Is Olay Regenerist good for sensitive skin?

Which Regenerist formula are you considering?

The product covered here is the US Regenerist Retinol 24 Starter Lotion, not every cream or serum carrying the Regenerist name. Choose by the full product name, because a shared name is not a shared job description. This lotion contains glycerin, dimethicone, niacinamide, retinol and retinyl propionate. Olay describes it as a starter level retinol night lotion intended to smooth and even texture with consistent use. There is no specific results timeline given for this formula.2

Why does fragrance free matter?

Fragrance is the most common cause of contact dermatitis from cosmetics, meaning skin inflammation caused by contact with a product. Look for "fragrance free," rather than "unscented": an unscented product can contain fragrance to mask other smells. Any cosmetic ingredient can cause a contact reaction, so also check for ingredients you already know you are allergic to. An allergy can develop even after years of using the same product without problems.4

How should you test and use it?

1. 1Test before facial use. A repeat open application test involves applying the product to the same small area, often the inner forearm, twice daily for 10 days and watching for a reaction.
2. 2Stop the test if irritation develops. A product tolerated on an arm can still irritate the face, and eyelids are especially sensitive.
3. 3For the Retinol 24 Starter Lotion, Olay directs two pumps applied to the face and neck every night, smoothed in an upward circular motion.
4. 4Use sunscreen in the daytime, as Olay directs, and store the lotion in a cool, dark place.

What if you have rosacea or eczema?

For rosacea, choose fragrance free products made for sensitive skin and a cream rather than a lotion or gel. Apply prescribed rosacea medication first, then moisturizer. Wait until your face is dry before moisturizing to reduce burning or stinging. If finding a tolerable product is difficult, ask your dermatologist for specific options.1

For eczema, fragrance free creams or petroleum based ointments generally moisturize better than lotions. Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp after showering. If a gentle fragrance free moisturizer does not help a mild flare, see a dermatologist. A cosmetic moisturizer is not an eczema treatment plan, however ambitious the product name sounds.34

When should you stop using it?

Stop using the product if it causes burning, stinging, itching, swelling, a rash or peeling. Sensitive skin can cause discomfort without a visible rash, so appearance alone is not a useful test of tolerance. Reactions can also develop after days or weeks of repeated exposure. Recurrent reactions deserve assessment rather than repeated product swaps: a clinician can investigate the cause, and formal patch testing can identify a cosmetic allergy.45