Retin-A, Vitamin A and What It Can Do For You

Happy Saturday!! I have been doing some research on a few beauty and skincare products and I have to share what I am learning. Make sure you read all the way to the bottom if you have puffiness under your eyes. Whether from allergies, sensitivity, or genetics – I finally found something that works instantly!!!! Y’all know this made me happy! And for the results I am getting, I would pump out the $$$, cause I hate under eye puffiness – just makes me look older or makes me look like I’ve been crying! UGGGG!

I’ve certainly heard of retinol and it wasn’t until I sat down with my Esthetician, Melissa when I realized I should consider adding retinol into my skincare routine. So I’ve been doing some research to try to find a good product and was swiftly introduced to the massive amount of information all about retinol/vitamin A on the internet.

I’m sorting through a lot of it but I wanted to share my research process in case you too are looking to add a retinol into your skincare routine.

What is Retinol? It’s an anti-aging molecule that encourages cell turnover and collagen production, softens fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. It’s a milder derivative of Vitamin A, should not be used in the daytime.

Summing up a lot of the articles I’ve read, retinol may be the most effective anti-aging tool available right now. If you are young, you probably don’t need it. But if you are getting near 30, collagen production is going down, or you are starting to see signs of aging, you may want to consider using a product with Retinol to restore some youth to your face! In fact, in one of the videos I watched, Caroline said “retinol is like CPR for your skin. . . it reminds it to keep working!” 

I’ve following along with Caroline Hirons series of videos all about retinol to learn as much as possible as I explore using these products. She has a wealth of information and exhaustively explores products. I’d recommend watching a few of her videos about this subject to learn more! Start with this one!

As far as product availability goes, there are so many options. The percentage of retinol varies in each product too, so it’s very important to do your research before you jump into a high percentage of retinol.

Items I found that came with high reviews are these:

Ole Henricksen and Biossance are two brands that I’m aware of that use Squalane, which is something our bodies actually produce naturally (just like hyaluronic acid!). The Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum  was also a product that was very HIGH in reviews and suggested from my Esthetician.

I’ve started using the Redefine Amp MD System and I have seen some difference in my skin. What is this system? The REDEFINE AMP MD™ Derma-Roller features micro-exfoliating tips that safely and gently maximize the effectiveness of applied products to amp up your results and visibly firm skin. REDEFINE Intensive Renewing Serum empowers skin’s own renewing process for more refined, firmer-looking, smooth skin with less visible lines and wrinkles.

I have fine lines, some wrinkles (but not very many – just around my eyes). The main reason I decided to get this system is that I saw results on my friends that used it. Nothing speaks louder than actually seeing someone you know who is having results. My major concerns are the lines at the edges of my mouth that make me look like I am a hand puppet. UGGGG!!! I am also noticing that my skin is not as firm as it was at 40, so now that I am at the edge of 50, I wanted to start working on this issue without Botox!

So where am I now? I’m using the AMP MD which has the Intensive Renewing Serum (which has the highest amount of Vitamin A you can get without a prescription). I enjoy using this and really can tell my skin is firmer and looks healthier. It will take a long time of use (all products do) to really see the impact it’ll have on wrinkles that already exist on my face, but for now, I feel good about using something that is gentle and products that I know have the ability to work if I use them on a regular basis. Anything to help combat environmental and aging effects on the skin is a WINNER for me!

I still have a lot to learn, and am certainly glad to have the internet and estheticians available to discuss these things!

I’m curious, do you use a retinol product religiously? And for how long have you used it? Have you seen a difference? Are you also confused by this whole world of Vitamin A and anti-aging products? Ladies – I need your feedback and honesty!

Also, for all you ladies that have puffiness under your eyes…

Most of you know I LOVE the Bright Eye Complex. Recently I received Dr. Brandt Needles No More No More Baggage eye de-puffing gel. This stuff WORKS LADIES! I applied this under my eyes and within 5 minutes I could feel my skin tightening, of course, I checked out my eyes in the bathroom mirror. As I looked at my reflection I actually thought…Hot Dog! I have found something that works instantly! It tightens the puffiness under your eye and gave my under eye area a flush, smoothe look.

I checked back in 5 hours and my eyes still looked great- no puffiness at all. I could see a small line at the bridge of my nose, but that was it – side note- I did not apply any to that area. I focused on the midsection under my eye all the way to the outer portion of my under eye area. My allergies are horrible and my eyes are very sensitive – plus genetics—I have had issues with puffiness since I was about 30. Between the Bright Eye Complex and No More Baggage, I think I have finally found products that reduce the baggage!!

What are your secrets ladies? I am really looking some feedback on your thoughts with Retinol and Vitamin A. Do any of you go to the Dermatologist for prescription strength??

Be sure to follow along on PinterestFacebook, or my favorite –Instagram!!

