Note: While I love skincare, I’m not an expert particularly when it comes to ingredients. Retinol is very new to my skin so if I did get any of the facts wrong, please let me know in the comments below.
A couple of weeks ago, I did a Skincare Favourites Week mini series where I shared my top 10 favourite skincare products with you. One of my favourite serums I mentioned was the La Roche-Posay Redermic R. It was something I discovered quite recently and I thought I’d tell you a little bit more about it and why I like it so much.
Prior to the Redermic R, I’ve never used any skincare products that contained retinol. I know, I know … how is it that I preach so much about useful skincare ingredients yet I’ve never even touched retinol until much recently?
When I was much younger, I wouldn’t say I had great skin but I was very fortunate to be spared of acne. I’d get angry pimples every now and then, especially during that time of the month, but they weren’t anything major that left scars. At that time, I’ve never even heard of retinol and when I finally knew what it was, I didn’t think I’d need it.
As I started to age, fine lines began to show. I have prominent naso-labial lines and have always had them even when I was young. Fine lines became a lot more prominent especially between my eyebrows which developed when I frowned a lot. Cousin Beetrice used to literally press the skin between my eyebrows and scold “STOP FROWNING!”. Too bad she isn’t around me constantly to do that because the line is now deeply rooted. Ooops. 😛
It was then that I decided it was time to try out retinol. I was concerned at the potency of retinol skincare because I didn’t know how my skin would react with the ingredient. At that time, I didn’t know that typical skincare products only contained very low concentrations of retinol. In fact, a lot of them didn’t actually contain retinol but retinyl palmitate, which is an ester of retinol that isn’t considered to be the same ingredient as retinol. Retinyl palmitate is a less irritating form of retinol and is a gentler ingredient suitable for sensitive skin but is not as effective as retinol.
When I was given the opportunity to try out La Roche-Posay’s Redermic R, I had a lot of questions about it before even attempted in giving it a go. What was the concentration percentage of retinol? Does it work on sensitive skin? Is it micro-encapsulated for sustained release? Are there any ingredients in other skincare that I cannot use alongside the Redermic R? The list goes on.
The Redermic R is a very light serum that absorbs quickly onto the skin. It smells pleasantly of a light floral fragrance and doesn’t leave any oily residue on my skin. Most importantly, my skin didn’t react with the serum at all. It didn’t break me out nor did it give me any adverse effects.
To answer those questions I had for the Redermic R,
- Retinol concentration is 0.1%. Retinol linoliate concentration is 0.2%.
- As far as the Redermic R is concerned, the retinol is not micro-encapsulated.
- I was told that as the concentration of retinol in the Redermic R is low, it is suitable for sensitive skin. LeGeeque has very sensitive skin and is currently using the Redermic R without any problems.
- The Redermic R is not known to counteract any other ingredients.
I’ve been using the Redermic R for over 2 months in the evenings and I really like it. The lines on my face are softened quite significantly, especially that horrid deep line between my eyebrows. My naso-labial lines are also slightly less prominent. My skin also feels softer and plump to the touch.
I was just thinking that if 0.1% retinol already does a good job on my skin, what would happen if I used another retinol product with higher concentrations? Would it make my skin super boing-boing? Oh dear, this can be one slippery slope! 😛
Even though the people at La Roche-Posay mentioned that the Redermic R is suitable for sensitive skin, I’d still say to exercise caution when using it and to do a patch test of the product before applying it on your face. There’s no mention on the product being contraindicated for pregnant women but since retinol is something pregnant women should avoid, err on the side of caution and avoid using this if you’re pregnant.
La Roche-Posay’s Redermic R retails at AU$59.99 for 30ml and is available at leading pharmacies nationwide.
What I like about it: Light serum for the skin, softened the deep line between my eyebrows and naso-labial lines. Skin feels softer and more supple.
What I do not like about it: Nothing.
Have you used the Redermic R? What about other retinol products? Which ones worked well for you?
Disclaimer: This product was provided for editorial consideration.
This is crazy good stuff. I use this in the day together with the Verso Day cream (which is retinol-based as well) for the double ker-pow of Retinol. This combination has softened the lines on my face so much! Skin is a lot softer, calmer and with less red patches. On weekends, I dab a tiny bit of concealer on my undereyes, a tiny bit of liquid blush and lip balm and I head out. No need for any base at all. I love it. And yes, if you discover a stronger concentration of Retinol, let me knwo 😛
Good stuff, right? I was impressed as well. I wasn’t expecting much results from this at all given that the concentration of retinol is so low but lo and behold, smooth skin. I have to try something stronger now. Will let you know if I discover a good one that doesn’t burn the face off. 😉
Hi did you find a retinal product stronger that didn’t irritate
I received a sample of Redermic R from the woman in charge of the beauty department at CVS drugstore in Boston. I used it but it wasn’t enough to see any results. About a year ago, I started using DermaDoctor’s Poetry in Lotion with retinol 1.0%. When I first began to use it, I had a little redness and flaking that stopped soon thereafter. I have since read that if you don’t see some redness and flaking, it’s not really doing anything as some of the outer layers of skin are supposed to come off and reveal new, less lined skin. I’ve been using it to help fade my hyperpigmentation, and after a year I’ve seen some fading. I really need to be using it on my frown lines and a new line about my upper lip and see if it’ll help with those. Frankly, I was hoping for greater results, but alas, I am older than you by quite a bit so I have to have realistic expectations. Probably, at some point, I will get Rx strength Retin-A and see what that can do.
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Sorry to hear the Redermic R didn’t work for you. With such low concentrations, to be honest I’m surprised it even worked for me. Hopefully you get better results with stronger concentrations. Good luck! 🙂
Your skin is one of the first things that people tend to notice about you, so taking care of it is very important because your skin actually says a lot about your lifestyle.
Hear hear! Wise words! 😀
A very interesting product for me to consider in the future. LOL. Do you use this one a day at night before your moisturiser?
Consider this a serum so it should be used before moisturiser. 🙂
Im so sad…Redermic R contains synthetic fragrance which scientific research is increasingly pointing to over time as a possible cause of cancer… as a product with SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE seeps into the skin. ANY PRODUCT WHICH LISTS FRAGRANCE (PARFUM) in its ingredients has synthetic fragrance in it. ANY creme or any topical application applied on the face ot scalp (in other words if synthetic fragrance is in your shampoo also) over time seeps below the skin and there is concern.
Redermic R is such a good product…if only they would make it with all the same ingredients only without parfum..or with natural scent!
It’s unfortunate that the FDA prioritizes “Trade Secrets” and corporate profits over consumer safety. There’s really only one ingredient (styrene) that has compelling evidence for being classified as a carcinogen, but because of the labeling laws companies can have this ingredient in their products under the vague term “Fragrance.” The only way to avoid this carcinogen, which is also present in Styrofoam cups and some Tupperware, is to avoid all products with the term fragrance, styrene or polystyrene listed in the ingredients.