7 Best 0.1-0.3% Retinol Serums & Creams for Beginners

• What Is Retinol?

Retinol is a retinoid, a derivative of vitamin A which occurs naturally in your skin. It's one of the most popular skincare ingredients on the market today because formulas with retinol deliver visible results.

• Benefits of Retinol

In skincare, retinol is the gold standard for youth preservation (anti-aging) because it is the only scientifically proven ingredient that effectively stimulates the production of collagen while also being extremely effective against acne. Retinol is the only ingredient that the FDA will legally allow skincare companies in the US to refer to as “anti-aging.”

Retinol itself doesn't actually affect the skin directly. Enzymes within the skin must first convert retinol into retinoic acid. It's only when it is converted into retinoic acid that it becomes effective. This isn't an instantaneous process, though. In fact it could take up to 3 to 6 months of daily usage for retinol based products to provide a noticeable difference.

• Side Effects of Retinol and Treatment Method

Side effects:

First, the cell bridge particles are destroyed and cause peeling;

Second, the TRPV1 receptor is stimulated, causing redness and swelling, including swelling around the eyes;

The third is the outbreak of inflammation, a large number of acne and acne.

Ps: Retinol does not cause other side effects after it is stopped.

Retinol is irritating and needs to be tolerated. If it is not tolerated for a long time, you can choose to discontinue it.

Treatment method: skincare products containing soothing moisturizing ingredients such as vitamin B5 and ceramide can be used to alleviate the skin peeling pain reaction.

• Best 0.1-0.3% Retinol Serums & Creams

| La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Retinol Serum

($54.99/30ml, up to 4% cashback at Walgreens)

The combination of 0.1% Pure Retinol and 0.2% Retinol Linoleate combined with Adenosine can achieve long-term sustained release, long onset time and greatly reduce the possible stimulation. The total concentration of 0.3% is very suitable for novices. It also contains Lipo-Hydroxy Acid, a derivative of salicylic acid, to exfoliate and renew skin surface.

This anti-aging pure retinol face cream helps visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles & age spots. This award-winning formula also helps visibly diminish premature sun damage and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.

| CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum

($23.49/30ml, up to 2% cashback at CVS)

About 0.3% retinol is equipped with the brand's unique MVE sustained release technology to ensure that retinol can slowly work with low irritation.

Then combined with ceramide and cholesterol to simulate sebum to achieve a soothing effect. And a small amount of nicotinamide and VE combined with retinol can resist oxidation and reduce the stimulation caused by retinol.

What is great is that the retinol is in an encapsulated form, allowing for slower but sustained release. This ensures minimal irritation, even for someone new to retinols. If you're a newbie, this is definitely for you, because this contains a lower retinol percentage than many other retinol products. 

The feeling of this serum is like a normal serum texture, but as you rub it out into your skin, it feels a bit creamier, and very silky and soft. This product definitely has a nice feeling on the skin while still being really light and weightless. And there is no smell.

Money Saving Tip: If you like online shopping, don't forget to sign up at Extrabux！(What is Extrabux) , then you can enjoy up to 6% cashback on your purchase from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus! Student Benefits: As long as you are a student at school, you can get a free whole year long VIP Card worth $199.

| COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream

($12.49/20ml, up to 4% cashback at Yesstyle)

Retinol novices shy away from using the ingredient because they fear they will experience dryness, redness, flaking, and irritation. While those are the common side effects of retinol when first using it, not all skincare products cause those effects, and this retinol cream is one that does not. 

Combat signs of aging with this potent cream infused with 0.1% pure retinol to boost skin elasticity, soften wrinkles and restore luster in skin. Additional skin-loving ingredients include panthenol to tamp down irritation, adenosine to banish sagginess and tocotrienol (a form of Vitamin E) to fend off free radicals.

