Where I got it: I got this from the Paula’s Choice online store for AUD $70.00. It comes to NZD$85.82 including shipping. Not too expensive for a product if it does what it claims to do.
What I got: This is a bottle of Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment. Combined with potent antioxidants, this treatment is specially formulated to smooth and firm skin by helping to boost cell regeneration and stimulate collagen production. Its light, silky texture absorbs quickly and goes to work immediately to refine pore size, reduce deep wrinkles, fine lines, brown spots—it can even help breakouts, too! Licorice, oat extract and other anti-irritants help to minimise the irritation some people may get from products containing high amounts of retinol. This is suitable for those looking for a more potent product designed to preserve young skin and repair more advanced signs of ageing, including: deep wrinkles, fine lines and brown spots. In addition, this will help prevent blemishes and correct red marks from past breakouts.
If sensitisation occurs (redness, flaking, tenderness, or drying of skin), reduce frequency of use or mix one pump of the Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment with your favourite Paula’s Choice serum or PM moisturiser. If sensitization persists, discontinue use. Protect skin daily with sunscreen rated SPF 15 or greater, or layer sunscreens (moisturiser, foundation with sunscreen, and pressed powder with sunscreen) if they are all rated SPF 15 or greater (and greater is better).
How I find it: Recommended directions: Limit initial use to three times per week; gradually increase frequency to every other night, then finally each evening as tolerated. Apply a pea-sized amount after cleansing and/or toning. Carefully avoid the lips, eyes and corners of the eyes. Can be used on the perimeter of the orbital bone if desired. Do not apply to eyelids. To minimise irritation, try combining with 2-3 drops of Resist Moisture Renewal Oil Booster. Note: Some people may experience a delayed sensitised reaction to 1% retinol. Do not assume that if no reaction is seen after a few applications that you can apply this treatment more frequently. Pay close attention to how your skin responds and adjust usage accordingly.
May be applied at the same time as your AHA or BHA exfoliant, but pay attention to how your skin responds. If you notice signs of sensitivity, apply your AHA or BHA exfoliant in the morning and this treatment at night or reduce frequency of application of Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment.
Do not apply this treatment on the same day as facial waxing or sugaring. Doing so may increase the risk of an irritant response.
- Can be worn under or over your PM moisturiser.
- May be combined with any prescription retinoid product, including Renova, Retin-A, Refissa, Differin, Tazorac, or Avita. Discontinue or reduce frequency of use if irritation develops or persists.
- Despite the many benefits retinol has, there is no single “best” anti-ageing ingredient for skin. The retinol in this product is combined with other anti-ageing ingredients for optimal results. The antioxidants and skin-repairing ingredients in this formula were chosen for their well-researched track records and history of being able to improve multiple signs of ageing. We’ve also included potent anti-irritants to ensure compatibility with sensitive skin.
- Remember, not everyone’s skin will be able to tolerate a high percentage of retinol, especially if you’re already using a prescription retinoid or other skincare products that contain retinol.
Overall: This treatment has a orangey yellow colour (similar to Elizabeth Arden’s Prevage Serum) and a slight smell (not fragrance). I was using this every 2nd day at night for 4 weeks to see if my skin can tolerate. My skin reacted very well – showed signs reduction in pores/blackheads and also smoothness of my skin has improved. After 4 weeks, I stepped up and used it every night. Now I have been using this for 2 months now and my skin is so much more smoother, my pores/blackheads have reduced, some discolourations have diminished. However, this does not really help with acne scarring and preventing breakouts for me. Nor did it cause break out, it just didn’t reduce it. Overall my skin is more brighter and smoother. I really like this and I will continue to repurchase this.
