Rodan + Fields Intensive Renewing Serum for dry sensitive skin
Retinal
Retinyl Palmitate
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14
Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
Hydroxyapatite
Average
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 anti-aging benefits for your dry and sensitive skin, as retinal and palmitoyl hexapeptide-14 work to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, though the moderate exfoliation may not be ideal for dry or flaky skin.
- C12-15 alkyl benzoate and dimethicone provide emollient action suitable for dry skin, but the formula lacks sufficient humectants for optimal hydration.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this PM routine for your evening skincare. Start using the serum 3 times a week and increase to daily use if your skin feels comfortable.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer. This step locks in deep hydration for dry skin.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin using your palms. Let it absorb completely for a minute ⏱ before applying your next product.
- Since your skin is sensitive, apply the serum on completely dry skin for better tolerance and less irritation.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Always do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 5.6k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently report that this serum effectively smooths skin texture, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promotes a firmer, more youthful complexion. While many appreciate the results for various skin types, some users feel the product is overpriced and note that similar results can be achieved with more affordable alternatives. This should be definitely taken into account.
Highlights
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “Fine lines are significantly reduced.”
- “Wrinkles are less noticeable.”
- “Helps minimize appearance of wrinkles.”
Smoother skin texture Often Mentioned
- “My skin looks so much smoother.”
- “Noticeable improvement in skin texture.”
- “Skin feels softer and more refined.”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “Very expensive for the amount.”
- “Too pricey for what it is.”
- “Can find cheaper alternatives.”
Convenient capsule delivery Sometimes Noted
- “Perfect amount in each capsule.”
- “Easy to use single-dose.”
- “Innovative delivery system.”
Effective, gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “Gentle enough for daily use.”
- “Works well on my sensitive skin.”
- “Potent but minimal irritation.”
Customer service issues Sometimes Noted
- “Difficulties with canceled orders.”
- “Issues with auto-ship programs.”
- “Hard to manage subscriptions.”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “Did not make a difference.”
- “Never saw or felt a change.”
- “Results were not noticeable.”
Sources: lovi.care, rodanandfields.com, ulta.com, ebay.com, consumeraffairs.com, whatthefab.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Intensive Renewing Serum work for dry sensitive skin?
This serum offers moderate anti-aging benefits for dry sensitive skin by helping smooth fine lines, but its moderate exfoliation may not be ideal for dry or flaky skin. While it provides some soft feel, it lacks sufficient ingredients that draw in water for optimal hydration. A treatment for this skin needs rich hydrating and nourishing components like ceramides that provide excellent moisture retention and skin barrier support.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Retinal and palmitoyl hexapeptide-14 help smooth fine lines, while c12-15 alkyl benzoate and dimethicone soften dry skin. However, a treatment for this skin type needs extra water-attracting ingredients and skin-strengthening ceramides to provide optimal hydration.
What does Retinal do for dry sensitive skin?
Retinal may help smooth fine lines and improve skin texture, but for dry and sensitive skin it is unlikely to be a good fit on its own. This skin type needs products that include gentle hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier.
What does Retinyl Palmitate do for dry sensitive skin?
Retinyl palmitate helps smooth fine lines and improve dryness on dry sensitive skin while being gentle and causing minimal irritation. It works best when paired with soothing and hydrating ingredients to keep the skin calm and comfortable.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2013International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2021
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
Apply this serum in the evening after your soothing toner and before your moisturizer. Treatments are placed in the evening routine for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use it with glycolic acid, and in what order?
Using this treatment with glycolic acid may cause too much irritation and flaking for dry and sensitive skin, so it is best to use them on different nights or avoid combining them. A product of this type needs soothing ingredients and extra moisture-locking ingredients to keep this skin comfortable.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it once a week at first and carefully building up frequency if your skin tolerates it well. A product of this type needs enough hydrating ingredients and gentle smoothing agents to care for dry and sensitive skin without causing flakiness.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
Rodan + Fields Intensive Renewing Serum is unlikely to clog pores, but the retinal in it may cause mild purging when you first start using it. Because your skin is dry, make sure to follow with enough rich moisturizing ingredients to keep it comfortable.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
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, 2018Topical retinaldehyde demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria both in vitro and in vivo, leading to decreased bacterial counts without inducing resistance.
Dermatology, 2002Topical 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, 1999Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Treatment with 2% bis-ethylhexyl hydroxydimethoxy benzylmalonate (HDBM) resulted in a significant reduction of sebum excretion and efficacy against inflamed/red lesions compared to placebo in 44 test subjects with blemished skin over 8 weeks.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2012The combination of botulinum toxin and calcium hydroxylapatite applied together produced higher and earlier satisfaction rates and improved hydration in the lower face and neck region compared to calcium hydroxylapatite alone in 15 participants.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Topically applied calcium hydroxylapatite successfully penetrated fractional laser-induced skin defects and remained in the healing skin for at least six weeks, inducing collagen production around the microspheres in a human volunteer.
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2025Calcium ions from nanophased hydroxyapatite embedded in collagen nanofibers significantly enhanced human dermal fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and hMSCs growth and proliferation, prevented pathogenic bacteria adhesion, enabled hMSCs differentiation, and caused no adverse reaction in rat subcutaneous implantation.
Nanomedicine, 2021
Why other serums fit dry sensitive skin better
A formulation containing glycerol (5%) and xylitol (5%) applied twice daily for 14 days increased skin hydration, filaggrin protein quantity, interdigitation index, and biomechanical properties, and decreased transepidermal water loss compared to untreated and vehicle-treated skin in twelve volunteers with dry skin.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017In 50 participants with sensitive skin, a Ceramide NP C15-containing emollient improved skin barrier function with a significant reduction in transepidermal water loss and induced modest changes in skin microbiota compared to the vehicle.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026
Ingredients
Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Hydroxyapatite, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14, Polysilicone-11, Retinal, Retinyl Palmitate
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.