2 hours Ago By Kiana Murden
Gwyneth Paltrow is a retinol virgin. It’s true—she told me herself over Zoom. “It took Goop making one before I would try it,” she laughs.
“You know, a lot of times people said, [retinols are] not clean and it can be super irritating.” With the launch of Goop’s new 3x Retinol Regenerative Serum, the brand hopes to alleviate the pain points around existing retinol formulas such as dryness, redness, skin purging . “After seeing our clinicals, I knew I could trust it.
And so I was excited to start.” The new retinol, available today for $150—on par with other luxury formulas on the market, adheres to Goop’s clean beauty standards and is meant to protect against irritation despite being powered by three different retinols. It aims to achieve this through varying strengths of granactive retinoid, encapsulated retinal, and encapsulated retinol (the latter two being time-released), which are paired with a plant-based, biomimetic benthi peptide to boost collagen production to promote a firmer complexion.
These regenerative ingredients—well-known in as anti-aging agents—are further cushioned by ceramides, bisabolol, plus beetroot, adzuki bean, and licorice extracts which help strengthen the skin barrier, replenish moisture levels, and limit inflammation. “It’s powerful and gentle at the same time.” Paltrow tells me she’s been using the Regenerative Retinol Serum everyday since the height of summer, and has already seen an improvement in her skin condition.
In the last month, she says her wrinkles appear less deep—one of the many benefits dermatologists boast recommend incorporating retinol for. “Retinol speeds up the turnover of skin cells to improve texture and tone, and stimulates new collagen formation to treat and prevent fine lines and laxity,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose previously shared .
This process not only smooths wrinkles, but reduces skin texture, diminishes dark spots, and illuminates the complexion. So say you’re a retinol newbie like Paltrow, and want to start incorporating the ingredient. Your best bet is to reach for a gentle formula that pairs the vitamin A derivative with nourishing agents like Goop's new Regenerative Serum.
Also be sure to incorporate similar reparative, conditioning ingredients into your regimen at other steps of your routine. For example, Paltrow pairs her retinol with a peptide serum (Goop’s Youth-Boost ): “You get this like plump, hydrating finish.” Hyaluronic acid, growth factors, squalane, and ceramides are also worthwhile additions to stave off potential dryness and irritation.
Paltrow’s second retinol tip involves the frequency of use. “Don't do it every night right away,” she says. “You know, you can kind of skin cycle to get your skin accustomed to it.
” (For those unfamiliar with the term, “The concept of skin cycling applies to a nighttime skin care routine, which involves using active ingredients only on certain days, and following them with ‘rest’ days,” Dr. Alexis Granite previously told Vogue .) A proponent herself, nowadays she often swaps her nightly retinol for a good exfoliating treatment—often Goop’s Microderm or Goopglow 15% Glycolic Acid peel —which both work to slough away dead skin for improved skin radiance and tone.
If your skin is more on the sensitive side, however, consider a gentler treatment on non-retinol nights—perhaps a calming serum or rich face moisturizer. Whatever your nighttime regimen, Paltrow emphasizes sunscreen use each morning as retinol can make skin more sensitive—even during winter. Goop’s new formula—and Paltrow’s tips—leave little hesitation for those interested in trying a retinol (or switching theirs out).
Gentle and well-balanced may not be terms often used to describe the ingredient, but in Paltrow’s (surely very soft) hands, anything is possible..
