Today's fountain of youth is not a magical spring, but products that promise anti-aging results. Many of them offer little more than hype, but retinol stands out for its proven results. Retinol creams reduce the signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration, for fresher, brighter, younger-looking skin.
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"This award-winning eye cream addresses the major signs of aging in the delicate eye area. Offering the benefits of retinol without the irritating side effects,…"
"This retinol cream is very easy to use. It is not greasy and allows the skin to regain its suppleness, regardless of age. It also…"
"Reduce wrinkles with StriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer. StriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer nourishes, rejuvenates and revitalizes your skin while you sleep."
"Fight the 3 signs of aging eyes: puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles, with one effective cream. This eye treatment is clinically proven to visibly rejuvenate…"
This award-winning eye cream addresses the major signs of aging in the delicate eye area. Offering the benefits of retinol without the irritating side effects, this product is perfect for a gentle start to a retinol treatment.
33,59 £ on MarionnaudA powerful combination of retinol and NIA-114™ makes StriVectin Advanced Retinol Eye Cream a high-performance formula that makes a difference and is also gentle enough for the delicate eye area. Target fine lines and crow's feet and firm skin around the eyes, while nourishing and moisturizing. It's never too early for retinol. Known as the go-to ingredient for skin care, retinol can be used by anyone, regardless of age, as it offers an undeniable list of benefits. And StriVectin's Advanced Retinol is unlike any other, combining this versatile ingredient with patented NIA-114™ to limit common retinol sensitivity.
With this combination, this retinol cream offers the benefits of retinol without the irritating side effects. As a result, it can help you minimize the appearance of fine lines and crow's feet, firm and strengthen the eye area, and instantly nourish and moisturize your skin.
This retinol cream is very easy to use. It is not greasy and allows the skin to regain its suppleness, regardless of age. It also brings a soothing effect to the skin.
13,19 £ on AmazonThis cream is excellent for sensitive skin, because it has a small peeling effect, which allows the removal of skin residues. It is composed of liposomes with 2.5% retinol, Vitamin C, botanical hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B, and green tea. Working together, these elements smooth and even out skin texture and reduce the irritation associated with retinol treatment. In addition, it is a moisturizing and nourishing cream that improves skin cell turnover, removes dead skin, cleanses pores and helps control acne breakouts for a clearer complexion.
This anti-aging retinol cream is suitable for all skin types and sensitive skin. It is paraben and alcohol free and the organic active ingredients have been designed to work in synergy with the skin.
Reduce wrinkles with StriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer. StriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer nourishes, rejuvenates and revitalizes your skin while you sleep.
68,72 £ on Beauty SuccessStriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer is a powerful product that renews and exfoliates the skin. This formula works to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and rough spots. As it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, it improves skin for visible firmness and elasticity and refines skin texture for a more radiant appearance.
This cream is made with a compound of retinol and NIA-114™. Retinol helps improve cell turnover, visibly improves firmness and elasticity, and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while the patented NIA-114™ technology helps limit common retinol sensitivity. Copper tripeptides, plant lipids and hyaluronic acid help rehydrate skin, retain moisture and defend against environmental aggressors. Skin appears more refined and youthful-looking at night.
Fight the 3 signs of aging eyes: puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles, with one effective cream. This eye treatment is clinically proven to visibly rejuvenate the delicate skin around the eyes.
18 £ on AmazonAny specific needs?
The best retinol cream in 2021
The best entry-level retinol cream
The best entry-level retinol cream
Your guide :
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| THE BEST | CHEAP | HIGH END | CHEAP | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
8/10 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
StriVectin - Advanced retinol (for the eyes)
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Bioniva-Retinol Moisturizing Cream
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StriVectin - High Performance Retinol Night Care
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RoC - Retinol correxion (soin lissant pour les yeux)
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This award-winning eye cream addresses the major signs of aging in the delicate eye area. Offering the benefits of retinol without the irritating side effects, this product is perfect for a gentle start to a retinol treatment.
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This retinol cream is very easy to use. It is not greasy and allows the skin to regain its suppleness, regardless of age. It also brings a soothing effect to the skin.
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Reduce wrinkles with StriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer. StriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer nourishes, rejuvenates and revitalizes your skin while you sleep.
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Fight the 3 signs of aging eyes: puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles, with one effective cream. This eye treatment is clinically proven to visibly rejuvenate the delicate skin around the eyes.
