For people with sensitive skin, even essentially the most seemingly harmless and soothing skin-care ingredients can sometimes cause an antagonistic response (taking a look at you, niacinamide). So on the subject of retinol, a type of vitamin A that aids in cell turnover for healthier skin, those that are sensitive should tread flippantly, because the ingredient has a track record of inducing irritation. That said, “retinol may be utilized by nearly everyone whether it is used appropriately,” says Erin Gilbert, MDa board-certified dermatologist based in Recent York City. Her motto? “Start low and take it slow.”

Dr. Gilbert is not the only skin-care expert with advice for using retinol effectively on sensitive skin. We spoke with several dermatologists and gathered their best suggestions and tricks for find out how to use retinol on delicate and hypersensitive skin types.

• Erin Gilbert, MDa board-certified dermatologist in Recent York City.
• Shari Marchbein, MDa board-certified dermatologist in Recent York City.
• Joshua Zeichner, MDa board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Recent York City.
• Sejal Shah, MDa board-certified dermatologist in Recent York City.
• Mona Gohara, MDa board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology on the Yale School of Medicine.

• Always do a gentle cleanse before using retinol
• Try a gentler version of retinol first
• Pair retinol with moisturizer
• Don’t overdo it with retinol
• Avoid other harsh ingredients when using retinol
• Try the short contact method for retinol
• Be patient when using retinol

Above all, you should make sure the skin is correctly cleansed before even serious about using retinol. Recent York City-based board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD stresses that washing your face with a delicate cleanser first is vital. Search for those without actives like exfoliants. Dr. Marchbein suggests CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanserformulated with moisturizing ceramides and hyaluronic acid, and Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Every day Cleanserwhich is made with moisture-locking glycerin. Burt’s Bees Gentle Cream Cleanser and First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser are two Allure editor-approved options.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

$13 at Amazon

$12 at Target

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Every day Cleanser

$10 at Amazon

$11 at Target

Burt’s Bees Gentle Cream Cleanser

$9 at Amazon

$9 at Target

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

$12 at Sephora

Joshua Zeichner, MDa board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Recent York City, says that if it is your first rodeo with retinol, it’s smart consider experimenting with what’s called a retinyl ester. In layman’s terms, retinyl ester is a less concentrated type of vitamin A, which is not as aggressive on sensitive complexions. “Search for [something] like retinyl propionate, because it’s much milder on the skin as in comparison with pure retinol,” he says. “You may consider it as an entry-level version.” Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream incorporates retinyl propionate in addition to complexion-calming red-algae extract.

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

$79 at Amazon

$88 at Sephora

If you happen to’d prefer to start out with straight-up retinol, Sejal Shah, MDa board-certified dermatologist in Recent York City, recommends starting out with a low-concentration of the ingredient: ideally, around 0.05 percent. Furthermore, Dr. Shah suggests looking for out cream formulations because those with a gel or serum-like consistency are likely to be more concentrated. We like Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer and Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream.

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer

$29 at Amazon

$30 at Target

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream

$74 at Ulta Beauty

Ask any dermatologist and so they’ll inform you: Incorporating a retinol into your skin-care routine without the usage of moisturizer might be a foul idea. That is because without that added layer of hydration, risk of sensitivity is higher. “Moisturizing first mustn’t interfere with how well the retinol absorbs into the skin [and] can protect it from potential irritation,” says Dr. Zeichner.

There are several ways to layer a hydrator with retinol. For starters, you may mix a small amount of the retinol into your facial cream, which helps dilute it. Or you should utilize what Dr. Marchbein calls “the sandwich technique.” This involves applying a layer of moisturizer to the skin, using your retinol of alternative on top of that, after which slathering on one other layer of moisturizer to lock all of it in. “Studies have shown that this base layer of moisturizer doesn’t dilute or reduce the efficacy of the retinoid, but as a substitute helps with tolerability,” says Dr. Marchbein.