The Best Retinols for Sensitive Skin in 2023, Tested by Dermatologists and a Grooming Editor

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Yes, you can use retinol if you have sensitive skin. Here’s how.

Is there anything retinol can’t do? Head to any dermatologist’s office, and ask them about almost any skin issue you can think of, and they’ll most likely talk to you about retinol. Retinol, a type of retinoid which are derivatives of Vitamin A, “is a rockstar ingredient,” says board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD. “It helps accelerate cell turnover so you have fresh skin cells constantly.” That increased cell turnover can help treat everything from acne (and acne scarring), dark spots and hyperpigmentation, loss in collagen production and more.

However with most things in life, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. The downside of retinol is that it can cause irritation, especially when you first start using it. That can spell disaster if you already have sensitive skin since retinol, an already irritating ingredient, can make it go crazy. But all is not lost! It actually is possible to use retinol on sensitive skin, you just have to use the right products in the right way. Look for formulas that also contain hydrating and calming ingredients to help minimize irritation, dryness and flaking. Only apply it in the evening and, no matter what kind of skin you have, wear sunscreen every day. “Retinols can cause sun sensitivity so it is important to use a daily sunscreen [with at least] SPF 30 and broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection,” says board certified dermatologist Anthony Rossi, MD. As for which to pick up, read on.

The best part of this high end retinol lotion isn’t just that it also contains skin bolstering ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides (not to mention a potent antioxidant complex), but that it “comes in 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% so you can pick and choose the right one depending on the skin type,” says Dr. Kim. “It's very gentle and hydrating and well tolerated even by people with sensitive skin.”

Testing Notes: When it comes to retinol products, this milky lotion is more like a very thick serum. It glides onto your face with ease and smooths over the entire area quickly without any residue. In our testing, we found that it was one of the most elegant to use, not to mention one of the most effective, even at the lower concentration. We especially love the buildable option, which allows you to increase your retinol dose when or as needed without needing to change products.

Dr. Zeichner recommends this rich night cream for people with sensitive skin because “it combines Coenzyme Q10 which is a potent antioxidant with a retinyl ester to strengthen and smooth the skin. Since it is not irritating, it can be used across all skin types, even in people who are sensitive.”

Testing Notes: The best part we found about this thick cream is that it negates the need to add an additional moisturizer. It’s incredibly rich and creamy, especially for a cream at this price point, so if you have dry skin, it’s a no brainer. Applying it at night ensures that the retinol has time to work and when we used it, we woke up with hydrated, plump skin without a hint of dryness.

While this product doesn’t disclose what percentage of retinol is in the formula, “it's gentle and is a great option for people who are afraid to start retinol because of skin sensitivity or dryness,” says Dr. Kim.

Testing Notes: Without knowing for sure that the percentage of retinol is in this product, we found that it’s still non-irritating despite what we assume is a slightly higher percentage than others on this list. The addition of exfoliating lactic acid is nice too, which helps to create a smoother, more even look to the skin in addition to the effects of the retinol. And while we used it with no irritation issues, we’d advise those with especially sensitive skin or who have never used retinol before to start extra slow with this one just in case.

“This serum combines a stabilized form of retinol with hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Zeichner. “They compliment each other to hydrate and plump for immediate benefits, along with longer term benefits from continued retinol use.”

Testing Notes: This retinol is billed as a “wrinkle filler” which is a little bit of a misnomer. Sure, it helps smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles thanks to the retinol in the formula and because it has so much hyaluronic acid, there is a slight plumping effect to the skin, but these things are cumulative, not immediate. That said, when used properly, it actually does what it says it’s going to do - which is reduce the look of signs of aging. What we love best about it is that, for this price point, it’s actually reliable.

This innovative night serum combines encapsulated retinol, which releases more slowly into skin to help curb irritation, with bakuchiol, a plant-derived ingredient with retinol-like properties. The combination means efficacy is high while irritation stays low.

Testing Notes: The thing about retinol is that when there’s not added scent (which is a good thing for sensitive skin), it can sometimes smell a little, well, not great. We will admit that this serum isn’t the greatest smelling, but it’s a small price to pay for a product that works this well. It’s incredibly gentle—none of our testers had any hint of irritation while using it—and since it also contains bakuchiol, a plant-derived retinol alternative, it adds to the gentle vibe without sacrificing efficacy. It’s a solid choice for retinol beginners, especially.

Just because Kiehl's serum is ultra-gentle, doesn’t mean it compromises on efficacy. There is a smaller dose of pure retinol to deliver the results you want with minimal irritation as well as ceramides to help bolster the skin’s protective barrier and peptides to strengthen it.

Testing Notes: Once again, the actual percentage of retinol in this product isn’t disclosed, which is kind of a bummer, but since it’s billed as a “micro-dose” and since none of our testers experienced any irritation, even those who had never used retinol before, we’ll go ahead and assume that it’s very low. Even with a probably very low percentage of retinol, our testers saw an effect after a few weeks which shows us that it really works.

The rich, moisturizing texture of this anti-aging cream would work on dry, sensitive skin anyway, but this wonder product ups the ante in additional ways. First, it’s fragrance-free, which makes it ideal for sensitive skin that may react to added fragrance. Second, it not only contains retinol, but also retinyl propionate a more mild form of retinol to help achieve the results you want without irritation.

