You’re basically setting money on fire if you use this in the AM. Here’s why.
Retinoids break down in sunlight—UV rays deactivate them before they can do their job. You get the irritation without the payoff.
This is Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment. $68. The claim? A prescription-strength retinol that doesn’t feel like one.
Encapsulated Retinol
Releases slowly to cut down on irritation.
Bakuchiol
A plant-based retinol-alternative that smooths alongside it.
Peptide Complex
Tries to offset the dryness with a bit of plumping.
Photo: Fleur Kaan / Unsplash
It’s not just retinol in a bottle. They built a support system. The hero ingredients work to renew skin while trying to keep it calm.
Feels like a silky, yellow-tinged lotion. Absorbs in 20 seconds—no greasy film. Smells… clinical. Not perfumed, just ingredient-y.
Week 2: The purge was real. Two new pimples and some flaking around my chin. Annoying, but a sign it’s working. Surprise? My skin wasn’t red or angry.
After 6 weeks, my pores look airbrushed. Fine lines on my forehead are softer. Zero change in deep crow’s feet—that’s fantasy.
This is a serious retinol for people who want prescription-level results without the prescription. Use it at night. Always.