I feel very hesitant to use products that will make my skin more sensitive to sunlight

[Appalonia]

I hear a lot of pp sing the praises of retinol and tretinol ( sp? ) but I already have sensitive, reddish pale skin that burns easily so I feel very hesitant to try them. Also feel the same about chemical exfoliants that may reduce the skin barrier. I feel like I'm missing out, but I'm too scared to damage my skin to try them! Am I being over cautious? I'm 60 and always looking for ways to improve my skin, I mainly use Korean skincare and Eucerin moisturiser, which seems to work ok for me. Any advice?

I also stick to non low-actives skincare. I don't see the appeal of things that potentially damage your skin even if there's a perceived potential benefit.

I dont either. Just nivea for moisturiser

I also don’t use these harsh chemicals as my skin is sensitive so I think you are right not to. My skin actually likes the sun and tans pretty easily but I wouldn’t want to risk it getting sun sensitive and burning.

Personally I think healthy diet (especially not much alcohol or processed food and lots of fruit and veg), sleep and exercise is key for skin. Also wearing hat and sunscreen when sun could potentially burn ( for me that’s in middle of day probably April to August in the UK but for someone sun sensitive might be a bit longer).

Harsher retinoids including tretinoin aren't for everyone. I wouldn't worry about the sun so much, particularly for most of the year in the UK (if that's where you are). I just make sure I use SPF 50 every day and I have no damage - in fact tret removed all my visible sun damage (pigmentation and freckles - which does mean I look even paler than before).

My routine is pretty simple for sensitive skin. Here goes my routine if you would be interested:
Morning:
Using water to wash your face,
Sebamed clear face gel,
Garnier spf
Cicaplast
Evening:
LRP moisturizer,
Tretinoin (0.1) from skinorac
Sebamed clear facial gel