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Special ingredients
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NIA-114™ (optimized form of Niacin / Vitamin B3)
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Hyaluronic Acid
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NIA-114™ (optimized form of Niacin / Vitamin B3)
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Hyaluronic acid
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Specific uses for the product
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-
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Pores
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-
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Wrinkles under the eyes
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Skin type
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All skin types
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All skin types
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All skin types
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All skin types
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Features
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Anti-aging and anti-wrinkle care (Promotes cell renewal)
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78.7 g
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Anti-aging and anti-wrinkle care (Promotes cell renewal)
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Anti-wrinkle care; smoothing effect
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Item weight
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15 g
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50 mL
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50 g
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15 g
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Be sure to check the product labeling. You will want to find an OTC anti-aging product that actually works and actually contains retinol. So, you should look closely at the labels. Be aware that the ingredients in skin care products are listed in descending order. This means that the ingredients with the highest amounts are listed first. If an ingredient is listed at the end, there is not much of it. Be aware that the ingredients in skin care products are listed in descending order. This means that the ingredients with the highest amounts are listed first. If an ingredient is listed at the end, there aren't many of them.
Don't get caught up in flashy marketing. Labels may claim that a product is "dermatologist tested" or something similar. However, that doesn't mean that dermatologists approve of it.
Choose a product with the active ingredient retinol - not other derivatives. Retinol as well as the retinoids and retinoic acid in prescription creams are all derived from vitamin A and are synthesized by your skin in the same way. However, not all over-the-counter products are created equal. Some active ingredients are simply not as effective at repairing wrinkles.
Look closely at the active ingredient in each product. This should be listed on the product label under "active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)." Look for products that use retinol as the API. Retinol is gentler on the skin than tretinoin found in prescription formulas, but it is converted at the cellular level to the same chemical.
Other than API, you should also choose your retinol cream based on your skin type:
Choose a reputable brand. One problem with over-the-counter retinols and other cosmetic products is that they are not as strictly regulated as pharmaceuticals. This means that companies may not give the exact amount of the active ingredient in the product.
Consider a brand you know and trust, especially if you are new to retinols. This will increase the likelihood that the level of retinol you get will be enough to improve your skin.
Retinol (also called retinoid) is a compound derived from vitamin A, which is essential for growth, bone and organ health, and good eyesight. Vitamin A is also an antioxidant, which means it works to fight cell damage. Retinol works by stimulating the cells on the surface of your skin to break down quickly so they can be replaced with new, healthy cells under the top layer of skin.
Vitamin A is essential for the development and differentiation of skin cells. It inhibits the degradation of collagen and increases its synthesis. It also increases the elasticity of the skin, improves the water barrier function, and acts as an excellent anti-inflammatory. Finally, vitamin A regulates sebum production (making it an excellent choice for treating acne as well as aging) and is the only ingredient we know of that actually reverses the signs of photoaging.
Basically, as we age, the epidermis thickens while the dermis thins. The use of retinol reverses this aging process, so that long-term users benefit from an epidermis with fewer age spots and wrinkles supported by a beautiful thick dermis. Early use of retinol also helps delay the aging process, so the best time to start using retinol is in your early 30s, when your cell turnover rate begins to slow down.
If you've never used a retinol cream before, know that over-the-counter retinol creams are gentler (less harsh) than prescription creams and are the best way to start. The most common regimen is to use retinol cream twice a week for two weeks, then increase the frequency to three times a week as you build your skin's tolerance.
Retinol eye creams address crow's feet and fine lines that crease the delicate skin around the eyes. Although these retinol creams are designed to be used near the eyes, you should not use these products on the eyelids or allow them to come in contact with the eyes. This is because the eyelids are very fragile, so applying any cream intended to slow aging can irritate them and make them even more fragile.
Retinol day creams are light moisturizers that keep the skin hydrated throughout the day. These retinol creams often also contain sunscreen.
Retinol night creams are designed to work while you sleep. These retinol creams often have a thicker, heavier texture that may not be suitable for daytime use.
Retinol serums do not include the moisturizers that you will find in retinol creams. Serums containing retinol have a thin consistency and are highly concentrated. They are meant to be used right after cleansing your skin, but before applying a moisturizer.