Be sure to Subscribe to the blog if you haven’t (Subscribe to get email updates ) and please share any pictures you like on Pinterest. A red “P” should pop up in the corner of any pictures and you can pin them to your fashion boards. Thank you again for stopping by and hope you all have a safe and wonderful day! And… Be sure to tell a friend about the blog!! Thank you all for following along on this journey with me

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15 Comments

  • sandy

    Well I have to honestly say that I have not given any thought to Retinol and Vitamin A and I know at age 62 and all the outdoor mowing I do in the summer I really should be taking better care of my face other then sunscreen. You have really done some extensive research into this and I hope you are able to find something that you like because I am no help to you in this area in suggestions. Since I am an advocate of essential oils, I have given some thought to trying their skin care line but just haven’t put out the money to do so yet. Not sure what the day is going to bring but…..we are finally suppose to see 80 deg. temps..YAHOOOOOO !!!!! I may mow just so I can be outside doing something…LOL Have a great day Beverly!

    • Beverly

      Woohoo!! It’s going to be a gorgeous day!! Thus Essential Oils thing has really intrigued me! I’m going to have to check these out. I hope you have fun today and enjoy this beautiful day!! 🤗

  • Kelly Palmer

    Good morning! Today’s post was very informative. I really love that you not only share about fashion but also about faith, skin care, hair care and other health and beauty type topics. I fortunately have had good skin all of my life and have never felt the need to research much of anything about skin care. I am 57 years old and the things that bother me most right now would be the very deep frown lines, some fine lines around my eyes and the thinning of my eyebrows. I know that Rodan + Fields is a very good company and their products get good reviews but my husband would absolutely faint if I asked to spend that much money on skin care products. So what would you suggest for people on a tighter budget? Thanks for all that you do to help us bring out the beauty in us inside and out! 🙂

    • Beverly

      Honestly you can buy a derma roller from Amazon that is cheap. And believe it or not-Oil of Olay is probably top on the list for me. They are pretty good , they aren’t cheap either-but they aren’t going to break the bank lol. I’m like you-I only have a few places that bother me-we are blessed!! A lot of my high school friends have not been so fortunate, I do believe it’s mostly genetics and keeping your body hydrated. I hope you have a great day!! It’s going to be nice here I think 🤔 the storms were horrible last night though!

  • Kelly Palmer

    Thanks so much for the suggestions! I work at CVS and we carry a huge assortment of lotions and potions but having so many options is very overwhelming to me. I get a colleague discount and of course coupons so that will help tremendously:) We had very strong storms here yesterday and torrential downpours all morning which I guess are the storms that went through your area last night. Not sure how many inches of rain we got because it rained so much that it overflowed our rain gauge.

    • Beverly

      Oh my gosh that’s a lot of rain!! It was horrible!! Sooo, Raegan’s friend works at CVS and she’s trying to talk her into applying there. I fidget about the coupons!! Do you use Ibotta? I love that little app.

  • Gloria

    Bless you for sharing this info.and I too suffer from puffy under eyes so I am going to try No More Baggage. I was actually at Sephora yesterday and a very nice lady who did a treatment on me, suggested Olehentiksen Banana Bright Eye Creme. I didn’t get it because I wanted to do some research and read reviews. The good thing is that I have fairly good skin but the bad thing is that because of this I didn’t start a good skin regimen early and now at 57 my skin has changed and now I’m scrabbling to find products that work. So it’s good that you can doing it now and I really do need to start Rentinol soon. It’s just so overwhelming and who has money to spend trying all these diff products that claim to work? For instance, I just bought an expensive toner and I don’t even know when or how often to use it? I wish someone would give us the top 5 must have skin products for women in their fifties.

    • Beverly

      Oh my Gloria!! That’s a wonderful idea!!! I’m going to look into that. When I find a product that works and I mean really works-I’m sharing it. The no more baggage is something I will always have now. I put it on this morning and I swear the top part of my face looks younger than the bottom lol!! That’s ok though. I will get that neck and chin area looking better one day ha!!!

  • Kelly Palmer

    No I do not use Ibotta, how does it work? CVS is a good company to work for and I really enjoy the people that I work with and love our customers! You can really save some money there if you use the coupons and extra bucks that you get on your register receipt, coupons from the coupon center machine and manufacturers coupons combined.

    • Beverly

      Ok. I can send you a link-you get paid back for your items you purchase ANYWHERE!!! I use it at Walmart a lot. I’ve gotten back around $150 bucks so far. You can take a picture of your receipts and they credit you money. You get $10 if you refer people. It’s pretty cool. They PayPal you the money.

  • Johnna

    I too have puffiness and dark circles under my eyes. I started using the R &F eye complex in mornings and the Redefine eye cream at night. It’s slowly but surely making a difference. I’m going to try the other product you mentioned too. Just started rage Amp roller and serum couple days ago. I’m confident it’s going to improve my skin. Thanks for all the info and things I need to consider when it comes to taking care of my skin. I’m saving this post under Favorites for future reference.

    • Beverly

      Awe!! Thanks girl!! I figured it if was interesting to me some other women may find it useful. The derma roller is really nice. You will totally love it!!

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