7 Best High Strength Retinol Serums & Creams for Wrinkles and Acne 2025
- Retinol is almost always the answer to pretty much any skin issue — acne, fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots, drooping, dullness, dark circles, enlarged pores — you can think of. Everybody can benefit from using it, but what strength should you use? Put simply, how much retinol your skin needs, depends on your skin type and concerns as well as your skin's tolerance for it. For those with stubborn skincare concerns, like deep wrinkles and severe acne, you may want to consider a product with a higher percentage of retinol, between 0.5% and 1% retinol. Here, the best high strength retinol serums and creams can help address your concerns and improve your skin's appearance.
The Best High Strength Retinol Serums & Creams
| Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
($74/30ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)
Ideal for all those who're already acquainted with the wonders of retinol (this can trigger irritation and peeling if your skin is sensitive, or if you're new to the retinol realm), Drunk Elephant's game-changing A-Passioni Retinol Cream is the perfect addition to your evening-time routine.
A powerhouse complex, this potent, silicone-free formulation of 1% retinol boasts comforting and nourishing ingredients, to give lazy skin cells a boot up their bottoms! Formulated with retinol and peptides, this cream works to restore brightness and elasticity to the complexion without causing redness. Along with hydrating vitamin F, it contains jojoba, apricot and marula oils to moisturise as well as an antioxidant blend to protect from environmental damage.
| Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
($85/30ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)
This advanced anti-aging serum is formulated with a 6.5% blend of retinoid and retinoid-like botanical extracts for all the benefits of traditional retinoids and retinols without the prescription or irritation. In addition to reducing the signs of lines and wrinkles, this rejuvenating serum also improves skin clarity, reduces the appearance of imperfections and accelerates surface skin cell turnover. Encapsulated CoQ10 helps to improve the appearance of aging or damaged skin, while rare, Hawaiian white honey, bisabolol, cactus extract, and ginger balance and soothe the skin for the appearance of a calmer, even-toned complexion.
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| The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
(£4.90/30ml, up to 10% cashback at Cult Beauty UK)
Enriched with a 0.5% concentration of the anti-aging powerhouse Retinol, which is a derivative of Vitamin A, the lightweight serum has a plumping and firming effect on the complexion, as well as protecting the skin from harmful environmental aggressors. Another key antioxidant ingredient Squalane prevents UV damage and the formation of age spots while counteracting harmful bacteria, leaving you with flawless skin.
| PCA Skin Intensive Clarity Treatment 0.5% Pure Retinol Night
($111, up to 8% cashback at SkinStore)
Reveal glowing skin with PCA Skin Intensive Clarity Pure Retinol night treatment. This potent treatment combines the power of 0.5-percent pure retinol with phytic acid, phenylethyl resorcinol and gluconolactone to deliver the ultimate nighttime skin regeneration. Perfect for acne-prone and discolored skin, this combination increases cell turnover to reveal new, soft skin quickly within just three to four weeks.
| SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5
($78, up to 10% cashback at LOOKFANTASTIC US)
SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5 is formulated to renew the skin's tone and texture without irritating the skin. Retinol helps combat the signs of premature aging while magnolia bark extract soothes inflammation. Algae extract ensures skin is soft, hydrated and protected against free-radical damage.
Ideal for use twice a week to build tolerance to formula.
| SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 1.0
($93, up to 10% cashback at LOOKFANTASTIC US)
An anti-aging retinol-based treatment to improve the skin' tone and texture. SkinMedica's Age Defense Retinol Complex 1.0 enhances the skin's appearance to promote a smoother, rejuvenated complexion. Formulated for skin types pre-conditioned to retinol treatments, it minimizes the appearance of age spots and wrinkles. It also improves elasticity and works effectively to visibly reduce acne scars. With continued use, faster cell renewal is encouraged.
| Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
($58/30ml, up to 7% cashback at Paula's Choice)
Combined with potent antioxidants, CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment is specially formulated to smooth and firm skin by helping to boost healthy cell regeneration and stimulate collagen production.
Antioxidants help combat external stressors on the skin, while retinol works to minimise the look of wrinkles for a more youthful complexion. Soothing plant extracts such as liquorice and oats work to reduce redness and inflammation.
Limit use to three times a week initially. Gradually increase use up to once nightly, as tolerated.
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