Retinol Magic

Highest Over-The-Counter Retinol Concentration 

Trying to fight signs of ageing? What about blemish scaring or uneven skin tone? If you haven't already heard of the benefits of Retinol than let us at Shear Style tell you!

What It Is...

Retinoic acid is known to plump wrinkles, release collagen and battle sun damage and the breakdown of collagen.

How Fast It Works...

After 4-8 weeks of daily application (preferably at night, as intensity degrades in the light), skin will appear less wrinkled and more even-toned, however 2-6 months is your goal with upkeep!  www.besthealthmag.ca quote's Dr. Alastair Carruthers, a Vancouver dermatologist saying... 

"This is a lifetime commitment; if you stop, age spots usually re-appear within weeks and wrinkles deepen again." 

The Side Effects...

Irritation, peeling, dryness and redness are common in first- time users. 

Where You Can Get It...

Many cosmetic skincare lines offer anti-aging creams containing retinol. Ask a skincare specialist in your local beauty department for more information.

Helpful hint : Product Packaging Matters

• "Because retinol degrades with exposure to light and air, you should choose one with packaging that blocks out both. One-dose capsules that you apply to skin, such as Philosophy Booster Caps ($50 for 60) or products packaged in aluminum, like Vichy Liftactiv Retinol HA ($49, 30 mL), or in opaque glass bottles, like RoC Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correxion Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Serum ($50, 30 mL) or a three-layer tube under a nitrogen blanket protects the retinol in Olay Professional Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment ($55, 30 mL)."

Helpful hint : Highest Concentration Product

• "SkinCeuticals (available through skincare professionals) Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream ($56, 30 mL) contains 1.0%—uniquely, that’s printed right on the package.

One percent is also the highest amount of retinol allowed by Health Canada for over-the-counter products.

• Canadian brands Alyria (sold at physicians’ offices) and drugstore brand Dermaglow Nuvectin Retinol-Px face cream ($75, 45 mL) contains 0.15% retinol. Alyria Retinol Night Complex 1 ($50, 30 g) contains 0.15%, while Night Complex 2 ($60, 30 g) is stronger, at 0.30%.

RoC, L’Oréal Paris, and Vichy do not have any mention of concentration and refuse to release any such information.