TBH, if we were ever tasked with selecting a hero ingredient capable of addressing everything from ageing and acne-prone skin to pigmentation issues, it would undoubtedly be retinol. Given its remarkable performance and effectiveness, retinol is celebrated as a potent ingredient that many people swear by. While we’d love to delve into its astonishing abilities that can almost seem like magic, we’ll let the content convince you to join the bandwagon. Take a look at these best retinol serums available in Singapore that you should try out ASAP.

What exactly is Retinol?

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Retinol, a type of vitamin A, is one of the popular skincare ingredients that has been making waves for its anti-ageing benefits. There are several types of topical retinoids, including Adapalene (Differin®, Epiduo®), Alitretinoin (Panretin®), Bexarotene (Targretin®), Tazarotene (Tazorac®, Avage®), and Tretinoin (Atralin®, Avita®, Refissa®, Renova®, Retin-A®, and Tretin-X®). However, depending on their strength, some of these retinoids are prescribed by doctors as medication, while others with low strength can often be purchased over the counter. 

What to Look for When Buying Retinol Serum?

Level of Strength 

If you’re a newbie to retinol, it is important to consider its concentration, which can range from low to high levels of strength. Typically, the low-strength retinol contains between 0.01% and 0.03%. While serums formulated with moderate strength retinol have a concentration of 0.03% to 0.3%, serums formulated with high strength retinol have a concentration of 0.3% to 1%. Depending on your skin type and concerns, the concentration of the retinol serums should be taken into account. For those with sensitive skin types or just starting out on retinol, it is advisable to use low concentrations first. 

Formulation

While all of the retinol-based serum products might look the same, there are no formulations that are similar. One of the things that you should consider when buying retinol products is the encapsulated retinol or sustained-release retinol, which is slowly released to minimise the risk of irritation and dryness on the skin. Plus, retinoid complexes indicate that the products contain several types of retinol that are merged into one.

Infused with Soothing and Hydrating Ingredients 

Retinol is known for its side effects, which can cause dryness and irritation when applied to the skin. Hence, it is recommended that you opt for retinol serum, which features hydrating and soothing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, squalane, aloe vera extract, and chamomile extract.

Are Retinol Serums Suitable for All Skin Types and Individuals

While retinol is suitable for all skin types, people with sensitive or dry skin types should be wary. You can still incorporate retinol serums into your routine, but prioritise products that feature soothing and hydrating ingredients. On the other hand, women who are pregnant and breastfeeding are advised to steer away from retinol. You can use other plant-based alternatives to retinol, such as bakuchiol.

The Best Retinol Serums in Singapore 2023

1. Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol+Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum

Our personal pick of the best retinol serums is the Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol+Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum. This highly rated serum is crafted with the Phyto-Retinol Blend™ which is expertly developed to target acne and signs of ageing. Its high-performance formulation includes a combination of retinol, bakuchiol, rambutan, ferulic acid, squalane, and hyaluronic acid, which complement each other to smooth rough skin texture and boost the skin’s hydration level. 

Why we love it:

  • Smoothens the skin texture
  • Contains hydrators
  • Diminishes blemishes 

Price: $124.00

Where to buy: Sephora 

2. Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum

Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum is your ticket to a youthful and luminous complexion. Featuring a 6.5% solution of stabilised retinoid, this high concentration of retinol features a blend of 5% retinol ester blend, 1% liposomal-encapsulated retinol blend, and 0.5% blue-green algae. Powered by CoQ10, this key ingredient works to improve skin conditions, while a concoction of soothing botanical extracts calms irritated skin. 

Why we love it:

  • Ideal for all skin types including sensitive skin
  • Advanced-strength formula
  • Improves ageing and damaged skin

Price: $136.00

Where to buy: Sephora 

3. Kiehl’s Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Serum

As the name suggests, Kiehl’s Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Serum boasts an exquisite formula that can penetrate up to 15 layers of the skin. In addition to its ‘fast-release’ formula, it contains 0.3% pure retinol, which helps accelerate skin cellular turnover for brighter and more youthful-looking skin. The packaging is also expertly designed with dual-sided components that separate the high concentration of retinol powder from the serum base for optimal potency. 

