Best Retinol for Melasma

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Published: January 5, 2026 · By
Best Overall: Noticeable Results
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

Delivers visible smoothing and brighter tone when built up slowly and buffered with moisturizer.

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Best Retinol for Melasma

Trying to fade melasma without triggering irritation is a tightrope walk. The right retinol can help even tone and smooth texture, but only if you can use it consistently.

Best Overall
This is the kind of retinol that can meaningfully change how your skin looks and feels if you stick with it.
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Best Retinoid Alternative (Retinal)
If classic retinol tends to leave you raw, this retinal formula can be a smart pivot.
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Best Gentle Drugstore Pick
This is a steady, low-drama retinol option when your priority is avoiding a flare-up.
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In-depth Reviews

Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

Retinoid Type
Retinol
Retinol Strength
1%
Format
Cream treatment
Use Time
Night
Beginner Friendly
Not usually
Real Talk: This is the kind of retinol that can meaningfully change how your skin looks and feels if you stick with it. The texture spreads easily, layers well under moisturizer, and tends to deliver visible smoothing and brighter-looking tone over time. The trade-off is that it can dry you out fast if you rush. Build up slowly, buffer with moisturizer, and keep your routine simple on retinol nights.
✅ Pros
  • Noticeable smoothing and tone improvement with consistent use
  • Layers well in a minimalist night routine
  • Good option when you want “real retinol” strength without jumping to prescription
❌ Cons
  • Can cause dryness or peeling if started too frequently
  • Not ideal if you cannot commit to daily sunscreen
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Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream

Retinoid Type
Retinaldehyde (Retinal)
Retinoid Strength
0.1%
Format
Cream
Use Time
Night
Fragrance
Lightly fragranced (varies by region)
Real Talk: If classic retinol tends to leave you raw, this retinal formula can be a smart pivot. The cream feels cushioning and supportive, which helps you stay consistent through the adjustment phase. Over several weeks, it can make discoloration look softer and skin texture more refined, especially when paired with diligent sun protection. It is still potent, so it rewards a patient ramp-up and a no-frills supporting routine.
✅ Pros
  • Often feels more tolerable than many high-strength retinols
  • Comfortable cream texture that supports nightly consistency
  • Plays well with a barrier-first routine
❌ Cons
  • Still capable of irritation if overused
  • May be too rich for very oily skin types
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CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Retinoid Type
Encapsulated retinol
Retinol Strength
Not disclosed
Notable Support Ingredients
Ceramides, niacinamide, licorice root extract
Format
Serum
Use Time
Night
Real Talk: This is a steady, low-drama retinol option when your priority is avoiding a flare-up. It feels lightweight and easy to spread, absorbs without a greasy finish, and fits neatly under moisturizer. Results tend to come more gradually, but that is often a good thing with melasma-prone skin where irritation can backfire. If you want to start retinol while keeping your barrier calm, this is a dependable place to begin.
✅ Pros
  • Gentle feel that supports long-term adherence
  • Light texture works under moisturizer without heaviness
  • Great “starter” option if you are melasma-prone and reactive
❌ Cons
  • Slower visible changes compared with stronger retinoids
  • Retinol percentage is not disclosed
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Differin Gel 0.1% (Adapalene)

Retinoid Type
Adapalene
Strength
0.1%
Format
Gel
Use Time
Night
Availability
Over-the-counter
Real Talk: Adapalene is a retinoid that tends to be more photostable and straightforward to use, especially if breakouts and post-acne marks are part of your picture. The gel texture dries down quickly and layers best with a simple moisturizer on top. It can be drying at first, so you may need to buffer or reduce frequency. While not a melasma-specific treatment, it can support a more even-looking tone with consistent, careful use.
✅ Pros
  • Helpful if acne and discoloration overlap
  • Simple, no-nonsense formula that fits most routines
  • Dries down fast and does not feel heavy
❌ Cons
  • Can feel drying or tight early on
  • Not a targeted melasma treatment on its own
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SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3

