This is the only retinol that I can use without skin irritation. It hardly made sense for me to continue using retinoids when not only could see no improvement in the appearance of my skin, but it was left irritated and red. Paula's 1% formula was better than most others that I had tried, but I still couldn't tolerate it more than once weekly and over a moisturizer. This bakuchiol formula has been amazingly effective, and I am able to tolerate using it 2-3 times weekly. It makes the skin look so clear and smooth. It really is the perfect retinol formula for people whose skin does not tolerate retinol well.