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Retinolcan be a tough ingredient for anyone, much less those prone to irritation and redness.
Photographed by:Giancarlos Kunhardt;Prop stylist:Andrea Bonin.
With that, give these gentle retinol formulas a shot.
It also contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid, too, to offset any dryness.
MultipleAllureeditors across different skin types and ages love this formula, including commerce editor Sarah Han.
“It helps control both my hormonal acne as well as fade my dark spots.”
It’s gentle enough that you could dab it around the lips to address lip lines, too.
“I’d recommend this to anyone who asks about retinol,” says Han.
“It’s so gentle and doesn’t feel (or look) any different than a regular cream.
In other words, it’s your one-and-done.
Yes, people with sensitive skin can use topical retinol productswith some considerations.
For one, consider the concentration.
Dr. Penzi recommends a retinol strength of 0.2% to 0.3% to kick things off.
Another good option is retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A common in over-the-counter products.
“Or, look for encapsulated retinol that releases the active in a controlled manner, reducing irritation.”
As for frequency, Dr. Graf recommends using retinol once a week if you’re a newbie.
The same goes if you experience peeling skin or facial swelling.
“I recommend starting by applying a pea-sized amount to the face at night,” says Dr. Penzi.
That initial moisturizer creates a buffer that blunts the effect of retinol.
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