Cosmetics with retinol reviews

Characteristics in the rating

Retinol is a form of vitamin A, which, when it enters the pores of the skin, goes into the stage of transformation into retinolic acid and it is this process that causes the effect of regeneration (renewal) of the skin. The component does a good job of stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, which are responsible for skin tone and elasticity, so creams containing retinol are a godsend for those who want to avoid the appearance of new wrinkles or the deepening of existing ones. Reviews often write that in addition to the anti-aging effect, you can observe the lightening of age spots and their adjustment to the complexion. And cosmetologists often mention its antioxidant properties, because retinol protects against the harmful effects of the environment and neutralizes free radicals.

Due to such a range of positive effects, retinol was often purchased independently in pharmacies; it has an oily texture and sells for a modest price. But here it is very important to note that retinol is a potent substance, so its concentration should not exceed the norm, and the highest permissible value is 2%. Such proportions cannot be maintained at home, so it is still better to trust certified cosmetics. By the way, not every professional cream will be good for everyday use. In order to help you understand the abundance of creams containing retinol offered today, we have created a rating of the best products for different purposes and different pricing policies.

TOP 10 best creams with retinol

10 Vitex Retinol+Mg “Day. Deep Action"

Budget cream Retinol+Mg “Day. Deep action" is universal and suitable for any skin type. It is recommended to use the product after 35 years of age. The texture of the cream is light, quickly absorbed into the pores and does not leave a greasy film or shine. The product does an excellent job of evening out skin color, so the product can be a good base for makeup. The microrelief is smoothed thanks to the oils of red oil palm and wheat germ.

Retinol perfectly renews skin cells and activates collagen synthesis. And magnesium, which is part of the cream, will strengthen the skin fibers and relieve tension in the facial muscles, which undoubtedly has a beneficial effect on tissue tone. According to consumer reviews, the cream, if used regularly, can “erase” recently formed shallow wrinkles. Vitex Retinol+Mg “Day. Deep Action" is recommended to be applied to the skin with gentle movements twice a day.

9 Elizavecca Milky Piggy EGF Retinol

EGF Elizavecca Milky Piggy EGF Retinol cream is a type of age-related cosmetics and it is recommended to use this Korean product from the age of 35. The composition includes macadamia oil, oligopeptide, adenosine, swallow's nest extract, retinol, niacinamide, arginine. Macadamia nut oil perfectly nourishes the skin, accelerating the regeneration of new cells. Niacinamide prevents the evaporation of moisture from the facial skin, perfectly moisturizing dry skin; improves blood circulation.

Swallow's nest extract is one of the best substances that evens out skin tone and texture, smoothing out small scars and spots that appear, for example, after acne. Also, swallow's nest has a lifting effect, which is especially important during the period of “blurring” of facial contours. The cream became a review leader, receiving many positive responses from both professional cosmetologists and ordinary consumers. The result becomes noticeable after just one month of use.

8 Medical Collagen 3D Revital Line Collagen

Revital Line Collagen moisturizing cream from the famous Russian brand Medical Collagene 3D is intended for everyday skin care. The action of the cream is aimed at renewing mature “fading” skin, it enhances and stimulates natural rejuvenation processes (collagen production, replacement of old cells with new ones), smoothes wrinkles and tightens the oval of the face. In addition to the rejuvenating effect, the cream improves complexion and gives a healthy glow to the skin.

Medical Collagene 3D Revital Line Collagen cream contains one of the best moisture retainers in skin cells - hyaluronic acid, 1 molecule of which retains up to 1000 molecules of water. And the complex of acids will enhance the processes of natural tissue regeneration. Also included: panthenol, collagen, allantoin, olive oil and peach kernels. The manufacturer recommends using the cream at the first appearance of signs of aging.

7 SkinCode genetic's Energy Retinol

SkinCode genetic's Energy Retinol is the best complex cream. The composition includes retinol, tocopherol, ascorbic acid, coenzyme, lipid complex. Coenzyme is a substance that helps remove toxins from skin cells, thereby allowing oxygen to circulate in the pores, which improves the overall condition of the tissues. Scientific research confirms that thanks to coenzyme, the elasticity of the epidermis is improved and its microrelief is smoothed.

