Retinol alternatives?

[KerBerr]

I’m approaching 30 and want to get on the retinol anti-aging train, but my skin seems to react poorly to retinol - I used the Drunk Elephant product once a week for two weeks sandwiched between moisturize,  and it still triggered eczema on my face. What are other good anti-aging alternatives to retinol?

[KitKaty]

I've tried both of these and really liked them. They're a little weak for me personally. But it sounds like they could work for you. 

OLEHENRIKSEN Glow Cycle Retin-ALT Power Serum  OLEHENRIKSEN Goodnight Glow Bakuchiol Sleeping Crème 1.7 oz/ 50 mL 

[lukesherwood]

if retinol isn’t working, try Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL ! it’s safer and less irritating, and i think susan yara used it when she was pregnant! 🥰

[Trapcat]

One of the most famous plastic surgeons in the US recommends to use a combo of serums or moisturizers that contain peptides and growth factors. During quarantine I am unable to get my usual baby botox so I tried it on my small forehead lines that were reappearing. I'm telling you the results were visible overnight, and now they're gone. I'm using the Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21™ Wrinkle Resist Kit along with the Perricone MD High Potency Growth Factor Firming & Lifting Serum however the perricone Serum has retinol, so you could swap it out for Drunk Elephant Mini Protini™ Polypeptide Moisturizer 0.50 oz / 15 mL which I think contains both peptides and GF's, but the type of growth factors in the perricone Serum are better than the drunk elephant. 

[ThenTheresPoe]

My skin also did not like adjusting to retinol initially so I hear you. I've liked the Josie Maran Argan Beta Retinol Pink Algae Serum! No irritation with this one for me, it seems gentle and is oil-based so its good on dry skin. 

[meou]

@KerBerr the DE us actually one of the strongest retinols on the market you might want to just try something lower (it can get as low as 0.2%), something encapsulated (like the Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Sleeping Face Mask 2.3 oz/ 70 mL ) or a retinol derivative like retinyl palmitate (that's in Shani Darden Skin Care Texture Reform™) or granactive retinoid ( The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid* 2% Emulsion 1 oz/ 30 mL )

[faeriegirl]

@KerBerr  I haven’t tried the new formulation but I have had really good results from the Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum . 

[SportyGirly125]

@KerBerr Susan Yara mentioned these 2 in her skincare routine that she used while pregnant REN Clean Skincare Bio Retinoid Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Oil 1.02 oz/ 30 mL REN Clean Skincare Bio Retinoid™ Anti-Ageing Cream 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@KerBerr The DE retinol is a tricky one because it contains 1% retinol, which isn't good for beginners.  I'm a seasoned retinol user, and it was too harsh for me.  I rec starting with First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25% Pure Concentrate which has 1/4 of the retinol of the DE.  Other retinols are even lower than that.

I've read that Bakuchiol is a good retinol alternative, but I don't know much about it.  You could look into The Inkey List, and I think Paula's Choice makes one, too.

Good luck!  🙂