There are so many reasons to love retinol-infused skin care products. Not only can they help to reduce the look of sun damage and treat or prevent acne, but retinol increases cell turnover, stimulates collagen and evens out skin tone, making it the hardest working ingredient in the biz. This is not your everyday TikTok beauty trend. That said, it doesn’t come without side effects, unfortunately. While prescription-grade creams are the most potent, any and all beauty products featuring retinol can be very drying. Dryness and irritation are so pervasive in fact, that there’s even a term for it called “the retinol uglies.” As a result, it’s of the utmost importance that you pair your retinol with a nourishing and hydrating moisturizer, though you want to take care that you aren’t clogging your pores in the process.
Those of us with acne-prone, sensitive skin need to be vigilant about avoiding moisturizers that could potentially cause congestion or irritation. Prioritize non-comedogenic moisturizers and oils (though even those might be risky for people with acneic skin). You’ll also want to avoid anything that is formulated with fragrance since it can lead to redness, skin peeling, rashes and worse. It can be overwhelming to parse through ingredient lists to figure out what’s right for your skin, so we asked dermatologists what to look for, and what to avoid.
