Ask any dermatologist about the most effective skin care ingredients, and there’s one you’ll hear on repeat: retinol. However, along with retinol’s ability to reduce wrinkles, fade hyperpigmentation, and minimize breakouts is a whole slew of unpleasant side effects that have collectively been dubbed “retinization.” Redness, burning, dryness, flaking, and sensitivity to sunlight are the most common symptoms, and while they’re said to dissipate as your skin adjusts, for some, the irritation never eases. So should you give up on the retinol altogether? Not necessarily.

Mary Kay has introduced a sensitive skin-friendly way to give the active ingredient a go, with its Clinical Solutions Retinol 0.3. The patent-pending formula delivers the benefits of your typical over-the-counter retinol, but without the drawbacks. It’s so gentle, in fact, the brand reports that clinical studies revealed the serum-like treatment can be used every night for noticeable results in as little as one week.

Whether you’re considering trying this new retinol after a bad experience in the past or you’re new to the ingredient entirely, we’re breaking down how to incorporate Mary Kay’s latest launch into your routine, ahead.

Mary Kay Clinical Solutions Retinol 0.3

What makes Mary Kay’s Clinical Solutions Retinol 0.3 stand out from other over-the-counter retinols is its ability to give you results without any retinization. For a quick refresh, retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that works by speeding up skin cell turnover, which in turn promotes an overall more even skin tone and stimulates collagen production for plumper skin. (If you’re confused as to where retinoids fall into this, they’re a form of vitamin A , too, but because they’re more potent than retinols, a retinoid cream will typically require a prescription from your dermatologist.) As that turnover of cells is accelerated, it can lead to those symptoms of redness, burning, dryness, and flaking mentioned earlier. That’s why retinol products need to be gradually incorporated into your skin care routine.

Mary Kay’s patent-pending retinol doesn’t pose the same risk of irritation as your traditional retinols and retinoids, which allows you to apply the treatment every night (as opposed to the usual once or twice weekly application). As you may have guessed, that means you can get to the good part — the results — faster. In an independent clinical study, the Clinical Solutions Retinol 0.3 was shown to improve the appearance of fine lines and blotchiness in as little as four weeks, with more visible results following 12 weeks of treatment.

Frequency aside, the rest of the retinol application rules remain the same. You’ll only need a pea-size amount of the retinol for your whole face, which should be dotted evenly along your forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose before being smoothed into your skin. Because sunlight makes retinol less effective and can make you more prone to sunburn, you’ll want to reserve the treatment for nighttime use only. Finally, always apply it to clean, dry skin and top it off with your favorite moisturizer.