# Retinol and sodium lauryl sulfate

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Canada.

Keep them apart

Use them on alternate nights, applying [retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol) on one night and [sodium lauryl sulfate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate) on the other, because combining them causes skin irritation. Sodium lauryl sulfate strips the skin barrier while retinol increases sensitivity, causing dryness, redness, and stinging when used together. The shopper can switch to a gentler cleanser or use the products on different days to prevent irritation.

- [All about retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol)
- [All about sodium lauryl sulfate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate)

### [Retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol) products

- [CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/cerave/resurfacing-retinol-serum/for/dark-spots) — High fit — [CA$25.98 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09NM9TFF2?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/roc/retinol-correxion-deep-wrinkle-night-cream/for/dark-spots) — High fit — [CA$42.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FH5M1M1S?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/paula-s-choice/1-retinol-treatment/for/dark-spots) — Superior fit — [CA$70.50 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CKWP1Z9J?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/roc/retinol-correxion-line-smoothing-eye-cream/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [CA$39.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FH5KNQQJ?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/good-molecules/gentle-retinol-cream/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [CA$14.49 at Shoppers Drug Mart](https://www.shoppersdrugmart.ca/good-molecules-gentle-retinol-cream/p/BB_810019610875?variantCode=810019610875)
- [La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/la-roche-posay/retinol-b3-serum/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [CA$72.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07Z9Y4M3C?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [DRMTLGY Retinol Body Lotion](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/drmtlgy/retinol-body-lotion/for/mature-skin) — Average fit
- [RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/roc/retinol-correxion-deep-wrinkle-serum/for/oily-skin) — Average fit — [CA$47.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FSSBJZT8?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/cerave/skin-renewing-retinol-serum/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [CA$37.96 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CDLV5RKP?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/olay/regenerist-retinol-24-night-moisturizer/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [CA$35.98 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08147WH37?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [cocokind Retinol Body Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/cocokind/retinol-body-cream/for/mature-skin) — Average fit
- [Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/neutrogena/rapid-wrinkle-repair-regenerating-cream/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [CA$30.59 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07998PL5R?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

### [Sodium lauryl sulfate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate) products

- [Ialuset Hyaluronic Acid Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/ialuset/hyaluronic-acid-cream/for/dark-spots) — Average fit

## Questions and answers

### Can you use retinol and sodium lauryl sulfate together?

Keep [retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol) and [sodium lauryl sulfate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate) apart in your routine because combining them may strip your skin barrier and increase irritation. Using these ingredients separately helps prevent moisture loss.

[The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007579/) [Inflammation Research, 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20358390/)

### Which goes first, retinol or sodium lauryl sulfate?

Keep retinol and sodium lauryl sulfate apart because combining them may strip the skin barrier and increase irritation. Sodium lauryl sulfate disrupts barrier function and increases inflammation, which conflicts with retinol.

[The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007579/) [Inflammation Research, 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20358390/)

### Are retinol and sodium lauryl sulfate good for sensitive skin?

Keep retinol and sodium lauryl sulfate apart because harsh surfactants strip the skin barrier and may increase irritation. Sodium lauryl sulfate induces skin barrier disruption and local inflammation.

[The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007579/) [Inflammation Research, 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20358390/)

## Research on retinol and sodium lauryl sulfate

- [Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27261203/) Retinol · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
- [Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29947134/) Retinol · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
- [Skin barrier disruption by sodium lauryl sulfate-exposure alters the expressions of involucrin, transglutaminase 1, profilaggrin, and kallikreins during the repair phase in human skin in vivo](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007579/) Sodium lauryl sulfate · The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
- [Encapsulation and controlled release of retinol from silicone particles for topical delivery](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29604311/) Retinol · Journal of Controlled Release, 2018
- [A randomized, controlled comparative study of the wrinkle reduction benefits of a cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate product regimen vs. a prescription 0.02% tretinoin product regimen](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20374604/) Retinol · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010
- [Changes in Skin Barrier Function after Repeated Exposition to Phospholipid-Based Surfactants and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate In Vivo and Corneocyte Surface Analysis by Atomic Force Microscopy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33804924/) Sodium lauryl sulfate · Pharmaceutics, 2021
- [A novel model of inflammatory pain in human skin involving topical application of sodium lauryl sulfate](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20358390/) Sodium lauryl sulfate · Inflammation Research, 2010
- [Anatomical site differences of sodium lauryl sulfate-induced irritation: randomized controlled trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30637727/) Sodium lauryl sulfate · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
- [Topical application of retinyl propionate, 4 hexyl resorcinol, and niacinamide reverses molecular and clinical features of ageing](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38685700/) Retinol · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

## Other combinations

- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-niacinamide)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and isopropyl alcohol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-isopropyl-alcohol)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and aha blend glycolic and citric acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinol)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and mandelic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-mandelic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and salicylic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-salicylic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-retinol)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and bio-placenta peptides](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-bio-placenta-peptides)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-collagen-peptide)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-copper-peptide)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and hexapeptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-hexapeptide)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Work well together: [Retinol and bakuchiol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-bakuchiol)
- Work well together: [Retinol and coenzyme q10](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-coenzyme-q10)
- Work well together: [Retinol and green tea](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-green-tea)
- Work well together: [Retinol and vitamin E](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-vitamin-e)
- Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-retinol)
- Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and sodium lauryl sulfate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate)
- Work well together: [Retinol and ceramide-building complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-ceramide-building-complex)
- Work well together: [Retinol and tri-ceramide complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-tri-ceramide-complex)

## About the Lovi Fit

Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes.

Lovi checks every pairing with brand-independent rules its 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. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning.

Behind this pairing advice: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board).

Page built Nov 8, 2026.

More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt

## This page in other countries

- United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate (this page)
- Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate