause inflammation and sensitivity before your skin gets used to it. Many first-timers or those new to stronger retinoids experience redness, dryness, flaking, and irritation, particularly around the mouth and eyes (i.e. where the skin is thinnest). However, this can be combatted by beginning with a lower strength retinol product and working up to a higher strength, as well as by staggering your retinol use to once every second or third night and increasing frequency as your skin gains tolerance. Additionally, following up with a moisturiser can help buffer the retinol by slightly diluting it (don’t worry, it’ll still be effective) and reducing the likelihood of irritation.
It’s also important to remember that retinol does increase sun sensitivity, making it best used at night on clean, dry skin. During the day, you’ll have to wear a minimum of SPF 30 to protect your skin from the sun, otherwise, your retinol use can do more harm than good (but really, you should be wearing SPF anyway).
The best retinol products for men in 2024
Whether you’re a first-time retinol user or looking to upgrade your current retinol to something stronger, we’ve got you covered with the best retinol products for men in 2024.
1. Best retinol for men on a budget: The Ordinary Retinol 1% In Squalane
Don’t let its affordable price-tag lull you into complacency – this formula packs a punch. A waterless formula, The Ordinary Retinol 1% In Squalane combines topical vitamin A with plant-based squalane, which hydrates and nourishes the skin as the retinol works to smoothen fine lines and wrinkles over time. The addition of squalane partially soothes the irritating side effects of retinol, however, this is still a high-strength formula so start small and work your way up.
Price: $12.70 AUD
2. Best retinol for experienced users: Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
One of the most potent non-prescription retinol products on the market, this formula teams retinoid esters and encapsulated retinol with hydrating extracts and botanicals that mimic the activity of retinoids to minimise signs of ageing, reduce congestion, and promote even skin texture. The use of retinoid esters and encapsulated retinol helps reduce the sensitivity and irritation that traditionally accompanies retinol use, making the Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum ideal for those who want results without the side effects.
Price: $121 AUD
3. Best retinol for deep wrinkles & mature skin: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
If you’re somewhat late to the retinol game and have some deeper set wrinkles making themselves at home on your mug, the RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream is the way to go. The ideal option for lazy guys, this one can be used in silo (i.e. you don’t need to apply a separate moisturiser over it), making it a good one-and-done product. From the makers of the first stabilised retinol in the world, the RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines by up to 50% in three months.
Price: $33.99 AUD
4. Best prescription retinol for men: The Secret Cellular Repair Night Cream
If you’re looking to target specific skin concerns in the most efficient and effective way possible, prescription-strength retinol is the way to go. After filling in an easy online form, the dermatologists at The Secret Skincare customise a cream blend incorporating tretinoin (a prescription retinoid) as well as other medical-grade ingredients designed to speed up skin cell turnover and improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, melasma, pores, and hyperpigmentation.
Price: $220 AUD
5. Best all-in-one retinol for men: Dermalist Age Defying Multicomplex
For those who want the skin benefits of a multistep skincare routine without the fuss, look no further than the Dermalist Age Defying Multicomplex. An all-in-one night serum, it combines encapsulated retinol with peptides, vitamin C, resveratrol, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to promote collagen synthesis, protect against free radical damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles and uneven skin tone.
Price: $179 AUD
6. Best retinol for men with acne-prone skin: ESK Ultimate A +
This serum utilises retinal (a less irritating form of vitamin A) in conjunction with glycolic acid to clear acne and reduce visible signs of ageing. Glycolic acid works to exfoliate the skin and assist the retinal in penetrating better, while the addition of niacinamide helps promote skin barrier function and further manage acne. As this formula incorporates exfoliating acids, it’s best reserved for oily, normal, and acne-prone skin types.
Price: $125 AUD
7. Best overall retinol for men: Medik8 Crystal Retinal
This advanced vitamin A treatment harnesses the benefits of retinaldehyde to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Available in multiple strengths (beginners should start with 1 or 2, while retinoid veterans can use 6 or 10), the Medik8 Crystal Retinal has been shown to work more effectively than standard forms of retinol. The addition of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and glycerin hydrates the skin and works to mitigate the drying side effects of retinoid use.
8. Best retinol for men with mature skin: Trinny London Overnight Sensation
Combining retinal (a less irritating retinoid than retinol) and granactive retinoid with bacillus ferment and vitamin F, the Trinny London Overnight Sensation addresses wrinkles and fine lines as well as dull and sagging skin. A solid bet for those who are already wearing the signs of ageing.
