As any dermatologist will tell you, retinol is truly the all-time best product you could ever put on your skin (aside from sunscreen, that is). This powerhouse ingredient is derived from vitamin A, which helps stimulate collagen and elastin production, and promote better, quicker cell turnover. This, in turn, can help smooth the surface of your skin, plump up wrinkles and fine lines, boost overall radiance, and even cure your pesky breakouts. Sounds pretty good, right? There's just one tiny problem: retinol can really dry out your skin. That's why retinol moisturizers are basically the perfect product. A good retinol moisturizer may be infused with a healthy dose of retinol, but it's also packed with hydrating ingredients to help keep flakiness and dryness at bay. Here are a few of the best on the market. LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream A Skincare HeroThis LilyAna Naturals retinol cream is a godsend.Best OverallFind on Amazon For the best retinol-infused moisturizer that money can buy, look no further than LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream. This gorgeous cream smooths onto your skin like butter with its silky, lightweight texture and nourishing ingredients. It’s made with a mix of natural oils (like jojoba), green tea, hydrating hyaluronic acid, aloe, vitamin E, and of course, 2.5 percent pure retinol. This cream sinks easily into your pores, leaving your skin looking and feeling more refreshed and rejuvenated almost instantly. Over time, this product can help banish wrinkles and acne, plump up fine lines, eliminate dark circles, and firm up the skin. Not too shabby. Pros: Delivers a maximum-strength dose of retinol to the skin Has a brightening effect The formula is very moisturizing, with aloe, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and jojoba oil Lightweight texture Gentle enough for sensitive skin You can use it around the eye area Cons: A tad expensive Baebody Retinol Moisturizer Eco-Friendly, Animal-Friendly, and Super-EffectiveNo animals were harmed in the making of this Baebody cream.Best Cruelty-FreeFind on Amazon The Baebody Retinol Moisturizer is a superior product with its retinol-rich formula that also includes ingredients like argan oil, activated charcoal, tea tree oil, and hyaluronic acid. It’s a potent combo that effectively aids in the growth of new skin cells, so skin appears brighter, plumper, and smoother. Not only does this cream work like a charm, but you can feel good about using it, too – it’s sourced from all-natural, cruelty-free ingredients that weren’t tested on animals. Pros: Made from cruelty-free, eco-friendly ingredients Boosts the skin’s natural renewal process, shedding dead skin cells and making skin appear brighter Smooths out skin texture Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles Cons: Not the most lightweight formula, so if you have particularly oily skin, this might not be the product for you Simplified Skin Retinol Moisturizer Pure Radiance, 24/7Enjoy smooth, supple skin all day and night, with Simplified Skin Retinol Moisturizer.Best Day & Night CreamFind on Amazon Feel free to slather the Simplified Skin Retinol Moisturizer all over your face and neck at any time of day or night, because unlike some other retinol-based products, this cream won’t cause extreme sensitivity to sunlight. It’s chock-full of good-for-you ingredients like green tea, shea butter, vitamin E, and jojoba oil, in addition to 2.5 percent active retinol (aka the strongest non-prescription retinol blend available). This cream is fast-absorbing, too, so you don’t have to wait long before seeing those marvelous results – namely, smoother, brighter, tighter, healthier-looking skin that shines like the sun. Pros: Advanced formula contains 2.5% active retinol You can use it day and night Formulated with bio-active ingredients that soothe and hydrate the skin, like vitamin E, green tea, hyaluronic acid, and more Helps to improve uneven skin tone and texture Can help prevent clogs and breakouts Cruelty-free Cons: The packaging is poorly designed InstaNatural Retinol Moisturizer Brighten and TightenWhat's better than a moisturizer with vitamin A? A moisturizer with vitamin A *and* vitamin C.Best Vitamin C FormulaFind on Amazon With InstaNatural Retinol Moisturizer, you really get a 2-for-1 deal. The vitamin A takes care of fine lines, dullness, and acne, while the vitamin C infuses your skin with rich antioxidants that work to repair sun damage and protect your complexion from environmental stressors. It’s a powerful, results-driven formula, but it’s also gentle enough for virtually all skin types. Plus, this moisturizer is sourced from clean, natural ingredients, with no harsh chemicals or other additives included. Pros: The formula contains vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant for the skin that can help improve past sun damage and give your complexion a healthy, bright glow Can help improve the signs of premature aging Suitable for all skin types Can help reduce discoloration and blemishes Sourced from clean, natural ingredients Cons: You have to be very careful about using an SPF every day when you use this cream; it really increases your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight Pinpoxe Retinol Cream No Greasy ResidueNo need to worry about having a shiny, greasy face when you use this retinol cream.Best Lightweight FormulaFind on Amazon If you have oily skin, you’ll absolutely cherish Pinpoxe Retinol Cream. That’s because this retinol moisturizer sinks into your skin like a dream, with none of the greasy residue or film that some other moisturizers can leave on the skin. With a winning formula of retinol and naturally hydrating ingredients like organic aloe and shea butter, this cream does a fantastic job of repairing and restoring your skin. It can help with a wide range of skin issues, like rough, uneven texture, fine lines and wrinkles,dark spots, and sun damage. Pros: Super-lightweight formula; doesn’t leave a greasy residue Cream quickly sinks into the skin Contains all-natural, cruelty-free ingredients: organic aloe, jojoba oil, green tea, and shea butter, in addition to a hefty dose of retinol Skin looks and feels softer and smoother Can help fight acne and aging Cons: The pump on the bottle leaks slightly Frequently Asked Questions What exactly does retinol do for my skin? The better question is: what doesn’t retinol do for the skin? This awesomely effective ingredient works to combat virtually any and all skin issues, from acne and aging to dullness and enlarged pores. Retinol can also help even your skin tone and give your complexion a nice, healthy glow. How does it work? Retinol, which is a derivative of pure vitamin A, increases the production of collagen, and collagen is what gives your skin its elasticity, smoothness, and lift. This powerful ingredient also helps prevent the clogging of pores and promotes cell turnover, so the texture of the skin appears less bumpy and the pores less apparent. Should I use my retinol moisturizer in the morning or at night? Dermatologists always recommend using retinol at night, since it can increase sensitivity to the sun and make you more susceptible to burns.