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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.
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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updated this article in January 2023 to add new sensitive skin retinols the internet won't stop talking about, delete outdated oldies, and check in with dermatologists for the latest in gentle retinoids, just for you.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.
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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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