Skin1 product guide
Retinol Complex 0.25 is SkinMedica’s entry option; 0.5 and 1.0 are aimed at skin already used to retinol. All three come in a 1 fl oz pump bottle. Their checked US prices rise in $16 steps: $64, $80 and $96.
Start with 0.25 if you are new to this retinol range. Consider 0.5 or 1.0 in the context of an established, tolerated routine; 1.0 is the highest strength of these three. Supporting ingredients overlap closely, so the decision is chiefly about strength and tolerance rather than a different set of featured ingredients.
USD prices checked October 24, 2026, before tax and shipping. Unit price = listed price ÷ package ounces.
| Product | US retailer | Size | Price | Price per ounce |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.25 | Dermstore US | 1 fl oz | $64.00 | $64.00/fl oz |
| SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5 | Dermstore US | 1 fl oz | $80.00 | $80.00/fl oz |
| SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0 | Dermstore US | 1 fl oz | $96.00 | $96.00/fl oz |
The entry strength for people new to this retinol range; $64 for 1 fl oz.
Consider: A lower starting strength still needs gradual introduction.
Use: Apply at night after cleansing and before moisturizer, avoiding eyes. SkinMedica starts new retinol users at twice weekly, 2–3 days apart, then increases frequency only as tolerated. Use daytime sunscreen. Do not use while pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.
The middle strength for an established retinol routine; includes niacinamide, squalane and ceramide NP.
Consider: Costs $16 more than 0.25 for the same 1 fl oz bottle size.
Use: Apply at night after cleansing and before moisturizer, avoiding eyes. SkinMedica starts new retinol users at twice weekly, 2–3 days apart, then increases frequency only as tolerated. Use daytime sunscreen. Do not use while pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.
The highest of these three strengths, intended for skin already accustomed to retinol.
Consider: Costs $96 for 1 fl oz. The highest strength calls for an established, tolerated retinol routine.
Use: Apply at night after cleansing and before moisturizer, avoiding eyes. SkinMedica starts new retinol users at twice weekly, 2–3 days apart, then increases frequency only as tolerated. Use daytime sunscreen. Do not use while pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.
Choose the two options you are weighing. Read the ingredients below or compare how the products fit your routine here.
3 of 3 details shown
No details match this filter.
Full published ingredient list
Aqua/Water/Eau, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate-13, Squalane, Retinol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Ceramide NP, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Dicaprylyl Ether, Lauryl Alcohol, Polyisobutene, Dextran, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
Full published ingredient list
Aqua/Water/Eau, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate-13, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Squalane, Retinol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Ceramide NP, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Dicaprylyl Ether, Lauryl Alcohol, Polyisobutene, Dextran, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
Full published ingredient list
Aqua/Water/Eau, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate-13, Squalane, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Ceramide NP, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Dicaprylyl Ether, Lauryl Alcohol, Polyisobutene, Dextran, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
0.25 is the entry strength at $64. The middle 0.5 is $80, while the highest 1.0 is $96. Each bottle contains 1 fl oz. The 0.5 and 1.0 products are positioned for retinol-experienced skin.
All three include retinol, niacinamide, squalane, ceramide NP, palmitoyl tripeptide-8, magnolia bark extract and Dunaliella salina extract. None lists parfum/fragrance or denatured alcohol. All contain soybean oil.
Ingredient order changes: glycerin and caprylic/capric triglyceride sit further down the 0.25 list, while both appear ahead of niacinamide in 1.0. Each full panel appears separately in the Ingredients section.
SkinMedica’s directions for a new retinol user begin at twice a week, with 2–3 days between applications. Apply at night after cleansing and before moisturizer, avoiding eyes. Frequency can increase to every other night and then nightly as tolerated.
Use daytime sunscreen and limit sun exposure during use and for a week after stopping, following the brand’s instructions. SkinMedica says not to use Retinol Complex while pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.
The brand does not give a fixed number of weeks that makes everyone ready for the next bottle. Comfort with the current product and frequency matters more than finishing a bottle on a deadline.
Moving up is optional. If your current strength fits your routine, the higher bottle price alone is no reason to change. Persistent irritation is a reason to stop and seek advice rather than continue increasing use.
At the checked one-time Dermstore prices, 0.5 adds $16 over 0.25, and 1.0 adds another $16. All bottles are 1 fl oz, so price per fluid ounce equals bottle price. Subscription discounts and coupon codes are excluded.