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9 Best Retinols for Sensitive Skin, Tested and Reviewed for 2023
I cried, flaked, and burned, so you didn't have to.
By 
If you know me, or you’ve ever heard my angry screams carried softly through the wind, you know that I have supremely sensitive skin that’s almost always freaking out. I’m talkin’ skin that’s got rosacea, keratosis pilaris, hormonal acne, and fragrance allergies. Skin that’s so reactive and hypersensitive, even my dermatologist friends are like, “lol, godspeed.” So trust me when I say that if you’re looking for retinols for sensitive skin, I’m your new BFF—because I've personally tested and reviewed dozens of gentle (and not-so-gentle) formulas over the years to bring you the best of the best, below.
But first: There is no one “best” retinol when it comes to sensitive skin. Yes, some retinol face creams are gentler than others, but most people don’t realize that a lot of the flaking, stinging, and burning side effects are often the result of user error and impatience (ahem, you know who you are). So with the help of my dermatologist buds—hi, dermatologists Mona Gohara, MD, and Anar Mikailov, MD—plus my traumatizing history of testing retinoids, I’m going to give you everything you need to know about beginner retinols, and the right way to apply them for less irritation. Check out this short list below:
✔️ P.S., This is new, up-to-date info, bb. We updated this article in January 2023 to add new sensitive skin retinols the internet won't stop talking about, delete outdated oldies, and check in with dermatologists for the latest in gentle retinoids, just for you.
Our top picks for sensitive skin retinols in 2023
Now keep scrolling for the full list, along with the info you really need to know if you're dealing with sensitive skin, like what the most gentle retinol is, how to apply retinol for sensitive skin, and more.
Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum
Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum
Pros
- Has time-release retinol
Cons
- May still be too intense for super-sensitive skin
I legit thought this serum would ruin my skin during testing, but I'm happy to report I experienced zero (!) irritation. Seriously. The retinol serum uses three MVP anti-agers to smooth your skin: (1) microencapsulated retinol (to slow down the absorption so it’s less intense on your skin); (2) bakuchiol (a natural, gentler alternative to retinol), and (3) arophira (sea fennel extract that mimics bakuchiol). Sounds overwhelming, but the combo is surprisingly gentle, even for retinol newbies.
THE REVIEWS: "Very gentle and very effective," writes one tester, adding they've used this serum for two years and think it's "one of the best."
RoC Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging Sensitive Skin Night Cream
RoC Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging Sensitive Skin Night Cream
Pros
- Made for sensitive skin
Cons
- Not very hydrating
You can't talk sensitive-skin retinols without talking about this award-winning formula from RoC, which I have personally tested myself. This night cream was one of the first gentle breakthroughs in the harsh anti-aging world, thanks to the fact that its formula is filled with soothing, moisturizing emollients that "cushion" the retinol's absorption after you massage it on. Definitely a drugstore skincare staple for anyone with sensitive skin.
THE REVIEWS: "THIS IS NOT A DRIL!! THIS WORKS!" reads one review. "I saw an improvement after three days! Just get it!"
Biossance Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum
Biossance Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum
Pros
- Plant-based and effective
Cons
- Not hydrating on its own
Take a ~stroll~ through the five-star reviews on this plant-based retinol, and you'll see a stream of "OMG" comments from people with hyper-reactive and supremely sensitive skin (whattup, my brethren). And the hype is valid: The first three ingredients alone are water, squalane, and glycerin—a powerful moisturizing trio—followed by brightening niacinamide, plumping hyaluronic acid, and, of course, the MVP bakuchiol. Biossance will forever have my heart <3.
THE REVIEWS: "Y’all I literally NEVER write reviews but in just a week of use I’ve noticed such a difference that I had to share," one tester writes. "My forehead lines are much less prominent and the rest of my face is happier too."
The Inkey List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Moisturizer
The Inkey List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Moisturizer
Pros
- Affordable, gentle, and effective
Cons
- Doesn't work as fast as regular retinol
I personally have a love affair with The Inkey List—all of their products are super affordable, and their formulas are simple and effective, without any of the junky irritants (hi, my pet peeve). And this gentle moisturizer is no exception: It's filled with bakuchiol to smooth lines, squalane to moisturize, and sacha inchi oil to lock in hydration. Oh, and it's under $10. Yes, pls.
THE REVIEWS: "I am on my 4th tube of this stuff, and it is great," writes on tester. "I have noticed the deep lines on my forehead and neck reduced using it once a day before bed and before applying moisturizer."
Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer
Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to use
Cons
- May not be hydrating enough for dry skin
Even though this night cream wasn't specifically made for sensitive skin, it's surprisingly gentle (so gentle that it's the only thing my boyfriend's baby face will tolerate). The fragrance-free formula uses retinol and retinyl propionate—one of the weakest, most-mild form of all retinoids—to smooth, plump, and brighten over time. And remember: If you're still worried about irritation, try alternating with your regular night cream every other night to see how your skin reacts.
THE REVIEWS: "I love this product! The night cream feels great on my face and I can see a difference in my skin. I have very sensitive skin and I have no problems."
No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Fragrance Free Night Cream
No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Fragrance Free Night Cream
Pros
- Supremely gentle and nice
Cons
- Not as effective as true retinol
I'ma be honest with you: This fragrance-free cream barely counts as a retinol—and that makes it the perfect pick for anyone who wants a super-gentle night cream with some anti-aging effects. The only retinoid in the formula is retinyl palmitate (the weakest and most meh of retinoids), so all of the softening, smoothing, and brightening effects are really coming from the cream's hefty dose of firming peptides and plumping hyaluronic acid. And yes, the combo really does work (the power of peptides is real, folks).