Price: $142AUD
9. Best retinol for men with dry skin: Skinstitut Expert Reveal Oil
At 0.9%, this retinol is a heavy hitter. Unlike most serum and cream formulas, the Skinstitut Expert Reveal Oil is made with vitamin E and sunflower and macadamia oils, making it well suited to those with dry skin. While it’s relatively nourishing, it’s quite a strong product so we’d still recommend applying moisturiser over it.
Price: $99AUD
10. Best retinol for men with sun damaged skin: SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0
An ultra-high-strength retinol, the SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 is for those who have experience using retinoids. Its high percentage of retinol makes it effective at transforming sun damaged or hyperpigmented skin, while also improving the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Price: $159AUD
11. Best retinol for sensitive skin: Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum
Low-irritation retinal combined with skin barrier strengthening niacinamide makes for a retinoid serum that produces good results without the side effects. The addition of ceramides and a mushroom complex in the Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum further help the skin retain moisture and protect against dehydration.
Price: $129AUD
12. The best fuss-free budget retinol: The Inkey List Retinol Serum
Want retinol? This serum has it. The Inkey List is lauded for its simple yet effective formulas (and affordable prices), with this one combining retinol with peptides for a serum that promotes cellular turnover while firming the skin and improving elasticity.
Price: $22AUD
13. Best starter retinol: Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Sleeping Night Oil
A mellower version of the aforementioned Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum, the Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Sleeping Night Oil uses a trans-retinoic acid ester complex to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, texture, and dark spots while also combating dryness and dullness. The blue hue comes courtesy of blue tansy, which provides a soothing effect that combats the side effects often associated with retinoid use.
Price: $168AUD
What is retinol and how does it work?
Retinol is a type of retinoid, which is a catchall term for vitamin A derivatives. Common retinoids include retinol, retinal, tretinoin, retinaldehyde, retinoic acid, and Vitamin A. While these are all slightly different, they have a similar mechanism of action when applied topically.
Applying a retinoid product to your skin sees the vitamin A from which it is derived convert to its active form, retinoic acid. Retinoic acid works to accelerate the rate of cellular turnover and collagen production in the skin, allowing fresh, new skin cells to make their way to the surface of your skin more rapidly than they would naturally.
What do retinoids and retinol do?
The aforementioned faster cellular turnover that retinoids trigger can lead to visible benefits for an array of different skin types and concerns. Retinoid’s ability to bring newer skin cells to the surface leads to an improvement in skin tone, texture, and clarity as well as smoothes fine lines and wrinkles and brightens dark marks and hyperpigmentation. It’s this same action that helps clear pores and prevent acne.
What is the difference between retinol, retinoids, and tretinoin?
As mentioned before, retinoid is an umbrella term that refers to vitamin A derivatives. Both retinol and tretinoin (a prescription retinoid) are retinoids. It’s worth noting that for retinoids to trigger cellular regeneration and stimulate collagen production, they must first be converted into retinoic acid.
Pure retinoic acid is exclusively found in prescription products such as tretinoin and the oral drug Accutane. This pure retinoic acid content is what makes tretinoin so fast-acting and effective (but also what contributes to its higher irritation factor).
The retinoids found in non-prescription products must undergo several conversions before becoming retinoic acid, which is why it’s important to use retinoids consistently over a longer period of time.
How long does it take to see results from retinoids?
Unlike exfoliating acids or ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinoids do not provide instant (or even overnight) results. As they work on a cellular level, using retinoids is a long game with it taking several (usually around four to five) months to see noticeable results. With that in mind, it’s not uncommon to see smaller improvements in texture and glow within the first few months of consistent use.
To reap the benefits of a retinoid, it’s important to continue using the product over a longer period of time. This will also prevent future aesthetic signs of ageing in the long term.
What are the side effects of retinol and retinoids?
Common side effects of retinoids include dry, flaking skin as well as redness and some irritation. However, there are certain retinoids such as retinal as well as products that use slow-release delivery systems which work to promote cellular turnover with minimal side effects. If you’re new to retinoids, it can be beneficial to start by using lower dose products and working your way up to higher dosages.
How to use retinol?
Retinol products are typically formulated at between 0.3% and 1%, with 1% being the strongest. If you’re new to retinoids, start with a lower dose product and work your way up. Retinol and other retinoids should only be applied in the evening. Begin by applying a pea-sized amount every second night and apply moisturiser on top. Ensure you wear a broad spectrum SPF (30 or higher) during the day.
Words by John Deckard
Image courtesy of Greg Williams
