Retinol for Sensitive Skin: Your Ultimate Guides
A derivative of vitamin A, retinol is known for promoting visible results and multiple skin benefits. But for sensitive skin types, introducing powerful ingredients like retinol can require a little extra figuring out.
While potent ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C are common components of normal and combination regimes, those who experience sensitivity have to be careful not to overwhelm skin. If you want to level up your routine but feel unsure about using retinol for sensitive skin – this guide is for you.
By learning how to choose a retinol concentration and pairing gentle skincare ingredients accordingly, you can create a supportive and powerful retinol sensitive skin routine. Ahead, discover how to use retinol on sensitive skin for glowing and stronger complexions.
Is retinol ok for sensitive skin?
Good news – virtually all skin types can use retinol. Retinol is defined by its ability to visibly improve concerns like signs of ageing and blemishes, and the ingredient achieves this by accelerating the skin cell cycle to promote fresher skin cells. Because of this function, it can also sensitise skin – so a retinol sensitive skin routine requires a few ground rules.
When done right, using retinol for sensitive skin can bring about brighter and more youthful complexions. It’s important to know that patience is key here, so start small and slow. The effort is worth it – knowing how to use retinol for sensitive skin correctly supports multiple benefits:
- Stronger surface layer skin
- Softer and more uniform skin texture
- Reduced breakouts
- Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Firmed skin
How to introduce retinol to sensitive skin
There are a few steps to consider before you begin introducing retinol for sensitive skin. Everyone’s skin is unique, and the approach you’ll take to introducing this ingredient is too. For the best retinol for sensitive skin results, start by checking off the following steps:
- If your routine already features potent skincare ingredients, learn how to layer them in a way that prioritises skin comfort. For example, you can alternate evenings you use retinol and other potent ingredients like vitamin C or glycolic acid, or use one in the morning and retinol at night.
- Talk to your healthcare professional first. You should always discuss your skin’s needs with a healthcare professional before adding new ingredients like retinol to your routine.
- Be prepared to stick to a strict sun care regime. Retinol sensitises skin to UV radiation, so it’s important that any retinol sensitive skin routine is applied in the evening and followed with broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning (alongside measures like wearing hats and seeking shade).
How to use retinol for sensitive skin
If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. So, we know that you can apply it, but can you use retinol on sensitive skin with your current routine? It’s highly likely that you’ll need to make some adjustments to your skincare regimen in order to support your skin through retinol use. Let’s walk through what’s needed for a retinol sensitive skin routine.
1. Use a micro-dose retinol formula
Retinol products each have their own levels of strength. In terms of dosage, the best retinol for sensitive skin sits on the lighter end. This is in order to protect tolerance and comfort.
Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum is formulated for use by sensitive skin types. To deliver visible and long-lasting results without overwhelming skin prone to sensitivity, our formula includes pure retinol alongside peptides and ceramides.
A more potent version which is also suitable for all skin types is Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum. This 0.3% formula helps to reduce signs of ageing and deliver more youthful-appearing skin. As mentioned above, it’s recommended to start on a lower dosage and work your way up to stronger concentrations.
2. Layer with moisturiser
Skin can struggle to hold onto moisture as retinol begins to work. As most sensitive skin types are familiar with, dryness makes discomfort worse, so it’s essential that yours receives optimal hydration. When using retinol for sensitive skin, opt for deeply nourishing and thicker-textured moisturisers. Remember that potent ingredients should be paired alongside gentle, so look for formulas that use naturally compatible properties such as squalane.
Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane provides 24-hour hydration and is ideal for sensitive skin. Nourishing and natural ingredients glycerin, squalene and glacial glycoprotein work to protect the skin moisture barrier and soften skin.
3. Keep your routine simple
Don’t overdo your retinol sensitive skin routine. It can be helpful to think of retinol as the main star of your skincare regime, with simple, gentle and nourishing products there mainly to support. When formulating your retinol sensitive skin routine, aim for natural ingredients which work alongside skin. Some ingredients to consider using alongside retinol for sensitive skin include:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Ceramides
- Peptides
- Squalane
- Calendula
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Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
The Kiehl's Skin-Renewing Retinol Serum is a potent retinol face serum that targets the visible signs of ageing skin. After continuous use, Kiehl's anti-ageing retinol serum visibly reduces the appearence of wrinkles, firms skin and refines the feeling of skin’s texture. Formulated with peptides, ceramides and retinol, this daily retinol serum is suitable for all skin types, making it the perfect retinol serum for sensitive skin and beginners
Ultra Pure High-Potency 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum
A concentrated 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid serum for dry skin made with only 7 ingredients that helps replenish and retain moisture for healthy-looking, hydrated skin.
Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum
The Pure Retinol Night Serum is a powerful Retinol serum for wrinkles and fine lines that helps accelerate skin surface cell renewal. Formulated with one of our highest concentrates of Retinol, this Retinol night serum visibly improve fine lines, wrinkles and deep wrinkles for smoother and more youthful looking skin.
Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane
Our number one squalane moisturiser for ultra-lightweight, 24-hour hydration. The perfect daily moisturiser for all skin types, including sensitive. Help recover the skin barrier, and leave your skin softer, smoother and healthier with the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream. Paraben-free and fragrance-free.
