Our Optimised Retinal Serum Concentrate: our best practices

Our retinal serum is a high-performance skin care product designed to deliver targeted benefits to the skin, thanks to the presence of retinal, an active form of vitamin A. Retinal, also known as retinaldehyde, is a derivative of retinol that converts to retinic acid, which is directly involved in cell renewal and collagen stimulation.

Retinal Serum is formulated to have a profound effect on skin texture by encouraging cell regeneration. It helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production and improving skin elasticity. It also helps to even out skin tone and reduce pigmentation irregularities by accelerating skin cell renewal.

Retinal, or retinaldehyde, is an active derivative of vitamin A, which converts to retinoic acid when applied to the skin. It stimulates collagen production, accelerates cell renewal and helps even out skin tone. Thanks to its properties, retinal is effective in reducing the signs of ageing, improving skin texture and reducing pigmentation irregularities.

Optimised Retinal Serum Concentrate

A global anti-ageing treatment, this serum features concentrated retinal, the precursor of retinoic acid, the only active form of vitamin A. An essential multi-targeting active ingredient that combats the signs of ageing, retinal firms the skin, reduces wrinkles and fine lines, fades spots and rosacea and brightens the complexion.

Also well-known as a solution for acne-prone skin, it has an anti-inflammatory effect, eliminates impurities, purifies, evens out and regulates oily skin. Combined with an extract of mastic tree, which protects the degradation of retinoic acid naturally present in the skin, retinal's effectiveness and anti-ageing properties are optimised!

• Firms the skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles

• Fades pigmentation spots and rosacea

• Revitalises the skin, evening out and restoring radiance to the complexion

• Reduces blemishes (acne, pimples, blackheads, etc.)

• Purifies the skin thanks to its anti-bacterial properties

• Smoothes skin texture and tightens pores

• Preserves skin's youthful appearance

For which skin types?

Our Optimised Retinal Serum can be used on all skin types. It is recommended for skin that is:

• Mature

• Oily skin

• Acne-prone

• Dull

• Dry

• Normal.

When should it be applied?

Retinal serum is ideally used in the evening, before your night cream, no more than 2-3 times a week for the first two weeks. Once the skin has become accustomed to retinol, you can try using it more frequently. If you notice any dryness or irritation, take a break for a day or two. This is because retinal is a photosensitive active ingredient, which means it can break down when exposed to sunlight. Applying this serum in the evening maximises its benefits while reducing the risk of irritation caused by UV rays. After the serum, apply a moisturiser to reinforce the skin barrier overnight.

How do you apply it?

1. Cleansing: start by using a gentle cleanser to remove impurities and prepare the skin.

2. Toner: apply a toner suited to your skin type. The toner rebalances the skin's pH and prepares it to absorb skin care products better.

3. Apply the serum: apply a small amount of Retinal Serum to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye and lip areas. Massage gently in circular motions to encourage absorption.

4. Moisturising: once the serum has been absorbed, apply a moisturising cream to nourish and protect the skin, reinforcing the cutaneous barrier.

Retinal Serum can be combined with multiple other serums to maximise the benefits of your skincare routine while targeting different skin needs. Here are some effective combinations:

• Hyaluronic Acid Serum: hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates and plumps the skin. By combining this serum with retinal, you can maintain good hydration while benefiting from the regenerating properties of retinal.

• Vitamin C Serum: vitamin C brightens the complexion and provides antioxidant protection. Combined with retinal, it helps even out the complexion and reduce the signs of ageing while stimulating collagen production.

• nicotinamide Serum: nicotinamide helps to soothe the skin and improve its elasticity. Combined with retinal, it can reduce redness and irregularities while supporting skin regeneration.

Focus on our 3.5% Hyaluronic Acid Concentrated Serum

This 100% natural hyaluronic acid serum is one of the most concentrated on the market: 3.5% compared to 0.1 to 1% hyaluronic acid in conventional cosmetics. Known for smoothing, moisturizing, and plumping the skin, its fresh, naturally gel-like texture penetrates instantly without leaving a sticky or tight feeling. Its effectiveness as an anti-aging serum has been tested and proven to fill in wrinkles, moisturize, and improve skin elasticity.

For more information and details on how to combine our serums, we recommend visiting our page How to choose and combine your face serums.

Certain precautions should be taken when using retinal serum to avoid irritation and maximise its benefits:

• Introduce gradually: start by applying it once or twice a week, then increase the frequency depending on your skin's tolerance.

• Avoid the eye area: retinal can be too harsh for the thin skin around the eyes. Apply it to the face only, avoiding sensitive areas.

• Use sun protection: retinal makes the skin more sensitive to UV rays. It's essential to apply at least SPF 30 sun cream in the morning to prevent sun damage.

• Moisturise: make sure you moisturise your skin after applying the serum.

• Avoid other retinoids: do not combine retinal serum with other products containing retinoids or powerful exfoliating ingredients (such as AHA/BHA) to avoid irritation.

To soothe your skin when introducing retinal serum into your routine, consider applying a gentle carrier oil, such as jojoba or argan oil, after your moisturiser. This helps to strengthen the skin barrier and minimise any feelings of tightness or dryness.

After graduating from ESCP Business School in 2020, Louise began her career as a writer in 2021. Today, she writes a newsletter in which she shares cultural recommendations, as well as more personal articles, such as dating apps, therapy and career guidance. She also writes for the media, brands and agencies on subjects such as well-being, mental health, culture, and society.