How to Use Retinol Without Irritation | Gentle Anti-Ageing Skincare

Despite their growing popularity, retinoids — powerful skincare ingredients made from vitamin A — have been around far longer than social media trends. In fact, they were discovered over a century ago in 1909 and made their way into skincare in the 1950s.

They first appeared as retinoic acid (the strongest form), used to treat spots by reducing inflammation and clearing out pores. But over time, experts discovered just how versatile this ingredient could be. By the 1980s, retinoids were being used to tackle signs of ageing, like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and rough texture. However, by the 1990s, retinoic acid gained a bit of a reputation — it worked wonders, but it often came with irritation and sensitivity. This led to a demand for gentler alternatives that could still deliver results.

Enter retinol — a much milder, non-prescription version of retinoic acid. While easier on the skin, people still worry it might be too harsh. “Will it sting?” “Will I peel?” “Is it right for sensitive skin?” Thankfully, there are now smartly formulated products that give you all the benefits without the downsides — you just need to know what to look for.

The Secret Formula: Retinol + Beta-Carotene + Coenzyme Q10

Even though retinol is gentler than retinoic acid, it can still cause dryness or redness for some. That’s why it’s important to choose products that include calming, protective ingredients, like beta-carotene and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), to balance things out.

Beta-carotene, also known as provitamin A, helps support and stabilise retinol so your skin can enjoy the benefits with less chance of irritation. It also helps reduce redness, sun damage, uneven tone and dullness by fighting off oxidative stress.

CoQ10 is another brilliant ingredient for this. As a powerful antioxidant, it helps defend against free radicals (the things that cause premature ageing). When paired with retinol, they work together to even skin tone, reduce fine lines, and protect sensitive areas. While retinol helps CoQ10 sink in faster, CoQ10 helps soften any possible side effects from the retinol.

Why Triple Retinol Renewal Really Works

This combination of ingredients powers our best-selling High Potency Triple Retinol Renewal face and eye serums. Both products have been clinically tested in the UK and are proven to deliver real results without the irritation — the proof is in the feedback.

In a user trial with 102 women over 28 days, 83% said the face serum smoothed skin and brought back radiance, while 91% said it felt gentle to use. In another trial with 34 women, 91% saw a noticeable reduction in dark circles after using the eye serum for 8 weeks.

What makes them so effective? They’re powered by our unique triple retinol blend — combining encapsulated retinol, retinol ester, and phyto-retinol — which gently boosts cell turnover for firmer, fresher, and younger-looking skin. At the same time, beta-carotene and CoQ10 work to keep the formula balanced and kind to your skin.

But don’t just take our word for it — see the results for yourself. Try our Triple Retinol Renewal Serum and Triple Retinol Renewal Eye Serum and discover glowing skin without the worry.