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FRANKLY Retinol 0.1 Cream for sensitive skin

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

  • Suitable for normal skin, this cream leverages retinol for desquamation regulation and niacinamide for barrier repair, offering general hydration and soothing support for your redness and irritation.
  • While Centella Asiatica Extract and Beta-Glucan provide calming benefits, the formula lacks specialized ingredients to directly target and resolve redness and irritation.
  • The product is safe for your sensitive skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing components like Centella Asiatica Extract and Beta-Glucan.

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

★4.3Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this retinol cream is highly praised by users with dry and combination skin as a gentle, beginner-friendly treatment for fine lines, dullness, and uneven texture. The addition of ceramides and ginseng helps mitigate typical retinol dryness, resulting in a plumper, firmer, and more radiant complexion with minimal irritation.

Highlights

  • Gentle for beginners Mostly Mentioned
    • “Great product if you starting with retinol”
    • “very gentle but effective”
    • “I didnt have irritation as well”
    • “if new to retinol, highly recommend it”
  • Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
    • “doesnt dry up my skin”
    • “leaves the skin looking plump and well-hydrated”
    • “cushioned feeling to their complexion the next morning”
    • “locking in hydration without feeling suffocating”
  • Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “noticeable overnight smoothing”
    • “plumper, brighter skin with minimized fine lines”
    • “helps reduce pillow marks”
    • “visibly reduce fine lines”
  • Too mild Sometimes Noted
    • “I wish it was maybe three time stronger”
    • “lowest percentage I've come across”
    • “takes time to see significant transformation”
    • “relatively low concentration of retinol”
  • Initial mild irritation Rarely Noted
    • “Some redness or flaking can happen at first”
    • “mild tingling or adjustment periods”
    • “can cause dryness or irritation during the adjustment period”
    • “temporary signs that the product is working”
  • Sun sensitivity Rarely Noted
    • “skin will be especially sensitive to sunlight”
    • “Proper sun protection is mandatory”
    • “can increase sun sensitivity”
    • “always use SPF the next morning”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, iherb.com, befrankly.com, luxplus.co.uk, stylekorean.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does FRANKLY Retinol 0.1 work for sensitive skin?

This cream works for sensitive skin, though other products fit it better because it lacks specialized ingredients to directly target redness and irritation. To fit this skin well, a treatment of this type needs calming botanical extracts and barrier-repairing components that soothe irritation without harsh effects.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016

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

This cream is a fair fit for sensitive skin because it contains Centella Asiatica extract and beta-glucan, which help calm redness and irritation. To truly suit sensitive skin well, a product of this type needs specialized soothing ingredients and powerful barrier-repair components that directly target redness without relying on strong actives.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

What does Retinol do for sensitive skin?

Retinol is generally too harsh for sensitive skin and may cause stinging, scaling, and irritation. A product for this skin needs gentle ingredients that smooth and calm without causing redness.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Toxicology Letters, 2003

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 cream go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. A product of this type needs calming ingredients like centella asiatica and barrier-repairing components like niacinamide to keep sensitive skin comfortable.

Can I use this cream with vitamin C, and in what order?

You can use this cream alongside vitamin C by applying vitamin C in the morning and this treatment at night to help avoid irritation. Using strong active ingredients separately helps keep sensitive skin calm and comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

How often should I use this cream?

This cream works for your sensitive skin, though other products fit it better because it lacks specialized ingredients to directly target and resolve redness and irritation. To find a better fit, look for a product that adds extra soothing plant extracts and barrier-strengthening ceramides.

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

This cream is unlikely to cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin, as it has a safe profile with soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica Extract and Beta-Glucan, though it may cause mild initial irritation. To better fit sensitive skin, a product of this type needs specialized calming ingredients to directly target redness and irritation.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and cetearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.

What the research says

  • Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.

    Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
  • Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.

    Molecules, 2023
  • Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
  • 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
  • Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.

    Journal of Controlled Release, 2018
  • 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 application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020
  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.

    Lasers in Medical Science, 2025
  • A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025

Why other serums fit sensitive skin better

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Piper Methysticum Stem Extract Root Leaf, Panax Ginseng Extract Berry, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palm Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Bht, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinol, Ceramide Np, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Fructooligosaccharides, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium Edta, Beta-Glucan, Polyquaternium-51, Bha, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, 2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Cetyl Stearyl Behenyl Dimer Dilin

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

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