Celebrities Reveal Their Favourite Retinol Product

It’s an anti-ageing, acne-combatting ingredient which really needs no introduction. But, we’re going to give it a quick one anyway. For quite some time now, retinol has been topping the recommendation lists of dermatologists, beauty editors, beautyheaven members and almost too many A-list celebs to mention. Almost.

As we know, celebrity skin care routines come through thick, fast and full of different recommendations. One constant, however, is the showering of praise vitamin A continues to receive from our favourite famous faces.

So, what exactly is retinol responsible for? Just about everything. To name a few: regulating oil production, minimising wrinkles and evening out texture. 

Now that we’re equipped with what retinol does, it’s time to find out the exact products celebrities are seeking out and sticking by.

The Retinol Products Celebrities Actually Use

Neutrogena® Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream

from $31.77 at Woolworths

Speaking to Hello Giggles, Nicole Kidman confirmed that she is no retinol sceptic — “I believe in retinol, I do think it works,” she said.

Her pick? “I love the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair™ [Regenerating Cream], because it’s so easy for me. It has retinol, but I don’t break out from it. I have naturally dry skin and it doesn’t let my skin dry. I can put it on at night and know that it’s evening my skin tone.”

Read more Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair™ Regenerating Cream reviews

Key features:

Smooths texture
Minimises the appearance of fine line, wrinkles and crows feet
Promotes a youthful-looking appearance

Available at:

• $31.77 from Woolworths
• $54.99 from Chemist Warehouse

Shani Darden Retinol Reform Serum

from $154.97 at Revolve

The majority of Jessica Alba’s beauty routine is tailored to her sensitive skin using products from her own line, The Honest Company. However, when it comes to anti-ageing, the actress revealed that she uses a product formulated by her aesthetician, Shani Darden. 

“I use Retinol Reform serum every night and I think it makes my pores and dark spots look smaller while also making my skin all smooth and soft,” she shared with The Skincare Edit. “It’s the best because it doesn’t overly-dry your skin, which is usually the case with retinol.”

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that I don’t have as many fine lines and wrinkles as someone my age might, she added. “And I definitely credit this to my consistent use of retinol over time.” 

Like Jessica Alba, Kelly also swears by Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform: “[It] changed the game on my skin and changed my life,” she told Glamour.

Key features:

Contains a blend of retinol and lactic acid
Smooths fine lines, wrinkles, and texture
Enhances radiance and evens tone

Available at:

• $154.97 from Revolve
• $162.36 from Cult Beauty

L’Oréal Paris Pure Retinol Revitalift Laser Night Serum

from $29.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Gemma Chan likes to combine two of our favourite skin care ingredients of all time —retinol and hyaluronic acid.

“The serums that I swear by [are] the L’Oréal Paris Pure Retinol Revitalift Laser Night Serum that I use at night and then during the day, the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($29.99 from Chemist Warehouse), which moisturises and plumps my skin and preps it for anything to come. So those two together are a great combo,” she told Fashionista.

Read more L’Oréal Paris Pure Retinol Revitalift Laser Night Serum reviews and L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum reviews

Key features:

Visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles
Refines skin texture
Promotes a youthful-looking and radiant complexion

Available at:

• $29.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $35.97 from Big W
• $59.99 from Priceline

Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Serum

from $29.99 at Priceline

“I will say, even with my skin care journey, I definitely thought for a long time that I needed to spend a ton of money and buy the newest, $400 miracle thing that was going to change my skin in my 20s and early 30s,” Busy Phillips shared with Refinery29. 

However, after much trial and error, the actress admitted that it was all a bit unnecessary.

“I returned to Olay, and then ended up working with them and I was like, ‘Oh, right. I can use the Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Serum and my skin loves it, and also I can afford to go out to dinner,” she joked.

Read more Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Serum reviews

Key features:

Contains a blend of retinol and niacinamide
Improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, texture, dullness, dark spots and pores
Visibly firms skin

Available at:

• $29.99 from Priceline
• $35.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $60 from Woolworths

Neutrogena® Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum

from $32.49 at Priceline

As an ambassador for Neutrogena, Kerry Washington is undoubtedly familiar with the best that the affordable brand has to offer. Along with revealing her family’s obsession with Neutrogena’s moisturiser, Kerry also praises the Neutrogena® Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum.

“This new serum is so fantastic because it’s [Neutrogena’s] highest concentration of retinol but it’s crazy gentle on the skin,” she told InStyle. “I don’t have to put a barrier between the retinol and my skin; I can really just let it do what it does, which is so fantastic.” 

Key features:

Contains a soothing blend of emollients
Neocitrate works to plump and firm skin
High concentration of retinol targets fine lines, dullness, wrinkles and dark spots

Available at:

• $32.49 from Priceline
• $39 from Woolworths
• $55.99 from Chemist Warehouse

Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil

from $115.02 at Oz Hair & Beauty

If there’s something we can rely on Martha Kalifatidis for it’s an honest and informed beauty recommendation. According to the ex MAFS contestant’s Instagram story, her favourite retinol product is Dermalogica’s Retinol Clearing Oil.

“This will literally get rid of texture, congestion, blemishes and scarring like a retinol,” she explained. “Except it’s so super gentle and won’t dry or irritate your skin.”

Key features:

Phytoactive lipids and slow-release retinol minimise the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation
Salicylic acid targets breakouts
Contains phytoactive lipids derived from argan, rosehip seed, and golden jojoba oils

Available at:

• $115.02 from Oz Hair & Beauty
• $120 from Adore Beauty

Main image credit: @chrisappleton1

Do you have a favourite retinol?