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That left me searching for alternatives that actually worked.

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Irina Shestakova

In This Article

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A.G.E.

Melanie Palm, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego.

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What are the best retinol alternatives?

The same goes for over-the-counter derivatives like retinol or retinaldehyde, which is often shortened to retinal.

When should you incorporate retinol again postpartum?

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I used them sparingly since my skin remained more sensitive and prone to irritation.

Of course, if you prefer not to, you could wait until after your baby has weaned.

How often can you use retinol alternatives during pregnancy?

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It depends on your skin.

Frequency of use comes down to how well your skin tolerates these active ingredients, says Palm.

If you know you have sensitivities, consider patch testing a new ingredient first before slathering it all over.

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Are retinol alternatives safe to use with other active ingredients?

As mentioned above, its important to patch test in advance to determine whether youre allergic to bakuchiol.

Meet the experts

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