By now, pretty much every skin care lover worth their salt knows about the wide-ranging benefits of retinol. Thanks to its time-rewinding capabilities, the vitamin A derivative is a popular ingredient in plenty of anti-aging products. But what does it actually do?

“The long-term, consistent use of retinols can increase collagen production, which helps improve the firmness of skin and the appearance of fine lines,” Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board certified-dermatologist, explained to InStyle over email. “By regulating skin cell turnover, retinols can correct issues related to skin texture.”

No matter your age, retinol has its benefits. “Retinol can be used by people in their twenties and thirties as part of a skin care routine aimed at prejuvenation, or using specific skin care products to limit or slow the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” said Dr. Camp. “Retinols can also be used by those with mature skin to help address the effects of aging and sun damage, such as skin blemishes, texture changes, and dark spots,” he added.

To sift through the endless product options on the market, I asked dermatologists to share their top retinol picks. Lucky for us, their top choices are all under $30 and part of Amazon’s best-sellers list, proving that shoppers are loving them as well. 

Dermatologist-Recommended Retinol Face Moisturizers

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer

Recommended by board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist Dr. Amy Spizuoco, the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Moisturizer checks multiple boxes. Along with pro-retinol, the formula includes hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin retain moisture, and vitamin C, which can reduce dark spots. According to Dr. Spizuoco, this trifecta of ingredients can “effectively reduce wrinkles, firm skin, and brighten the complexion.”

Considering it’s a best-seller, expert-backed, and part of Eva Longoria’s skin care routine, this product unsurprisingly has a reviews section filled with praise. One customer called the cream “luxurious-feeling,” adding that it “softens skin and fine lines like no one’s business.”

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regenerating Cream

Another best-seller recommended by Dr. Spizuoco, Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regenerating Cream, which counts Jennifer Garner as a fan, is now available for $26 on Amazon. Formulated with retinol and hyaluronic acid, the ultra-popular cream has been purchased over 8,000 times this month alone.

“This cream visibly diminishes fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots while deeply hydrating the skin,” Dr. Spizuoco wrote to InStyle over email.  “It’s especially popular among users in their 70s for its noticeable anti-aging effects,” she added. Case in point: One shopper in their 70s reported they get mistaken for a decade younger after using the cream.

RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Moisturizer

Next on the list is RoC’s Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Moisturizer, which Sarah Jessica Parker previously called “her favorite.” Recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman, the $23 pick also contains retinol and hyaluronic acid. “This product offers a variety of anti-aging benefits, such as reducing the appearance of dark circles, crow’s feet, hyperpigmentation, and more,” she said. “This formulation is also very gentle, which makes it great for those with sensitive skin as well, and is very lightweight, so it won’t cause pore-clogging,” she added.

Fans who have put the moisturizer to the test confirm its effectiveness, with one reviewer noting their “deep lines” became “less prominent” after only weeks of use.

No7 Pure Retinol Night Cream

Last but not least, it’s only right that we end on a best-selling night cream to lay your retinol routine to rest. Recommended by Dr. Spizuoco, this top-rated No7 Pure Retinol Night Cream is currently on sale for only $23. “I love this product because it works to target multiple signs of aging including fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness,” said the dermatologist. According to the expert, the cream’s combination of pure retinol and collagen peptide technology works to “enhance skin elasticity” and “promote a smooth and more youthful complexion.”

Reviewers of the cream have also confirmed it works like a charm, with one 64-year-old reporting their skin “looks younger” after use.