A-Game 20 Retinol.

"I've been using this. This is the Geek and Gorgeous A Game 20. This is a super high potency retinol available over the counter that really fills in those gaps when I'm not using my prescription strength option. This means I'm using a retinoid every day. I'm just alternating the one that I use in order to deliver the best results. And I think this retinoid cycling, which is what I'm going to call this, actually I think is the way forward, which could benefit a lot of people, but it's something I never hear discussed."

"Such a great product. Retinol using all that technology to show retinol being the best in terms of deliverables, but also one of the most easily tolerated to minimize side effects and irritation. This was my go-to for years. And whilst I might have stepped it up recently to the super high strength options, if you want to keep it affordable, you're not worried about pushing that strength up and up, then this is still a market leader for a reason. I personally prefer it in terms of the formulas."

"I tend to go in for something stronger on the face. I'll use the A-Game 20 by Geek and Gorgeous, which is a high-strength retinol. I'll then use this mist oil as a couple of drops into my favorite body moisturizer head to foot on an evening, and that for me just gives the very best coverage."

"For the highest, highest, highest strength, the 0.2% concentrations, there's these two. This is the Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20, which is the step up from the 10 that I just showed you."

"I think Geek and Gorgeous has a winner on their hands with this A-Game 20. It was slightly less sensitizing and drying than The Ordinary. I love the fact that it's more cost effective, double the amount of product without having to pay a whole lot more, definitely easier on mileage in terms of shipping, miles better for the environment. They have a slightly better formulation with use of that toning. This is the one that I'm going to be taking forward into my skincare routine, pairing it with the Mad About Skin one for the neck and the eye area, this one for the rest of the face to get the maximum anti-aging available over the counter."

"If you're someone that's already used retinoids for many years and you've enjoyed the results but you want to take them a step further, these are going to do it. Do not use these as your starter retinoid, you will pay the price and you will never make that mistake again. These are for advanced retinoid users but they're phenomenal. For me, Geek and Gorgeous is the Holy Grail winner of the best retinoid 2024. I know that this isn't the easiest brand to get everywhere, but in the European Union it's super easy to get your hands on and beautifully affordable."

"This is one of my personal favorite products and when it comes to retinal, this is the Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20, an absolute Holy Grail. I use this five times a week, my tretinoin two times a week, and that for me is perfection."

"I'm using the Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20, which is a high strength over-the-counter retinol that my skin loves. It's boosting collagen and lasting without creating a whole lot of side effects and irritation. I tend to use that on my face."

"This is the Geek and Gorgeous A-Game 20. This is actually four times the now legal allowed limit of retinol in one product."

"I think retinol is where it's at over the counter. My gold standard option is the Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20. This is a retinol in the highest strength that you can get over the counter. So I would say this is the closest you're going to get to a prescription strength retinoid without needing the prescription. If you're not doing prescription strength options and you're looking to get the maximum anti-aging from an over-the-counter one, go for retinol. This Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20 is absolutely phenomenal."

"I absolutely adore this product. It's a super high strength retinol, one of the absolute strongest you can get over the counter and it's stunning, beautifully affordable. Geek and Gorgeous is 10 out of 10. You get more product - this is 30 ml as opposed to The Ordinary, which is 15 ml, so it's more cost effective. It's got a formulation which just soaks the skin in hydration. So you won't get any dryness, any irritation from this, even though it is a super high potency retinoid that I love. This is why Geek and Gorgeous is the retinoid of choice in my view in 2025."

"This is the A-Game 20, their highest strength, and that works so well for me because I'm used to retinoids. If you're new, start lower, work your way up. But you can use this with the vitamin C derivative in that serum. You can use this with copper peptides because they're encapsulated. My skin doesn't look heavy. It doesn't look greasy, and it doesn't feel sticky or tacky. It just feels slightly plump, bit hydrated. I know that I'm going to be able to sleep on this, and I wake up with like a guaranteed good skin day."

"This is the Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20, a super high potency retinoid not for beginners, for advanced retinoid users. It gives you the best over-the-counter anti-aging ever. In fact I love it so much I covered it in a video."

"If you're looking for an exact like for like alternative, I would just shop with Geek and Gorgeous and their A-Game 20. It's the same strength as The Ordinary retinol emulsion. So if you're looking for a like for like swap for that, then go for the A-Game 20."

"I might use it interchangeably with the Geek and Gorgeous to spread the cost to minimize the sensitivity."

"My first recommendation in this top 10 serums goes to the Geek and Gorgeous A-Game 20. This is a relative newcomer to the skincare world. I think it launched about 12 months ago and it's already sold out multiple times. It's that good. And this is the highest potency retinol you can get over the counter. It delivers so many amazing line minimizing results, but it really doesn't sensitize the skin too much. I think that's because the quality formulation. It's got a lot of hydrators and humectants in here. It really nourishes the skin at the same time as delivering that potent dose of retinol. It comes in three different strengths. The 20 is the highest strength, which I think is where we should all aim to get to if our skin permits. That's where you get the best results. But they also have a 10 and then a 5. If you're a regular retinoid user, it's probably fine to go straight in with the 20 because your skin will be accustomed to retinoids. If you're new, start with one of the lower doses and work your way up. I love the fact there's three different strengths, something for everyone, and the price point is divine. I'm drugstore to my core. In fact, let's call it what I am. I'm cheap. I hate overpaying for skincare if there's a more affordable dupe on the market. And this little gem beats all of those bougie retinols down. My absolute favorite, and it's the one that I use every single evening in my skincare routine."

