★★★★★ 3
BEST? (the "R" is for relative)
I have, to date, tried four different Retinol serums (usually containing hyaluronic acid). Each of these has been in a similar price range and none of them qualifies as high-end pricing. From what I can tell each of them is as effective as the other and none of them produces "miracle elixir" results. Like most maintenance products they are only truly effective through consistent long-term use. Seeing that I have found each of the brands I have tried to be equally effective I believe it is fair to say that this brand of Retinol serum is acceptable. However, this 1 oz. bottle is one of the higher priced brands I have tried and the bottle was almost half empty when I received it. It is also perfumed and thicker than other versions and therefore harder to measure effectively (one drop is almost sufficient but two drops is too much). When you reach the bottom of the bottle, like with most of the other brands I have tried, it is impossible to get the last quarter inch of product out of the bottle using the dropper. The syringe is not long enough or flexible enough. What I have been doing is either adding a few drops of water or a few drops of Vitamin C serum to liquefy the balance so it can be shaken out onto your finger. Although use of water will obviously dilute the serum it at least allows you to use all of the product, which is a compromise I am willing to make. As recommended by most Retinol serum brands, and vice versa, I have been applying Vitamin C serum after using it. However I am not convinced that use of both products is really necessary, i.e., Retinol serum combined with a Vitamin C serum. The only sources I see strongly promoting the advantage of using both are the sources that are selling both.
As someone commented in response to my initial post (which I have modified since I wish to be accurate), Retinol is not hyaluronic acid. However many Retinol products contain hyaluronic acid which is what caused my confusion.
"Skin care products with hyaluronic acid are most frequently used to treat wrinkled skin although they don't replace anything the body has naturally lost. These are very effective moisturizers." Retinol is made from vitamin A, and it's in many non-prescription skin care products. Retinol's stronger counterpart is tretinoin, which is the active ingredient in Retin-A and Renova, available by prescription only. If your skin is too sensitive to use Retin-A, Retinol is an alternative, although the effects are less impressive. Retinol may improve mottled pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, and skin tone and color." (Both quotes excerpted from WebMD.)
"Retinol is photosensitive and should only be worn at night. Never go outside or into the sunlight with it on; this could cause adverse effects." (Huffington Post quote) (Using a sunscreen is strongly recommended by many sources because retinoid products cause increased photosensitivity.)
Having researched this a bit more I feel certain that I can stop using Retinol serums altogether since my dermatologist prescribes a stronger product for evening use. I will ask him about this the next time I see him, though. He already advocates use of a Vitamin C serum but has never commented on the benefits of using it in combination with a Retinol product. However, since Retinol is photosensitive I believe eliminating it would be okay and probably to my benefit since sunscreens wear off after a while and need to be reapplied. If he advises on this subject in any way I believe might be helpful to others I will add it to my post.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2016
