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Derma E Retinol Concentrated Serum for sensitive skin

High

  • AverageNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for sensitive skin; a few serums fit it even 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 anti-aging benefits for your normal skin due to retinol and bakuchiol, which promote cell turnover but do not directly address your redness and irritation. Astaxanthin and allantoin provide some soothing effects, helping to mitigate potential irritation from the active ingredients.
  • While the formula includes sodium hyaluronate and glycerin for hydration, it lacks sufficient humectants to fully support your normal skin type's needs.
  • The product is safe for your sensitive skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like allantoin and astaxanthin.

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

★4.4Overall rating based on 2.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is frequently praised for being gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, effectively improving texture and firmness. Many users report positive results without irritation, making it a good option for those new to retinol. Some users express frustration with the dropper design, and a few mention slow results or a sticky texture.

Highlights

  • Gentle on skin Mostly Mentioned
    • “I'm usually very sensitive to retinol but... so far no irritation.”
    • “My skin can handle it daily... no irritation or peeling.”
    • “Ideal for sensitive skin... won't irritate.”
  • Improves texture Often Mentioned
    • “My facial skin is considerably firmer and smoother.”
    • “Smooths rough patches and refines texture.”
    • “My skin becomes more radiant and firmer.”
  • Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
    • “It sinks in nicely.”
    • “Well absorbed.”
    • “Praised for its quick absorption and lightweight feel.”
  • Good for beginners Sometimes Noted
    • “Great value and perfect for starting retinol!”
    • “A smart entry point into retinol.”
    • “Gentle and gradual rather than aggressive.”
  • Dropper design issues Sometimes Noted
    • “Horrible dispenser... very little product came out.”
    • “The top is a dropper but you have to push down... to release it.”
    • “Dissatisfaction with the dropper's functionality.”
  • Slow results Rarely Noted
    • “I haven't seen visible wrinkle reduction yet.”
    • “Don't know its effectiveness yet, but I'm going on faith.”
    • “I hope to see more visible results but I know... it always takes time.”
  • Sticky texture Rarely Noted
    • “It's a bit sticky and very thick.”
    • “I use it only for my evening routine as it's a bit sticky.”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, dermae.com, lovelyskin.com, target.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes DERMA E Retinol Concentrated Serum a great fit for sensitive skin?

DERMA E Retinol Concentrated Serum is a great fit because it contains no harsh ingredients and features soothing components like allantoin and astaxanthin to help calm your skin.

Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020

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

This serum is a good fit for sensitive skin because it includes soothing ingredients like allantoin and astaxanthin, which help calm the skin and keep the product safe and gentle to use. It also contains encapsulated retinol and bakuchiol for smoothing and anti-aging benefits without harsh effects.

Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020

What does Encapsulated Retinol do for sensitive skin?

Encapsulated retinol helps smooth skin and reduce dark spots with a lower chance of redness and irritation than standard retinol. Delivery systems release the ingredient slowly, which improves comfort and tolerance for sensitive skin.

Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Bakuchiol do for sensitive skin?

Bakuchiol helps improve barrier function, reduces redness and sensitivity, and softens fine lines in sensitive skin with a very low likelihood of scaling and stinging.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Health Science Reports, 2025

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

This treatment goes in the evening routine after your toner and before your moisturizer. Putting it at night helps keep your skin safe from sun exposure while the active ingredients work.

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

You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in the morning and this serum at night to avoid overwhelming your skin. Using them at different times of day helps your skin stay calm while getting the benefits of both ingredients.

How often should I use this serum?

Use this treatment in your evening routine, starting slowly and building up frequency as your skin adjusts. It is unlikely to cause irritation thanks to its gentle formula with soothing ingredients.

Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014

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 because it contains no harsh ingredients. However, the retinol in the formula promotes faster cell turnover, which may occasionally cause some initial purging as your skin adjusts.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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
  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
  • Astaxanthin-loaded polyhydroxybutyrate microbeads achieved 98.1% encapsulation efficiency with sustained release, reduced degradation by 2-fold compared to unencapsulated astaxanthin, and showed no cytotoxicity or skin irritation in human cells and tests.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024
  • 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 stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.

    Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017
  • 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
  • Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
  • Phenolic-rich pomegranate peel extract formulated into a serum and mask showed significantly better facial skin lightening efficacy than placebo in 30 volunteers over 28 days.

    Planta Medica, 2020
  • Topical application of a 2% cream containing combined fruit extracts for 56 days significantly reduced wrinkle depth by 11.5%, length by 10.07%, and area by 29.55% in 21 female subjects compared to a placebo.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015
  • A topical microemulsion containing Punica granatum extract significantly reduced skin erythema and melanin compared to a placebo in healthy Asian subjects over 12 weeks.

    Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii, 2014
  • Oral astaxanthin supplementation significantly restored moisture content and improved elasticity but did not significantly decrease wrinkle depth compared to placebo in humans.

    Nutrients, 2021
  • Combining oral and topical astaxanthin in 30 healthy females improved skin wrinkles, age spots, elasticity, texture, and moisture, while 6 mg daily oral supplementation in 36 healthy males improved crow's feet wrinkles, elasticity, and transepidermal water loss.

    Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2012
  • Twice-daily application of a novel topical antioxidant formulation safe, well-tolerated, and effective in improving overall skin quality, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance, and hyperpigmentation in 32 healthy female subjects over 12 weeks.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
  • 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

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Retinol, Bakuchiol, Astaxanthin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Aspalathus Linearius Extract, Allantoin, Sodium Pca, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, 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.

How does it fit your skin?

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