The lipid complex perfectly supports skin immunity, and retinol lightens pigmentation on the face and reduces the depth of wrinkles. The vitamin complex protects the skin from damage from toxic substances from the air, which helps maintain healthy and radiant skin. It is recommended to use the cream from the age of 30. After regular use, the skin surface is evened out, small scars are smoothed out, spots are lightened, and complexion improves.

6 HOLY LAND ALPHA-BETA WITH RETINOL RESTORING

Holy Land ALPHA-BETA WITH RETINOL RESTORING face cream is perfect for sensitive and problematic skin. For those with sensitive skin to UV rays, the manufacturer added lactic acid to the composition; for flaky skin – hydrolyzed silk; for those prone to rashes and allergic reactions – blueberry extract. And the concentration of retinol, verified by the manufacturer, helps restore the epidermis during the post-acne period and heal small wounds and scars.

Reviews often write that they observe the effect of evening out skin tone and removing age spots. And the fruit acids in the composition are responsible for this. In addition, these acids also have a mild cleansing effect; exfoliating dead cells, the cream fights for breathing pores. Those who have tried the cream note that noticeable improvements in skin condition are observed after just one month of use. It is also acceptable to apply the product to the area around the eyes.

5 Klapp A Classic "Vitamin A"

Klapp A Classic "Vitamin A" cream is designed to care for the delicate skin around the eyes and its composition is recognized as one of the best according to reviews from cosmetology experts. The product contains a rich caring complex consisting of retinol, vitamin E, aloe, wheat germ oil, and beeswax. Aloe vera is the best way to refresh dull skin; retinol promotes enhanced cell renewal; beeswax has an excellent lifting effect and deeply nourishes the skin around the eyes, and also promotes the healing of small cracks.

Wheat germ oil has a stimulating effect on the process of tissue regeneration, softens them and eliminates flaking. The epidermis is actively renewed, resulting in a rejuvenation effect. Tocopherol is a powerful antioxidant that protects skin collagen fibers from aging. Bisabolol is a skin moisturizing and nourishing substance that does not cause allergies even in children.

4 THE FACE SHOP SMIM FIRMING CARE

This face cream is both protective and rejuvenating. The composition includes: adenosine niacinamide, propolis and Tibetan mushroom extracts. Propolis extract, due to the content of organic acids and essential oils, has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties. Propolis perfectly heals microcracks and enhances the protective functions of the skin. Tibetan mushroom extract improves elasticity and retains moisture in the skin, and also smoothes microrelief.

Niacinamide is one of the best stimulators of cellular renewal. Thanks to its action, the skin becomes more elastic, wrinkles are reduced, age-related pigmentation disappears, and collagen production increases. The reviews pay special attention to the protective qualities of the cream. The product perfectly protects the skin from weather conditions (wind, direct sunlight, cold), so the face does not dry out or flake.

3 GIGI Retinol Forte Skin Lightening

Face cream from one of the best Israeli cosmetic companies - GIGI, thanks to the presence of retinol in the composition, has a powerful lightening effect on pigmented areas of tissue. Changes of any etiology can be lightened: freckles, scars (including post-operative scars), traces of post-acne, chloasma. In addition to retinol, kojic acid and bearberry extract are responsible for the brightening properties, which prevent the production of melanin (darkening pigment).

Azelaic acid has an antimicrobial and sebum-regulating effect, so the use of GIGI Retinol Forte Skin Lightening cream will be appropriate in the treatment of acne. Glycolic acid contained in the cream perfectly exfoliates dead skin cells. A great advantage will be the ability to apply the cream to the area around the eyes, and it is in this area that pigmentation is often present.

2 SesDerma Retises Eye Contour

This retinol cream is designed specifically for lifting the skin around the eyes. The cosmetic product, according to consumer reviews, reduces bags under the eyes, lightens dark circles, and eliminates a “tired” look. In addition to retinol, the cream contains a stable form of vitamin C, hibiscus extract, and boswellic acids. Vitamin C is the best antioxidant for facial skin, which protects tissue from premature aging.

