Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment Review (2023)

FAQs

Does Paula's Choice retinol 1% work? ›

Verdict. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment is a fantastic product – it's effective at treating a range of skin concerns, and it's really good value. You can't really do better unless you go with a prescription product, which might work better, but will also probably be more irritating.

For beginners, most dermatologists recommend a retinol with a concentration of 0.25 percent to one percent to see results. If your skin is not sensitive, you can usually tolerate something right in the middle; Dr.

Start by applying the treatment up to three times a week and gradually build up frequency to every other night, and finally every night if your skin can tolerate it. Use the treatment at night after cleansing and toning. Apply a pea-sized amount to your face and neck, avoiding contact with your lips and eyes.

It may take 5-14 days to see results (source) Don't give up! Initially, my reactive skin had zero irritations and redness. I was extremely relieved as most acne products were too strong for me. Just avoid eczema spots or any other sensitive areas on your face.

Paula's Choice uses scientifically backed ingredients and a no BS approach to skin care. What's in the products is just as important as what's not. Everything is formulated free of dyes, fragrances, and phthalates. The website even features a handy skin care ingredient dictionary that beauty editors love to reference.

You'll likely want to use retinol once or twice per week initially and work up to using it more than that. The reason: Retinol can initially be drying, especially if you have sensitive skin, so it's a good idea to give your skin some time to adjust to the change in your routine.

Use retinol once or twice a week at first to see how your skin reacts, and gradually work up to every other day or three times a week. Another key tip for using retinol is to incorporate it into your nighttime skincare routine only, as it makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

The Ordinary suggest starting your retinol regimen with their 0,2% concentration and gradually move onto 0,5% and 1% to give your skin the chance to build tolerance. Side effects if you don't may contain redness, peeling and a burning sensation. Especially around the eyes and mouth, things can get truly flakey.

Retinol works for acne by preventing clogged pores. You may still see pimples for the first couple of months of treatment – your skin might even look worse (this is sometimes referred to as the retinol purge). But if you stick with it, you'll see clearer skin.

We recommend introducing these products to your skincare routine no more than three times per week and monitoring how your skin responds. If you experience no adverse reaction, you can increase use to every other day and then every day.

How do you use Paula's Choice 1% retinol treatment? ›

Start by applying the treatment up to three times a week and gradually build up frequency to every other night, and finally every night if your skin can tolerate it. Use the treatment at night after cleansing and toning. Apply a pea-sized amount to your face and neck, avoiding contact with your lips and eyes.

You should always apply retinol at night, after cleansing, and before your nighttime moisturizer. Five minutes is enough to wait for your retinol to sink in before applying moisturizer; you want to layer them, not mix them.

Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.

Retinol (leave to absorb for 10-20 minutes)

Retinol is also an ingredient that should be left to absorb sufficiently into the skin before following up with another product. “It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product.

The most probable reason for the breakouts experienced after using a BHA is pure coincidence. The breakouts also may coincide with hormonal fluctuations, as many women tend to breakout during this time no matter what anti-acne products they're using or starting to use.

Purging should then last the length of time for a full cycle. While that is different for everyone, it should on average last between 4 to 6 weeks. However, if your skin isn't getting better after 6 to 8 weeks, your skin may be having an adverse reaction to the new product(s).

BHAs are thought to self-neutralize after about 20 minutes, so most skincare experts advise letting it fully dry for at least 15 minutes before continuing with your regular skincare routine (i.e. essences, serums, moisturizers, spot treatments).

Paula's Choice is dermatologist approved, being recommended for many years by skin experts and beauty editors alike. The effective, science-backed ingredients used in Paula's Choice products have helped create a reputable, positive view of the brand.

However, it's not only the RESIST products that benefit skin—all Paula's Choice skincare collections provide anti-aging benefits, thanks to ingredients that help smooth visible signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.

You can use Paula's Choice BHA every day— exfoliating once either in the morning or evening (pick whichever is most convenient for you). Many people with stubborn clogged pores have great results using a Paula's Choice BHA exfoliant twice per day.

Can I use retinol under my eyes? ›

Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there's no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.

If you use too high a strength or apply retinol more frequently than you should, you may experience further irritation, like itchiness and scaly patches. Some people have noticed acne breakouts after using retinol, though this is a rare side effect.

So if you start using retinol every day out of the gate, you can end up with some painful inflammation and a damaged skin barrier, negating any potential positives. One way to avoid that irritation is to start slow, explains Ranella Hirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston.

Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.

Begin in Your Mid 20s or Early 30s

"Your mid-twenties are a great time to start using retinol," says Ellen Marmur, M.D. "Many patients who have used it for years swear by it."

While vitamin C is most notable for helping to brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, retinol is typically considered best-in-class for wrinkles and fine lines. And if you really want to give your skin a one-two punch to get noticeably healthier, you can certainly try incorporating both into your routine.

Retinol and vitamin C products

Make sure to leave some space in your fridge for your retinol and vitamin C skincare, as these antioxidants can degrade much quicker and become unstable when exposed to heat and sunlight. Storing these products in the fridge keeps the formulas stable and helps with preservation.

