NOT SURE WHICH RETINOL?
See the retinol guide
A clinical ladder by strength and tolerance. Find the right starting point for your skin — prescribed and reviewed by Dr Chris.
Consultation requiredZO Skin Health
ZO Skin Health Retinol 1% Skin Brightener
Advanced-strength retinol — for experienced retinol users.
Hero actives
Retinol 1%, Brightenyl, Vitamin E
PM · advanced users · 50 ml£139.18
Selected by Dr Chris
Consultation requiredZO Skin Health
ZO Skin Health Wrinkle & Texture Repair
Retinol-led treatment — softens lines, refines texture.
Hero actives
Retinol 0.5%, Peptides, Vitamin E
PM · 50 ml£153.60
Selected by Dr Chris
Consultation requiredZO Skin Health
ZO Skin Health Retinol 0.25% Skin Brightener
Entry-level retinol — evens tone, refines texture, gently builds tolerance.
Hero actives
Retinol 0.25%, Brightenyl, Vitamin E
PM · build slowly · 50 ml£125.40
Selected by Dr Chris
Consultation requiredZO Skin Health
ZO Skin Health Retinol 0.5% Skin Brightener
Mid-strength retinol — accelerates renewal, refines tone and texture.
Hero actives
Retinol 0.5%, Brightenyl, Vitamin E
PM · 50 ml£130.08
Selected by Dr Chris
Consultation requiredObagi
Obagi Retinol 1.0%
Higher-strength stabilised 1% retinol night cream — for skin already accustomed to retinoid use, targeting visible tone, texture and lines.
Hero actives
Retinol 1% (stabilised) · Jojoba esters · Shea butter · Vitamin E
PM · 2–3× weekly · 28g£95.00
Selected by Dr Chris
Obagi
Obagi Retinol + PHA
Encapsulated retinol paired with polyhydroxy acid (PHA) for refined texture and even tone, with reduced sensory irritation versus standard retinol.
Hero actives
Encapsulated retinol · Polyhydroxy acids (gluconolactone, lactobionic acid) · Niacinamide · Squalane
PM · 2–3× weekly · 50ml£110.00
Selected by Dr Chris
Consultation requiredZO Skin Health
ZO Skin Health Radical Night Repair
High-strength night retinol — reverses signs of ageing while you sleep.
Hero actives
Retinol, ZO-RTT Complex, Glycolipids
PM · build slowly · 30 ml£154.10
Selected by Dr Chris
Consultation requiredObagi
Obagi Retinol 0.5%
Mid-strength stabilised 0.5% retinol night cream — the right step up once 0.25% is well tolerated, targeting tone, texture and early lines.
Hero actives
Retinol 0.5% (stabilised) · Jojoba esters · Shea butter · Vitamin E
PM · 2–3× weekly · 28g£95.00
Selected by Dr Chris
VITAMIN A
Choose your retinol
Retinol is the most evidence-backed active in skincare — but the right strength matters more than the strongest. Start where your skin is, not where you wish it was. Every retinol we stock is medical-grade and doctor-selected. Use the cards below to find the right one for your tolerance, your concern and your stage.
0.25%NEW TO RETINOL
Retinol 0.25% Skin Brightener
The starting point. Low-strength retinol with brightening complex — designed for skin that has never used a retinoid.
Build slowly: every third night for 2 weeks, then alternate nights, then nightly.
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0.5%READY TO STEP UP
Retinol 0.5% Skin Brightener
The next rung. For clients who have tolerated 0.25% nightly for at least eight weeks and are ready for stronger results.
Step up only when 0.25% is comfortably tolerated nightly without flaking or redness.
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0.5%ANTI-AGEING FOCUS
Wrinkle + Texture Repair
Retinol paired with retinyl palmitate, peptides and antioxidants. Built for fine lines, crepey texture and overall skin renewal.
Best suited to clients already comfortable with a 0.25% retinol nightly.
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1%OVERNIGHT REPAIR
Radical Night Repair
ZO's most concentrated retinol. Plant stem cells and barrier-supporting actives layered around 1% retinol. The premium overnight treatment.
Experienced retinol users only. Not a starting product.
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Consultation
PIGMENTATION-LED
Stubborn pigmentation or melasma
Surface retinol alone won't shift melasma, post-inflammatory pigmentation or sun damage at depth. The next tier — tretinoin and prescription brightening protocols — is fitted in clinic.
Prescribed by Dr Chris after assessment. Not a self-serve product.
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Consultation
REACTIVE OR SENSITIVE
Tried retinol — your skin couldn't tolerate it
If retinol has flared rosacea, stripped your barrier or caused persistent irritation, the answer isn't a milder retinol. The answer is a different active or a sequenced restoration plan.
Bakuchiol, growth factors and barrier-led routines discussed in consultation.
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