The Ordinary Skincare Review Pt 1: Lactic Acid, Advanced Retinoid

Affiliate Disclosure: I receive a small commission for purchases made via affiliate links.
How to cite: Wong M. The Ordinary Skincare Review Pt 1: Lactic Acid, Advanced Retinoid. Lab Muffin Beauty Science. April 11, 2017. Accessed March 28, 2024. https://labmuffin.com/the-ordinary-skincare-review-pt-1-lactic-acid-advanced-retinoid/

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or just aren’t that into skincare, you’d have heard of The Ordinary by now. The newest brand from Deciem (parent company of NIOD and Hylamide) aims to bring effective skincare to the market at affordable prices.

As a skincare science nerd, it’s very exciting because many evidence-backed ingredients are very cheap, but skincare brands often price the products containing them at a premium because they work so well, and everyone else prices them high.

While some expensive brands do incorporate other technologies in their formulations that would justify the higher price, it’s really annoying as a consumer. You never know for sure how well a specific product will work for you, and no one wants to spend $70 on a product just to find out that it does nothing for your skin three months down the track. All of The Ordinary’s products are priced between $8.80 and $24.90, and you can get them online, or in-store at Myer, Priceline or the standalone Deciem stores.

The products are very plainly named according to what ingredients they contain. Interestingly, they don’t really emphasise what each product is supposed to do, so it seems like they’re targeting this line towards skincare nerds who know what they want. It makes sense,since most of the formulas contain only one or two star ingredients and are well-suited to multi-step routines, unlike the “multivitamin”-like all-in-one products aimed at a less obsessive audience who aren’t as interested in hardcore customisation.

The Ordinary Skincare Review Pt 1: Lactic Acid, Advanced Retinoid

I’ve trialed 4 products so far: Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%, Advanced Retinoid 2%, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and  “Buffet”. I’ll be talking about the first two in this post, and the second two in a post later this week. But before we delve into each individual product, here are some general remarks:

Packaging

All 4 products come in 30 mL droppers, which I like because it’s easy to measure out the right amount of product, but it isn’t as convenient as a pump (dropper bottles also let in more light and air than airtight pump dispensers, but I don’t think it’s an issue with these particular products – more on that later).

One annoying thing with droppers is if the product is thick and you’re not careful when replacing the dropper, the product on the dropper scrapes off onto the neck of the bottle, and you get lots of caked up product on the threads. This luckily hasn’t a problem with these products since they’re quite runny, but I’ve experienced this a lot with liquid illuminators. The labels are no-nonsense and monochromatic chic.

Excluded Ingredients

All Deciem products are free of parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, animal oils, benzalkonium chloride, coal tar dyes, formaldehyde, mercury and oxybenzone, and are not tested on animals. All four The Ordinary products I’m reviewing here are alcohol-free, silicone-free, nut-free and vegan.

There isn’t evidence that all of these ingredients are harmful (parabens are safe, as is mineral oil). Silicone is a bit annoying in routines because it can make other products roll off your face, and alcohol can be drying, so it’s convenient that these products have been formulated without them. There’s specific information on each product on the website, which is handy if you have nut allergies or if you want to stick to vegan products.

The prices I’m giving here are the Australian retail prices.

Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%

Price: $12.70 for 30 mL (prices vary on Amazon)

Good for: exfoliation, hyperpigmentation, congested skin, fine lines

Contains lactic acid: Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that’s fantastic for chemical exfoliation, and due to its slightly larger size, is supposed to be less irritating than glycolic acid. This is a particularly good option for people who are prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (i.e. anyone with dark skin or hair, including light-skinned Asians). In Australia (and most other places), glycolic acid products outnumber lactic acid products 20 to 1, so this is a very welcome addition to the market.

pH: Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% has a pH of 3.60-3.80, according to The Ordinary’s website, which is low enough to be effective. The Ordinary’s site states that a higher pH would be more irritating. I’m not sure what the reasoning for this is, since lower pH is both inherently more irritating, and allows more acid to get into the skin and exfoliate…

Other notable ingredients: Tasmanian pepperberry derivative to reduce inflammation, since the acidity of lactic acid and its peeling effect can trigger sensitivity. The key active in the pepperberry is polygodial, a compound that’s been found to be anti-inflammatory in animal studies. It’s also an antioxidant. This natural extract is responsible for the peachy colour of the product.

