If you have ever tried a traditional Retinol and experienced a stinging sensation or tight, flaky discomfort afterwards, you are not alone. It is frustrating to feel like you have to choose between looking after your complexion with effective actives and keeping your skin calm, especially when your skin is naturally reactive.
Many people with sensitive skin give up on Vitamin A because their skin just can't tolerate it. The good news is that there is another ingredient, Retinal, which is much better tolerated - especially when combined with soothing botanicals.
We have been making organic skin care in the UK since 1997, and we have made our Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum with sensitive skin in mind. There is no drying alcohol or artificial fragrance to dry out or irritate your skin, so your complexion feels calm, balanced and comfortable. Just what your skin needs to feel at its best every day.
At a glance
- Retinal is a more direct form of Vitamin A that works faster than Retinol with less risk of irritation
- Always look for hydrating supports like Hyaluronic Acid to keep your skin barrier comfortable
- Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum is a gentle, 100% natural way to smooth your skin
- Pairing your serum with fragrance-free staples helps maintain a calm complexion
These are general guides based on ingredient profiles to help you choose the right fit for your skin.
What makes a good Retinol alternative for sensitive skin?
When you have reactive skin, the goal is to find an ingredient that your skin can recognise and use without having to work too hard. Traditional Retinol is linked with irritation and stinging in some people, and many experience various degrees of slight discomfort and dryness with it.
Retinal is the smarter sibling to Retinol. Because it only requires one conversion step, your skin can put it to use much more efficiently. This efficiency means you can achieve visible results up to 11 times faster than traditional Retinol, but with a much lower risk of the redness and dryness that usually puts people off Vitamin A.
Why choose Green People?
We formulate specifically for those who find high-street skin care too harsh. Our approach to age-defying skin care is to use concentrated plant actives that support your skin barrier rather than stripping it away.
- Certified organic by the Organic Food Federation or COSMOS Organic
- No artificial fragrances or drying alcohol
- Dermatologically tested on real sensitive skin
- 100% natural Retinal used at the perfect 0.05% concentration
Our best Retinal for sensitive skin needing visible results
If you want to address fine lines and loss of firmness but your skin is prone to reacting, the Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum is designed exactly for you. It has a silky, light texture that sinks in instantly, leaving your skin feeling soft rather than sticky.
Gentler than Retinol, skin-kind Retinal targets lines and wrinkles and boosts that radiance glow by:
- Increasing skin cell turnover
- Increasing collagen production
- Plumping
- Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Alleviating roughness of the skin
To give extra comfort and hydration to your skin, we have blended it with Hyaluronic Acid to pull moisture deep into your skin, and soothing Hop Flowers to help manage the redness that can sometimes occur when you introduce a new active.
It is dermatologically tested and certified by the Organic Food Federation, so you can use it with confidence that it respects your skin's delicate balance.
Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum 30ml
Renew, protect and hydrate with this skin care revolution£49.00
For too long, people with sensitive skin have felt excluded from the most effective age-defying ingredients. We wanted to create a serum that delivers the power of Retinal without the compromise of irritation.
- Charlotte Vøhtz, Founder of Green People
Not sure how to use Retinal? Read our beginner's guide to Retinal.
The best gentle cleanser to prep sensitive skin
When you have sensitive skin, your cleansing step should be as calming as possible. The Scent Free Cleanser is a soft, cream-based formula that removes dirt, make-up and SPF without the need for harsh rubbing or stripping surfactants.
It is COSMOS Organic certified and uses Aloe Vera to soothe your skin as you wash, ensuring your skin barrier is intact and ready for your serum. Because it is dermatologically tested and completely fragrance-free, it is a reliable choice for those whose skin usually feels tight or itchy after cleansing.
Scent Free Cleanser 150ml
This fragrance-free cleanser is a sensitive skin essential!£30.00
Best 24-hour moisturiser for comfort and glow
If your skin needs constant hydration to look its best, the Scent Free 24-Hour Cream provides a steady supply of moisture throughout the day and night. It has a rich but non-greasy feel that helps to plump the look of your skin, making it the perfect follow-up to your Retinal serum.
Green Tea and Baicalin are included to help protect your skin from the environmental stressors that can trigger sensitivity. It is our best-selling moisturiser for a reason: it does the work of a high-performance cream while being clinically proven to be kind to reactive complexions.
Scent Free 24-Hour Cream 50ml
Healthy skin starts with our bestselling moisturiser for sensitive skin£28.00
★★★★★
“Best moisturizer ever!”
Jessica N · Verified Buyer
Reviewing: Scent Free 24-Hour Cream 50ml
See this product now →Best non-irritating eye cream for delicate skin
The skin around your eyes is thinner and more prone to showing signs of tiredness than the rest of your face. If you struggle with sensitive, itchy eyes or a delicate eye area, try our Scent Free Eye Cream. It is formulated with a lighter touch, using Seaweed and Marshmallow Extract to hydrate and calm the area.
It is a gentle way to address dark circles and fine lines without irritating your eyes. Since it is dermatologically tested, it provides the reassurance you need when applying product to such a delicate area, morning and evening.
Scent Free Eye Cream 10ml
Rejuvenate and soothe with our gentlest eye cream for sensitive skin£21.00
★★★★★
“Lovely soft creme. Easy to apply to whole eye area without dragging the skin. Very happy with the product for my ageing delicate skin. Definitely recommend.”
Vick T · Verified Buyer
Reviewing: Scent Free Eye Cream 10ml
See this product now →Essential daily sun protection for Vitamin A users
Introducing any form of Vitamin A makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so a daily SPF is a non-negotiable final step. The Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30 offers high protection without the heavy, sticky finish of traditional sunscreens.
It is made with natural minerals and antioxidants like Green Tea and Edelweiss to defend your skin against UVA and UVB rays. The formula is designed to be non-greasy and sits beautifully under make-up, making it easy to protect your skin every single morning without causing breakouts.
Scent Free Facial Sun Cream - SPF30 50ml
Shield and hydrate with this facial SPF. Ideal for dry or sensitive skin.£30.00
★★★★★
“Gives wonderful protection and doesn’t leave me feeling sticky, no matter how hot it gets. I love the fact that it’s all natural and I recommend it to absolutely everyone!!”
Kate M · Verified Buyer
Reviewing: Scent Free Facial Sun Cream - SPF30 50ml
See this product now →Read more about Retinal aftercare.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Retinal every night if I have sensitive skin?
If your skin is very reactive, we recommend starting slowly. Use your Retinal Booster Serum twice a week at first, then gradually increase the frequency as your skin adjusts. Always follow with a fragrance-free moisturiser to keep your skin barrier supported.
Why is Retinal better than Retinol for my skin?
We have chosen a sweet-spot of 0.05% Retinal which is designed to deliver results without irritation. We combine our Retinal with soothing natural actives so that you wake to soft, smooth skin that is calm and comfortable.
Do I really need to wear SPF if I only use Retinal at night?
Yes, Vitamin A increases your skin's sensitivity to UV light even after you have washed it off in the morning. Using a product like our Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30 every day is essential to prevent sun damage and protect your skin's health.
What if my skin doesn't get along with the new routine?
We understand that finding the right fit for sensitive skin can be a journey of trial and error. That is why we offer 28-day free returns on all our products, giving you the time to see how your skin feels without any pressure.
We hope you have found the best Retinol alternative for sensitive skin. If you need any more help or advice, our friendly UK customer care team are happy to help on 01403 740350 or on social @GreenPeopleUK.
MEET CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People's Choice in the 2023 list of Who's Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible Naturally Gorgeous. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
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