These Retinols For Sensitive Skin Clear Up Acne And Fine Lines

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When I first put together my ~official~ skincare routine, there were a few vital steps I knew I could never forgo, like cleansing my face and applying a daily sunscreen. It took a minute, because my skin breaks out from a lot of products. One product I made sure to prioritize adding to my routine was a retinol, even though I have sensitive skin.

Retinol is derived from Vitamin A, found in over-the-counter skincare products as the milder version of prescription retinoic acid or tretinoin, says dermatologist Sheila Farhang, MD. Retinol promotes collagen production and cell renewal, so it can help smooth the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots while clearing acne.

Peep some of the best retinols for sensitive skin:

Retinol can even be great for sensitive, acne-prone skin because it helps to decrease sebum and oil production, adds dermatologist Blair Murphy Rose, MD. That's why it helps treat acne, and can even minimize the appearance of pores. Retinol can also exfoliate the skin, says dermatologist Naana Boakye, MD.

Even if you have sensitive skin, Dr. Farhang says you should still use a retinol if you want to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles while eliminating age spots. It may take time for your skin to get used to the ingredient, so it’s totally normal for redness, irritation, and flaking to occur in the beginning. Just be extra careful to wear SPF during the daytime, because even though you should only use retinol at night, it'll still increase your skin's overall sensitivity to the sun.

Ahead, check out the best retinols for sensitive skin in 2023, tested and reviewed by Women's Health editors and dermatologists.

Meet the experts: Sheila Farhang, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics. Blair Murphy Rose, MD, is a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York and Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Naana Boakye, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Bergen Dermatology. Bradley Glodny, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Park Ave. Derm, Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians Of Connecticut and Women's Health Advisory Board member. Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.

Retinol Correxion Night Serum Capsules

This RoC retinol is both dermatologist- and WH beauty editor-approved, so you know it's worth the (affordable) price. "This serum is hydrating and is formulated with ceramides which are great for skin barrier health," says Dr. Farhang.

It can be hard to know exactly how much retinol to apply to your skin when you use it, but it's not an issue with this product, adds WH beauty director Brian Underwood. “RoC solves for this with these single-dose capsules—you know you’re getting the right dose every single time," he says.

Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum

WH associate news editor Currie Engel tested this retinol serum out for our Versed brand review, and loved it. When she started to notice fine lines on her forehead and around her eyes and mouth, she sought out a retinol serum that wouldn't dry out her already-dry skin. "It felt moisturizing and gentle," she says. "I noticed my skin looked more hydrated and luminous after using it, rather than drier or redder, which sometimes happens with retinols."

Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

“Paula’s Choice is just generally one of my all-time favorite skincare brands because its formulations are top-of-the-line—and you know what you’re getting," Underwood says. This one he recommended is definitely worth the buy. He says it has a time-release formulation that is specifically designed to ward off irritation, too.

Resurfacing Retinol Serum

This retinol is a great option for those who have sensitive or combination skin, says WH editorial assistant Olivia Evans. "I started using this retinol two years ago and I love it," she says. "It's really affordable, lasts a long time, and a little of it goes a long way." She's never had a reason to switch.

1% Retinol Booster

WH beauty editor Danielle Jackson has heard great things about this booster, which can easily be added to and mixed with any of your other serums. "It could be great for someone with sensitive skin since it has a lower percentage of retinol." With hundreds of five-star reviews, many say it transformed their skin overnight.

Retinol Serum .25% Pure Concentrate

"First Aid Beauty's retinol is a great choice for beginners to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and create younger-looking skin," says Dr. Murphy Rose. Reviewers love the results. Many say that after they exfoliated peeling skin, their skin was more radiant and their fine lines were smoothed out.

RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum

Dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, recommends Avène's retrinAL serum, which is "perfect for those with sensitive skin who want to dip their toes into the world of a vitamin A derivative," she says. "This formulation of retinoid is gentle, and less irritating." Even reviewers with rosacea say it gave their skin a glow while the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles.

Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Dr. Camp recommends this retinol for anyone with acne-prone skin. "Adapalene is a retinoid that is available in two concentrations: 0.1 and 0.3 percent," he explains. While marketed as an acne treatment, he adds that it can also be used to clear and prevent blackheads, whiteheads, and clogged pores.

Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer

This editor-recommended, highly-rated moisturizer is another good one to add to your routine. "I don’t regularly use retinol, but when I do, Olay’s is one of my go-to options, especially during the colder months, since my face tends to dry out more," says WH commerce editor Jasmine Gomez. She loves both Olay's day and night versions, because they're super creamy and hydrating without leaving any greasy residue on the skin.

Retinol Reform Treatment Serum

“Created by my favorite aesthetician—seriously, her hands are transformative—this formula features a time-released retinol that is results-driven without any potential of irritation," Underwood says. People love that the texture is super light, so it spreads easily across skin. Underwood especially appreciates that the formula has lactic acid in it to add some glowy-ness to skin. Multiple reviewers say it's great for fading acne scars, too.

Prevent-4 + Pure Retinol

This retinol moisturizer comes at the recommendation of Dr. Farhang. "I love that this has pure retinol but also some other skin-smoothing properties such as amino acids and peptides to help boost skin structure and bounce," she says. She loves it for sensitive skin because the formula has hydrating squalane in it, and the formulation is silky without feeling too thick.

Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum

This formula, recommended by Underwood, has a 4.5-star average rating on Sephora, and reviewers love that it's gentle yet effective, especially if used consistently. “This formula is meant to be used daily—it contains a micro-dose of retinol that can be slathered on regularly with no stinging, redness, or flakiness," he says.

He also loves that the formula contains ceramides, a Dr. Farhang-loved ingredient since they're the building blocks of skin’s protective barrier.

Retinol Serum

This retinol comes from the brand of Sandra Lee, MD, a.k.a., Dr. Pimple Popper. So while it wasn't recommended by any WH editors or experts I talked to, it's still dermatologist-founded and approved, so I trust the value of this product. Reviewers say it's especially helpful for treating hyperpigmentation and blurring the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How Our Team Chose The Best Retinols For Sensitive Skin

At WH Labs, our team tests a wide range of products and services to provide our readers with reliable, honest, and trustworthy information. It's our belief that our readers deserve the best, which is why our recommendations have been thoroughly tested and vetted by our editors. Women’s Health editors, including editorial assistant Addison Aloian, senior commerce editor Neha Tandon, beauty director Brian Underwood, and beauty editor Danielle Jackson, researched and tested the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated retinols for sensitive skin. Our team consulted six dermatologists and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the 13 best retinols for a wide range of skincare needs and preferences.

How do dermatologists recommend you apply retinol?

Your skincare routine should be an enjoyable experience. But, retinol is a potent ingredient that comes with some guidelines, especially if you have sensitive skin.

• Retinol is a nighttime product, so apply at that time of day, and follow up with a sunscreen in the morning, Dr. Farhang says.

• Start slow if you're using a retinol for the first time, says Dr. Camp, who suggests applying a pea-sized amount to your face three nights a week for a month. Then, move on to applying it every other night for a month, after which you can continue to increase frequency if your skin will allow it. If after one or two weeks, you aren't experiencing side effects like irritation or redness, you can increase use, adds Dr. Murphy Rose.

• Avoid applying retinol over a sunburn or dry, flaking, open skin. Remember, with sensitive skin, it's way more effective to use a non-prescription, weaker retinol every night than a stronger prescription retinol just once a week, Dr. Farhang adds.

• If your skin is sensitive, you could be allergic to ingredients in products, Dr. Murphy Rose explains. "Look for hypoallergenic products and talk to a board-certified dermatologist to find the right retinol for you," she says.

• Lastly, if you're pregnant, retinoid use is contraindicated, Dr. Farhang adds.

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