Five Best with Retinol April 2013

This post has been updated: Five Best with Retinol 2014

There is no doubt that retinols can improve the appearance of the skin since they are highly active. They work by exfoliating, and the effect on the skin will depend on the form of the retinol (there are several types in the vitamin A family including retin A, retinyl palmitate and trans retinol), the concentration used and the tolerance of the user (they can be drying and irritating). Retinols also increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun and so they are best used at night and rounded out with antioxidants that protect the skin. For me, the best way to use retinol is patiently, rather than grabbing the strongest dose from the derm’s office. The best options are gentler formulations that soothe, repair and boost collagen. My Five Best with retinol, have so much more to offer than vitamin A.

  • Arcona Vitamin A Complex Repair

    Arcona Vitamin A Complex Repair ($68 in the shop). Arcona has reformulated its retinol serum, streamlining it to an unadulterated dose of the key actives. There is retinol, a vitamin A derivative that exfoliates the skin and helps to diminish wrinkles, plus retinyl palmitate, which is easily absorbed by the skin and once it is there is converted into Retinol. Retinyl palmitate is gentler for sensitive skins than retinol, making this a good combination. The exfoliating force of these retinoids is given a further boost by glycolic acid. Fructooligosaccharides is a favorite ingredient of Arcona and it helps build collagen and retain moisture. Glucosamine HCI assists in maintaining the elasticity and integrity of the connective tissue and is an anti-inflammatory.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • BRAD Biophotonic Ultra Elastin Lift

    BRAD Biophotonic Ultra Elastin Lift ($210 in the shop). If you want retinol as part of a comprehensive anti-aging serum, then look no further than this high-quality multitasker. BRAD believes in keeping beauty routines simple and this complex formula does it all. Ultra Elastin Lift firms the skin while improving skin tone. Retinyl palmitate gives a boost to glycolic acid and lactic acid. Borage and flax will tone down redness and a ton of hydrating ingredients counteract dryness, such as avocado, sodium hyaluronate, cocoa butter and tamanu.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • Osmosis Correct

    Osmosis Correct ($46 in the shop). An excellent and effective product that fades wrinkles and smooths the skin whilst being relatively gentle. The secret is that niacinamide backs up the action of trans retinal. Plus there are anti-aging heavy hitters such as copper peptides and epidermal growth factor that repair wrinkles, as well as R-Lipoic acid. A great product at any price and very good value at less than 50 bucks. With 0.5% retinol.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • Skinfinite Platinum PM Cream 1% Retinol

    Skinfinite Platinum PM Cream 1% Retinol ($63 in the shop). Truth In Aging reviewer, Mark, said: "I didn't experience any redness, irritation or flaking (as I did initially with retin-A, even with cautious use) and I do attribute that to gradual use, and most likely the improvement in the delivery system of the product. It left my skin smooth and even toned. Interestingly, instead of drying my skin out, it actually hydrated it thanks to several moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, almond oil, beta-glucan (D), and ceramide-2." Skinfinite says its retinol is entrapped in molecular microsponges that enhances skin penetration in a time-release delivery system. With 1% retinol. Another reviewer, found it too strong to use more than once a week.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • Prana Reverse A

    Prana Reverse A ($48 in the shop). An excellent retinol that does a great job of bringing down sun-damaged skin. If you have stubborn areas of aging skin or hyperpigmentation and want a relatively effective over-the-counter retinal, then Prana Reverse A is worth trying out. Reverse A gets my vote for its natural ingredients and slew of anti-agers. Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant and produces energy in cells and I especially like l-Carnosine, which flushes toxins from the body and may extend the Hayflick Limit (the number of times cells reproduce themselves). NaPCA crops up in a few of Prana's products and sounds a little like hyaluronic acid (which is also here) in that it Na-PCA it pulls water out of the air to moisturize the skin. With botanical sage, horsetail and chamomile, Reverse A also has calming effects and may help with broken capillaries. The vitamin A is rounded out with Vitamin B5, E and C.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients