Top 10 retinol serums 2026 · ARBUTI Munich

Which retinol serum really works? Ten serums, honestly compared.

Retinol is the best-studied ingredient for fine lines – but too much, too fast irritates the skin. At ARBUTI in Munich, we’ve compared the ten best-known retinol serums, from La Roche-Posay to The Ordinary.

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Lavuj: salon-tested · October 2026

Test winner · No. 1 of 10

Lavuj Retinol Serum

Retinol serum for face and neck – with niacinamide, peptides and hyaluronic acid

Real result:
A man’s eye area: before on the left, after using Lavuj Retinol Serum on the right (original photo by Lavuj)BeforeAfter

Eye area · original photo by LavujIndividual results may vary

  • More than just retinol Niacinamide, two peptides, hyaluronic acid and Q10 care for your skin in the same bottle.
  • Salon-tested used by our own team – absorbs quickly, never greasy.
Go to Lavuj Why No. 1?
  1. 2La Roche-PosaySerum
  2. 3L’Oréal RevitaliftNight serum
+ 7 more serumsSee all 10 ↓

All 10 serums compared

Tap a serum: see at a glance what it does – and where it falls short.

1Lavuj Retinol SerumLavuj Retinol SerumRetinol serum · 30 mlOur pick: retinol and skincare in one serum – with a gentle start.
A man’s eye area: before on the left, after using Lavuj Retinol Serum on the right (original photo by Lavuj)
Case 1eye area
Eye area in profile: before on the left, after using Lavuj Retinol Serum on the right (original photo by Lavuj)
Case 2eye area
Salon-tested
Our team used Lavuj themselves. It felt pleasant to apply and absorbed quickly, without any greasiness.
What’s inside
Retinol with niacinamide, two peptides, hyaluronic acid, coenzyme Q10 and dragon’s blood extract. Vegan, no silicones or mineral oil, according to the brand.
Easy to use
In the evening, one or two drops on face and neck. Two to three times a week at first, then build up. Sun protection by day, at least SPF 30.

Best foranyone who wants a serum that does more than retinol alone

Go to Lavuj

2La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 SerumLa Roche-Posay Retinol B3 SerumSerum · pharmacySolid pharmacy skincare – retinol with vitamin B3.
How it works
Retinol and a retinol ester that releases it gradually, plus niacinamide. Brand test with 51 women: fine lines 19% less visible after two months.
Bear in mind
The test was run by the brand itself. It doesn’t say how much retinol it contains.

Best foranyone who prefers a well-known pharmacy brand

Versus our No. 1

La Roche-Posay is solid pharmacy skincare. Lavuj combines retinol with niacinamide, two peptides, hyaluronic acid and Q10 – and gives you a clear plan for getting started.

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3L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Night SerumL’Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Night SerumNight serum · high streetEasy to find and openly dosed: 0.2% pure retinol.
How it works
0.2% pure retinol with hyaluronic acid in a light oil texture. In the brand study (49 women, four months), experts saw softened wrinkles in all of them.
Bear in mind
Getting started takes patience: three weeks of building up to daily use. Contains fragrance.

Best forbeginners who shop on the high street

Versus our No. 1

L’Oréal is easy to find and openly states 0.2%. Lavuj goes for retinol plus care: niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid and Q10 in one serum.

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4The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneThe Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneSerum · water-freeMinimalist and transparent – but just retinol and squalane.
How it works
Pure retinol in squalane, with its strength stated openly: 0.2%, 0.5% or 1%. The brand recommends starting with 0.2%.
Bear in mind
Just retinol, no extra care. Fridge after opening, use within three months. The product page cites no studies.

Best forexperienced users who want to choose their own strength

Versus our No. 1

The Ordinary is pure retinol in squalane. Lavuj is a complete serum – retinol plus care, with a clear plan for getting started.

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5Medik8 Crystal RetinalMedik8 Crystal RetinalNight serum · retinalStrong and well planned – with retinal instead of retinol.
How it works
Retinal instead of retinol, in six strengths from 0.01% to 0.24% – with a set plan for stepping up.
Bear in mind
Brand study with 33 people over twelve weeks; many of the results are based on self-assessment.

Best forexperienced users who want to step up gradually

6Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol TreatmentPaula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol TreatmentLight lotionRetinol and bakuchiol – fragrance-free.
How it works
0.3% retinol and 2% bakuchiol, plus peptides, vitamin C and ceramides – fragrance-free.
Bear in mind
In the evening, no more than three times a week at first. Paula’s Choice cites no study on its German product page.

Best foranyone who wants to avoid fragrance

7Neutrogena Retinol Boost+ Intense Night SerumNeutrogena Retinol Boost+ Intense Night SerumSerum · high streetRich and unfragranced – for dry skin.
How it works
Water-free oil formula with retinol and antioxidants, once a day.
Bear in mind
The results on the pack are based on participants’ self-assessment.