Potential irritation: The Ordinary responsibly warn about potential irritation, suggest introducing it slowly to your routine, and warn about the increased chance of sunburn from AHA use. If you’re switching from glycolic acid, t’s very roughly equivalent to 8.5% glycolic acid at the same pH (although glycolic acid is smaller so it’s more effective). There’s also a milder 5% version.

Scent: It smells a little strange. It isn’t all that unpleasant though.

Texture: A light, watery, hydrating serum that spreads well and is very slightly sticky.

How to use: Apply a few drops to skin after cleansing, before oils and creams, day or night.

In use: I was very excited to try the Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% because I’ve been looking for an affordable lactic acid exfoliant to recommend to other people for a while (I love Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Serum, but it’s pretty pricey). It gives a nice glow and smoothing effect the next day, and on the irritation front I only experienced a slight tight feeling. I managed to clog up my skin pretty good right before trialling this with an active-free week where I just used random moisturisers, but unfortunately I didn’t see any improvement in the closed comedones on my chin after using this for a week. The Ultraceuticals serum made them disappear completely, so I think my oily skin needs salicylic acid for that. This is a good product to try if you find glycolic acid too irritating, and if you’re an AHA virgin I’d recommend using the 5% version first.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Arginine, Potassium Citrate, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ethyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

Advanced Retinoid 2%

Price: $17.90 for 30 mL (prices vary on Amazon)

Good for: reducing appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evening out complexion, smoothing out roughness

The Ordinary say that their retinoid products are “not a treatment for acne” – it sounds like they’re trying to manage the expectations of people who don’t understand purging. But retinoids are one of the frontline treatments for acne, and the ingredients in this product have been studied in acne in a small uncontrolled clinical trial, so I’d say that this product could work for acne-prone skin.

Contains two forms of retinoid actives: This product contains two retinoid (vitamin A) ingredients.

First, there’s solubilised hydroxypinacolone retinoate which is an interesting new retinoid. There isn’t any peer-reviewed data on hydroxypinacolone retinoate’s actions on skin by itself, but according to a manufacturer it doesn’t need to be converted to tretinoin (retinoic acid) before it’s active.

This claim should be viewed with caution though, as it looks like it’s based on a (non-peer-reviewed) in vitro study and chemistry-based speculation (it’s a tretinoin ester rather than a retinol ester, as you can tell from the fact that “retin-” is the second part of the ingredient name). It’s also claimed to be less irritating than tretinoin, and several times more effective against signs of aging than other non-prescription retinoids.

The second retinoid ingredient is encapsulated retinol. Embedding the retinol in a capsule means the retinol is slow-release which makes it less irritating, plus the retinol is stable for longer since it’s protected from air. The product also comes in an amber bottle to protect from light degradation.

The Ordinary also have a Retinol 1% product in their range, which contains 1% retinol only.

2% strength: It’s a bit difficult to compare the strengths of skincare products containing different retinoids because they have different potencies – it’s like trying to compare codeine and heroin. Advanced Retinoid 2% is even trickier than other retinoids.

For this product, it sounds like they count the capsule as well as the solvent used to solubilise the hydroxypinacolone retinoate as part of the 2%, so it’s difficult to work out the exact percentage of the retinoids (interestingly, there’s a notice on The Ordinary’s site saying that they may be banned from shipping Retinol 1% to Europe in the future since it’s likely they’ll ban products with over 0.3% retinol soon, but there isn’t a warning on Advanced Retinoid 2% which suggests that it has less than 0.3% retinol… but it could also be that encapsulation makes ingredient accounting a bit fuzzier).

Additionally, hydroxypinacolone retinoate is a heavier molecule than retinol (about 50% heavier). There’s also the big issue of the overall formula affecting absorption, which often goes ignored when people get too into ingredient analysis. So with all this in mind, I’d give up trying to compare this to other strengths based on the 2% figure alone.

