7 Drugstore Retinol Dermatologists Are Talking About in 2026

If you’re struggling with dull skin and feel like you need to do a million different things to get the glow you want, I’m here to tell you that sometimes you don’t need that insanely expensive facial or treatment. In fact, sometimes all you need is a complete skin care regimen, and one type of product that should definitely be in the mix is ​​retinol. If you don’t know, it’s basically like the MVP of skin care, but if you don’t want to take it from me, just know that even major dermatologists swear by it.

“Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that work by binding to retinoic acid receptors, which can then act as transcription factors and influence gene expression,” the board-certified dermatologist explains. Hadley KingM.D. “They increase skin cell turnover, reduce the tendency for cells and keratin debris to clump together and clog pores, increase collagen production, and reduce discoloration.”