Boswellic acid is known as one of the best antioxidants. Hibiscus extract has a beneficial effect on the skin around the eyes due to its tonic effect; with daily use, the balance of fluid in the tissues is regulated and their swelling goes away. Another property of hibiscus is the stimulation of collagen synthesis, thanks to this a rejuvenating effect is achieved, because the skin weakened by bags begins to tighten and the blue color disappears from it.

1 Ericson Laboratoire Nourishing Cream With Fresh Caviar Cells

The cream perfectly restores tissue, stimulates cell regeneration, increases skin elasticity and tightens the oval of the face. It contains an unusual component - caviar concentrate. Caviar is known for the presence of unsaturated fatty acids, which are simply necessary to maintain healthy facial skin. Shea butter softens the skin and also nourishes it with acids and vitamins. Mango butter has an antioxidant effect (protection from the harmful effects of the environment).

Tritisol is a complex of hydrolyzed wheat proteins that help maintain the optimal pH level of the epidermis. This complex has an activating effect on collagen production. By the way, laboratory studies have shown that the new collagen fibers produced are much stronger than the old ones, which is why the likelihood of new wrinkles is minimized, which is confirmed by reviews from those who have tried it.

From this article you will learn:

1. vitamin A for facial skin: how to use,
2. best cream with vitamin A – rating 2019,
3. cream with retinol for the face - reviews from dermatologists.

The role of vitamin A in maintaining youthful skin was discovered at the beginning of the last century. Numerous clinical studies have confirmed that vitamin A applied externally (in long courses of at least 36 weeks) can reduce age-related changes in the skin.

The severity of these changes will depend on the form of the drug, the concentration of the active substance, and the duration of the course of use. When taken as a course, vitamin A for the face has the following effects:

1. increases the rate of skin cell regeneration,
2. improves skin tone and texture,
3. reduces the thickness of the superficial stratum corneum of the epidermis,
4. increases the thickness of the deeper layers of the epidermis, dermis,
5. increases the synthesis of collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid in the dermis,
6. reduces the destruction of collagen by solar radiation,
7. reduces the depth of wrinkles and fine lines on the face,
8. increases skin elasticity.

Forms of vitamin A for facial skin –

A very important point is that the term “vitamin A” does not imply any one substance, molecule. There are many forms of “vitamin A,” which are collectively called retinoids. In cosmetology, the following forms of vitamin A (retinoids) are most often used:

1. retinol (Fig. 1),
2. retinol esters (retinol acetate, retinol palmitate, etc.),
3. retinaldehyde,
4. retinoic acid.

Of all the listed forms, only pure retinoic acid is the only effective form of vitamin A, because only for it there are special RAR receptors on the membranes of skin cells. All other listed forms of vitamin A are only precursors of retinoic acid, into which they will turn after a cycle of chemical reactions that occur after applying the product to the skin.

All of these forms can be used to reduce the depth of wrinkles and fine lines on the face and improve the appearance and firmness of the skin, but their effectiveness will vary. As it becomes clear, the most effective anti-wrinkle products for external use are creams based on pure retinoic acid (for example, Retin-A) or 13 cis-retinoic acid (Izotretinoin).

But they are available only by prescription, and are so strong that they cause significant dryness, redness and burning of the skin at the beginning of use. Therefore, manufacturers of anti-aging cosmetics use weaker forms of vitamin A (in descending order of their strength) to produce anti-wrinkle creams and serums - these are retinaldehyde, retinol, and retinol esters.

Conclusions : From the above, you should not draw the wrong conclusions and immediately start using drugs with retinoic acid. Like we said: they have serious side effects. Dermatologists advise starting treatment with weaker forms of vitamin A (for example, retinol). After several months of using them, when the skin gets used to retinol, you can switch to stronger retinoids.

How to choose a cream with retinol for the face -

Below we list a few tips that will allow you to choose quality cosmetics with retinol.

1. The concentration of retinol should be at least 0.1%

Before buying a cream with retinol, be sure to look at its composition on the label and evaluate the concentration of retinol. It should be no less than 0.1% for preventive creams, and no less than 0.4% for therapeutic ones. Products with 1% retinol are approximately equivalent in effectiveness to prescription retinoids such as Tretinoin 0.025%.