Deciem states that “Advanced Retinoid 2% achieves better visible anti-ageing results than Retinol 1% with less irritation.”

Other notable ingredients: It has the same antioxidant, anti-inflammatory Tasmanian pepperberry extract as the Lactic Acid as well as bisabolol which acts as an anti-irritant. It also has lots of humectant glycerin.

pH: The pH of this product is 5.00-6.00. The enzymes in the skin that convert retinol (and potentially hydroxypinacolone retinoate) to the active form only work at higher pH, so this product shouldn’t be used with any acidic products with lower pH for maximum effectiveness.

Sun sensitivity: Sensibly, there’s a warning for increased sun sensitivity while using the product and a recommendation for use of sun protection.

Scent: Smells a lot like other retinol products, mild

Texture: Runny light yellow liquid, slightly sticky upon drying

How to use: Apply a few drops to your face before oils and creams, and after water-based serums in the evening (light breaks down the retinoids).

In use: I started using Advanced Retinoid 2% expecting to get horrific peeling like I have in the past with other retinoid products, so I put it on my face and waited for the worst to happen. But much to my surprise, after three days, my skin was fine. So to really push the boundaries, I used it for 5 days in a row, then waited again… and nothing. Nada. Not even near my eyes! I’m incredibly impressed with the lack of irritation, and I love the hydration that the high glycerin content gives (it’s a bit sticky on the skin, but you’re only meant to use it at night so it isn’t a big issue).

I’ve noticed that my skin has become smoother and looks more luminous since using it, much like what I’ve seen with other retinol products in the past, but I can’t in all honesty rule out the effect of the glycerin.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Ethyl Linoleate, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Bisabolol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Cetyl Palmitate, Sucrose Laurate, Polysorbate 20, Behentrimonium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Disodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

Click here for Part 2 with Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and  “Buffet”!

(If you want more info on exfoliation, smooth skin and getting rid of hyperpigmentation with AHAs, make sure you’ve downloaded this free exfoliation guide!)

Get Your FREE Exfoliation Guide!

These products were provided for editorial consideration, which did not affect my opinion. This post also contains affiliate links – if you decide to click through and support Lab Muffin financially (at no extra cost to you), thank you! For more information, see Disclosure Policy.


Skincare Guide


Related Posts

59 thoughts on “The Ordinary Skincare Review Pt 1: Lactic Acid, Advanced Retinoid”

  1. Super informative, thanks! I’ve had both of these products since late last year and I’ve been enjoying them both, as well quite a few of the other products from The Ordinary. It’s great to have a more in-depth scientific look at how they work.

    Reply
  2. Thanks for the review! That retinoid sounds especially interesting, since I can’t really use my Paula’s Choice 1% more than once a week without a lot of peeling and irritation. I wonder if the “not an acne treatment” thing is because claims about treating acne cause a product to be classified as a drug in the US, so it would require them to follow different regulations (or maybe not be allowed to ship to the US)?

    Reply
    • I have that same issue with PC 1%!

      I thought so too, but most companies just don’t mention acne instead of making a big deal out of it. Who knows…

      Reply
  3. Yes, been waiting for your thoughts on the The Ordinary products, so thank you!! I have the Advanced Retinoid too and have been patch testing to make sure my skin doesn’t get angry – so far so good so I’m going to jump right in and use in all over my face tonight! I also have the Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%. It’s my first Vitamin C product so I have no prior experience to benchmark against but my skin seems to like it and I’ve not found the texture too off-putting.

    Reply
    • I have that same Vitamin C one and really like it! (And I’ve got the Ascorbyl Glucoside 12% too, and my very unscientific experience/observation tells me the 23% suspension is indeed more effective.) Advanced Retinoid is on my purchase list — aaand I guess the lactic acid is too, now. Can I ask if you’ve had sensitivities in the past to other retinoids/tretinoin? I *have*, and that’s making me a little gun-shy…

      Reply
      • Yay, sounds like the vitamin C choice was an excellent one! And in relation to your question – no I don’t think I’ve had any sensitivities to other retinol products – one I used was a cream that contains a very small undisclosed percentage of retinol though. The other was a sample I got from PC – but I didn’t use it for long enough to decide whether my skin was 100% happy with it.

