Derms Love This Fragrance-Free Retinal Cream for Smoothing Wrinkles

We’ve been seeing a lot more products with retinal (retinaldehyde) these days, and though both retinal and retinol are derivatives of vitamin A, retinal is more potent. Unlike retinol, which requires two steps to convert to retinoic acid in the skin, retinal only needs one step, and therefore is a faster-acting solution. One retinal cream that was recommended to me by top dermatologists is Avène Retrinal 0.1% Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream ($68), which is a great option for anyone concerned with visible signs of aging. Here’s the scoop.

The Benefits of This Retinal Cream

Formulated with 0.1 percent retinaldehyde, this fragrance-free cream is a powerhouse when it comes to smoothing lines and wrinkles and improving skin texture. The brand tells me it’s three times more powerful than retinol and 10 times faster-acting. But, whereas some people might be worried that this potency equates to irritation, Avène balanced out that potential risk with its proprietary Thermal Spring Water, which is manufactured in the brand’s hometown of Avène, France, where its world-renowned Hydrotherapy Center is located. In fact, this famous water is clinically shown by more than 150 studies to soothe, soften and calm the skin, and it’s the first ingredient listed on this cream’s label, meaning there’s a high concentration included.

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Other key ingredients include hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing niacinamide, and moisturizing squalane and shea butter. Together, they help smooth and nourish aging skin, helping to correct the appearance of wrinkles, firmness and dullness without the redness and irritation that often comes with retinol/retinal use. Over time, skin looks more taut and even in tone. For me personally, I noticed it most on the lines around my mouth, which looked noticeably softer after a few weeks of consistent use. I applied it before bed every other night and buffered it with the brand’s Hyaluron Activ B3 Cream (another great formula for firming benefits). Don’t forget to also use it on your neck and décolleté, too!

If you have sensitive skin, I recommend doing a patch test first (I suggest this with any retinal/retinol product). And remember: More is not always better when you’re using potent ingredients. It’s better to ease into a new formula and see what your unique skin needs.

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The Clinical Results

In a 57-day clinical study based on 44 women ages 45 to 65, 89 percent of participants saw improvement in their skin texture; 92 percent saw improvement in their skin firmness; and 87 percent saw improvement in their skin smoothness.