Retinol Anti-Aging, Vitamin Enriched Night Cream & Day Cream - Your 24 HOUR skincare duo that works day and night to give you younger-looking skin

Product Information

It’s a lightweight cream, designed for night-time use. It smells pleasant, goes on smoothly and sinks in well, though dryer skins, in particular, will want to follow with a good night cream to hydrate and replenish skin as the retinol formula gets to work. Skin will feel softer and appear smoother and more radiant within three to four weeks. It’s a great part of No7’s range of anti-ageing products. Any way you slice it, adding a retinol cream to your nighttime routine (countless pros suggest designating it as an evening-only ingredient due to its sensitizing properties that can lead to sunburns and worse) is a sure-fire way to get that much closer to achieving a ton of different skincare goals. As Love puts it, the ingredient can "do a little bit of everything we want."

To answer all of your burning retinol questions, we looked to the experts to decode the ingredient in the simplest terms. Ahead, we broke down the need-to-know info to add retinol into your routine, including the shopping tips and our favorite retinol creams and serums to date. What Is Retinol? Then apply a small, pea-sized amount of retinol to dry skin. Spread it over your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth. Because retinols can be drying, it’s ideal to follow with an effective moisturizer to help keep skin hydrated and [the] skin’s barrier protected,” Gabriel notes. That doesn't mean over-the-counter retinol isn't effective, however. "Retinol can benefit skin at levels as low as 0.01 percent to the maximum recommended level of 1 percent," Robinson tells Allure — great news for newcomers who may want to start at a lower level and work their way up in retinol strength. British brand Medik8 has been supplying professional skincare products over the counter since 2009, and this new addition to their range of anti-ageing products is particularly suitable for sensitive skins that don’t get on well with stronger concentrations of retinol.Retinol can even strengthen the skin, helping protect it against further environmental damage. (Just keep in mind it can leave the top layer of skin thinner and more sensitive to sunlight, so you’ll want to apply sunscreen with extra vigilance.) The extras Talk with your dermatologist about ingredients to look for or avoid. How different additives affect skin will vary from person to person. If you’re looking for a moisturising cream with the added plumping and firming benefits of retinol, Olay’s Regenerist 24 could be just the pot of magic you’re looking for. A nourishing night cream with glycerin, vitamin B3, and retinol, Regenerist 24 is clinically proven to soften and firm the skin, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes. Additionally, it’s often not recommended to use retinol with certain other skin care products, such as acne treatments that contain prescription-strength retinoids like tretinoin. Adding retinol to this regimen will lead to excessive and unnecessary irritation. When applying, first cleanse, tone, and exfoliate your face. (Only do all three of these steps if they’re included in your current skin care routine.)

It can “treat fine lines, boost collagen production, and brighten and smooth the skin,” he says. It’s suited to anyone with a normal to dry skin type.Retinol creams and serums containing higher concentrations of the active ingredient tend to be more expensive than lower-strength products, with some products boasting a more luxurious combination of ingredients alongside. Nevertheless, there are some excellent no-frills retinol products on the market that work every bit as well as their pricier counterparts for clearing skin and smoothing fine lines – and we’ve included recommendations below at a range of price points. How should I use retinol skincare? As with most skin care products, not all retinol creams are created equal. Key ingredients to look for include tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene, Kobets says. Mukherjee S, et al. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: An overview of clinical efficacy and safety.

Although it might sound like a stronger formula with a higher percentage of retinol would be more efficacious, that’s not always the case. “With retinol, we’re always balancing strength, efficacy, with the potential of retinol to irritate the skin,” explains Dr. Mikailov, “In terms of drugstore retinol, we find that retinol can be effective at multiple concentrations.” He says that “while retinol creams with higher concentrations (0.2 percent or more) worked faster, at the end of 6 months, retinol creams at various concentrations, including below 0.2 percent, also had great benefits.” Look for keywords like "gentle" and "non-irritating" on the label. Best retinol cream for acne: Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment | Skip to review The product comes in a handy pump dispenser, with one or two pumps enough for most faces. While we found the serum non-irritating, CeraVe recommends building up usage over time, starting once a week and working up to every second night. Simple and effective, CeraVe’s serum is a good alternative to pricier formulations. Retinol comes in strengths ranging from 0.0015% to 1% or higher. Many creams fall in the middle of this range, at around 0.1% to 0.3%. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety suggests that 0.3% is the maximum safe concentration for face or hand creams.

What age should you start using retinol?

As retinol has an exfoliating effect you may want to avoid combining it with other exfoliators – such as facial scrubs, exfoliating acids or Vitamin C products – until your skin has built up tolerance. See below for further advice on combining products. Does retinol have any side effects? When it comes to retinol, slow and steady truly wins the race. Zaborowski recommends starting with a retinol product one to two times per week, then working your way up to three to four times a week, and applying it at night. "When you apply it at night this allows your skin to repair itself overnight and avoids direct sun exposure which can cause increased irritation," she explains. Most importantly, don't skip out on SPF during the day. "Always wear SPF during the day and don't forget to reapply," Zaborowski warns. "Retinol, especially at the beginning, can make your skin more sensitive and likely to burn."