Avene RetriAL 0.1 Intensive Creme (Amazon Affiliated)

I recently took the plunge and revamped my entire skin care products to only a few favorite staples. As a new mom, I definitely don't have the time to spend an hour in the bathroom layering on all of the serums and creams so I decided to finally start my retinol journey. For those that aren't familiar with retinols, a retinol is a type of retionid that is derived from vitamin A. While retiniod can only be aquired by prescription, retinol is available over the counter. Retinol is a much better option with a weaker formula which is more suitable for those that are just starting on their graceful aging journey. Retinoids are considered the gold standard for antiaging as well as for treating acne.

"Retinoids not only increase the cellular turnover rate of keratinocytes (cells on the outermost layer of our skin), keeping younger, plumper cells closer to the surface,” says Jessica Krant, M.D., a dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. “But they also help exfoliate older keratinocytes at an increased rate, which helps to unclog pores and keeps your skin refreshed without the need for harsh friction. Over a long period of use, retinoids also help increase the production of collagen and elastin in the dermis—the second, deeper layer of skin. Not many products work on so many aspects of skin health all at the same time."

After countless hours of research, I chose to start with Avene- RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream. This is a great starter retinol as it is formulated especially for those with sensitive skin. I did not want to take any risks and ruin my skin months before my wedding and I'm so glad I went with Avene! THIS STUFF IS AMAZING!

I've been using the RetrinAL Creme for about 5 weeks with great results. I wanted to give this product a fair try so I put away all my other sking care products and only use this. I started applying the cream once a week for 3 weeks and then upped the frequency to twice a week for the last 2 weeks. My skin loves this stuff! I've seen an improvement in the texture of my skin, making it look noticeably smoother with or without make-up. Another benefit I observed is the size of my pores. They seem to be slowly shrinking. As for the wrinkle erasing properties? I still need to give this product some time to see a noticeable imporvement but so far I'm absolutely loving what im seeing!