Can't Use Retinol? Try This Instead

If you spend any amount of time in or around the skin care world, or if you have friends who are interesting in keeping their skin youthful, you’re probably very familiar with retinol. It’s really treated like the ultimate tool for anti-aging, and it’s true that it’s one heck of a skin care ingredient. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that helps to increase cell turnover (AKA get rid of damaged and dull surface skin cells and replace them with fresh new ones) and ease lines and wrinkles to give you an overall healthier looking, more youthful complexion. 

But the reality is that as effective as retinol is, it’s just too harsh for some people’s skin (myself included…thanks, rosacea). If you’ve been wanting to refresh your look but your skin doesn’t handle retinol well or you’re worried about how it will respond, this blog is all for you! Check out these retinol alternatives that can help you turn back the clock. 

Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is probably the closest 1:1 alternative to retinol. It’s a natural ingredient that comes from the seeds of the babchi plant. Not only does it reduce hyperpigmentation (AKA age spots) and combat aging through antioxidants while increasing cell turnover and stimulating collagen growth, but it’s also naturally anti-inflammatory. This means that beyond helping you look younger without worsening your skin’s redness, it could actually help your redness. 

Peptides

Peptides have become big names in the skin care world, and they deserve every bit of the hype. Collagen, which your body produces to make your skin firm and smooth and youthful, is a protein, and proteins are made up of peptides. Applying the right peptides to your skin can help to facilitate that collagen growth and revitalization you’re looking for, but without irritation to your skin. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C does more than empower your immune system. Topically, it’s fantastic for anti-aging. Along with a bit of collagen stimulation, it gives your skin a more even complexion and that healthy glow that we all really want. It reduces dark spots and protects your skin from photoaging while also brightening your complexion overall, and it’s typically well-tolerated even by sensitive skin. 

Rosehip Oil

It turns out that not only are roses beautiful themselves but they can make us more beautiful too.  Derived from rose plants, rosehip oil helps to even your complexion and reduce hyperpigmentation while being anti-inflammatory. It has antioxidants to protect you from new aging, and it also contains linoleic acid which can help your skin retain more hydration, which makes it look healthy and youthful. 

Niacinamide or Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3, also called niacinamide, is an ingredient that’s common in anti-aging products and color correcting products. It’s best known for fighting back against dark spots to give your complexion a more even and damage-free look, but it’s also known to stimulate collagen production. If you’ve tried retinol but it made your skin too dry, niacinamide actually improves your hydration while giving you a lot of retinol’s other benefits too. 

Alpha Hydroxy Acids or AHAs

An important part of retinol’s benefit to skin is its natural exfoliation, helping your skin clear away damaged surface skin cells and make way for healthy new cells. But if retinol is too harsh for you, AHAs might be your better alternative. These acids are natural exfoliators that give you a brighter skin tone, a smoother skin texture, and fewer dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. 

Glutathione

This one doesn’t get as much press as, say, vitamin C, but it’s a silent hero. Glutathione is a natural antioxidant that also helps to refresh your skin cells. It brings new skin cells to the surface and boosts your skin’s firmness for a refreshingly seamless youthfulness. It’s gentle on your skin so you don’t have to worry about heightened inflammation. 

Finding the Right Combination for Your Skin

It can be frustrating trying one skin care product after another, wanting nothing more than to look your best and seeing that so many products aren’t working for you. But keep the faith, the right skin care routine for you is out there! It’s just a matter of trying different options and seeing what works best for your skin, and that answer is different for everyone. If you’ve tried retinol products and they haven’t helped or they’ve been too irritating for your skin, the seven alternatives above could finally open the door to anti-aging for you and your sensitive skin.