Best fordry skin that likes a rich texture

8CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol SerumCeraVe Resurfacing Retinol SerumSerum · pharmacyMore for post-blemish marks and pores than wrinkles.
How it works
Encapsulated retinol with ceramides, niacinamide and liquorice root extract, fragrance-free, in the evening.
Bear in mind
The brand aims it at post-blemish marks, large pores and acne scars – less at wrinkles.

Best forskin that needs evening out after breakouts

9NIVEA Cellular Expert Lift Pure Bakuchiol SerumNIVEA Cellular Expert Lift Pure Bakuchiol SerumRetinol-free serumThe gentle alternative with bakuchiol.
How it works
Bakuchiol instead of retinol – a plant-based alternative, morning and evening.
Bear in mind
Bakuchiol is far less studied than retinol. Contains alcohol; the brand’s claims are based on self-assessment.

Best foranyone who can’t tolerate retinol

10RxTretinoinMedicine · prescription onlyThe best studied – but not for the beauty shelf.
How it works
The most thoroughly studied retinoid for sun-related skin ageing – a medicine.
Bear in mind
Prescription only. It often irritates at first and is off-limits during pregnancy.

Best foranyone who wants treatment from a dermatologist

Versus our No. 1

Tretinoin belongs in a doctor’s hands. Lavuj is skincare for home – in the evening, no prescription needed.

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Information from manufacturers, drug directories and published studies, as of October 2026.

Why Lavuj is our test winner

How Lavuj became our No. 1

We were sceptical. In the salon, people often ask us about retinol – and almost always with the same worry: won’t it irritate my skin?

So our team used Lavuj themselves. It felt pleasant to apply and absorbed quickly, without any greasiness. And the start is gentle: in the evening, just two to three times a week at first.

Today, Lavuj is our test winner. Don’t just take our word for it – look at Lavuj’s original photos above.

The team at ARBUTI, Munich

Sound familiar?

  • Fine lines around your eyes stay, even when you’re well rested.
  • Your skin looks duller and less smooth than it used to.
  • You want to start retinol – but without irritated skin.

That’s exactly why we compared the serums. If you have a skin condition or severe redness, or you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, please speak to your dermatologist first.

Three things convinced us:

  1. More than retinol in one bottle.Many serums rely on a single active. Lavuj combines retinol with niacinamide, two peptides, hyaluronic acid and coenzyme Q10 – one serum instead of three bottles.
  2. A start your skin can keep up with.One to two drops in the evening, two to three times a week at first, then build up, with sun protection during the day. Lavuj gives you this clear plan itself – ideal if you’re using retinol for the first time.
  3. Skin tolerance tested.Dermatest® rates its skin tolerance as “excellent”, according to the seal (10/2023). According to the brand, vegan and free from silicones and mineral oil.Dermatest seal: Original, excellent, 10/2023

“I’m absolutely thrilled with how well the Lavuj Retinol Serum works, and I’m very happy to recommend it to my clients!”

Ebru M. · celebrity stylist at ARBUTI
Go to Lavuj Order and delivery directly via lavuj.com

Good to know

Is more retinol better?

No. Higher concentrations irritate the skin more often, and many people give up early as a result. Lavuj relies on retinol combined with niacinamide, peptides and hyaluronic acid rather than the highest possible number; the brand doesn’t state a percentage.

Lavuj or The Ordinary – which is better?

The Ordinary states its concentration openly and offers three strengths – but all you get is retinol in squalane. Lavuj is a complete serum with niacinamide, peptides and hyaluronic acid, plus a clear plan for getting started. If you simply want to add retinol to your evening routine, Lavuj is the better choice; if you want to work deliberately with strengths, go for The Ordinary.

When will I see results?

Retinol takes patience. Lavuj says at least four weeks, usually six to eight – and if you start slowly, it often takes longer. Individual results may vary.

Is retinol gentle on the skin?

Redness, dryness or slight flaking are possible at first. So build up slowly, avoid the eyes and lips, and wear at least SPF 30 during the day. If your skin is very sensitive, patch-test first. Don’t use retinol if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

At work in the ARBUTI salon

Our verdict

“If you want to start with retinol, start with Lavuj: retinol and skincare in one serum, eased in gently. Apply in the evening, wear sun protection by day – and give it six to eight weeks.”

The team at ARBUTI, Munich

Go to Lavuj Order and delivery directly via lavuj.com

How we compare: we’re hairdressers and stylists, not dermatologists. We compared ten well-known retinol serums and alternatives – using manufacturer information, drug directories and published studies (as of October 2026). We’ve used Lavuj ourselves in the salon. We recommend Lavuj and link to lavuj.com.

Cosmetic products are not medicines. Individual results may vary.