Retinol and sunscreen. The 25 and up folks need to listen up. Now, Black don’t crack but it might could fold without these in your skincare lineup. Retinol helps prevent aging, fine lines, and even post-acne scarring by increasing the cell turnover rate and preventing collagen breakdown. If you’re more interested in anti-aging before you start to show, you should start a retinol serum once you’re 25 years old. These two products below are great affordable choices for beginners in the anti-aging world of skincare.
TheINKEY List Retinol Serum
TheINKEY List was founded by Colette Laxton and Mark Curry in 2018. With The INKEY List, these founders aimed to help women make informed decisions with their skincare by delivering products based in quality, transparency, and a deep knowledge of skin. Shop The INKEY List for affordable products ranging from $10-15.
The Promise: To prevent and reduce fine lines and wrinkles for those aged 25 and up
Ingredient Breakdown:
Water (Aqua / Eau) for hydration
Glycerin for moisture retention
Butylene Glycol for conditioning and smoothening
Propanediol for ingredient absorption
Dicaprylyl Carbonate for skin conditioning and ingredient absorption
Dimethicone for moisture and barrier protection
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer for stability and texture
Caprylyl Glycol for skin conditioning
Phospholipids for hydration and barrier maintenance
Caprylic/capric Glycerides to prevent hydration loss
Squalane to prevent hydration loss
Dimethyl Isosorbide to enhance active ingredient delivery
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Extract for skin conditioning
Carbomer for stability and consistency
Sodium Ascorbate for dark spots and uneven tone
Tocopherol to prevent cell damage
Polysorbate 60 for texture
Tocopheryl Acetate to prevent free radical damage and aging
Glycolipids to maintain skin cell membrane stability
Sodium Hydroxide for pH balance
Disodium Edta for preservation and stability
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate to prevent and reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Retinol to prevent and reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterol for moisture and conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate for conditioning
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil for texture
Hyaluronic Acid for moisture
Polysorbate 20 for texture
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 to reduce inflammation
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 for collagen stimulation
Phenoxyethanol for preservation and stability
Skin Profile: Dry and sensitive skin (WOC)
Cost: $10
What we like most about it: Light creamy texture
What we would change? Slightly slower rate of absorption but this is mitigated with applying a peptide serum first.
Would we get it again? Absolutely!
Would it become a staple? Yep!
Fragrance level: Mild-Moderate
Color: Yellowish
Consistency: Thin cream, low viscosity
Does it rise to the promise? Yes
Is it worth the hype? Yes
Does the price match the quality? Yes
What about a dupe? You won’t need one.
Is this review sponsored? No.
Any tips? Follow up with a moisturizer. Only use at night to avoid photosensitivity. Don’t use with AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, or Vitamin C in the same time of the routine. Start with 1-2 times a week and work up to every night, for sensitive skin. You may need to prep with another serum first. (Received a slight burning sensation when used as the first serum and a fresh cleanse. Then none at all when preceded by Good Molecules Peptide Serum).
Overall rating: 7/10
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
This brand is a holy grail for sensitive, compromised skin founded by Tom Allison in 2005. Noticing that the underlying problem with most skin conditions was a compromised skin barrier, Allison created a line of products with ceramides that help maintain the skin barrier’s integrity. These ceramides are also found in the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum which is a gentle, non-comedogenic serum that decreases fine lines, and minimizes pores and post-acne hyperpigmentation.
The Promise: to prevent and reduce fine lines and wrinkles while maintaining a healthy skin barrier.
The Breakdown:
Aqua/water/eau for hydration
Propanediol for ingredient absorption
Dimethicone for moisture and barrier protection
Cetearyl ethylhexanoate for product texture
Niacinamide for keratin production and firmness
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl for stability and thickness
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate for sebum-regulation and anti-inflammation
Hydrogenated lecithin for skin conditioning
Potassium phosphate for pH balance
Ceramide NP for moisture and lipid barrier maintenance
Ceramide AP for moisture and lipid barrier maintenance
Ceramide EOP for moisture and lipid barrier maintenance
Carbomer for stability and consistency
Cetearyl alcohol for skin softening
Behentrimonium methosulfate for skin conditioning
Dimethiconol for hydration
Lecithin for skin softening
Sodium citrate for pH balance
Retinol to prevent and reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Sodium hyaluronate for moisture
Sodium lauroyl lactylate for thickening
Cholesterol for barrier protection
Phenoxyethanol for preservation
Alcohol for preservation
Isopropyl myristate for moisturizer
Caprylyl Glycol for skin conditioning
Citric acid for preservation
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate to enhance preservation system
Pentylene glycol for skin conditioning
Phytosphingosine for lipid barrier protection
Xanthan gum for thickening
Polysorbate 20 for texture
Ethylhexylglycerin for preservation and skin conditioning
Skin Profile: Dry and sensitive skin (WOC)
What we like most about it: Dry gel texture
What we would change? We would recreate with a slightly thinner, more liquid texture
Would we get it again? Possibly.
Would it become a staple? Unsure.
Fragrance level: None
Color: Opaque
Consistency: Thin gel with dry finish
Does it rise to the promise? Yes
Is it worth the hype? Yes
Does the price match the quality? Yes
What about a dupe? You won’t need one.
Is this review sponsored? No.
Any tips?
Only use at night to prevent photosensitivity during the day.
Don’t use with AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, or Vitamin C in the same part of your routine. (There’s not much research on the actual impact of retinol and exfoliants used together. Many retinol products on the market are actually formulated with exfoliants, like Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform which also has lactic acid. If you’re a beginner, ensure to separate them to learn how your skin responds to these actives. Then, you’ll be able to explore how your skin works with different actives together. But as a precaution for beginners, you should begin by keeping these actives separate to decrease chances of irritation).
Overall rating: 6/10
Poll: Based on this post, which retinol are you most likely to try?