I’ve tested dozens of clean retinol serums (and retinol cream) over the years, and I finally created a guide to help you find the best one for YOU! Retinol can get confusing, so I’ve also broken down everything you need to know about this powerhouse anti-aging ingredient. The best clean retinol serum will be free of harsh synthetics, chemical fragrance, parabens, BHT, BHA, and alcohol.

So what is retinol? It’s the most effective form of vitamin A proven to reverse signs of aging, get rid of wrinkles and improve skin texture. Not all retinol is created equal though! There’s actually many different types of retinol, each with differing strengths.

Me, I’m particularly excited for an innovative retinol that was just developed that’s more sustainable and free of both BHA and BHT called Retinol CT50. Another amazing next-generation retinol is called HPR (also known as Granactive Retinoid). It’s even suggested that HPR is as powerful as prescribed retinoids, without the unwanted side effects like flaking and skin irritation.

Should you use retinol if you have sensitive skin? The most common issue is that it can cause irritation and redness. I recommend gradually incorporating this active into your skincare routine by alternating every other day or every few days, especially if you have sensitive skin. There’s also super gentle retinol in the form of plant ingredients that can somewhat mimic the effects of synthetic retinol. Look for ingredients like bakuchiol, moth bean, rambutan, rosehip and carrot seed. I created a graphic that shows how strong each type of retinol is compared to others.

 

Let me be the first to tell you though that natural plant alternatives to retinol will never be AS effective as retinol. For real anti-aging results, you need actual retinol. If you’re pregnant, you should avoid products with retinol and choose pregnancy safe retinol serums with natural alternatives instead. Keep reading for the very best clean retinol serums made with natural and organic ingredients.

I tried Ursa Major Lunar Bloom Retinal Serum

Ursa Major’s retinal serum is one of my top picks and recommendations if you’re venturing into clean beauty for the first time (along with 100% Pure and YTTP). I find this serum sooo silky and light. It features retinal, which is 20x more powerful then retinol and the formula is further infused with botanical actives like Four OÇlock Flower Cells (a night blooming flower that helps with radiance), Gardenia Stem Cells (for collagen and elastin production), Rund-headed Buch Clover Extract, Ceramide, and Ginger Root Extract. I use this every other night and it sinks in super well and feels hydrating (there’s no scent).

Price: $66.60 for 1 oz

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I tried Youth To The People Retinal Niacinamide Youth Serum

I had to include a clean retinol serum that’s available at Sephora. YTTP’s Retinal Niacinamide Youth Serum contains 0.15% Stabilized Retinaldehyde, the most potent retinol next to an prescription and converts the fastest to retinoic acid along with 5% Niacinamide to boost efficacy of retinal. It’s a silky light serum that’s slightly creamy and has a yellow tinge to it. I love that it has so many different actives like Hyaluronic acid, adaptogens (Ashwagandha, Maitake, Shiitake, Reishi) and ceramides (Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP + Ceramide EOP). It’s almost like several serums in one for under $70!

I tried Saint Jane Beauty Sacred Sleep Overnight Repair

This is a versatile product that works as both a face moisturizer and sleeping mask. I find it to be rich, yet silky and luxurious. It’s gorgeous on the outside and hard-working on the inside. The formula is ideal for aging skin and works throughout the night to fight dry skin, uneven texture and fine lines with Retinol, antioxidant-rich elderberry, and a proprietary Fine Line Complex and active florals. I find that it has a very subtle floral scent that isn’t very noticeable.

Price: $70 for 1.7 oz

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I tried Mara Beauty Algae Retinol Oil

This is a STRONG clean retinol product that actually works to improve my skin without irritating it! I’ve been using this product consistently at night over the last few months and feel like it makes a real difference the next morning. My skin seems to love the combination of powerful clean retinol, superfoods, seaweed and botanical oils and experiences zero irritation! I find the consistency to be medium-weight and deeply moisturizing. This would be suitable for mature skin, especially for combating fine lines and wrinkles. The main downside is that it’s very pricey.

Price: $120 for 1 oz

I tried Naturopathica Retinol Skincare

I tried Naturopathica’s Passion Fruit Retinol Eye Cream and Holy Basil Retinol Ageless Night Oil and used up every last drop because they’re that good. This is a holistic skincare brand that’s also used in spas for professional treatments and their retinol products combine both synthetic retinol and natural retinol alternative Bakuchiol. The Holy Basil & Gorgeous Retinol Ageless Night Oil contains a generous 1% retinoid blend and feels like a super light, liquid-like oil. My skin looks so dewy, hydrated and clarified when I use this oil. Their Retinol Eye Serum is also beautifully lightweight and silky, absorbs easily and instantly hydrates and plumps my undereye area.

