Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment for dry sensitive skin
Retinol
Peptides
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Ascorbic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Ceramide 2
Average
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
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 retinol and palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 work to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, while glycerin and oat kernel extract provide supportive hydration and soothing effects. The formulation is highly suitable for dry skin due to the inclusion of ceramides and sodium hyaluronate, which aid in barrier repair and moisture retention.
- The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like oat kernel extract and licorice root extract and lacks harsh or prohibited substances that could cause irritation.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 6.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users report significant improvements in skin texture, reduction in fine lines, and fading of hyperpigmentation. Many users experience a harsh adjustment period with peeling and irritation, so slow introduction is recommended.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin becomes very smooth”
- “texture has smoothed out”
- “glowy, smooth skin”
- “soft and smooth”
Anti-aging results Often Mentioned
- “softens lines and wrinkles”
- “firm and lifted”
- “younger looking skin”
- “fewer lines”
Dryness and peeling Often Mentioned
- “peeling and flaking”
- “skin might start to become drier”
- “shedding again”
- “dry patches”
Effective packaging Sometimes Noted
- “air-tight pump bottle”
- “vacuum pump is great”
- “dispenses exactly what you need”
- “sturdy and practical”
Even skin tone Sometimes Noted
- “hyperpigmentation is fading”
- “lighten acne marks”
- “skin tone is more even”
- “faded discolorations”
Lightweight formula Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs quickly”
- “light, silky texture”
- “spreads easily”
- “non-greasy”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “price is quite high”
- “bit steep”
- “expensive”
- “pricy for the amount”
Severe irritation Sometimes Noted
- “burnt skin off”
- “scaling like a snake”
- “raw and puffy”
- “absolutely burns”
Breakouts/Purging Rarely Noted
- “causing red acne”
- “gave me little breakouts”
- “red bumps”
- “badly broke me out”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “chemical smell”
- “sour smell”
- “weird scent”
- “smells like glue”
Sources: lovi.care, paulaschoice.com, amazon.com, sephora.com.au, dermstore.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment work for dry sensitive skin?
This treatment is an average fit for dry and sensitive skin, offering moderate anti-aging benefits along with soothing and hydrating ingredients. To work best for this skin type, a treatment needs extra nourishing components and deep moisturizers that protect the skin barrier and prevent irritation.
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Retinol and peptides help smooth fine lines, while glycerin and oat kernel extract provide soothing moisture for dry and sensitive skin. Ceramides and sodium hyaluronate also aid in repairing the skin barrier and retaining hydration. For this skin type, a product of this type needs maximum beneficial hydrating ingredients, barrier-supporting components, and gentle soothing agents that prevent irritation.
What does Retinol do for dry sensitive skin?
Retinol is often too strong for dry sensitive skin because it may cause scaling and stinging, so a product of this type needs gentle soothing ingredients and extra moisture to keep the skin calm and smooth.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Toxicology Letters, 2003
What do Peptides do for dry sensitive skin?
Peptides help hydrate dry sensitive skin while smoothing the look of fine lines and keeping the surface calm. They may also improve skin elasticity, though some types need enhanced delivery systems to deeply penetrate the skin barrier.
Advanced Science, 2025International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after your toner and before your moisturizer. A product of this type works best for dry and sensitive skin when it includes soothing ingredients and gentle hydrators to keep the skin calm and comfortable.
Can I use this treatment with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with niacinamide, applying the niacinamide first and letting it absorb before using this retinol treatment. This product of this type needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help keep dry and sensitive skin calm and comfortable.
How often should I use this treatment?
Use this treatment in your evening routine, starting slowly to let your skin adjust. A product of this type needs soothing ingredients and extra moisture like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to keep dry and sensitive skin calm and comfortable.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This treatment is unlikely to cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin, as reviewers report this issue rarely. It includes soothing ingredients to calm the skin, but because strong anti-aging treatments can still cause dryness and peeling, a product of this type needs extra soothing and hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to keep dry sensitive skin comfortable.
Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Behenyl alcohol and arachidyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
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, 2017Topical 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, 2017Topical 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, 2019Silicone 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, 2018Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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
Ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Peg-33, Polysorbate 20, Behenyl Alcohol, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ceramide 2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Glycine Soja Soybean Sterols, Lecithin, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sorbitan Laurate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Disodium Edta, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Tribehenin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Peg-100 Stearate, Peg-75 Shea Glycerides Butter, Ppg-12, Peg-10 Phytosterol, Peg-8 Dimethicone, Peg-14, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sclerotium Gum, Arachidyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol
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
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