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I have a love-hate relationship with retinol. On one hand, the active ingredient has done wonders for my skin, from reducing the appearance of dark spots to targeting uneven skin tone. Even so, I’ve always been slightly hesitant to make it a regular part of my routine. Most retinol serums trigger days of breakouts (often referred to as “purging”), irritation and redness before my skin calms down and the powerful ingredient gets to work. Trusting the process is great and all but I yearn for a retinol serum that is potent yet gentle — and doesn’t require a rocky probation period, so to speak.
Enter: Glow Recipe’s new Blackberry Retinol Blemish Serum.
According to the brand, this new serum is a powerful weapon against various skin concerns like clogged pores and discoloration. But it’s positioned to be gentle enough for nightly use, unlike many other retinol serums, which require a lot more thought. Though the brand is a massive hit with Sephora-going tweens, this retinol serum is marketed towards users in their 20s or older.
I’m in this camp, and as someone with skin that gets easily overwhelmed by retinol but still wants its rejuvenating benefits, I jumped at the opportunity to get my hands on an early sample of this serum. To get a second opinion, I also enlisted the help of a fellow R29er who has yet to give retinol serums a proper try. Keep reading to hear our honest thoughts on whether or not this new launch deserves a spot on your nightstand.
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Glow Recipe Blackberry Retinol Blemish Serum, $48
What are the skincare benefits of the Glow Recipe retinol serum?
Right off the bat, this product hits different: Instead of the weak chemical smell I normally detect from other retinol serums, this greeted me with a sweet and luxurious blackberry fragrance. The formula does contain blackberry extract, an ingredient packed with brightening vitamin C, healing vitamin K and vitamin A (essentially what retinol is derived from). These are also antioxidants that protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals like pollutants and UV rays. Also notable is that blackberries are made up of 85% water. The brand claims that this makes the serum a great source of hydration for the skin.
The retinol serum has a watery texture that absorbs quickly. Unlike other retinol products I’ve tried, it wasn’t drying in a sense that I felt like I needed to top up with a moisturizer immediately. The serum actually features two ingredients I normally look for in my moisturizer: glycerin (effective at drawing moisture into the skin) and ectoin (which protects the skin barrier — the outermost layer of skin).
Like me, Ebony-Renee Baker, Refinery29’s fashion editor, was also pleasantly surprised by the texture; her only previous experience with retinoids was a serum that …read more
Source:: Refinery29
