BYOMA

BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil.

Retinoids

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About this product

BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil is a facial oil with HPR, a stabilized form of retinoid designed for sensitive skin and those beginning to use retinoids.

Full ingredients

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Squalane, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bisabolol, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil

Guru Score

66%

Mixed

3 experts · Moderate agreement

3Gurus

1Yay

1Mixed

1Nay

What they liked

Gentle enough for retinoid beginners
Does not irritate sensitive skin
Works alongside other actives like adapalene

What they flagged

Less research backing than retinol or retinal

What the gurus are saying

Experts split on this one: the gentle HPR formula appeals to retinoid beginners and sensitive skin, but the dropper packaging presents a problem for an unstable ingredient like retinol. Air, bacteria, and light exposure through a dropper bottle can compromise product integrity over time. Those new to retinoids or with very sensitive skin may still find it worth trying, though airtight packaging is now increasingly standard for retinol.

Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take May 2024

Best for

Sensitive skin Mature skin

Type

RetinoidsOil

Key actives

RetinoidVitamin ESqualane

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

No BS Beauty

89k subs

~Yay

"This is the BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil, it's $19. If you have older skin, if you have experience with retinoids, I wouldn't recommend it, but if you aren't, and this might be your first retinoid product you're thinking about trying, or your skin is very sensitive, or you have a lot of other products in your routine, this one's worth checking out. It contains the HPR, which is very, very, very gentle."

AliceintheRabbitHole

59k subs

~Mixed

"Overall I would say I do like it, it's a good formula, it's got some squalane, it's got some bakuchiol, it did not irritate my skin, it was definitely gentle enough that I could use this even though I am also using adapalene. I still wish we had more research on this ingredient, and [...] if you want the benefits of retinoids that have been studied for decades I feel it's a better idea to go with either retinol or retinal."

Hyram

4.34M subs

~Nay

"Now oils are really popular for retinol products, some people really prefer them. I have always preferred more of like a serum or cream consistency for a retinol, but to each their own. Looking at the formula of this product I'm like, yeah it's a good formula. My main issue with it is that it is a dropper formula and retinol is already an ingredient that is very unstable."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil?

BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil is a facial oil with HPR, a stabilized form of retinoid designed for sensitive skin and those beginning to use retinoids.

Is BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 66%.

What is BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil's Guru Score?

BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil holds a Guru Score of 66%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.