The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.I only recently started using retinol, after hearing horror stories from friends who used it. From peeling skin to near-chemical peel redness to dryness, the side effects always seemed scary. However, as a fresh faced 40-year-old, I’ve started applying it a few times a week to combat wrinkles that keep popping up. Like most skincare, good brands can cost upwards of $500. I, sadly, don’t have that budget so I’ve started shopping Target and Amazon’s “beauty aisles” to find an alternative I can 1) afford and 2) use without horrific side effects. And after months and months of testing, I’ve found one I’m willing to give my stamp of approval.The RoC Retinol Correxion deep wrinkle serum.As someone with a blend of mature meets sensitive skin, retinol has always seemed a little scary. However, my anxiety was eased after speaking with Michelle Ventresca, esthetician and founder of Live By Skin, who explained the benefits to me like a third grader. “At its core, retinol is really just a vitamin A derivative that helps regulate skin cell turnover and supports collagen production. I like to explain it to clients as sending a message to the skin to behave more like younger, healthier-functioning skin,” Ventresca said.After scouring reviews online, I decided to give the top pick a try: the RoC anti-aging face serum. It’s lightweight and creamy, and doesn’t burn your skin the way other brands I’ve tried do. It’s also chock full of antioxidants and vitamins, including vitamin C and E, allantoin, zinc, copper and magnesium. Together. these create a powerhouse serum that brightens, protects, rejuvenates, smooths, and hydrates. Ventresca also sees the benefit of the brand. “RoC has made retinol accessible and approachable for consumers for years, which can make it a good entry point for someone beginning a retinoid routine,” she said. As someone who has never had Botox, I was utterly shocked by how well this reduced the visibility of my forehead wrinkles. Are they still there? Yes. Are they less prominent, though? Also yes. I even still see changes after using this for almost two months, where other products I’ve tried stopped giving me visible results. Amazon“With retinoids, and really any active ingredient, the entire formulation matters. Retinol itself can be unstable, so the ingredients surrounding it, along with the product’s delivery system and packaging, can influence its stability, tolerability, and performance,” Ventresca said. My results aside, RoC did their own set of tests and found some really impressive results, which have been tested against multiple times. According to the brand, in 4 weeks, 100% of users voiced having younger-looking skin. With a 4.5 rating with over 15,000 reviews on Amazon, it’s not just a fan-favorite for the brand’s handpicked testers either. Beyond the results, the price is what drew me in first. At Amazon, it’s just $22 — and very often on sale. You can also get it for under $30 at Walgreens.How to start using retinolThe most important thing to remember when starting something like retinol is to take it easy, and give your skin time to get used to it. “The most common mistake I see is going too hard, too fast,” Ventresca said. “People are excited about the potential results, so they start using a retinoid every night immediately or combine it with several other strong actives. That can lead to significant dryness, redness, itching, peeling, and a compromised skin barrier.”Instead of daily use, Ventresca recommends using any retinoid just a few times a week, and to stop use immediately with any major skin reactions. “I generally recommend starting slowly, perhaps once every three nights for the first few weeks, and gradually increasing to every other night or nightly use if the skin is tolerating it well,” she said. However, she added that some mild reactions may happen as the skin barrier gets used to such a concentrated application. “Some mild dryness or flaking can happen while the skin adjusts, but severe discomfort shouldn’t be viewed as proof that the product is ‘working.’ More irritation does not equal better results.” She also recommends never using this product during the day if you plan on being in the sun, and to prioritize nightly use. “Most retinoids are used in the evening, typically after cleansing and before or alongside moisturizer depending on the formulation and the person’s sensitivity,” she said.Below, check out some promising reviews for this retinol serum, and see for yourself how impressed shoppers like me have been with its impact on their skin.“RoC knows what it is doing when it comes to retinols. Love the lightweight consistency & it gots on silky smooth. You only need two small pumps for your entire face and neck. My first bottle lasted around 4ish months. I have noticed a major improvement with not only my fine lines but my dark spots and post acne spots. I use it twice a day without any irritation or dryness.” — Sandy Fru“I’ve used ROC deep wrinkle serum for several years. I just can’t switch to anything else, because ROC is perfect for my skin. I won’t leave home without it! After years of sun damage, my facial pores were enlarged and oxidized. I would use whatever moisturizer was available. ROC changed that! This serum is thicker, but goes on light, with a hint of golden color. It dries fairly quickly after application. There is no notable fragrance to it. The formula is effective at reducing appearance of wrinkles and lines, because it mattifies the skin somewhat, but is not harsh or drying whatsoever. I will always have at least two-bottles of this at all times, because running out is not an option!” — G. L. Phillips“I’ve been using this for about.1 month. It is a light weight serum and almost odorless. It’s evened out my skin tone and reduced the crepey lines on my cheeks. I use a moisturizer on top so I don’t know if it moisturizes by itself. I only use once a day but I’ve seen an improvement. Haven’t had any irritation either. DO NOT use around your eyes though. It’s too strong and will burn.” — Amazon Customer“Love the silky feel of this product on my skin. It has definitely made my fine lines around my eyes and forehead smaller. I just look a little better in the mirror than I did a month ago.” — Alisha