"I'll link the Geek and Gorgeous A-Game 20, which is still super potent, but at a fraction of the cost. It's something in the region of £14. So really inexpensive, budget friendly. If you use these in the long term, you're going to get similar outcomes. Yes, the outcomes would be slightly more elevated with the medicate one, but the price point is too. And I would rather people were consistent with a product that's within their budget than being on again, off again with a product that they're stretching to be able to afford. I also found with this one, I couldn't use it under the eye and I couldn't use it on my neck. These are my two most sensitive areas. It was just a no-go. You could use a lower strength like go for one of the lower strength Geek and Gorgeous options on those areas where you are more sensitive. That's also a cost effective way of doing it. For me, I definitely need something different under the eye and on the neck and this on the rest of the face."

"Start with the lowest strength, work your way up. For me, I would use the highest strength on my face. I then use the lowest strength on my neck, which is more sensitive. That way, I can get the best outcomes all over. And it's just great. Geek and Gorgeous really know how to do formulating, and they created one of the best retinoid products available over the counter. I absolutely love it. And also, Geek Gorgeous are a European Union based brand. So, if you're watching this from within the European Union and you're worried about the recent EU imposition of VAT and charges from buying outside of the EU, then you can buy from them knowing you won't have any of that worry. So, that's just an added bonus if you're shopping from within the European Union, which is where I know a lot of you guys are based."

"This is the Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20, which is one of the most potent you can get over the counter. You can use this with your growth factors. Retinoids boost collagen and elastin, so do growth factors, so using them together you're just doubling down on the benefits. Retinoids can be a little harsh on the skin, they can be sensitizing, they can disrupt the barrier function. But if you're using a growth factor which boosts the barrier function of the skin, it can offset some of the side effects that you might get from your retinoid. For me that's win-win."

"I'm going to go in with the Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20. This is a high potency retinol which I absolutely love. I sing its praises all the time. It's super affordable and some people will say it's the same as The Ordinary retinyl emulsion. It is, but you get double the amount. The Geek & Gorgeous one is 30 ml. The Ordinary is 15 ml. Same price point. So you're getting double the product for the same price. With retinol, because it's gentle yet super effective, you can kind of just do a pump and spread it around. It's a lot less faffy to apply, which I personally really, really appreciate. I don't get that sensitivity and irritation and it's amazing."

"Geek and Gorgeous does their A-Game 20, which is a sky high concentration of retinol at a super affordable price point. Not for beginners, but for people that are established retinol users, this is a really inexpensive way to get that high dose."

"If you want super high strength retinal, the Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20 is sky high, one of my favorites."

"I actually alternate it with the Geek and Gorgeous A-Game 20, which is a retinol. I alternate one day with the tazarotene and one day with the Geek and Gorgeous, and I alternate like that, meaning I'm getting the maximum results but I'm also minimizing side effects and irritation."

"The Geek and Gorgeous A-Game 20, my retinoid product. It's fluorescent yellow. I typically like to go through actives, so like one night I'll use my retinol, one night I'll use my exfoliant, and one night I'll use my azelaic acid. I kind of rotate them through."

"The winner for best retinoid is the Geek and Gorgeous A-Game 20. Very affordable, fragrance-free winner. We love Geek and Gorgeous, as you can tell. They've got a great brand."

"I've been using it now for a little over a month and I'm really enjoying it. It feels really nice on the skin, plays well with other products. I haven't noticed a ton of rebound dryness with it. A lot of times when I move up in retinoid strength I'll get dryness or flakiness, but I didn't have any of that with it. It's very easy to add into my routine. It promises to help with fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, uneven skin pigmentation, dullness and lack of radiance, and I agree with most of those. It helps with wrinkles, firmness, all those concerns for the most part. When it comes to pigmentation, that's a tricky one because there are many different types of pigmentation issues for many different causes. Some may be receptive to this and some may not. Melasma is very tough to treat and typically requires different ingredients for different types of melasma from different causes. It will help brighten up skin, but for a lot of dark spots and things like that it's not going to be the end all cure all, but it certainly won't hurt. My skin has helped fade wrinkles, helped smooth skin, and I think my skin has firmed up a bit and helped tighten it as well. I'm very happy with it."