Some manufacturers do not list the concentration, but keep in mind that the lower the mention of retinol in the ingredient list, the lower the concentration in the cream. It is advisable to look for products in which retinol is listed at the beginning of the list of active ingredients of the cream. Keep in mind that manufacturers often deceive customers by declaring that their product contains a lot of retinol, but in fact its content tends to zero...

Important : Keep in mind that only rare manufacturers of retinol cosmetics use true retinol, and especially retinaldehyde, in their production. Most people use retinol esters (for example, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate and others). These are cheaper and less effective substances that will only be converted into retinol in the skin. The latter, in turn, will turn into retinaldehyde, and this will turn into retinoic acid, which is the only effective form of vitamin A.

Thus, retinol esters are precursors to retinol, and retinol is a precursor to retinoic acid. The more conversion cycles required before conversion to retinoic acid, the less of this acid is ultimately produced. Therefore, if you use retinol acetate for facial skin, then its concentration in the product should be an order of magnitude higher than if the cosmetic product contained real retinol.

conclusions : if you want to use cosmetics with retinol only to prevent aging, use a 0.1% concentration of retinol on an ongoing basis, along with sun creams with SPF 50+. If you want to increase the elasticity of aging skin, improve its appearance, and reduce shallow wrinkles, start using 0.4% retinol and then replace it with 1% (after a few months).

If you want to significantly improve the condition of your skin, its elasticity, and reduce the depth of pronounced wrinkles, then for the first 3-4 months you should use creams and serums with retinol from 0.4 to 1%, and then switch to stronger forms of vitamin A based on retinoic acid. acids (Tretinoin and Izotretinoin).

The following two articles will greatly facilitate this process for you. –

1. For more information about the effectiveness of retinol, clinical studies, how to properly use retinol and retinol acetate for the face, read the article:
   → “How to properly use cosmetics with retinol”

1. About the use of prescription forms of vitamin A to reduce wrinkles, clinical studies of their effectiveness, recommended concentrations - read the article: “Using Tretinoin retinoid for wrinkles”

2. Packaging –

When exposed to air and light, retinol loses its properties. Therefore, it is important that retinol cosmetics are packaged in an opaque container. Thus, to maintain the effectiveness and potency of retinol, there should be no transparent jars. It is also desirable that the product does not have a screw cap, but ideally with a dispenser that minimizes the entry of air and light into the bottle.

For the same reason (destruction from light), cosmetics with retinol should be applied before bed. Some manufacturers produce day and night products with retinol to increase sales. Never buy day ones. Firstly, the concentration of retinol in such products is always lower, because Retinol increases photosensitivity and its use during the day can lead to age spots. Secondly, light will destroy most of the retinol before the cream is properly absorbed.

3. Attention to additional ingredients!

Most often, retinol creams also contain additional active ingredients that help improve the condition of aging skin. To make your skin look younger, firmer and more radiant, choose creams that contain:

1. Natural oils - they moisturize the epidermis well.
2. Hydrolyzed wheat and soy proteins, ceramides - work at the depth of the epidermis, improving its condition and hydration.
3. Coenzyme Q10 – nourishes deep skin cells, improves their function, helps reduce fine lines around the eyes, and also protects from the sun.
4. Various peptides - many of them help collagen production and have antioxidant properties.
5. Green tea extract is an antioxidant and softens the skin.
6. Hyaluronic acid - saturates the skin with moisture, making it softer and more elastic.
7. Sun protection - creams with retinol must be used only in conjunction with sun protection products with a factor of at least 30 SPF. If the cream does not contain sun protection factors, apply them in parallel.
8. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, promotes collagen production, and significantly helps reduce fine wrinkles when used correctly (examples of the best cosmetics with vitamin C).

4. Skin moisturizers in creams with retinol -

Retinol, like any other form of vitamin A, is very drying to the skin. This is why manufacturers add humectant ingredients to their retinol products to reduce the drying effects of retinol. As a result, cosmetic creams with retinol have a double effect - moisturizing and restoration.

When choosing a cream with retinol, pay attention to what moisturizer it contains...

1. For oily skin -
   the ingredients should not clog pores, so look for oil-free creams (“non-comedogenic”). And even better, for oily skin, use not creams at all, but serums with retinol, one of which we described below.