Overall, retinol helps to unclog pores, stimulate collagen production. A retinol cream is therefore very effective in reducing fine lines, increasing cell turnover, and smoothing the skin. Retinol has become very popular because, of all the topical anti-aging ingredients, retinol is second only to sunscreen in its proven ability to fight skin aging.
And unlike vitamin C, retinols are also very useful in treating acne, especially comedonal acne (i.e. blackheads and whiteheads).
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals (pollution, smoke, UV rays) that can break down the collagen in your skin, causing more visible signs of aging. The vitamin C cream is a treatment to be used daily on the body and face. This product usually contains a share of vitamin C, as well as other nutrients. Among the active ingredients of this cream are phosphate and magnesium ascorbyl, which is yet another derivative of vitamin C.
Although vitamin C and retinol have much the same cleansing and skin protection benefits, vitamin C cream and retinol cream do not have the same effects. So, if you need a protective and regenerative treatment for the whole body, a vitamin C cream will do the trick. But if you are looking for an effective cream for your face, to reduce the effects of aging, retinol cream will be a better choice.
Retinol has many benefits, but there are 5 main reasons why people buy and use retinol:
In our opinion, the best brands of retinol creams in 2022 are :
RoC is a French brand created in 1957 that has built a solid reputation for excellence and effectiveness. Specialized in skin care, this brand has created the first hypoallergenic skin care formulas. Its retinol creams are safe and effective.
The French brandA reference in the field of cosmetics never ceases to surprise you with its various ranges of rejuvenation products, including the retinol cream. The quality of their products never ceases to progress and ensures them an excellent reputation throughout the world.
The brand that only manufactures products made from natural ingredients to preserve the health of consumers, but also to focus on the Natural. It offers ranges of quality cosmetic products tested and following European standards, including creams with retinol.
This French brand is also among the references in the field of cosmetics. It ranks just behind the L'Oreal brand in terms of quality and performance. Its anti-aging products, including retinol creams, are particularly appreciated.
This American brand is specialized in anti-aging skin care. The products of this brand are the result of high technology and innovation. This brand wants to promote cell renewal, strengthen and repair the skin barrier and reduce the harm of free radicals on the skin.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Consult your dermatologist before using a retinol cream
Retinol can cause skin irritation if used with skin care products containing salicylic acid, sulfur or benzoyl peroxide. But also if you have intolerances to certain ingredients. To make sure a retinol cream won't harm you, it's best to take professional advice.
Start using retinol in the summer
Summer is a good time to start a retinol cream regimen, as the moisture in the air will keep your skin from drying out while it's getting used to the product.
Use sunscreen
Sunscreens and retinol creams are the best "anti-aging" combo. Use SPF 30 sunscreen to help ward off the effects of sun damage and aging.
Look for retinol creams in airtight containers
Heat, UV rays and oxygen can cause retinol to break down and lose potency. Look for "stabilized" or "encapsulated" in the product description, terms that indicate retinol will not degrade.
Be patient
This is not a process that can make changes overnight. The effects will actually depend on the type of retinol cream you use, as well as the condition of your skin. It can take six to eight weeks before you start to see significant changes.
If you use an over-the-counter retinol cream, you can generally expect to see results, such as diminished wrinkles or crow's feet, faded age spots, and smoother skin, within three to six months. If you use a prescription retinoid, you may see results in as little as four weeks, but you're more likely to see results in six to eight weeks.
Always consultyour dermatologist before starting any new skin care regimen. That said, you should be able to use a retinol cream if you choose a product that qualifies as hypoallergenic or specifically formulated for sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, start using retinol slowly, such as twice a week. Only increase your use when you are sure your skin can tolerate it.
The answer to this question depends entirely on your skin. It's true that products with higher concentrations of retinol (up to 2%) offer more dramatic benefits more quickly, but they can also potentially cause more side effects. Even if you have deep wrinkles or very dark spots that you want to treat, you should start with the lowest concentration (0.01%) and gradually increase as you see how your skin tolerates the cream. These creams also contain other beneficial ingredients and moisturizing compounds, so you'll be doing your skin a lot of good, even at lower concentrations of retinol.
Retinol, and in particular retinoic acid, works to increase cell turnover, strengthen collagen, reduce discoloration, moisturize the skin, and reduce acne by shifting the body back to vitamin A. Retinol is the only topically applied agent that offers real results in actually stimulating collagen and plumping the skin due to the formation of new blood vessels.
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