Mix your retinol with your moisturizer, or apply your moisturizer first and then your retinol. Always use sunscreen the morning after you apply retinol. Your skin will be especially sensitive to sunlight, so it's important to protect it.

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

Houshmand recommends RoC's Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, which is one of the highest-strength retinol you can get over the counter, meaning you may see its resurfacing effects sooner than with other products.

Never rub the skin, as this can lead to increased irritation. After you've applied your retinol, wait at least three to five minutes before moving on to the next step. That amount of time gives your retinol plenty of time to be thoroughly absorbed into the skin.

Why does my skin look worse after starting retinol? ›

Skin purging happens when new ingredients, like retinol, promote increased cell turnover, which causes clogging and worsening breakouts. This is particularly the case as oil and debris that is trapped deeper underneath the skin comes to the surface.

Those with stubborn skin concerns, like deep wrinkles and pronounced uneven skin tone may want to consider a high percentage retinol cream, serum or treatment. But what percentage of retinol is effective? Look for formulations with a percentage between 0.3% and 1%, with retinol 1% being the strongest option.

Skinceuticals Retinol 0.3%: The best for first-time users

If you're new to retinol, it's best to start with a low-concentration product to allow your skin to build up tolerance to the exfoliating effects of the vitamin. This luxury product from skincare specialists Skinceuticals is an excellent introduction to retinol.

Apply the retinol facial cream or serum to your face, neck, and chest. If you're using a skin-brightening product too, apply it now. If you're using a booster product, apply it now. Proceed with your moisturizer, eye cream, and/or serum.

You don't need to wait for your BHA or AHA to absorb or dry; you can apply any other product in your routine—moisturizer, serum, eye cream, or sunscreen—immediately afterward.

If you're experiencing excessive dryness and peeling from using retinol, stop using the product and consult a dermatologist. They may suggest a gentler formula or recommend that you limit your use of the ingredient (every other night or even just twice a week).

Yes, you can safely put retinol creams on your neck. “Retinol can sometimes cause redness or irritation as a side effect, but it is worth the effort. Fortunately, there are beginner formulations that can get skin acclimated gradually,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

When should you cleanse your face in the morning? If you used products with potent actives at a high percentage such as retinols or strong acids on your skin overnight, as a precaution, cleanse your face in the morning.

With retinol, less is more. Use only a few drops of its serum over your cleansed and dry face, then use your fingers to gently massage in circular motions. Wait for it to get fully absorbed and apply moisturiser after 20 minutes.

What to pair with retinol at night? ›

Mix With Peptides

Mariwalla says it's a great idea to use both a retinoid- and peptide-based night cream at bedtime. "You get the collagen-building effects of the retinoid, but it also works to improve the penetration of the peptide cream, which can help improve skin's firmness," she explains.

Step 2: Wait a few minutes until your skin is completely dry. This is important, because if your skin is at all damp, the retinol will be able to absorb more deeply into your skin and might cause irritation. We want to apply moisturizers and serums to slightly damp skin, but never retinol.

Can hyaluronic acid and retinol be used together? Unlike many other skin care ingredients out there, hyaluronic acid and retinol can be used in the same skincare routine. Not only that, but using them together can help to lessen the severity of the side effects that often come with retinol usage.

Skin experts always advocate applying actives on damp skin for better absorption. However the same rule does not apply to retinol. While you must ensure that you wash your face before application, make sure the skin is dry first. “On damp skin, the retinol will get absorbed more deeply and in turn cause irritation.

Apply the hyaluronic acid serum first, then use the retinol.

However, it takes three to six months of regular use before improvements in wrinkles are apparent—and the best results take six to 12 months. Because retinoids can cause skin dryness and irritation, doctors often recommend using them only every other day at first and then gradually working up to nightly applications.

Retinol is also amazing for reducing pore size, fighting acne, brightening skin and reducing fine lines. Retinol can cause some side effects after application such as redness, burning/tingling, dryness/tightness or skin scaling/flaking.

Is it safe to use retinol every day? For most people, yes — once your skin is used to it, that is. That said, there are some people who may not want to use it frequently or at all.

Use it either every day or a few times per week, based on how your skin responds and which frequency of application gives you optimal results.

With diligent use, most users see visible improvement to their skin tone, smoothness, and breakouts within the first few weeks. Fine lines and small imperfections take several weeks to months to start to fade, while deeper lines and more significant hyperpigmentation may take several months.

What not to use with retinol? ›

Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.

Apply the retinol facial cream or serum to your face, neck, and chest. If you're using a skin-brightening product too, apply it now. If you're using a booster product, apply it now. Proceed with your moisturizer, eye cream, and/or serum.

Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.

The good news is that it is never too late to start incorporating retinol into your skin care routine. People in the 60s and beyond have begun using retinol and still experienced results.

Can you exfoliate and use retinol in your routine? The short answer is yes. Both a chemical exfoliant and retinol help to resurface the skin, fade dark spots, clear pores and soften fine lines and wrinkles. But they don't always play nice together.

If you want to use both, try exfoliating and using your retinoid on alternating evenings, or exfoliating in the morning and using the retinoid at night. Also, because retinoids increase your sensitivity to the sun, make sure you're always using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF, Dr. Lipner says.