I usually get my retinol fix in serum form. The lightweight texture of a serum usually penetrates skin more easily, giving its actives a little advantage.
But when La Roche Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Concentrate Intensive (a cream) landed on my desk, I decided to switch things up.
Should you do the same, too?
- What’s In La Roche Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Concentrate Intensive?
- Texture
- Fragrance
- How To Use It
- Performance & Personal Opinion
- Who Is This For?
- Who Is This NOT For?
- Packaging
- Does La Roche Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Concentrate Intensive Live Up To Its Claims?
- Price & Availability
- Do You Need It?
- Dupes & Alternatives
What’s In La Roche Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Concentrate Intensive?
RETINOL AND RETINYL LINOLEATE TO FIGHT WRINKLES
Before I tell you all about that, check the ingredient list before buying. The European version of the cream may contain a less effective form of Vitamin A.
The US version of La Roche Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Concentrate Intensive contains two forms of vitamin A, retinol and retinyl linoleate.
Vitamin A is the only thing that’s been proven to reduce wrinkles (not just their appearance). It works in three ways:
- It boosts cellular turnover (the skin’s natural exfoliating process) – a feat that also reduces acne and dark spots.
- It fights the free radicals that give you wrinkles and dark spots.
- It increases the production of collagen, the protein that keeps your skin firm.
0.3% retinol – the amount used here – is well-proven to do all this. Retinyl Linoleate is a newer, less studied form of Vitamin A, so it may not work as well.
But hey, when you’ve got retinol, everything else is just a bonus.
FYI, retinol isn’t without side effects. It’s drying and causes peeling and irritation. Use it a couple of nights a week to start with and increase frequency slowly.
Related: Which Form Of Vitamin A Is Right For You?
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HYALURONIC ACID TO HYDRATE SKIN
Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most hydrating ingredients found in skincare.
It’s a moisture magnet that draws water from the environment and binds it into your skin. It’s so powerful, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water!
Extra moisture = plumper, softer and brighter skin.
Related: Why You Need Hyaluronic Acid In Your Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type
Texture
Lightweight. Sinks in quickly without leaving any residue behind.
Fragrance
Subtle and clean.
How To Use It
Two or three nights a week, straight after cleansing. Don’t exfoliate on nights you use retinol!
Performance & Personal Opinion
La Roche Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Concentrate Intensive has one job and one job only: to fight wrinkles.
Its lightweight texture sinks immediately into my skin, but it’s not that hydrating. It doesn’t have antioxidants or any other active that could give retinol a helping hand in the anti-aging department.
Instead, it shines at refining your skin’s texture. After a few days, I’ve noticed my skin looked smoother and my pores a little smaller.
Retinol can also reduce wrinkles and dark spots. I don’t have any dark spots (yet!), so I can’t vouch for that. But the science here is solid.
Ditto for wrinkles. Retinol does reduce them, but not overnight. It can take months to see results. Be consistent!
Related: How To Make The Most Of Retinol (Even If You Have Sensitive Skin)
Who Is This For?
- Mature skin with wrinkles and/or dark spots
- Intermediate user who are ready to upgrade from smaller doses
Who Is This NOT For?
- If you’re using 0.5% or higher doses of retinol, this would be a step back
- Sensitive skin (may be too irritating for you)
Packaging
A medicine-like white tube. Simple and practical, it keeps retinol safe from the light and air that would make it go bad.
Does La Roche Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Concentrate Intensive Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| This potent retinol cream visibly reduces wrinkles with virtually no irritation. | It’s gentle and reduces wrinkles, but if your skin is sensitive, it may still irritate your skin. |
| This award-winning formula visibly diminishes premature sun damage and is gentle enough for sensitive skin. | It does diminish premature sun damage, but again it depends on how sensitive your skin is. Some people can’t use retinol at all, no matter how gentle the brand formulates the product. |
| Smoothes skin texture. | True. |
| Lightweight, velvety, non-greasy texture leaves skin soft and luminous. | True. |
Price & Availability
$56.99 at Dermstore
Do You Need It?
If you’re ready to upgrade from 0.1/0.2% retinol, this is a good option to consider.
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Dupes & Alternatives
- Skinceuticals Retinol 0.3 ($67.00)
Ingredients
Aqua/Water, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soya Oil/Soybean Oil, Triethanolamine, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Retinyl Linoleate, Adenosine, Caprylyol Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 80 • Phenoxyethanol, Parfum/Fragrance
They don’t have anti-oxidants because most of them are plant-derive. La Roche Posay doesn’t add parabens/preservatives to some of its product so they limit their use of ingredients.