1. For normal skin –
   Light water-based formulas containing components such as silicone (dimethicone), cetyl alcohol, and hyaluronic acid are suitable.

1. For dry skin -
   give preference to creams containing natural oils (for example, grape seed oil, apricot oil, etc.), hyaluronic acid, cucumber extract.

1. For sensitive skin –
   the ingredients contained must be hypoallergenic and soothing. These include aloe and chamomile. Make sure that your retinol cream does not contain alcohol.

5. Evaluation of the result after 3 months of use –

If you haven't noticed any improvement in your skin after 3 months: either switch to a higher concentration of retinol, or stop using retinol products and switch to prescription retinoids (Tretinoin). The last option may be preferable, because During this time, the skin should have become accustomed to the effects of vitamin A, and therefore it will react less actively to retinoids (24stoma.ru).

Retinol cream – reviews, rating 2019

Below we present a list of retinol creams that can be purchased in stores and pharmacies without a prescription. All creams are considered in descending order of the active effect of retinol from strong to weakest.

1. Cream and serum SIRCUIT ® –

Cream “Supernatural-A” (Fig. 3) from SIRCUIT ® Cosmeceuticals Inc. – is by far the most technologically advanced development among the creams of this group. It contains the precursor of retinoic acid – retinaldehyde at a concentration of 0.1%. Retinaldehyde is generally found in many cosmetic products, but the SIRCUIT ® company (the first in the world) managed to stabilize it. Why is it important?

We have already written in other articles that the problem with all cosmetics with retinol, retinol esters, retinaldehyde and retinoic acid is that they are all unstable and can quickly degrade at the slightest exposure to light and air. So, already when you open the package and apply it to the skin, the components begin to break down, and therefore it is difficult to say how much of the output is formed from retinol or retinaldehyde applied to the skin - pure retinoic acid.

It is in the Supernatural-A cream that retinaldehyde (for the first time) is stabilized using microencapsulation technology, which ensures that the components will not be destroyed before they penetrate the skin. In addition, the fact that this product contains retinaldehyde, and not retinol, allows it to undergo fewer transformation cycles to pure retinoic acid, which, recall, is the only effective form of vitamin A. Fewer transformation cycles also means higher concentration of retinoic acid at the outlet.

Composition of SIRCUIT “Supernatural-A” cream –
in addition to 0.1% retinaldehyde, the cream also contains the anti-wrinkle peptide "Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3", organic sunflower oil, squalene (from olives), a complex of fatty acids, organic oils (apricot, jojoba, cloudberry), adaptonyl ® (hydrolyzed wheat proteins and soy), antioxidants tocotrinol and tocopherol (D-alpha).

Serum SIRCUIT “Infusion-A” (Fig.4) –
this product is an analogue of Supernatural-A cream (only in the form of a serum), and also contains stabilized 0.1% retinaldehyde. As for other components, the composition of the serum and cream are not entirely identical. The cream form is best used for normal, dry and sensitive skin. And the serum is best used on oily skin. Each of these products cost around $180, and unfortunately you can only buy them on Amazon or Ebay.

2. Cream SkinCeuticals “Retinol 1.0” –

Suitable for aging skin that already has all the signs of aging: deep wrinkles, age spots, and “other joys”. The concentration of retinol in this cream is 1%. This is a very serious concentration, and according to the manufacturer, 1% retinol corresponds to approximately 0.025% retinoic acid. Those. This cream has almost the strength of a topical retinoid such as Tretinoin or Isotretinoin at a 0.025% concentration.

Cream “SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0” (Fig. 5) –

1. exfoliates the surface layer of the skin well,
2. stimulates collagen synthesis,
3. reduces fine wrinkles,
4. improves skin tone, texture and elasticity.

The manufacturer SkinCeuticals recommends starting to use retinol creams at a concentration of 0.3% to allow the skin to get used to it, and only then moving on to a 1% concentration.

