When it comes to the beauty ingredients that I’m asked about most frequently, retinol is undoubtedly up there at the top of the list. Plenty of my friends and family members have come to me wondering whether or not they actually need retinol or how to find a decent retinol serum to start with. For many people, retinol is the one ingredient that feels like totally uncharted territory. Why? If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say that a lot of us are totally terrified to start using retinol when there are so many stories out there about some of its potentially negative side effects. Trust me—I get it. I experienced an adverse reaction when trying a retinol cream for my acne a few years back. And in general, retinol can definitely cause irritation like dry skin and redness if you don’t introduce it slowly and carefully to your skincare routine. But now that I’m in my early 30s and talk to skincare experts regularly for work, I’ve learned more about the positive effects that retinol can have on our skin. In fact, dermatologists say that it’s actually one of the few ingredients that visibly benefits our skin.
With this in mind, I’ve been tentatively venturing back into the world of retinol serums and moisturisers, and after my latest trial period, I’ve officially been converted. My spot-prone skin is now smoother, softer and more even in texture, and besides some hormonal moments, my breakouts are generally less frequent and less severe. But retinol isn’t just renowned for its ability to improve skin texture. It’s also one of the most effective anti-ageing ingredients that we have at our disposal. And while I firmly believe that ageing is something to be celebrated, I have to be honest: I’m not loving the early scattering of fine lines that are starting to appear around my eyes. You might be thinking that retinol is surely too harsh an ingredient to use around your eye area. As it turns out, it isn’t. And that’s exactly where the Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Line Erasing Eye Cream steps in.
