Best Retinol for Men
Men's thicker skin tolerates retinoids faster. Here are the 5 best retinol picks for guys.
Our #1 pick
Differin
Adapalene Gel 0.1%
The under-$25 OTC retinoid, most men's first retinoid
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Quick answer: retinol for men
- Best overall: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%
- Splurge: Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight (Under $150)
Men's skin is ~25% thicker and tolerates retinoids faster. Same products that work for women work for men, marketing aside. Start with Differin, graduate to prescription tretinoin via Curology or Apostrophe for stronger results.
| # | Product | Price tier | Why it made the list |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DifferinAdapalene Gel 0.1% | Under $25 | The under-$25 OTC retinoid, most men's first retinoid |
| 2 | SkinMedicaRetinol Complex 1.0 | Under $100 | The premium upgrade |
| 3 | CeraVeResurfacing Retinol Serum | Under $25 | Encapsulated + ceramides at under $25 |
| 4 | MuradRetinal ReSculpt Overnight | Under $150 | Retinaldehyde for men 35+ |
| 5 | CeraVePM Facial Moisturizing Lotion | Under $25 | Required moisturizer pairing |
Our top 5 picks
More on retinol for men
Frequently asked
Is men's retinol different from women's? +
No, same molecules. Men's packaging is marketing.
What is the best retinol for men? +
Our top pick for retinol for men is Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%. The under-$25 OTC retinoid, most men's first retinoid. The runner-up is SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0.
How much should I spend on retinol for men? +
The 5 picks here run from the Under $25 tier (Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%) up to the Under $150 tier (Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight). Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% is the lowest-cost way in, and Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight is the splurge.
Premium Beauty
More Premium Beauty picks
If money isn't the object, these are our Premium Beauty favorites site-wide.
CurrentBody
Under $500Skin LED Light Therapy Mask Series 2
236 LEDs. Red 633nm + NIR 830nm. Flexible fit.
Buy on Amazon →Dr. Dennis Gross
Under $500DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
Rigid shell. 100 red + 62 blue LEDs. Sephora's bestseller.
Buy on Amazon →Omnilux
Under $500Men LED Face Mask
Omnilux's in-stock flexible LED face mask (the Contour Face is out of stock on Amazon).
Buy on Amazon →Therabody
Under $500TheraFace PRO
Microcurrent, red light and percussive therapy in one handheld. Replaces three single-purpose gadgets.
Buy on Amazon →Therabody
Under $500TheraFace PRO
Red light + microcurrent + percussive + cleansing. Sci-fi gadget.
Buy on Amazon →Augustinus Bader
Under $500The Cream
TFC8 tech. The one celebrities keep talking about.
Buy on Amazon →