'Best OTC retinol serum I've tried' — this skin-loving formula is now just $13

If you're on the hunt for some stellar savings on skincare, our beauty editor's weekly anti-aging roundup should be stop one on your journey — but if you'd like a more specified recommendation, we have one for you that definitely deserves a spot in your medicine cabinet (and in your heart!). It's the Yeouth Retinol Serum, a potent little potion that packs in a high concentration of retinol along with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe, vitamin E and more to help turn back the hands of time and give skin a more youthful, radiant appearance. It's just $13 right now (down from $20) thanks to Amazon's pre-Prime Day sale ... so snap up a bottle ASAP before this skin-loving salve sells out.

Amazon

Yeouth Retinol Serum

$13$20Save $7

With retinol, aloe and hyaluronic acid this serum is like a time machine for your skin.

$13 at Amazon

Why is this a good deal? 💰

Other retinol serums can set you back up to $85 or more for the same amount of product (one fluid ounce) — comparatively, $13 for Yeouth's version (down from $20) is a pretty stellar steal. At nearly 35% off, this is within a couple bucks of the lowest price we've ever seen this popular pick go, so if you want to give it a try, there's really no time like the present to "Add to Cart."

Why do I need this? 🤔

Let's first check in with our anti-aging skin care expert, Jennifer Romolini, who had this to say about the Yeouth Retinol Serum: "This affordable serum offers 2.5% encapsulated retinol, which is one of the higher concentrations you'll find in any over-the-counter product. Encapsulation means a slower release, making it less harsh and leading to fewer negative side effects. It's also packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing aloe." Chances are, you've heard of retinol — according to the Cleveland Clinic, this form of vitamin A, when used as an ingredient in creams, lotions, and serums, helps to clear blemishes and works to give skin a more youthful appearance. A higher concentration, like Yeouth's, naturally means, well, more of the good stuff! Hyaluronic acid is also known to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while also working to lock hydration into skin, and we all know how aloe can help soothe when applied topically.

Romolini added, "The [serum's] texture is thin but not watery, and it absorbs quickly. If your skin can tolerate this level of potency, this is the best over-the-counter retinol serum I've tried at this price, rivaling the efficacy of prescription Retin-A with less irritation and ramp-up time." That's right — this serum even gives the prescription stuff a run for its money!

You don't have to trust only our word for it: Yeouth Retinol Serum is also paraben-free, dermatologist-tested and was even created by a cosmetic chemist, so you can have confidence that only quality ingredients will be touching your skin.

What reviewers say 💬

The Yeouth serum is massively popular with Amazon shoppers, with nearly 10,000 of them giving the treatment a fresh-faced five-star rating.

Pros 👍

"I recently turned 50 and knew it was (past) time to start taking my skincare seriously. I was skeptical [about this serum], but the price point and high reviews helped to ease my mind," shared a reviewer. "Let me tell you, I am shocked and amazed at how much better my skin looks after a month of using this serum. It's helped with some old acne discoloration and has made my rather large pores look smaller. Almost instantly my skin also felt smooth and silky. I can go without makeup and not feel self-conscious!"

Users with mature skin rave that Yeouth helps restore a bit of, well, youth to aging skin. "Many Yeouth products are a staple in my bathroom," said one devotee. "I have been using them for years, including their retinol serum. I'm in my 70s and receive many compliments on my skin. I am happy with its condition and how easily makeup can be applied to it. The products have no appreciable scent, have never caused any sensitivity or breakouts, are reasonably priced, and do not feel greasy or thick when applied."

She wasn't the only over-70 fan of the serum, either: "I am 70 years old and it's smoothed my skin and fine lines out of my face within a few weeks," marveled another user. "It is a little drying, but I use moisturizer after it dries. It improved my skin tremendously. I couldn't believe how fast it worked."

Cons 👎

Speaking of drying, other reviewers have also observed that the serum made their skin a little more parched as it became part of their routine: "The serum is a little drying, but retinols can be drying anyway, so just make sure to use a good moisturizer," advised one beauty maven.

Those with more sensitive skin may also want to take notice that retinol can cause reactions in those not used to the potent ingredient — but some feel the results are worth the frustration. "I'd been using [the serum] for about three weeks, maybe two or three nights a week," noted a shopper. "My face got dry, flaky, red, patchy and awful. After reading health blogs on retinol (not to be confused with Retin-A), [I found that] this is the crucial period where people [either] quit using retinol products or switch. The problem is, you have to stick to it, even when you feel like things are getting worse. The itching was pretty bad. I moisturized like crazy, and no luck. But by week three, I did my twice a week exfoliating with the spin brush, and all the dead skin came off. My face is now so ridiculously smooth. I've had a deep wrinkle at the bridge of my nose since my mid-20s (I'm now 31). The wrinkle is still there, but it's no longer deep. It's a shallow fine line."

The same helpful writer added, "I'm not going to use it every night though, because it's so strong. I'll stick to maybe 2-3 times a week. ... I must say, I'm very pleasantly surprised."

Amazon

Yeouth Retinol Serum

$13$20Save $7

We recommend picking up a bottle of "liquid Yeouth" ASAP, while it's nearly 35% off pre-Prime Day.

$13 at Amazon

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)

Looking for more great Amazon style and beauty deals? Check these out:

Beauty and wellness

Style