Price: $134 for 1 oz

I tried Leahlani Aqua A Retinoid Renewing Serum

Leahlani’s retinol serum is actually oil and I find it to have a very lightweight, liquid-like consistency with a pale blue hue and fragrant floral scent. This all natural oil absorbs super well and leaves my skin with a glow in the morning. I find the formula to be advanced with an innovative retinoid called HPR retinoids, which are low irritation and gently promote cellular turnover. It also contains apple and argan stem cells, ceramides, spiraling and green caviar oil in a base of Kakadu plum seed oil and orchid flower oil. The blend of ingredients are not only gorgeous but high-performance.

Price: $74 for 1 oz

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I tried Mahalo Hawaiian Nights Phyto Retinoic Restoring Night Serum

Mahalo’s Hawaiian Nights Phyto-Retinoic Restoring Night Serum is also an oil. It’s formulated to have a similar effect to the OTC retinol effect but without the thinning, peeling or irritation of the skin. The 100% natural formula contains oils and extracts rich in plant-derived Vitamin A and provitamin A that work below the skin with their retinoic effect to reprogram the cells and boost their renewal. I find this product gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types while still being able to improve the look and feel of my skin visibly.

There’s a bevy of powerful ingredients including Hawaiian sea algae extract, white lupine seed extract, mamey sapote oil, turmeric supercritical CO2 extract, carrot supercritical CO2 extract*, calendula flower supercritical CO2 extract* and vitamin C ester. I feel like this oil breathes life back into my skin when it looks dull and tired. I don’t use it every night but save it for when I feel my skin really needs it – otherwise I’d run out of this serum way too fast! This serum can be used both day and night because it will not turn your skin photosensitive.

Price: $120 for 1 oz

I tried Bloomeffects Black Tulip Retinoid Serum

I love that this contains Retinoid. It’s got a vibrant deep purple hue and is specifically formulated to target fine lines & wrinkles dryness, dullness, uneven texture, and uneven skin tone. I’m impressed by the formula, which features a next-generation retinoid active called Granactive Retinoid, natural retinol alternative Bakuchiol, and 37 botantical extracts including Centella Asiatica Extract, Bisabolol, Niacinamide, Hemp Seed Oil Complex, Lingonberry and Saponaria Pumila Stem Cells. The Granactive Retinoid helps to promote skin turnover and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, without redness or irritation.

It does leave hints of purple on my face and feels hydrating. I can almost feel it getting to work immediately. It’s hard to explain the sensation as it’s subtle, but it almost feels like a tightening sensation. I love that this Serum is so well-rounded and tackles many skin issues at once.

Price: $119 for 0.88 oz

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I tried Luzern Nuit Creme (luxe!)

This is THE most luxurious retinol creams I’ve ever tried in clean beauty Luzern Labs is impossibly high-tech and luxe, but also suuuuper pricey. You do get double the amount of other retinol serums though. Their NUIT cream contains Retinol, Peptides, Bakuchiol, and proprietary MFC proprietary MFC ™ Multi-Fermentation Complex (a powerful blend of oxygen, peptides, enzymes, hyaluronic acid, probiotics, and vitamins). It also has multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, lipids and brightening Swiss Alpine Complex of 7 organic Swiss extracts containing brightening flavonoids, phenolic acids and iridoids. It’s sooo creamy and hydrating with a somewhat whipped texture that makes it very pleasant to use.

Price: $325

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I tried 100% Pure Multivitamin Antioxidants PM Facial Oil

This is one of my go-to organic retinol face oils. I find it to have a medium consistency that’s not too thin and not too thick. It’s luscious and packed with concentrated organic plant oils rich in natural vitamins like Rosehip Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Green Tea Seed Oil and Apricot Kernel Oil. There’s also strong actives like actual retinol and CoQ10. I layer this on top of my moisturizer and I wake up to soft, glowing skin in the morning.

Price: $58 for 1 oz

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I tried Marie Veronique Gentle Retinol Night Serum

This was actually the first clean retinol serum I ever tried and it remains top tier. It’s got an advanced formula of microencapsulated retinol, Vitamin C and stabilization assist from Vitamin E along with a proprietary microencapsulated resveratrol and superoxide dismutase (SOD). I find it to be a light, hydrating golden-hued serum that absorbs quickly and takes effect quite quickly. I would not recommend this for sensitive skin as it’s quite strong. I experienced some peeling in the beginning.

Price: $115 for 1 oz

I tried Three Ships Dream Bio-Retinol Cream and Serum (beginner friendly!)

This is sooo budget friendly and a great affordable option, in my opinion, for young skin that wants to dip their toes in retinol. Another budget favorite of mine is Cocokind’s Resurfacing Sleep Mask. Three Ships’ cream uses a natural, plant-based retinol alternative from Picão Preto, a medicinal herb that’s native to Brazil along with 3% Vegan squalane and beautiful seed butters like Shorea and Murumuru. I loooove how creamy and thick (but not heavy) this cream is. It feels super moisturizing and there’s no irritation.

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