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ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum for sensitive skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum

Average

  • HighNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers moderate benefits for normal skin with niacinamide and retinaldehyde, which provide antioxidant activity and regulate desquamation, but these ingredients are not specialized for your redness and irritation concerns.
  • The formulation includes Tocopherol and Retinaldehyde, which are beneficial for anti-aging and general skin health, but may not directly address your primary concerns of redness and irritation.
  • The product is safe for your sensitive skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and contains soothing components like Niacinamide and Tocopherol.

How to apply

  • Use your serum in the PM routine, starting 3 times a week before building up to daily use if your skin is happy.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer for the best results.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏱ for it to soak in.
  • Since your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, apply the serum on completely dry skin to help keep it calm.
  • Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the serum too close to your eyes .

People Say

★4.8Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, users highly praise this biphasic night serum for its ability to smooth skin texture and soften fine lines, with many noting it's gentle and non-irritating, even for sensitive skin. While most users experience positive anti-aging results and appreciate its elegant texture, some find the price point to be high and a few report a short shelf life or slow results for deeper wrinkles.

Highlights

  • Gentle & non-irritating Often Mentioned
    • “no excessive exfoliation”
    • “gentle enough for sensitive skin”
    • “hydrating and calming”
  • Smoother skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “skin was much smoother”
    • “leaves an incredibly soft feeling”
    • “smoother, toned complexion”
  • Elegant texture Sometimes Noted
    • “silky-smooth finish”
    • “absorbs well”
    • “luxurious feel”
  • Visible anti-aging Sometimes Noted
    • “softening fine lines”
    • “visible difference in 58-year-old skin”
    • “reduces wrinkles”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “hefty price tag”
    • “expensive”
    • “un poco caro (a bit expensive)”
  • Initial mild irritation Rarely Noted
    • “slight peeling”
    • “sensation of heat”
    • “minor redness initially”
  • Short shelf life Rarely Noted
    • “only good within 3 months”
    • “hard to finish in time”
    • “short expiration after opening”
  • Slow results for some Rarely Noted
    • “no noticeable changes yet”
    • “limited effect on blemishes”
    • “takes time to work”

Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, lyskin.com, clinikally.com, youtube.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does ISDIN Retinal Intense work for sensitive skin?

This product works for sensitive skin, though other products fit it better because its ingredients are not specialized for redness and irritation. It is safe since it lacks harsh ingredients and contains soothing components, but sensitive skin needs products that specifically target redness and irritation with soothing, skin-repairing ingredients.

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?

Niacinamide, tocopherol, and retinaldehyde make this serum a fit for sensitive skin by offering gentle antioxidant benefits and general support, though a product for this skin needs extra soothing and calming ingredients to target redness and irritation directly.

Scientific Reports, 2024

What does Retinal do for sensitive skin?

Retinal helps smooth fine lines, improve texture, and even out skin tone while generally maintaining a good tolerance profile with a lower likelihood of irritation compared to stronger forms of vitamin A.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2024Dermatology, 1999

What does Niacinamide do for sensitive skin?

Niacinamide helps calm sensitive skin by strengthening the skin barrier and reducing redness and irritation. It is very well tolerated and may improve overall comfort and resilience with regular use.

Cutis, 2005Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?

This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Sensitive skin needs a treatment that includes calming ingredients and gentle barrier-repairing agents to keep the skin comfortable while using active ingredients.

Can I use this serum with AHA, and in what order?

It is best to avoid using this serum in the same routine as an AHA, as combining strong treatments may easily trigger redness and irritation on sensitive skin. Instead, alternate them on different nights or use your AHA in the morning and this serum at night, always following with a soothing moisturizer.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

How often should I use this serum?

This serum works for your sensitive skin in the evening, though other products fit it better. It is safe for you because it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like Niacinamide and Tocopherol, but a product for this skin needs extra calming and barrier-repairing ingredients to properly manage redness and irritation.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin, but the retinaldehyde in it may cause some initial mild peeling or purging as your skin adjusts. A product for this skin needs soothing and calming ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin E to keep irritation low.

Scientific Reports, 2024

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It contains fragrance (parfum) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).

What the research says

  • Treatment with a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid improved skin aging signs and demonstrated a senomorphic effect by decreasing SASP and autocrine signaling genes in women.

    Scientific Reports, 2024

  • A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Twice daily application of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams for 3 months improved skin texture and hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in 40 female Korean volunteers, with only the 0.1% cream significantly improving the melanin index.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018

  • Topical retinaldehyde demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria both in vitro and in vivo, leading to decreased bacterial counts without inducing resistance.

    Dermatology, 2002

  • Topical 0.05% retinaldehyde applied over 1 year significantly increased epidermal thickness of the temple and cutaneous elasticity compared to an emollient control group in 40 aging skin patients.

    Dermatology, 1999

  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008

  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005

  • Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

  • A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015

  • Topical application of a serum containing supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract significantly improved barrier function, reduced redness and sensitivity, and improved wrinkles and elasticity in 34 Chinese subjects with sensitive skin after 28 days.

    Health Science Reports, 2025

  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015

  • Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026

Why other serums fit sensitive skin better

Ingredients

Water, Dimethicone, Dibutyl Adipate, Niacinamide, Isoamyl Laurate, Lauryl Peg Ppg-18 18 Methicone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Alcohol Denat, Bakuchiol, 2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Ethylcellulose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Melatonin, Retinal Retinaldehyde, Silica, Disodium Edta, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ci 77891 Titanium Dioxide, Ascorbic Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tin Oxide, Chrysin

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play