        Reply
        • Oh and I should say, I did apply the Advanced Retinoid all over my face last night and my skin is looking fine this morning, no irritation detected

          Reply
  4. Thank you very much for the review Michelle!
    Could I ask you to clarify if I understand some of the points correctly?
    1) Advanced Retinoid 2% – I assumed that it contains 1% retinol and 1% Hydroxypinacolone retinoate based on what they suggested on FutureDerm. Is this not correct? Would that mean that The Ordinary Retinol 1% would actually contain higher % of retinol than Advanced Retinoid 2%?
    2) I thought it was safe to use retinoids with AHAs? I always struggled with that one, as my skin gets congested, so not using AHA at least 4-5 times a week makes it really dull and gives me pimples. Then I read about it on Paula’s Choice and she claims that it is ok, so I was relieved. I trust your opinion more though, as you are a scientists and understand chemistry in depth. I would really appreciate your advice on this!
    And love your blog of course xx

    Reply
    • My educated guess is yes. It sounds like they’ve included the weight of the capsule material and the other extras in the 2%, but I’m happy to be corrected by someone who knows more…

      It’s safer not to lower the pH of your skin if you want the retinol to be as effective as possible (not sure if pH matters for HPR). It’s possible that your skin returns to normal pH quickly after application so it might not matter, but I’m always a bit paranoid about retinoids. Plus most of the time retinoids are quite irritating already so I try not to sting it with acids at the same time.

      Reply
      • Hi Michelle, thank you very much for your reply. I am also trying with The Ordinary Retinol 1% now as I feel it seems like a safer bet to get proven results. Unfortunately, I am not chemist, but biologist, so I read a lot around on those topics and often get different opinions. Both FutureDerm and SkincareAddiction Reddit talk about 1%+1%, (apparently they emailed the company and that was their response), but indeed I saw the warning on the Ordinary website only about Retinol 1%, so this seems to confirm your assumption.
        Oh great! That explains it! I will be careful with sticking to right pH when using retinol 🙂 Thank you for such an informative post. Octavia x

        Reply
  5. Thank you for sharing your thorough analysis and personal experience about The Ordinary! I’m curious about the retinoid – it’s well priced and sounds like works as well as higher priced versions.
    Can’t wait for part 2 of your reviews – Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is on my to-buy list!

    Reply
  6. Thanks for your analysis! My current retinoid (Demarche Labs) seems too emolient for my oily skin plus it breaks the bank, so wanting to give Ordinary a try. Products with a lot of silicones don’t absorb well and congest my pores over time so try to avoid. Can’t wait to read your niacinamide review!

    Love all your analyses! Thanks so much.

    Reply
  7. Love your thorough reviews Michelle – so informative! I’m so keen for the Ordinary and really want to try their products. I definitely want to get their retinol – probably the 1% to start – I really think it’ll work out for my skin. I love that they’re so affordable too!

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

    Reply
    • Thank you! I hope it works well for you, vitamin A generally works for everyone so long as they can get through the irritation!

      Reply
  8. I’ve been using their Retinoid every other night for over a week now, and so far, so good. It’s my first ever retinoid product and I was preparing myself for the “it gets worse before it gets better” phase but none of the worse happened.

    I can’t tell yet how effective it is at fading acne marks, but my skin does feel smooth and glowing the next day. Overall it’s a good entry product to the world of The Ordinary skincare, and I’m already planning my next haul! Eyeing the Vit C, Niacinamide, Azelaic (this is the first time I’ve heard of this ingredient, but it says it’s for pore declogging so that means I’m SOLD) and the primers and foundations, too!

    Reply
  9. Thank you for writing such a informative post on The Ordinary products. Your review has really helped me with deciding which products to get!

    May I ask if you had incorporate both the Lactic Acid and Retinoid serums in your skin care routine? Or did you use them separately? I’m unsure if using Retinol and AHA is effective or if they can conflict with each other.

    Reply
    • I use them on separate days, since the low pH of the AHA can slow down the conversion of retinol in your skin to the active retinoic acid. If you wanted to use both I’d put on the AHA first, wait a bit (maybe 30 min) then use the Retinoid.