If you don’t usually pay attention to ingredient concentrations, you should when it comes to retinol because more isn’t always better. This serum has a low concentration at 0.25% (0.5 and 1% are more common), which makes it perfect for beginners and sensitive skin alike. The formula also contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera, colloidal oatmeal and allantoin to further curb irritation.

Not only is this fragrance-free serum gentle on your skin despite the fact that it contains a potent retinol as well as Vitamin E, but it comes in pre-dosed in biodegradable capsules to ensure you never overdo it. Pop one open, apply to your face, and you’re good to go.

Yes, of course this lightweight gel serum contains the requisite retinol to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture and more, but what makes it so good for dry skin particularly is the other ingredients in the formula. Hydrating hyaluronic acid, protecting niacinamide and skin barrier-strengthening ceramides all work to keep your skin balanced and moisturized while the retinol goes to work.

Testing Notes: For a retinol product packed with so many ingredients, this lotion is shockingly simple. It smooths on to your face easily and sinks in instantly, which surprised many of our testers because the formula is slightly thicker than you’d expect. It’s specifically formulated for people with dry and/or sensitive skin and that shows. There’s no added fragrance and the formula feels deeply hydrating even without adding another moisturizer (but you still should).

What makes this retinol serum so great is not just the additional ingredients like ceramides, peptide, antioxidants and licorice extract; all of which help to not only curb irritation, especially on sensitive skin, but also improve the quality of your skin, but the fact that it can be applied by itself or easily mixed with a moisturizer for those who need extra protection.

Testing Notes: Our testers found that even though this serum has a higher percentage of retinol than many others on this list, it’s still somehow super gentle, which makes it ideal for sensitive skin that’s already gotten used to retinol. The serum is designed to be applied directly to your skin or easily mixed in to another moisturizing product for extra protection from irritation, which we found to be a good thought and even better in practice.

This serum is on the powerful side because it not only contains retinol, but also retinal, a retinoid that is closer in strength to what you’d get in a prescription. Even so, because it’s time released and paired with ultra-moisturizing squalane, this serum is able to deliver results without irritation even on sensitive skin.

Testing Notes: Sensitive skin isn’t just always about irritation, but it can also be about dryness too (or both). We found that the squalane-heavy formula of this serum is incredibly good at keeping skin moisturized and healthy without needing to add a bunch of creams or thicker ingredients. We’re not exactly sure what percentage of retinol is in this formula, but given the results our testers saw, it’s enough to make an obvious difference while still curbing potential irritation.

The more appropriate question is, what can’t retinol do? “Retinol is perhaps the best studied ingredient we have to fight the signs of aging skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. “It stimulates production of collagen, elastin, and even hyaluronic acid to strengthen the skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol also stimulates cell turnover, helping the skin shed dead cells. In this way it also can enhance radiance, even skin tone, and even skin texture.” It’s the cell turnover factor that can also make it a valuable ingredient in fighting acne, breakouts, and dark spots from hyperpigmentation.

While retinol can drastically improve a variety of skin issues, it’s also powerful, which means it can irritate skin of all kinds, not just sensitive skin. Irritation is especially common “in the first 2-4 weeks of use,” says Dr. Zeichner. “This period, known as retinization, is a several week time span where the skin adjusts to use of the retinol. It can cause redness, dryness, and irritation.” If skin is already prone to these things, retinol can make them even worse, even after that retinization period is long over. It’s best to tread carefully, especially when first introducing retinol to your routine. And for all skin types using retinol, it can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, continues Dr. Zeichner, which means that using daily sunscreen is essential, but particularly with sensitive skin.

Yes, you can use retinol on sensitive skin. You just have to do it carefully. “Retinol is most effective if it's layered first,” says Dr. Kim, which means it should be the first product you apply to your face after you wash it. He recommends using a low percentage (0.3% or less) and using it once or twice a week to see how skin reacts before slowly working up to using it every night. Another way to protect your skin while using retinol, according to Dr. Rossi, is the sandwich method. “You should apply your retinol with a hydrating moisturizer,” he says. “Either mix the two together or apply the moisturizer first. This will decrease the retinoid dermatitis (flaking irritation).” Use only a pea size amount of retinol product to make sure you’re not using too much, which can also irritate the skin. How your particular skin reacts to the retinol will depend on what method is right for you. “It is up for debate whether it is better to moisturize before, afterwards or the create a sandwich between moisturizer layers,” says Dr. Zeichner. How you choose to do it depends on your personal preference.

People with sensitive skin will typically want to choose a product with a lower concentration of retinol, at least at first. Most retinol products contain between 0.5% and 1% retinol, but if you’re worried about irritation, look for one with a lower percentage like 0.25%. In addition, you’ll want to pay attention to what other ingredients are in the formula. “Look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin or calming ingredients such as camellia sinensis,” says Dr. Kim. “Most retinol creams will also have some type of oil to alleviate irritation and dryness as well.” Dr. Rossi also recommends looking for a retinol product that contains peptides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

To find the best retinols for sensitive skin, Grooming Editor Garrett Munce consulted with a panel of three board-certified dermatologists. Munce, alongside our team of three staff editors tested more than a dozen retinols in the past year to find the right ones that helped improve skin tone without irritating our faces. Munce has over a decade of experience trying, testing, and reporting on retinols for men.

Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin | Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin | Best Razors for Sensitive Skin

Garrett Munce writes about men's style and grooming. He's written for Esquire, New York Magazine, Spotlyte, and Very Good Light and held staff positions at GQ and W. Follow his skincare obsession on Instagram at @garrettmunce.

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