Editor Tip: Ferulic acid is known to enhance and stabilize antioxidants like vitamins C and E. When combined with retinol, ferulic acid helps brighten, even skin tone, and shield against oxidative stress.
Key Ingredients: Trans-retinol and encapsulated retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, rambutan, cica
Who It’s For: Advanced retinol users; people with mature skin | Consistency: Gel | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Most Travel-Friendly: Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum
Why It’s Worth It: Another pick from Dr. Marchbein, this serum is encased in individual, single-use capsules for optimal potency by preventing exposure to light and air. “Sensitive or unstable ingredients, like vitamin C and retinol, work well in this type of delivery system,” Ron Robinson, a cosmetic chemist based in New York City and founder of BeautyStat, previously explained.
Editor Tip: Each capsule contains the perfect, pre-measured dose, so there’s no second-guessing involved.
Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, ceramides, camellia leaf extract, sunflower seed oil
Who It’s For: Frequent travelers with carry-on restrictions or skin-care lovers who crave consistency | Consistency: Silky gel | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best Brightening Boost: Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum
Why It’s Worth It: This astrology-inspired packaging may be cute, but don’t be fooled. This lightweight formula is filled to the brim with powerhouse ingredients like retinol ester and liposome-encapsulated retinol to boost collagen production, dark-circle-brightening niacinamide, and barrier-strengthening ceramides. In other words, this treatment has a little bit of everything you’re looking for, and the ceramic applicator provides a dose of cooling soothing.
Editor Tip: “I love squeezing the serum right onto my undereyes and then running the cooling rounded applicator along to spread the serum,” associate news editor Gabi Thorne said in her review.
Key Ingredients: Retinol ester, liposome-encapsulated retinol, niacinamide, ceramides, olive oil
Who It’s For: Skin-care lovers tuned into the latest ingredients | Consistency: Gel-serum | Fragrance-Free: No
Best Prescription-Level Retinoid: Musely The Eye Serum
Why It’s Worth It: If you weren’t aware, Musely makes it simple to order prescription-level formulas (including those with tretinoin) through a board-certified dermatologist without ever leaving your home. Tretinoin, also known as retinoic acid, doesn’t need to go through any conversions, so it is readily available and faster-acting” than other retinoids, Sheila Farhang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics, has previously told Allure. Basically, this stuff is potent.