You may have heard of retinol’s reputation as a nocturnal creature—and with good reason. Given its propensity to make skin sensitive to the sun’s UV rays, retinol is favoured for nighttime use. Since the skin repairs itself over the course of the night, Re’equil’s Retinol Night Cream tags along for the ride to prevent any premature signs of ageing.

If you’re already familiar with retinol and ready for something a little stronger, this night cream offers a 0.5% concentration that supports smoother texture, softer fine lines and a more even tone over time. It’s fragrance free and non comedogenic with a formula designed to encourage collagen and elastin while still keeping the skin barrier in mind. Because it’s a higher strength product it’s best to start slowly with a few nights a week, watch how your skin responds and always pair it with sunscreen the next morning. A patch test is sensible too as stronger retinols can sometimes lead to dryness or mild flaking while your skin adjusts.

This is a great option if you want to explore retinol but prefer a softer approach. It blends retinol with granactive retinoid, bakuchiol and niacinamide to create a formula that supports clearer texture and more even looking skin while feeling gentler on the face. The lightweight serum absorbs easily and suits people who are starting out or who know their skin can be reactive. Even though it’s designed to be mild you still want to take it slow, begin with a couple of evenings a week and introduce SPF into your morning routine as retinol makes skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Popularly dubbed as the “retinol serum for people who are scared of retinol” by the internet, Innisfree’s repairing ampoule makes for a beginner-friendly formula. When used on a cleansed face, it helps trigger the skin’s regeneration process and makes it appear plumper and firmer.

This ampoule is designed for anyone whose skin leans sensitive or needs a calmer introduction to retinol, pairing stabilised retinol with soothing Cica to balance strength with comfort. It has a lightweight non sticky feel that sits easily under a moisturiser and works to gently refine texture, support clarity and minimise the look of pores without overwhelming the skin. It’s still retinol, so easing in slowly and patch testing first is sensible, especially if your barrier is easily irritated, and SPF the next morning is non negotiable.

This serum offers a mid strength 0.3% retinol and is a nice step up once you’ve had some experience with gentler formulas. It aims to support firmness, smooth texture and give skin a more even appearance without feeling too heavy or intense. The texture is light and spreads well, making it a comfortable evening step, though you’ll still want to introduce it gradually and keep an eye on how your skin responds. As with any retinol, a steady approach and morning sunscreen make all the difference.

This emulsion uses a 2% concentration of granactive retinoid, a next generation retinoid designed to deliver noticeable results with a potentially smoother experience than traditional retinol. It targets uneven tone, dullness and early signs of ageing, and the creamy quick absorbing base makes it easy to work into an evening routine. Because the strength is higher it’s best suited to people who have already used retinoids for a while and know their skin can handle them, and a slow introduction is still important along with diligent sunscreen use.

This mid strength serum pairs 0.6% retinol with nourishing ingredients like coenzyme Q10, squalane and rosehip oil to support renewal while giving the skin a bit of comfort. It’s a good choice if you’ve used lower strength retinol for some time and want something more noticeable without jumping straight into very strong territory. The formula is stable and water free which helps keep the retinol effective, though you’ll still want to build up gradually and treat your barrier kindly. As always, SPF in the daytime is essential.

This gel cream blends encapsulated retinol with peptides and barrier supporting ingredients to create a retinol experience that feels a little more cushioned and hydrating. It works on texture, tone and firmness while still keeping the formula light enough for nightly use. It’s suitable for a range of skin types but still benefits from a gentle introduction, especially if you’re prone to dryness or irritation. Consistent SPF the next morning keeps the routine balanced and safe.

This gel crème mixes retinol with brightening ingredients like mulberry and vitamin C to create an evening step that feels both smoothing and glow boosting. The texture is light and refreshing, making it enjoyable to use while still supporting renewed and even looking skin over time. Because it contains retinol you’ll want to introduce it a few nights a week at first and make sunscreen a priority the next day. It’s a nice choice if you want your night cream to feel active yet still pleasant and easy to wear.