      Reply
  10. Little question; I’m dealing with a bit of acne (nothing major, few spots on my forehead) and I’m trying to find something that’ll help and I’ve heard great things about the Ordinary, but since none of their products claim to be an acne treatment and I’ve heard different opinions on different blogs, I don’t really know where to start. Any advice? Should I start with the advanced retinoid? Thank you!

    Reply
    • You’re right, technically none of their products are for acne treatment – I think it’s mostly because claiming acne benefits puts it in the “drug” category, which adds a ton of red tape and proof and expense. To be honest, pretty much all of their products would help with acne, since even simply hydrating skin will indirectly help! I’d start with an AHA (like the lactic acid), the retinoid or a vitamin C from their range. I’ve also found that benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and tea tree oil are great for acne too!

      Reply
  11. Hello Michelle!

    Thanks for your great blog.
    I want to try the advanced retinoid one but I am affraid regarding the comedogenic ingredients that it contains. I have an acneic skin. Do you think it will be a great idea to try it?

    Reply
    • It’s hard to say without actually trying it! Comedogenic ingredients aren’t always comedogenic when they’re in a formulation 🙂

      Reply
  12. Hey Michelle! Thanks so much because this post is super, super helpful as my Ordinary products arrived today so I am just about to try them out and head to bed. I am going to start with the retinoid tonight and then use the lactic acid tomorrow and continue to rotate as you have mentioned above. I also bought the salicylic acid – it says it can be used morning and night. Do you recommend not using it at night so I’m not mixing it with the lactic/retinoid? If you think it is beneficial to apply morning and night, do I apply it before or after the lactic/retinoid? Thanks so much again! Abbie x

    Reply
    • Generally you want to separate acids from retinoids in case the retinoids are less effective, but acids can be mixed together if your skin can handle the irritation 🙂

      Reply
  13. Thanks for your article, such a good read and super informative. I wanted to know whether acids can be used in conjunction with the Retinol 2% or is I think ideally treated as an acid in its own? I.e. Can I use the lactic acid and then the Retinol or should I alternate nights? Thanks!

    Reply
    • I would alternate, based on the irritation and pH factor (since some of the ingredients in the 2% aren’t as efficiently converted at lower pH).

      Reply
  14. Hi Michelle,

    Thank you for your informative article on The Ordinary products.
    I am 33, currently looking to purchase my first retinol serum and the information on various websites can be overwhelming and confusing at the same time.
    I wonder what kind of cream would I have to follow up with after applying the retinol serum?

    Reply
  15. Your posts are very well written and informative!! Thank you so much.

    I am 23 and have very slight fine lines underneath my eyes. I have normal to dry skin but I can be prone to acne, particularly during that hormonal time. I want to get an anti-aging and moisturising serum. Some people have recommended using a retinoid sparingly through the week. Would this clash with Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, which I use? Thank you in advance for your time!

    Reply
    • There’s a chance that the lower pH would mean the retinoid works less effectively – I’d recommend skipping BHA on retinoid days.

      Reply
  16. Hi, Michelle. Thank you for the insightful blog. Reading this post on The Ordinary inspired me to take action on my current skin problems. I have oily skin prone to blemishes. Dullness and roughness is a common issue for me. With these in mind, I plan to follow this regimen:

    AM: glycolic acid 7% toning solution, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1%, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG,, Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

    PM: glycolic acid 7% toning solution, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1%, Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate 10%, 100% plant-derived squalane

    Weekly: AHA30% + BHA 2% peeling solution

    Question — is there a way to incorporate Advanced Retinoid 2%? Will it be more helpful?

    Would you also say the Rosehip Seed Oil should be used instead of the 100% plant-derived squalane?

    And Lactic Acid 10% + HA over the AHA30%? Will using both be too much?

    Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • You have a lot of acids there – it might be better to use the AHA only in the morning, and the 2% retinoid in the evening every second day, alternating with the MAP for example. Make sure you add one product at a time, waiting a week or two before you add the next thing – if you go from nothing to this regimen immediately your skin is going to probably purge like crazy! Then you can see if there’s space to add the 2% retinoid 🙂

      Squalene vs rosehip – it depends on your skin, some people find it better than others. You’ll have to try and see!

