I'm probably not alone when I say that I've had a tumultuous relationship with retinol. I used tretinoin for years, and my ultra-sensitive skin hated it. After that, my skin was so unhappy that it was hard to find any retinoid that didn't make my breakouts 10 times worse.
Since then, I've tried pretty much every retinoid option for sensitive skin. No matter what, they all seem to leave me with some sort of irritation. My easily congested skin, however, needed something to smooth out texture. Just when I was about to give up entirely, I decided to try a retinol alternative that completely changed the game for me. Enter Avène's Retrinal Advanced Correcting Serum ($78). This bakuchiol-powered serum basically changed my life. It offers the same benefits as a retinol with zero irritation. If you struggle with ultra-sensitive skin like I do, keep reading. Below, I'm sharing why this serum is my new holy grail.
I'd always known bakuchiol was a superstar ingredient, but I was never able to find a formula with it that worked for my super-sensitive, acne-prone skin. Many serums with bakuchiol contain heavier oils that just don't gel with my skin. This serum, however, is super hydrating, noncomedogenic, and soothing for any redness.
Bakuchiol is known for mimicking the properties of retinol. Retinol speeds up skin cell turnover, resulting in smoother, clearer, more even-toned skin. But it can also be really irritating on the skin, especially in stronger concentrations. Bakuchiol works fabulously at shedding old, dead skin cells without causing redness or more inflammation for me.
After about a month of using it, I noticed that my skin was a lot less red and inflamed if I had any breakouts. Previously, if I used retinol on any bumps, they would swell to the size of a volcano. You can imagine that finding a product like this was no small miracle. This meant that I could smooth out my skin texture without irritating the heck out of my skin. While it did cause some purging, I didn't mind it because, to me, that said it was working.
Many aestheticians have advised me to find a retinoid I could use nightly, and honestly, with how easily irritated and sensitive my skin is, I knew that would be a tall order. In the past, I could barely find one that I could tolerate three to four nights a week, but then this serum came along. I can use this nightly and, if I'm feeling extra, during the day, too, with no issues. It just leaves my skin clearer and calmer.
Although I would love to eventually be able to use a retinoid, I had to share this PSA for anyone dealing with similar issues. While many experts recommend a retinol for congested skin, some of us just can't tolerate it, ugh. Avène came up with the perfect nonirritating solution that does all the same things without destroying your skin barrier or making things worse.
More Sensitive Skin–Friendly Products I Love
Another thing I had to ditch while repairing my skin barrier was a traditional surfactant-based cleanser. This innovative Korean cleanser is from one of my favorite up-and-coming brands, Venn. It provides an advanced deep clean without soaps, irritants, or harsh surfactants. It never leaves me feeling tight or dry, and it really calms the skin.
If you want to keep your routine streamlined and simple, this moisturizer is perfect to add to the lineup. This moisturizer is soothing and hydrating for stressed skin but doesn't clog pores. It's great for retinoid users but also for ultra-sensitive skin that's been through it.
This is another formula I've been obsessed with since an aesthetician at Formula Fig introduced me to it. It's so hydrating and calming for my sensitive skin and leaves me with such an incredible glow. It's well worth the extra dollars if you can spare them.
Whenever my skin is feeling extra dehydrated, I bust out one of these masks and leave it on for two hours. I know that sounds extra AF, but trust me. It leaves the skin looking so bouncy, dewy, and glowy. I'm talking hydration for days. Save it for when you'll be fully in for the night.
These pads are another great option I love if you have sensitive skin that can't tolerate a lot of exfoliants. They contain PHA, a less irritating exfoliant designed to clear surface congestion in a flash. Heartleaf also soothes redness and protects the skin barrier.
This Korean cleansing oil is so perfectly lightweight but still great at decongesting pores and removing makeup. I use it every night in a double cleanse, and I can't imagine my routine without it now.
If you can tolerate some sort of retinoid, this SkinBetter Science product is one of the best out there IMO. It uses an innovative form of retinol that's designed to be less irritating on the skin, but it also contains glycolic acid to further resurface it at the same time.