THE REVIEW: "I immediately noticed my skin looked brighter and healthier. I love the way this product feels on my skin," writes one tester. "It doesn't leave a greasy or oily film."
Dr.Different Vitalift-A Night Treatment Cream
Dr.Different Vitalift-A Night Treatment Cream
Pros
- Will treat fine lines fast
Cons
- Can be irritating
The hero ingredient in this anti-aging cream? 0.05 percent retinal (yup, with an a). When it comes to retinal vs. retinol, retinal requires one less "conversion" before being absorbed by your skin, meaning it's more potent than retinol (which requires two conversions). Thankfully, the dose is low enough to be tolerated by most sensitive skin types, especially when layered on top of your facial moisturizer at night.
THE REVIEWS: "Gentle, worth the money," writes one reviewer. "This isn’t a harsh retinal, and the low dosage makes it easy to use and ease into."
First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25 Pure Concentrate
First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25 Pure Concentrate
Pros
- Will plump up fine lines on contact
Cons
- Needs to be paired with moisturizer
This silky-smooth serum contains 0.25 percent retinol, which is on the gentler side of the retinol spectrum (.05 and 1 percent tend to be more common). And if 0.25 percent still sounds scary, I get it, but I promise you that the rest of the formula is a big ol' hug for your sensitive skin, including colloidal oatmeal, allantoin, and aloe vera to soothe irritation, along with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to keep your skin barrier from getting dry or irritated.
THE REVIEWS: "I used this as a starter retinol since most products make my sensitive skin break out into a rash," reads one review, adding "I had no negative reaction to this."
Tula Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum
Tula Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum
Pros
- Super customizable for your routine
Cons
- Can be easy to overdo
If a retinol cream feels too intense or heavy for your sensitive skin, I highly recommend these face serum drops that use bakuchiol, squalane, to smooth and tighten skin over time. Massage a few drops over your clean, dry skin before following with the rest of your skincare routine, or mix a few drops in with your regular moisturizer to dilute the bakuchiol even more (if you're a first-time scaredy cat, like I was).
THE REVIEWS: "Makes my skin feel amazing," reads one review. "Have noticed [a] decreased look of lines in my face, especially [the] jaw area."
What retinol is good for sensitive skin?
All retinoids (i.e., the umbrella term for all vitamin-A derivatives, including retinol) are created differently, with different potencies and efficacies. “Retinoids sink into your skin to speed up cell turnover, causing your body to churn out fresher, smoother, less wrinkled skin over time,” dermatologist Mona Gohara has told Cosmo. Weaker retinoids take longer (but are more tolerable), while stronger retinoids work faster (but with way more irritation). Here’s the general breakdown:
Retinoid strengths (weakest to strongest)
- Retinyl palmitate (super weak and not very effective as a retinoid on its own)
- Retinol (typically ranges from 0.01 percent to 3.0 percent. Sensitive skin types should stick to percentages under 0.5)
- Retinaldehyde, aka retinal (even stronger, but still has lower, tolerable doses for sensitive skin)
- Adapalene (the strongest drugstore retinoid, like Differin, that’s formulated to treat acne)
- Prescription retinoids (like tretinoin or tazarotene; effective, but can be highly irritating)
There’s only one caveat here: bakuchiol. Which brings us to...
Is bakuchiol good for sensitive skin?
Bakuchiol (also called natural retinol or retinol alternative) is “considered a 'phytoretinol,' or a plant-based ingredient with similar functions and benefits of retinol, but is still gentle enough for very sensitive skin,” dermatologist Anar Mikailov has told Cosmo. Just like classic retinol, bakuchiol also triggers collagen production and increases your skin's cellular turnover, leading to smoother, softer, and brighter skin over time.
So if you’re looking for the gentlest retinol for sensitive skin, look for formulas that contain low-dose retinol, low-dose retinaldehyde, or bakuchiol. Again, there’s not an exact percentage or formula that is “the best” overall, because everyone’s skin has different needs, so you need to play a lil trial-and-error—and also apply it correctly. Need more help? I gotchu:
How to choose the best retinol for sensitive skin
Even the gentlest retinoid on this list can still give your skin problems if you’re not applying it correctly. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to start slow to mitigate the initial adjustment period of flakes and sensitivity: “Apply a pea-size drop to your entire face one night a week for one week, then two nights a week for two weeks, then three nights a week for three weeks, and then every other night indefinitely,” Dr. Gohara has said.
Re-read that again, because I truly cannot stress the importance of this advice enough: Only apply your retinol once or twice a week for three weeks to see how your skin reacts. The side effects from retinoids are cumulative and may not show up until your third or fourth use—so if you apply too much too quickly, your face may suddenly rebel, leaving you with inflamed, red skin that takes weeks to heal. My pro tip? Set calendar reminders on your phone for the next 12 weeks, so you know exactly when to apply your retinol next.
Think of the formulation
Do you have super-dry skin? Try a retinol night cream, which can be layered underneath (or on top of) your regular moisturizer for double hydration to offset any irritation. Or, if you’re working with oily skin or acne-prone skin, try playing around with a retinol serum or retinol drops, which won’t feel heavy or greasy under your normal moisturizer.
Meet the experts:
- Anar Mikailov, MD, is not only a board-certified dermatologist at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, MA, but also the founder of KP Away, a skincare line devoted to treating keratosis pilaris. Dr. Mikailov has previously spoken to Cosmo about bakuchiol skincare products.
- Mona Gohara, MD, is an associate clinical professor of dermatologist at Yale School of Medicine, and a board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut in multiple locations in CT. Dr. Gohara has previously spoken to Cosmo about how to apply retinoids in your skincare routine.
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. Thanks.
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