Retinoid Type
Retinol
Retinol Strength
0.3%
Format
Night cream
Use Time
Night
Skin Type Fit
Normal, dry, combination (start slowly if sensitive)
Real Talk: This is a refined retinol experience: smooth application, a comfortable finish, and a formula that feels designed to minimize the “punishment” phase. If you have struggled with gritty textures or products that sit awkwardly on the skin, this one is easier to integrate into a polished nighttime routine. It can still trigger dryness if you overdo it, but many users find they can build consistent use with fewer bumps along the way.
✅ Pros
  • Polished texture that is easy to apply evenly
  • Often easier to integrate without disrupting the rest of your routine
  • Good stepping-stone to stronger retinoids over time
❌ Cons
  • Expensive for an OTC retinol
  • Still requires a slow ramp-up to avoid irritation
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Buying Guide

If your melasma situation is…Look for…Top pick
You want the most noticeable OTC results and can commit to sunscreen A true high-strength retinol and a simple, barrier-supporting routine you will follow Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
You get irritated easily and you have quit retinol before A potent but more cushioning retinoid texture, plus a slow ramp-up schedule Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream
You are new to retinoids or you want a gentle drugstore option Encapsulated retinol with barrier-friendly support ingredients and minimal sting CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Your discoloration overlaps with frequent breakouts and clogged pores A proven OTC retinoid that fits an acne routine and tolerates consistent use Differin Gel 0.1% (Adapalene)

What We Wish More People Knew: The “Melasma-Safe” Retinol Schedule

Go slower than you think you need to. With melasma, irritation can set you back by triggering more visible discoloration. Start with two nights per week for a few weeks, then move to every other night. If you hit dryness or burning, do not power through. Drop back, add moisturizer, and rebuild.

Keep retinol nights boring. Skip exfoliating acids, scrubs, and strong spot treatments on the same night while you are adjusting. Cleanser, retinoid, moisturizer is plenty. If you want to do more for pigmentation, place that effort in the morning with sunscreen and a brightening serum that your skin tolerates.

Protect against “incidental” light. Melasma often worsens from everyday exposure like commuting, sitting near windows, and quick errands. Make sunscreen the last step every morning, and reapply when you are outdoors for more than a short burst.

💡 Editor’s Final Thoughts

Final Verdict: Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment is the top pick because it delivers the most noticeable retinol-level results while still being practical to use with a careful, slow-start routine. If you are easily irritated, Avène RetrinAL 0.1 is a close runner-up that many people find easier to tolerate night after night.

See also

Lock in your results with daily UV protection using our guide to sunscreens for hyperpigmentation, and consider pairing retinol with antioxidants from our best vitamin C serum for hyperpigmentation roundup.

Frequently Asked Questions ▾

Will retinol actually help melasma?

Retinol can help improve uneven tone over time by increasing cell turnover and supporting a smoother, more even-looking surface. For melasma specifically, results depend heavily on strict daily sun protection because UV and visible light exposure can quickly undo progress. Many people do best combining a retinoid with a proven sunscreen routine and other pigment-focused ingredients.

How often should I use retinol if I have melasma?

Start low and slow: 2 nights per week for 2 to 3 weeks, then increase to every other night if your skin stays comfortable. Melasma-prone skin often flares with irritation, so consistency beats intensity. If you are peeling, stinging, or getting red patches, step back in frequency and prioritize moisturizer until calm.

What is the best way to use retinol without making pigmentation worse?

Irritation is the enemy with melasma. Apply to fully dry skin, use a pea-sized amount for the whole face, and consider the “moisturizer sandwich” (moisturizer, retinoid, moisturizer) if you are sensitive. Every morning, use a high-protection sunscreen and reapply when you are outdoors or near windows for long stretches.

Can I combine retinol with vitamin C, acids, or hydroquinone?

Many routines use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. If you also use exfoliating acids, rotate nights (do not stack at first) to avoid overdoing it. Hydroquinone and prescription combinations can be effective but are best guided by a dermatologist, especially if you have recurring melasma or frequent irritation.

Should I avoid retinol if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Most clinicians recommend avoiding retinoids during pregnancy, and many advise caution while breastfeeding as well. If you are trying to conceive, pregnant, or nursing, check with your OB-GYN or dermatologist for safer alternatives to target discoloration.

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