Ideal for first-time retinol users who want to get ahead of aging, this irritation-reduced treatment contains the perfect amount of ingredients to make a difference in the skin’s texture, tone, and elasticity without compromising its health or functionality.

| Avène Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Cream

($79.00/30ml, up to 1% cashback at Avene)

This cream is one of the best retinols for beginners who want to nip the signs of aging in the bud. This anti-aging moisturizer contains 0.1% retinal that supports cell renewal to create soft, smooth skin. But the real reason why we like this for retinol newbies is that it's packed with peptides and vitamin E to help protect the skin from free radical damage while filling in lines and wrinkles and firming the skin, too.

Patented relastide is a pro-elastin peptide that fills in wrinkles and fine lines to tone and firm your complexion while vitamin E reflects free radical damage and protects against damaging sunrays. Irregularities are reduced, leaving a radiantly youthful complexion in its wake.

It's the Goldilocks of retinoids; more potent than retinol and not as irritating as Tretinoin. So glad that Avene has introduced a retinoid product for those of us not able to tolerate prescription strength anti aging and anti acne products. 

| SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.25

($64/30ml, up to 5% cashback at Dermstore)

SkinMedica's Age Defense Retinol Complex .25 is formulated to renew the skin's tone and texture without irritating the skin. This exclusive Retinol formula is encapsulated with an antioxidant complex, enhancing skin texture and minimizing irritation. This 0.25% Retinol treatment is appropriate for all skin types and first time Retinol users. Adding this anti-aging product to your routine will create a smoother texture and clearer skin tone.

There aren't many downsides with this one although it is a little bit sticky after it dried and the smell may not appeal to some people. But overall, this is a very good wrinkle cream that can do a good job on fine lines, rough skin and discoloration.

This is very nice for those with sensitive skin or if you're trying to work your way up to something stronger. 

| SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3

(from$70.00/30ml, up to 6% cashback at SkinCeuticals)

SkinCeuticals crafted a comprehensive retinol line that prepares you to increase the ingredient's concentration over time from 0.3 to 0.5 and finally 1.0. 

Retinol is an ingredient that is both light- and air-sensitive. Retinol exposed to air and light potentially risks a reduction of formula effectiveness when topically applied. The best retinol products contain ingredients that support retinol's stability and [are] encapsulated in a way that doesn't expose active ingredients to air or light to maintain its efficacy. SkinCeuticals has nailed it with their three treatments. 

Plus, the added skin-calming blend of bisabolol and boswellia serrata extract provides soothing benefits and minimizes irritation. This brand is a bit pricier than other options, so make sure to start with one tube before moving on to the rest of the series.

| Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ 0.3% Night Cream

($29.97/48g, up to 4% cashback at Walmart)

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ 0.3% Night Cream targets the look of even deep wrinkles and stubborn dark spots – and it includes Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin. This powerful, triple-renewal 0.3% retinol cream is clinically proven to fight the signs of aging while still being gentle on skin. Formulated with a patented technology and expertly stabilized, this cream will help reveal smoother, softer, more radiant-looking skin in just one week.

This cream is non-comedogenic, suitable for all skin tones, & formulated to be fragrance-, paraben-, mineral oil-, dye- & phthalate-free. From a dermatologist-recommended brand, Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Cream makes a great addition to your daily anti-aging skin care routine. Get more youthful-looking skin.

Extrabux.com cooperates with many merchants, such as: Walmart (Up to 4% cashback), Sephora（4% -5% cash back), Moosejaw (5% -6% cash back), LOOKFANTASTIC (Up to 10% cash back), Sam's Club (Up to 15% cashback), Norton(Up to 20% cashback), Microsoft (Up to 7% cash back) and so on. You can save on buying daily necessities, fashion, beauty, electronic products, broadband installation, mobile communication, air tickets, hotels and other aspects of life! 

Extrabux is an international cashback shopping site, offering up to 30% cashback from 10,000+ Stores!

LOOKFANTASTIC, SkinStore, SkinCareRx, Feelunique, Cult Beauty, Sephora, Belk, Estee Lauder, Lancome, La Mer, Kiehl's, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden, Adore Beauty, Sol de Janeiro, Hourglass, Lancer, Shiseido, FOREO, Macy's, etc.

Join to get $20 welcome bonus now! (How does Welcome Bonus work?)