Why we love it:

  • Can only be used at nightime
  • Fast release formula
  • Visibly address the appearance of ageing 

Price: $141.00

Where to buy: Kiehl’s official website 

4. Cerave Skin Renewing Retinol Serum

The Cerave Skin Renewing Retinol Serum which is a choice that many people swear by provides high-performance anti ageing benefits that are similar to its counterparts. Its ingredients include hydrating powerhouses such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and three types of ceramides. Leveraging MVE technology, it encapsulates ceramides for a slow-release formula to protect the skin barrier. 

Why we love it:

  • Developed with dermatologists
  • Contains soothing and moisturising properties
  • Encapsulated retinol to minimise  fine lines and wrinkles

Price: $60.00

Where to buy: Shopee

5. Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum

With countless fans obsessed with the Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum, including Selena Gomez, this product should be a staple in your routine. This high-concentration, fast-acting serum is concocted with a 3.5% retinoid complex. Along with an advanced retinoid blend, this potent serum packs punch by targeting four signs of ageing, including minimising wrinkles, resurfacing the skin, reducing enlarged pores, and evening out the skin tone. 

Why we love it:

  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Addresses four [primary signs of ageing
  • High-dose retinol 

Price: $165.00

Where to buy: Available online at www.dermalogica.com.sg or at al AsterSpring and authorised Dermalogica skin centres

6. The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

You don’t necessarily need to splurge on a hefty price tag to get your hands on the best retinol serums. The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane features a highly stable formula that is teeming with anti-ageing benefits and exfoliating properties. Additionally, squalane, a well-known hydrator, is added for its hydrating properties to seal in the moisture. Its concentration is gentle yet effective, especially for first-time users. 

Why we love it:

  • Affordable price tag
  • Suitable for first time users
  • Contains Squalane

Price: $17.00

Where to buy: Sephora 

7. The Inkey List Retinol Serum

Our list of the best retinol serums wouldn’t be complete without The Inkey List Retinol Serum. With an affordable price tag, a slow-release formula, and a high concentration of retinol, there’s nothing not to love about this product. Its proprietary blend includes 1% retinol cetate, 0.5% granactive retinoid, and squalane. These ingredients work wonders to promote skin cellular function and repair processes for a healthy and brighter-looking complexion. 

Why we love it:

  • Targets signs of ageing and pigmentation
  • Affordable price
  • Clean formulation with no irritating ingredients 

Price: $17.00

Where to buy: Sephora 

8. Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Serum

Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Serum features a non-nonsense formula that penetrates deep into your skin to reveal a youthful glow that everyone will be envious of. It features an efficacious gang of key ingredients such as vitamin B3, retinoid complex, and amino peptides. With consistent usage, you will notice visible improvements in your overall visage, including brighter, softer, and more flawless skin. 

Why we love it:

  • Free from fragrance and dye
  • Hydrates the skin up to 24 hours
  • Fast-absorbing  formula 

Price: $55.40

Where to buy: Guardian 

9. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Overnight Serum

Say hi to the skin of your dreams with Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Overnight Serum. This overnight serum works hard while you sleep to defy the signs of ageing. It is power-packed with bio-retinol + retinol, retinol (Vitamin A), plant stem cellular technology, peptides, and ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10). While a blend of jojoba, coconut, and shea butters, sodium hyaluronate, and vitamin B5 help to hydrate the skin, The high antioxidant ingredients like evening primrose, vitamin E, CoQ10, and grape and green tea extracts provide a multitude of benefits to minimise pigmentation and smooth skin texture. 

Why we love it:

  • Creamy texture
  • Improves skin texture
  • High-dose formula 

Price: $118.00

Where to buy: Sephora 

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