Beauty
You can still use one.
Retinol is one of the most treasured beauty ingredients.
But, if youve got sensitive skin, the power behind this super ingredient may cause some trepidation.
Whenever you start talking about sloughing off skin, you should prepare for the possibility of irritation.
Retinol is a great ingredient, but it can have some not-so-great side effects, explainsDr.
This is whats commonly calledretinization, and it can happen to all skin types.
Those who are already prone to these issues can find that retinol exacerbates these problems.
So does that mean retinol is bad for sensitive skin since these complexions are particularly finicky?
That doesnt mean that people with sensitive or reactive skin cant use retinols, though, she says.
Read on for expert tips, straight from derms.
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As a refresher:Retinol is a less potent form of retinoid.
Less potential for irritation.
The concentration of retinol matters, too.
Be sure to also take note of the products other ingredients, though.
For sensitive or reactive skin types, this is a bigno, especially at first, she tells Bustle.
Pair your retinol with gentle products:New York City-based board-certified dermatologistDr.
Keep the rest of your regimen simple versus slathering on all the chemical exfoliants youve got on your shelf.
Less is more:A little retinol goes a long way.
Start slow:Dont immediately apply your retinol every single day.
Plus, calming ingredients likepropanedioland hyaluronic acid help keep your complexion chill, not irritated.
The Firming Serum
Sarkar recommends this serum as its effective, but gentle.
This retinol serum has glycerin andshea butterto temper the irritation that retinols can sometimes cause, she tells Bustle.
It also containspeptidesfor added skin-smoothing perks.
The Encapsulated Retinol
This serum contains encapsulated retinol, which is one reason Sarkar recommends it.
Alongside the vitamin A derivative, it uses ceramides to boost your skins barrier andlicorice root extractto help brighten.
Studies referenced:
Babamiri, K. (2010).
Cosmeceuticals: The Evidence Behind the Retinoids.
Glycerolic Licorice Extracts as Active Cosmeceutical Ingredients: Extraction Optimization, Chemical Characterization, and Biological Activity.
Antioxidants.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826613/
Leyden, J.
Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne.
Dermatol Ther.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5574737/
Liu, P. (2017).
Anti-Aging Implications of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huangqi): A Well-Known Chinese Tonic.
Aging and Disease.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5758356/
Zasada, M. & Budzisz, E. (2019).
