about 2 months ago
Slow & Steady Retinal Journey: Sensitive Skin Edition 🐢✨
Hello to all the lucky people with ironclad skin barriers who can breeze through daily tretinoin—this post is not for you! 😂
Given my vascular, sensitive skin, I’ve had to take my vitamin A journey at a true snail's pace.
Years ago, I tried the classic Western entry points: Paula’s Choice Retinol (about 6 years ago) followed by The Ordinary Retinol (5 years ago). Both taught me a quick, humbling lesson: traditional retinol just triggers barrier drama and redness for me. Retinaldehyde (retinal) turned out to be my only viable path forward.
My timeline so far:
* Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum (Retinal + Ginseng): Started around 2022, and repurchased postpartum in 2024. Used it all over the face—the lipid-friendly, buffered formula was a total game-changer and the first time my skin tolerated a retinoid without a tantrum.
* K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Serum (Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng): Started in August 2026 as my gentle graduation step. It’s been completely drama-free so far—no flaking, no micro-tears, no vascular flares.
Because it’s going so smoothly, I’m already researching my next logical step once this bottle is finished. I don't want to jump straight to 0.1% pure retinal and blow up my barrier, so a true 0.05% pure retinal feels like the ideal middle ground.
Right now, the main candidate on my radar is Western:
* Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5: It features an honest, encapsulated 0.05% retinal in a minimalist, fragrance-free fluid with allantoin and biosaccharide gum-1. Plus, the price-to-performance ratio (~€15) is tough to beat.
Has anyone else with reactive or easily flushed skin walked a similar slow-burn retinal path?
And more importantly: are there any comparable K-beauty alternatives at that true ~0.05% active retinal level that maintain a gentle, barrier-supportive base without breaking the bank?
Would love to hear your favorites! 🤍🧴
Comments (26)
wish i could be of help but i'm a straight to bare skin tret user(lowest strength tho). i'm currently using the boj retinal as eye cream and on my decolletage, no irritation and very gentle. also have used numbuzin no9 retinal, it has a lot more to it than just the retinal with various peptides and nad. pretty nice viscosity to the formula too.
Haha I envy your ironclad skin! Bare-skin tret is the promised land I can only admire from afar 😂 That's so interesting about the Numbuzin No. 9 Retinal! I love that they packed it with peptides and NAD+—formulations that bring a solid supporting cast of plumping and skin-firming ingredients always appeal to me. Definitely adding it to my list to check out the ingredient deck, thank you! 🤍
I started my Retinoid journey skipping retinol going straight to retinaldehyde and Dr. Different VitaLift-A Forte 0.1% retinal (20g) for $35 was my “beginner retinal”, lasting me 3 months and 2 weeks before upgrading to 0.2% retinal. It was a bit uncomfortable at first because I had to get use to the tingling and then there was some itch for the first 2 months but then after that nothing. It helped fill-in some fine-lines and smile-lines. I’m pretty sure I applied it to my under-eyes too before being more skincare-knowledgeable so I know I can handle a retinal 0.1% now. I don’t want to jynx myself but I haven't had problems or issues regarding getting product in my eyes, gotten any styes or millias.
0.1% pure retinal as your entry level?! You have nerves of steel and an ironclad barrier! 😂 Two months of itching and tingling is serious dedication—wirh my reactive skin I could not handle that. How are you liking the S.Nature Aqua Rice Cleanser on recovery nights? I’m always curious about gentle barrier cleansers!
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@Mariacasino I wanted to start somewhere in the middle, not too low like a retinol or too high like tretinoin. When the tingling and itch began I thought it was part of the process so I never scratched or patted my face I just let it happen. The “S.Nature - Aqua Rice foam” is my daily morning and nighttime recovery cleanser. It’s near scentless, foams up nicely with a blueberry-sized dot, leaves my pores clean of sebaceous filaments and my skin nice and soft. I am currently waiting for an order with a NEW dedicated cleanser for my retinal nights, the “Fromrier - EGF Peptide Jelly cleansing foam”.
