Retinoids are one of the most researched ingredients in skincare, and The Budget Dermatologist has put more than 10 of them to the test. She approves the vast majority, with an approval rate of 81%. One pattern runs through almost everything she rates highly: she keeps coming back to retinaldehydes over plain retinols.
What does The Budget Dermatologist recommend in retinoids?
Her preference for retinaldehydes comes down to one simple idea. Retinol has to convert twice inside the skin before it can do its job. Retinaldehyde only converts once, so it works more like a prescription retinoid but with less irritation. That is why she keeps pointing people toward products like Paula's Choice Retinal Renew Retinaldehyde Gel 0.1%, which she calls very agreeable on sensitive and redness-prone skin, and Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10 and Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20, which she rates as incredible products at prices that are hard to beat. She also likes formulas that pair the retinoid with soothing or hydrating ingredients. Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol earned her praise for fitting ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and peptides all into one product.
In her words
"The Collagen Retinol from Anua has retinol in it and doubles as a gua sha tool, you squeeze it out and use it to help promote absorption and sculpting. [...] This is one I've been using the most and it's so good."
"Neutrogena has one of the best retinols you can buy over the counter at the drugstore. They actually come in several strengths. This is the Rapid Wrinkle Repair, fragrance free. [...] You can even start with low strength within one brand such as Neutrogena and build up to some of their stronger retinols. This is another longtime holy grail, tried and true version."
"If you love a good budget pick, Geek & Gorgeous A-Game makes three retinaldehydes and you can't beat this product for this price. It's so good."
"This one is by Paula's Choice. It has five skin-identical ceramides in it. This is just a really nice lightweight moisturizer. It has hyaluronic acid, cholesterol, glycerin, other oils containing fatty acids, and peptides. So I would consider this one to be kind of an all-in-one, well-rounded barrier repair product."
"I find this very agreeable on sensitive skin, redness prone skin. I am not worried that this is going to flare it up and make it much worse. It's very gentle. So the 0.1% that's where I'd recommend to start, especially if you've never used retinoids. You don't even have to go up to the 0.2%. If you want to, sure, and it's not causing irritation, yes. But definitely at least start with the lowest option first."
"This one is under $25. So it's a really great price. The lower strength ones are under $20 and then the 0.05 is under $15. This is an incredible brand that makes really great products and they're really good prices. I like that this one also contains ectoin serum in it too which is really nice and hydrating and soothing for the skin because you really have to balance out retinaldehyde on the skin because it can be irritating. So just a little bit dot it over and blend it in."
How many retinoids has The Budget Dermatologist reviewed?
The Budget Dermatologist has reviewed 16 retinoids, for an approval rate of 81%. 13 approved, 0 mixed, and 3 skipped.
What has The Budget Dermatologist skipped in retinoids?
The products she was cooler on were not bad, just weaker. Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer and Olay Retinol 24 Max Night Moisturizer both use plain retinol, and she says clearly that retinol is not her first choice because of those two conversion steps. She says the same about CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum, calling it a good product but noting it uses retinol rather than retinaldehyde. That said, she is not dismissive. She says retinol can still be effective and she supports people who want to use it.
"The Olay Retinol 24 [...] is not my first choice because retinol has to undergo two conversions to get to retinoic acid. [...] Retinaldehyde has to only undergo one, so retinaldehyde is closer to prescription strength. Now retinol can still be effective and you'll get even less side effects with that, but it's not the strongest option."
"CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum, it's a good product but it has a retinol not retinaldehyde in it."
"The reason I say this is not my first choice is because retinol has to undergo two conversions to get to retinoic acid. [...] Retinaldehyde has to only undergo one, so this is closer to prescription strength. Now retinol can still be effective and you'll get even less side effects with that, but it's not the strongest option. But if you still want to go with a retinol product I support that."
What should you take from The Budget Dermatologist's picks?
If you want to know what a dermatologist with a sharp eye for value really thinks about retinoids, The Budget Dermatologist is worth following. She makes the retinaldehyde-versus-retinol difference plain and practical, and her named winner, Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ Regenerating Cream (Fragrance-Free), shows she holds the same standard whether a product costs a little or a lot. She returns to the advice of starting low and building up slowly again and again, so anyone new to retinoids will find her record on this category genuinely useful.
Watch The Budget Dermatologist say it
Every verdict here comes from a video. These are the moments themselves, each one jumping straight to the bit about that product.
- Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ Regenerating Cream (Fragrance-Free)Named a winnerWatch at 5:40
- Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night MoisturizerSkipped itWatch at 2:54
- CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol SerumSkipped itWatch at 2:49
- Olay Retinol 24 Max Night MoisturizerSkipped itWatch at 2:54
- Anua Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha CreamRated itWatch at 11:22
- Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10 Retinal Serum (0.1%)Rated itWatch at 11:14
- Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with RetinolRated itWatch at 7:38
- Paula's Choice Retinal Renew Retinaldehyde Gel 0.1%Rated itWatch at 6:14
- Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20 Retinal Serum (0.2%)Rated itWatch at 5:00
- Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3Rated itWatch at 2:55
- L'Oreal Revitalift 0.3% Pure Retinol Night SerumRated itWatch at 5:01
- Celimax Retinal ShotRated itWatch at 8:02
- Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ Regenerating CreamRated itWatch at 5:51
- SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3/0.5/1.0Rated itWatch at 9:58
- AcneFree Adapalene 0.1% GelRated itWatch at 3:32
- The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneRated itWatch at 9:03
About this expert
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This guide reflects what The Budget Dermatologist said across her videos about 16 products in retinoids, aggregated by The Guru Index. Sponsored takes are excluded. The approval rate is the share of these products she approved. It is general information, not medical advice.