What is the mildest, most gentle form of retinol? Retinyl palmitate is the lightest and most gentle form.
Retinyl Palmitate - The Mildest Form of Retinol
Retinyl Palmitate is the most gentle form of retinol synthesized from vitamin A that is perfect for people with sensitive skin.
Adapalene: Adapalene 0.1% gel is a recently approved over-the-counter retinoid that is “best for sensitive skin because it has a decreased risk of irritation compared to other prescription retinoids and excellent efficacy for treating acne,” says Dr. King.
A 0.5-percent concentration is a good baseline.
For beginners, most dermatologists recommend a retinol with a concentration of 0.25 percent to one percent to see results.
Among those brands that do list a retinol percentage, beginners may like to start with a retinol in the 0.25-0.5 per cent range, but bear in mind that some listed above 0.5 per cent may have a gentler impact than the percentage suggests.
Tretinoin: Tretinoins are typically the mildest form of prescription retinoids.
The telltale signs of retinol burn include skin that is red, irritated, flaky, inflamed, sore to the touch, and/or shedding. "You could also be experiencing breakouts or inflamed acne that is not usual for your skin," adds Idriss.
✅ Apply retinol after a facial oil or moisturizer.
A layer of emollients before the retinol can protect your skin barrier minimize potential irritations. You can also mix retinol with a moisturizer for similar effects.
If your skin shows signs of injury or you're experiencing severe pain, stop using retinol and let your dermatologist know. These prescription products can make skin vulnerable to damage, especially if you're using them for the first time.
The best retinol for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Retinol 0.3% + Vitamin B3 Serum. La Roche-Posay knows its way around an excellent skincare product – this serum is just one among many. Combining vitamin B3 with 0.3 per cent retinol, it's a gentle one, and good for even the most sensitive skins.
Bakuchiol is a gentler alternative to retinol and doesn't have any known side effects, says Dr. Chacon. “It's always a good idea to patch test any new products you use, and talk to your dermatologist if you have concerns or plan to use bakuchiol while pregnant or breastfeeding.”
Skin purging happens when new ingredients, like retinol, promote increased cell turnover, which causes clogging and worsening breakouts. This is particularly the case as oil and debris that is trapped deeper underneath the skin comes to the surface.
Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.
It can take several weeks before you'll start to see results from retinol, and your skin may look worse before it gets better, so try not to get discouraged. Start slowly and increase your use of retinol gradually.
The Ordinary suggest starting your retinol regimen with their 0,2% concentration and gradually move onto 0,5% and 1% to give your skin the chance to build tolerance. Side effects if you don't may contain redness, peeling and a burning sensation. Especially around the eyes and mouth, things can get truly flakey.
"If you're overusing your retinol, or if you're using a retinol that's too strong for you, it can lead to peeling, irritation, and excessive dryness, which may have led to retinol's association with skin thinning," says Dr. Icecreamwala. "This will make your skin look older and accentuate wrinkles."
Those with stubborn skin concerns, like deep wrinkles and pronounced uneven skin tone may want to consider a high percentage retinol cream, serum or treatment. But what percentage of retinol is effective? Look for formulations with a percentage between 0.3% and 1%, with retinol 1% being the strongest option.
While vitamin C is most notable for helping to brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, retinol is typically considered best-in-class for wrinkles and fine lines. And if you really want to give your skin a one-two punch to get noticeably healthier, you can certainly try incorporating both into your routine.
"If you have dry, irritated skin that is lacking in moisture, choosing a product with hyaluronic acid would be my recommendation," Hartman says. "Anyone with acne-prone skin, or someone who is looking to even out tone and fine lines and wrinkles would benefit from using retinol."
You see, retinol impacts your skin's normal function, and when you stop it your skin has to re-learn how to regulate itself properly again. So typically when people stop using it they experience either bad acne or bad dryness for a few weeks afterwards.