@Paul When I started topical retinol with the Paula’s Choice 1% retinol years ago, I got so dry and raw that I had to completely rethink my routine! Great that it worked for you, sadly I have to take it easy.. That blueberry-sized dot of S.Nature sounds like a dream for keeping pores clear without stripping the barrier. Definitely curious to hear how the Fromrier EGF jelly compares once it lands—jelly cleansers always have that lovely, cushiony slip. Enjoy testing the new arrival! ✨
@Mariacasino Oh of course I will do a thorough review for it and tag you. I have never used a jelly cleanser before so I am excited to try new things. Im sorry to hear your retinol didn’t go well for you, we all have different sorts of the word resilient or healthy skin.
Can you try Cosrx 0.1 or 0.5 retinol or is that too much of a step? Maybe try sandwich method and every other night? I'm on tret and retinol alternating nights. So far so good! I don't put the retinol or tret on dry skin. I usually do my toner a time or two and then retinol then moisturizer!
Thanks! I'm being cautious about jumping straight to 0.5% given my skin's reactivity — might try the 0.1 % first with the sandwich method!
@Mariacasino let us know how it goes!
@Mariacasino That’s what I did, the “sandwich method “ with my retinal when I started and I still had some itch but not as bad so it definitely helps. I can barely feel my new CR20 to be honest just a feint tingling at the moment. Good luck let us know how it goes 👋🏼 I put my serums on first, wait 45 minutes & then my crystal retinal 20, wait 1 hour and then apply my Drunk Elephant - moisturizer to compliment and seal the CR20 for the night.
I haven’t tried any of these products but I’m thinking about starting the BoJ one. Any tips for starting out? I don’t think my skin is toooo sensitive
Don't worry, starting with the BoJ one is ideal! You shouldn't have any issues—some people even complain it’s too gentle, but that’s exactly why it works so well. Prioritizing the skin barrier is always #1; retinal is just a bonus if tolerated!
@Sora I agree with @Mariacasino...BOJ is a good start. If you want to try Cosrx they also have a 0.1 and a 0.5 you can try as well. Keep us posted on your progress please!
@Gabking1217 I appreciate the recommendations! I think I’ll try BoJ first since I’m more familiar with their stuff. What kind of results should I reasonably expect when I start using it?
@Sora I found it to be gentle, hydrating and maybe a little brightening. I didn't have any issue at all using it. Good luck and let us know how it goes for you!
@Gabking1217 I’ll have to order it with my next round of refills! Can’t wait!
@Mariacasino Dr.Different Vitalift-A 0.05% Retinal is my absolute #1 choice in because it was created by dermatologists who specialize in sensitive skin. It is a trusted medical grade product known for smoothing skin without causing irritation.It uses 0.05% Retinal, which works up to 11 times faster than regular retinol to target fine lines and pores.The active is wrapped in tiny capsules (liposomes) that slowly release into the skin, and the base is packed with ceramides and squalane to protect your skin barrier from redness or peeling. Maybe give it a try and let me know if your skin loved it. If you want to try it out, Olive Young Global and Amazon (make sure it's from the Dr Different storefront!) carry Dr Different Vitalift-A 0.05% Retinal.
@Annie Thank you so much for this recommendation! This is the exact 0.05% K-beauty step-up I was trying to track down. Checking the ingredients, that base of ceramides, cholesterol, and squalane looks like a dream buffer for sensitive barriers, and an honest 0.05% retinal is so rare to find in K-beauty! Really appreciate the tip!
Sorry for butting in— Good afternoon @Mariacasino and @Annie . Thank you so much for the Dr. Different background information, it made me feel that I made the right decision choosing their 0.1% retinal as my beginner Retinoid, left my face feeling soft and smooth the next day in the morning and it definitely helped the texture of my face along with my expression lines 💪🏽 Have a great rest of your days, girls 👋🏼
@Paul Always welcome here! Their tubes look so similar that I had no idea they had a dedicated 0.05% retinal until now! Thanks for the insight, Paul! Enjoy the rest of your day! 👋🏼
I'm of no use here. I started with COSRX 0.01% over the summer and you know where I am now, which is slow roasting in my own skin.
I think I’m going to give my skin a break before I start trying to implement more harsh products. I’m finally seeing the red go down and I don’t want to ruin that lol
@Sora The 🦞 has won, lol.
@hazelmoss I love how the lobster has become our mascot now haha