Reviews : using this cream with retinol for the face - reviews noted the extraordinary smoothness and radiance of the skin after a course of using the cream. Many people liked the fact that their skin looked ruddy and healthy, so they didn't have to use bronzers or blush. Consumers noted an evenening of skin texture, the disappearance of small bumps, and an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Keep in mind that improvement in your skin condition will not occur immediately. In the first week of use, the skin may look like it has a sunburn and begin to peel. Therefore, you have to frequently apply moisturizer throughout the day (almost every hour), otherwise you won’t be able to hide the peeling and redness from prying eyes. However, irritation, redness and peeling from this cream will still be significantly less than from preparations with pure retinoic acid.

PRICE: Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0 cream can be purchased for about $76 (for example, in online stores Amazon or Ebay). But the next cream from this company can be bought in the branded Russian online store “Skinceuticals”.

3. Cream SkinCeuticals “Retinol 0.3” –

Suitable for preventing the appearance of wrinkles, or at the very first signs of aging. Contains 0.3% concentration of pure retinol. This cream is also suitable for acclimating the skin to retinol if you plan to use stronger concentrations in the future. The cost of SkinCeuticals “Retinol 0.3” starts from 5,500 rubles. You can buy the product in the Russian branded online store.

4. La Roche-Posay’s Redermic R Cream –

La Roche-Posay's Redermic R cream (Fig. 7) has a retinol concentration of 0.3%, which provides a visible reduction in fine wrinkles above the upper lip and around the eyes. This retinol cream can be used as a makeup base during the day and also at night. You can buy “La Roche-Posay’s Redermic R” (30 ml tube) for around 2,200 rubles. There is also a cream for the skin around the eyes Redermic-R Yeux, which costs about 1,900 rubles.

You can buy these products in the branded Russian online store. These 2 creams are especially suitable for those who are just starting to use retinol, because... In the composition of these products, approximately 0.1% of retinol begins to act immediately after application, and another 0.2% is released from the “microcapsules” over time. This can significantly reduce skin irritation. From personal experience, this cream turned out to be less effective than the previous one in the rating, and in addition, it has a specific, not very pleasant smell.

5. Cream RoC “Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream” –

RoC is the most famous manufacturer of retinol products. The manufacturer refused to disclose the concentration of retinol in its cosmetics, because... does not want to participate in the “retinol race” among cosmetic companies. “Consumers will then begin to look for stronger retinol formulas, believing that this is better for them,” RoC said, which is not always a good thing, because The skin must first get used to the effects of retinol.

However, numerous reviews of this cream note that after daily use of this product, the skin acquired a more youthful appearance, fine, not deep wrinkles decreased slightly, and skin elasticity increased. RoC cream “Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Nigh Cream” can be purchased from 1200 rubles.

6. Neutrogena “Rapid Wrinkle Repair” Cream –

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer SPF 30 (Fig. 9) can be an excellent day cream that not only fights the signs of skin aging, but also perfectly moisturizes it, while protecting it from the sun, because It also has a protection factor of SPF 30. Although the manufacturer did not specify the concentration of retinol, it is at the top of the list of ingredients, which indicates a fairly high content.

Reviews noted that this product works well against brown pigment spots and fine lines on the skin. Thanks to the hyaluronic acid contained in the cream, the skin is well moisturized, which immediately improves its appearance, gives it youth and elasticity. You can buy Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisteriser SPF 30 for less than 2,000 rubles. We hope that our article: Vitamin A retinol was useful to you!

Good afternoon, beauticians!
I would really like to consult with you about skincare cosmetics containing vitamin A. Recently, I began to actively study this issue, and I was advised to take a closer look at the British brand Medik8/. Of course, I was most interested in the serum; the author notes that perhaps the serum will not be combined with creams from other brands. Which of course is somewhat confusing, because... I already have my favorite moisturizer.
Girls, what is your experience with using retinol? In what forms? How do you combine? What other brands can you recommend? I personally have little experience: I used Holy Land Alpha-Beta & Retinol Restoring Cream. From the name it is clear that I had no problems combining this product: I also applied the bainki.

About myself: I am 25 years old, combination skin (oily + normal), a little problematic, a little sensitive, not prone to allergies. I want to try a course of retinol, the right season is coming. The anti-age orientation of the component does not bother you, because... I believe that skin needs care not according to age, but according to needs, and besides, retinol is indicated for acne.