Does topical retinol reduce wrinkles?

Yes, topical retinol modestly improves fine wrinkles, and the best evidence says it works about as well as other retinoid creams. Results show up over months, and the creams can irritate.

Who it's for

Adults with sun-related fine wrinkles; not tested for deep wrinkles.

What to expect

Smaller fine wrinkles after about 12 to 24 weeks of use.

Watch out for

Scaling, stinging and dryness, which are common with retinol.

What the studies show

• A review that pooled 23 trials with 3,905 people found retinol, tretinoin and isotretinoin all improved fine wrinkles. Isotretinoin ranked highest. Retinol and tretinoin were also better for dark spots4Meta-analysis · 2025 · 3,905 peopleComparative efficacy of topical interventions for facial photoaging: a network meta-analysis.However, limitations included limited racial diversity, potential commercial bias, and variability in dermatological assessments. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for clinical decision-making in anti-photoaging therapy.Sci Rep. The trials differed in how wrinkles were judged, and the authors flag possible commercial bias.
• A trial of 36 people (average age 87) put 0.4% retinol lotion on one arm and a dummy lotion (placeboplacebo A dummy treatment that looks like the real one, so people can't tell which they got.) on the other, up to 3 times a week for 24 weeks. Fine wrinkle scores fell clearly more on the retinol arm (about 1.6 points on a 9-point scale, against almost none)2Randomized trial · 2007 · 36 peopleImprovement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol).Topical retinol improves fine wrinkles associated with natural aging. Significant induction of glycosaminoglycan, which is known to retain substantial water, and increased collagen production are most likely responsible for wrinkle effacement. With greater skin matrix synthesis, retinol-treated aged skin is more…Arch Dermatol. This was aged skin on the arms, not the face.
• A trial of 44 people compared 0.5% retinol cream daily with 0.5% bakuchiol (a plant-based compound) cream twice daily for 12 weeks. Both reduced wrinkle area and dark spots, with no clear difference between them. Retinol users reported more scaling and stinging1Randomized trial · 2019 · 44 peopleProspective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing.Our study demonstrates that bakuchiol is comparable with retinol in its ability to improve photoageing and is better tolerated than retinol. Bakuchiol is promising as a more tolerable alternative to retinol.Br J Dermatol. It had no dummy-cream group.
• In a trial of 20 women, 0.25% retinol and 0.25% tretinoin both improved sun-damaged skin over 4 weeks after a peel. Tretinoin was slightly better by the doctors' ratings. The women themselves saw no difference8Randomized trial · 2016Combination Superficial Peels With Salicylic Acid and Post-Peel Retinoids.Either topical tretinoin (0.25%) or retinol (0.25%) can be used safely and effectively when applied in office immediately after SA peeling to ameliorate signs of photoaging.J Drugs Dermatol.
• A trial of 34 women found a 1.1% retinol-based cream and 0.025% prescription tretinoin improved fine and coarse wrinkles about equally over 3 months, with mild side effects10Randomized trial · 2012A randomized, double-blind, controlled comparative trial of the anti-aging properties of non-prescription tri-retinol 1.1% vs. prescription tretinoin 0.025%.The adverse effects (which were graded as mild or less) were those typically seen with topical retinoids. Subjects reported >93 percent overall satisfaction with both products at weeks 8 and 12.J Drugs Dermatol.
• Tretinoin, the prescription form, has the longest track record. It is called the gold standard, but comparisons with other products are often low quality3Systematic review · 2024Comparing Tretinoin to Other Topical Therapies in the Treatment of Skin Photoaging: A Systematic Review.Unfortunately, given that most studies comparing topical therapies with tretinoin are of poor quality and/or demonstrate bias, there is a lack of substantial evidence to support an alternative first-line therapy. However, given there are some data to support the efficacy of retinoid precursors, namely retinaldehyde,…Am J Clin Dermatol,7Systematic review · 2022Topical tretinoin for treating photoaging: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Topical tretinoin is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for long-term treatment of photoaging. Further research is required to compare dose-ranging topical tretinoin to other agents to provide the best treatment strategy for photoaged skin.Int J Womens Dermatol.

These figures compare groups, so the gain for one person depends on their starting skin.

Key studies

Safety

Retinol users reported more scaling and stinging than bakuchiol users1Randomized trial · 2019 · 44 peopleProspective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing.Our study demonstrates that bakuchiol is comparable with retinol in its ability to improve photoageing and is better tolerated than retinol. Bakuchiol is promising as a more tolerable alternative to retinol.Br J Dermatol. Retinoids commonly cause mild irritation10Randomized trial · 2012A randomized, double-blind, controlled comparative trial of the anti-aging properties of non-prescription tri-retinol 1.1% vs. prescription tretinoin 0.025%.The adverse effects (which were graded as mild or less) were those typically seen with topical retinoids. Subjects reported >93 percent overall satisfaction with both products at weeks 8 and 12.J Drugs Dermatol. Tretinoin is more irritating still, which often limits its use3Systematic review · 2024Comparing Tretinoin to Other Topical Therapies in the Treatment of Skin Photoaging: A Systematic Review.Unfortunately, given that most studies comparing topical therapies with tretinoin are of poor quality and/or demonstrate bias, there is a lack of substantial evidence to support an alternative first-line therapy. However, given there are some data to support the efficacy of retinoid precursors, namely retinaldehyde,…Am J Clin Dermatol,6Randomized trial · 2010 · 196 peopleA randomized, controlled comparative study of the wrinkle reduction benefits of a cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate product regimen vs. a prescription 0.02% tretinoin product regimen.An appropriately designed cosmetic regimen can improve facial wrinkle appearance comparably with the benchmark prescription treatment, with improved tolerability.Br J Dermatol.

What we don't know

• Few trials compare retinol alone with a dummy cream on the face, and most are small and short.
• The best strength, how often to apply it, and benefits beyond 6 months are unclear.