I Finally Tried This Popular Retinol Serum And It's Perfect For Sensitive Skin

For beauty devotees, retinol has long been considered a holy grail skin care ingredient. It increases cell turnover and exfoliation, and even instructs your skin to grow more collagen. It can be very effective, but does have a reputation for being a fairly aggressive active ingredient. For those with sensitive skin, finding the right formulation can be a game of trial and error, but I’m pleased to report that Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform serum is the answer to our beauty prayers.

This celebrity- and beauty enthusiast-beloved retinol serum was recently reformulated with a slow-release, advanced 1% encapsulated retinol that can help to reduce common signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, dull or uneven skin tone and more — all without irritating even the most sensitive skin.

The formula also includes other powerhouse actives, like tripeptides to help speed up cell turnover and refine texture, while prickly pear extract supports all the ingredients, boosting exfoliation and cell renewal, leaving you with silky smooth, soft and hydrated skin.

Before getting pregnant in late 2023, I was as hardcore as one could get about my skin — chemical peels, lasers and prescriptions for tretinoin and hydroquinone ruled my routine. All of that went out the window and was replaced with gentle alternatives once I conceived, as certain harsh “active” skin care ingredients are considered risky to use during pregnancy.

These days, my postpartum skin requires a bit more TLC — I’ve pared my routine down to just a few daily essentials that hydrate, target my melasma and tackle my skin’s tone and texture. I’m much more susceptible to irritation and breakouts these days, and am hesitant to use products that could potentially mess with my skin’s barrier.

I had long heard incredible things about Shani Darden skin care products — most of my Los Angeles friends have been seeing her for facials for over a decade and rave about her. The retinol serum is the first of her products I’ve ever tried, and I regret to inform you that the hype is real — this stuff is worth every penny.

Not only does it have a lightweight, silky texture that dries down quickly and doesn’t leave a funky scent, but it’s also majorly improved my dark spots and helped even out the rough texture that has plagued me since my pregnancy. I don’t feel the need to go back onto tough prescription creams because I’m getting prescription-level results without destroying my delicate, sensitive complexion. Even though the last few years have been incredibly tough on my body, my skin has a delightfully dewy glow, much of which can be credited to this serum.

This serum is an incredible option for those who are new to the retinol game as well as veterans like myself who want something that truly works but don’t want to jump back on the tretinoin bandwagon. If youre a retinoid newbie, I’d recommend adding it into your routine slowly (once or twice a week) and working your way up for best results without irritation.

Dropping $75 on a serum is not an easy decision to make — take a look at what other shoppers have to say before taking the plunge.

Promising review:

“I really loved the ingredients for this product, which is why I decided to try it. I’m sensitive to retinol/al so I started 2 nights a week and built up from there … it’s great so far. Truly effective, non-irritating.” — beccaleigh

“Using Shani Darden Retinol felt surprisingly easy — no irritation, no dryness, just calm skin that slowly started looking clearer and more even. The texture is light, more like a serum-lotion, and I like that there’s no smell. Didn’t expect it to work this gently.” — Julinemo

“I’ve been using this product for about two years and continue doing so because I feel like it’s made a difference in my aging skin. Most people don’t think I’m the age I am and I credit that with the use of this product.” — Kathy B.

“My daughter is the one who said I had to try this brand. She had been using this product for more than a year. I wasn’t particularly happy with what I was using - not seeing much improvement with fine lines especially. I’ve always had good skin care, little to no makeup and using sunscreen. I noticed improvement after a month or so! I’m very happy with the results!! My daughter even said she noticed the improvement - she lives out of state. So you have 2 very happy customers. I’ve never had a problem as far as any reaction to retinol.” — Rhonda F.

Want to check out some retinol options that can help to boost collagen? Take a look at these dermatologist-approved retinol creams from previous reporting.