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Osmosis has done it again: an effective product at a great price with proven anti-agers. I learned to love Osmosis Replenish several years ago, but have only just got to be impressed by Osmosis Correct ($44 in the TIA shop), a skin resurfacer with retinal at .05%.

Members of the Truth In Aging community are likely aware that I regard retinols with caution. However, I wanted to see if this one from Osmosis – which surrounds its retinal with plenty of other interesting ingredients – would be effective without being irritating. And for my sensitive skin, even around the lip line area (I was testing it to tackle lip lines), Osmosis Correct proved to be gentle. Oh, and I was pleased to see that it did help to fade those lines and smooth the skin on my neck.

The retinol in Correct is trans-retinal (retinaldehyde), a form of retin A that is relatively stronger as well as being gentler. A Swiss study concluded: "Retinaldehyde, which is fairly well tolerated, seems to be the most efficient cosmeceutical retinoid; it has significant efficiency toward oxidative stress, cutaneous bacterial flora, epidermis renewing, and photoaging." Having said that, retinols in general can be irritating and, if over used, can thin the skin due to their powerful exfoliating effect.

Correct has an interesting selection of actives. I was very pleased to see the relatively new peptide, caprooyl tetrapeptide-3. Known as ChroNoline, I first came across this in the recently revamped La Vie Celeste products and SenZen. It may help maintain the structure of the skin and prevent sagging by boosting laminin as well as collagen lll. Anti-aging heavy hitters continue with two wound repairers, epidermal growth factor and GHK copper peptide, antioxidant R-lipoic acid and chlorella, and 1,3 beta glucan (usually found in mushrooms), which can activate the immune system.

Other ingredients are ubiquitous across the Osmosis stable, such as the (also very good) Replenish. Both have phosphatidylcholine, niacinamide and L-lactic acid. Phosphatidylcholine has essential fatty acids that assist in the communication and repair of cell membranes throughout the body, including within the skin.

There’s nothing to dislike about Correct, except that the pump has a tendency to resist and then send a stream of orange serum across the bathroom. The smell is slightly bitter but, like the slight tackiness after application, soon dissipates.

Although I will continue to be a sparing (only where needed for stubbornly sun damaged or lined skin) and cautious (only at night) user of Osmosis Correct, it is a retinol-based serum that has my blessing. Although given the toxicity concerns around retinols, I would not recommend this for pregnant women.

Ingredients: Aqua (Harmonized Water), Lecithin (Phosphatidylcholine), Niacinamide, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Chlorella Vulgaris Officinalis Extract, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Asiaticoside, Beta-Glucan (D), Fulvic Acid, Lactic Acid (L), Sodium Hyaluronate (L), L-Hydroxyproline, Thioctic (R-lipoic) Acid, Retinal (.05% Retinaldehyde), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium(Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Santalum Austrocaledonicum (Sandalwood) Wood Oil, Lonicera Japonica(Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloud Berry) Seed Oil, Cyclodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Dextran, Dimethyl Sulfone