Retinol is a dream ingredient for improving skin texture, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, and achieving baby soft skin—that is, if it doesn’t irritate your skin to oblivion. And so, finding an effective formula that your skin can tolerate is pretty tricky, especially if you have sensitive skin. Enter: the Ohui Reverse Activator Retinol Fine Wrinkle Cream, a K-Beauty formula that’s effective enough to give results, but gentle enough to avoid peeling, burning, or redness. I’m a fan of it, and so is my mom. After trying many different topical retinols that irritated my skin or led to peeling, this $95 Amazon option is truly the best of both worlds. 

Ohui Reverse Activator Retinol Fine Wrinkle Cream

The ingredient lineup includes a patented blend of stabilized retinol and soybean oil. The former is miniscule in its actual size to penetrate the skin and support cell turnover, reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. The latter is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, deeply moisturizing the skin and supporting the skin barrier to reduce redness and keep it calm. It includes another form of pure retinol for skin-smoothing and pore-minimizing benefits, plus peptides to support collagen and boost firmness. 

Right when I started using this retinol cream, my mom complained to me about the irritation and peeling she was experiencing from her Tretinoin prescription. I had her try Ohui’s retinol cream that night and, much like my experience, she woke up to soft skin without any of the negative side effects typically associated with retinol. “I love how creamy the formula is and how well it spreads on my skin,” she said. Compared to her prescription retinol, she claimed this one feels “much gentler but is still effective.” She also called out the scent, saying it’s “not harsh or overwhelming,” like other topical retinols. 

It’s been four months since my mom and I first started using this retinol cream, and we’re both loving the results. My skin is smoother and the fine lines on my forehead are undetectable. Additionally, one of my biggest skin concerns is eczema and this formula doesn’t exacerbate it. As for my 61-year-old mom, her skin is feeling “smoother and softer” and her “big pores look smaller,” she said. 

If you struggle to find a retinol that doesn’t make your skin freak out, the Ohui Reverse Activator Retinol Fine Wrinkle Cream is my top recommendation. Shop more gentle retinol creams, below.   

Paula’s Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream with Retinol

SimplyVital Collagen, Retinol, and Hyaluronic Acid Cream

CeraVe Anti-Aging Retinol Serum