"I still love it. It's still really affordable and what I like is there's three versions. This is the A-Game 20 and it goes all the way down to the A-Game 5, which would be the weakest and the 20 would be the strongest. This is a serum that contains retinyl, which is a little bit stronger than retinol, and it's got 2% retinyl. It's also got ectoine, which is another one you're going to see in a lot of these products. Ectoine has become very popular especially in the last year or so. It's a great ingredient. It works great with other actives. It plays well with all these other ingredients. Ectoine plays well with vitamin C, retinols, exfoliants, everything. It's a great protecting and antioxidant and soothing ingredient. This has also got allantoin for soothing, panthenol, and vitamin E. If you're newer to retinoids, the 20 is the strongest and the 5 is the weakest. That's what I would start with if you're new to retinoids or have sensitive skin, the A-Game 5. If you are an experienced retinol user, the A-Game 20 is where I would recommend. Really nice texture to it. It's a really nice serum. No fragrance in it. Really nice soothing supporting ingredients."

"The Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20, which is a new product of theirs, is the strongest version of their A-Game line. It uses 20% retinal. I haven't tried it yet since it just came out, but it's the strongest version."

"The Geek and Gorgeous A-Game, if you're new to retinoids start with the five and work your way up, but they're all great, you can't go wrong with them."

"The next one on the list is the Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20, or any strong retinoid, tretinoin, that you have, but I just picked this one because I really love it. It's really affordable. It's got 2% retinal in here. It also contains ectoin in here so it helps firm skin as well. Really nice product. It helps with skin firmness, evening skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles. It's great. It can also help with preventing or slowing breakouts from acne. It's certainly worth checking out, or check out the one from the Ordinary, but the Geek & Gorgeous ends up being a little bit more affordable at this point."

"So this one contains 2% retinal, and it also contains ectoin, [allantoin], and panola for soothing your skin. It's cruelty-free and vegan. I think ectoin is having a moment because every brand right now and their sister is coming out with an ectoin product, so try it out if you're into ectoin. But this stuff is really wonderful and pretty affordable."

"Their A-Game 20, I have been testing as well which is really nice. It has a little bit higher amount of retinol in it, and there's free shipping at 60 bucks."

"This one contains 2% retinal, it also contains ectoin, [allantoin], and panthenol for soothing your skin. It's cruelty-free and vegan. I think ectoin is having a moment because every brand right now and their sister is coming out with an ectoin product. But this stuff is really wonderful and pretty affordable."

"I absolutely love this stuff. No scent or anything like that. It's pretty affordable. If you compare it with the Ordinary retinol, it's actually more affordable because the Ordinary comes in half the size. It's also got ectoine in there for soothing. Their retinoids are outstanding."

"The morning after I apply this one, my skin looks smooth, a little bit smoother. Skin tones improved. I didn't notice as much benefit with wrinkles and fine lines as I did with the Geek and Gorgeous. I do prefer the Geek and Gorgeous in terms of the performance a little bit more. I just noticed a little bit more benefits with the Geek and Gorgeous. I didn't have issues with dryness or flakiness with it, which was nice. I wonder if the ectoone in here is such a powerhouse additional beneficial ingredient that it really helps with the extra fine lines and wrinkles. In terms of performance, I give the point to Geek and Gorgeous. I was just a little bit more impressed with it. I gave Geek and Gorgeous nine points out of 10. It's a smaller indie brand as opposed to supporting Estee Lauder, and honestly, I prefer the Geek and Gorgeous as well because of that."

"The Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20 is their strongest retinoid product on the market. It contains retinol. It also contains ectoine, retinol, firming ingredients, and even vitamin E and panthenol for soothing. It's really nice."

"A retinal product that comes in three strengths, 5, 10, and 20. She's repurchased all of them and is now up to the 20, but recommends newer retinoid users start at the 5 and work their way up. You can also sandwich it between two moisturizers to help skin acclimate. Star ingredient is 2% retinal, a bit stronger than retinol without being as strong as tretinoin. It's a nice retinol lotion that helps fight wrinkles and fine lines, firm up saggy skin, and prevent breakouts and acne, and she recommends it for those with acne, breakouts, or oily skin. Given the price, formula, and other ingredients it has become her favorite retinoid product. Also contains ectoine, panthenol, allantoin, and vitamin E as soothing ingredients."

"I've got two favorites for retinoids: Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20, or if you're newer to retinoids they have an A-Game 5 and an A-Game 10 which both have lower amounts of retinoids in there. It's also got ectoin, vitamin E, and allantoin."

"I love this stuff. Retinoids are wonderful for anti-aging, for fighting acne, for firming skin, for fighting wrinkles, all of it, and this product is right up there, probably in my top three or four products, maybe my number one. It's tough to say, but I really love this stuff, and it's pretty affordable."

"On the affordable side is what looks to be another home run by Geek & Gorgeous, it's called A-Game 20. Now they have a few different strengths, they have A-Game 5 and A-Game 10, and this is their Mac Daddy. It is a 2% retinol, which also includes ectoin, and it costs less than €25. Very interesting. Now I haven't tried it myself, this is what I'd be using if I wasn't using Allies of Skin."

"It's the Geek & Gorgeous 2% retinal serum. People think you shouldn't take a retinoid on a trip that's all heat and sun, it's usually the first thing people leave at home, but in my world retinoids are used every single night, that's how they're most effective. That's also why I use a retinaldehyde instead of a tretinoin, I can tolerate it every single day with zero side effects, so I use it every single day."