retinoids
Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum
A high-quality entry-level option that utilizes encapsulated retinol and bakuchiol to minimize irritation, though its 0.03% retinol concentration is significantly below the 0.25%–1.0% clinical standard for anti-aging. It scores well for using opaque pump packaging and disclosing its specific active percentage, which is rare at this price point.
Sources & References
More in Skincare
CeraVe
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Gentle, non-stripping, maintains skin barrier. Dermatologist-developed and recommended.
Differin
Adapalene Gel 0.1%
Only prescription-strength retinoid available OTC. FDA-approved for acne. Less irritating than tretinoin. Direct retinoic acid receptor binding—no conversion needed.
EltaMD
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Widely considered the gold standard for sensitive and acne-prone skin, utilizing high-purity transparent zinc oxide combined with niacinamide to calm inflammation. It is one of the few sunscreens that consistently maintains a high-performance profile without triggering breakouts or leaving a heavy residue.
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60
This product consistently achieves perfect scores in independent lab testing for actual SPF delivery versus labeled SPF. Its Cell-Ox Shield technology provides a potent antioxidant complex that mitigates free radical damage beyond just UV filtration.