      I think you have enough acids in there – maybe try the 7% and 30% for a bit, then see if your skin needs more before deciding whether you should get the lactic acid.

      Good luck! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Hi Michelle.

    I’m loving your reviews so much. Just curious on your input and advice on my situation. I’m torn between trying out the Advanced Retinoid 2% or the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% first. I have really oily skin, enlarged pores, and acne scars. My breakouts are mainly contained to hormonal time of the month type breakouts. Which product do you recomend?

    Reply
  18. Is it safe and okay to use the glycolic acid 7% toning solution every night together with the alternate use of advanced retinoid 2% and lactic acid in the PM as well? Because i plan to use that toner every night as I see that it really cleans my skin well. Thank you!

    Reply
  19. Hi,

    I have purchased Buffet, lactic Acid 10%, advanced retinol 2%, hyaluronic acid 2% and axe laid acid suspension 10%, all from The Ordinary. Not well versed in ordering these into a daily/weekly routine. Could you give me some pointers?

    Thank you!

    Reply
  20. hi there, I love your blog! I can’t believe i just discovered you — where have you been my entire life?! I think we have a lot in common — given our interest in beauty and academia (I have a Ph.D. too!). I have a question that I’d love your to have your thoughts on if you have some time.
    I’m 33. I am lucky to have excellent skin. Other than my daily moisturizer, sunscreen, makeup, cleanser, some jojoba oil, I don’t really use other products on my face. I started using a heavy moisturizer and sunscreen from 21 and i think it has really stalled major aging signs for me.
    However, I’m looking to introduce a new skincare regime because i recently started noticing some very fine lines under my eyes.
    My questions:
    1) You used the advanced retinoid under your eyes and said you liked it. For my skin profile, do you recommend the Lactic Acid 10% or Advanced Retinoid 2% at night? Or should i alternate both (e.g. Lactic Acid 5% in the daytime, Advanced Retinoid 2% in the eve, or alternating both in the eve)? Since i don’t have other issues do you recommend only using it under my eyes or around my entire face?
    2) In your other review, you mentioned the Buffet. i’m thinking of incorporating this to my morning routine so that it would look like this:
    Buffett (instead of Lactic Acid) -> Heavier moisturizer -> Sunscreen –> a bit of rosehip oil mixed with my custom drops. Does this sound feasible to you?
    Thank you so much

    Reply
    • 1) It’s hard to say for sure – as long as you’re using sunscreen you can use either all over your face. If your skin is excellent (I’m so jealous, by the way!) then I don’t see why you should mess with that! But if you’re seeing signs of aging elsewhere both of those products can help. I’d recommend trying the retinoid first.

      2) That sounds good, but I’d be wary of using oil over sunscreen – it can shift the sunscreen around and reduce protection.

      Reply
  21. Hello Michelle,
    This was a great post!!! I’ve personally emailed Deciem asking more details regarding the delivery system of Advanced Retinoid (currently Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion). They replied that their product offers a sustained delivery of retinol but not a time released retinol system. What’s the difference between those two systems? Also, I can’t figure out from the ingredient list what kind of capsule system they use which makes me wonder on the accuracy of their claim.
    Thank you,
    Dora

    Reply
  22. Aah, I was so enthusiastic about the Retinoid products, but then I read ‘Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride’ in the beginning of the ingredient list, which is comedogenic. 🙁

    Reply
  23. Hi Michelle ! I’m using retinoids 2% .and my question is : do you think I can use an eye cream with retinol on top of that ( im using LA ROCHE-POSAY Redermic eye cream ) thanks a lot xxx

    Reply
  24. Hi Michelle,
    I’m very late to this particular party, obviously.
    I have just purchased TO 10% Lactic Acid. I haven’t used it yet, and I suspect I should have gone for the 5% to start. I’ve never used an acid and my skin is a little sensitive (not overly, but I’m pale, and prone to sun burn and general redness). Is it possible to mix this in with a moisteriser for a gentler start?

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Erin Cancel reply