Denatured alcohol offers some benefits, for instance, it dries up excess oil, it provides a temporary tightening effect, and it helps other ingredients penetrate the skin better. But these short term benefits are not worth the consequences of using alcohol-based products long term. A study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that adenosine demonstrated efficacy in as low as 0.1% concentration for improving crow’s feet and glabellar frown lines (aka the 11’s). No, La Roche Posay is not cruelty free because La Roche Posay skin care products are sold in mainland China where animal testing is required by law. Is La Roche Posay Vegan?

As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t put any eye cream (especially a retinol-based one) on your eyelids unless the directions specifically say that it’s okay to do so. This formula is one of those rare ones that can be applied around the entire eye, including on the lids, ensuring you get a 360-degree anti-aging effect. Because it’s a serum, the silky texture sinks into the skin beautifully. And as far as retinol goes, this formula touts a retinoid complex that combines a time-released version of the ingredient with a fast-acting one, plus a booster that ups the efficacy of both. Reviewers do note that this can cause irritation on very sensitive skin, so it’s probably not suitable if you have eczema or psoriasis-prone skin type. If you're a seasoned retinol user, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 is a great option (and one we personally swear by). One of the strongest formulas out there, aka Sunday Riley's A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum is an incredibly potent, supercharged serum that will get you results fast. How do you use retinol?According to a publication in the journal Clinical Interventions in Aging , retinoic acid can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores. Bottom Line: A fragrance free eye cream with many beneficial ingredients (retinol, adenosine, caffeine) to help reduce signs of aging around the eyes. Which La Roche Posay Retinol Product is Best? It’s best to use retinoids at night. We recommend this retinoid oil serum . It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides similar benefits with less irritation.

Furthermore, alcohol disrupts the lipids that make up the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin), according to a publication in the journal BBA Biomembranes. Editor Tip: The retinol is encapsulated, meaning it's less irritating on the superficial layers of skin and is time-released. Alcohol can cause excessive skin dryness, which in turn causes the skin to compensate by producing more oil. Over time, this can lead to oily skin and breakouts. up a tolerance. If you're not used to using retinol around your eyes, "go slowly," advises Anthony Rossi, M.D., the founder of Dr. Rossi DERM MD and a dermatologist in New York City. "Apply a pea-sized amount or less and start by using it one to two times per week, increasing the frequency over a month until it can be tolerated nightly." Overall, we think that the La Roche Posay Retinol Eye Cream is formulated well, but the other two products in the collection contain problematic ingredients like denatured alcohol and fragrance. Pros

Pharmacy product

Some La Roche Posay retinol products contain fragrance, which could lead to skin sensitivity reactions Before retinol can provide any benefits, it must be absorbed into the skin and converted to retinoic acid (the active form).

Retinoic acid works deep within the skin where it boosts collagen synthesis, increases elasticity, and repairs connective tissue. It also increases cellular turnover, which helps to prevent clogged pores and also promotes smoother, healthier skin. Created with a 0.3% concentration of pure retinol, a vitamin A derivative that is the gold standard in treating wrinkles, the corrector stimulates collagen and elastin to promote a firmer and smoother appearance. An added retinol booster complex made up of retinal palmitate and adenosine works in perfect synergy to enhance the efficacy of the star ingredient, while LHA concentrated at 0.3% exfoliates the surface of the skin and increases cellular turnover. Dr Hextall says that collagen forms our skin's scaffolding, so you want to try and avoid the breakdown of collagen where possible. Why should you use a retinol eye cream? To ensure your skin doesn't get too irritated, look for retinol products that are formulated with moisturizing ingredients like niacinamideor B3, which help to calm inflammation. This is even more important when it comes to extra-sensitive parts of the skin. Fenton recommends choosing a product specifically made for the eye area if using retinol around your eyes. They’re specially formulated to be extra hydrating and minimize the likelihood of irritation. You already know that retinol is the key ingredient in all three La Roche Posay Retinol products, and that it provides numerous benefits to the skin. But how exactly does retinol work?Bottom Line: It’s great that La Roche Posay Retinol B3 Serum combines both retinol and niacinamide into one formula, but we cannot recommend this product due to the denatured alcohol and fragrance in the formula. For example, one review says, “Best serum ever, it helped fix my uneven skin tone and dry skin. It’s not harsh on the face or too oily but it’s still hydrating. Feels amazing on skin.” For example, a publication in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, states that niacinamide can repair the skin barrier and improve skin moisture, as well as reduce inflammation, blotchiness, hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkling. Pretty impressive, right? Yes, technically there’s no retinol in this formula but we think it deserves a place on the list because some people truly can’t tolerate retinol at all. Not to mention that it’s a no-no when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. The next best thing? Bakuchiol is a plant-based ingredient that’s been shown in studies to have almost identical anti-aging effects to retinol but without any side effects. It’s the star of the show in this creamy balm, which also boasts caffeine and algae to tighten, firm, and de-puff. There is also a slew of hydrating ingredients—hyaluronic acid, squalene, ceramides—that help to give this blend its pleasingly rich texture. This is one of the most expensive options on our list, but if retinol really doesn’t work for you, it’s well worth it for the results. This stress specifically related to sun exposure is photo-ageing, a form of premature ageing that affects every layer of skin.