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Why Love Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum

October 29, 2025 · Leave a Comment

This article is a review and ingredient report for Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum

What is Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum?

Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum is a fast-absorbing, waterless eye serum packed with skin-restoring organic goodness to plump and treat the delicate eye area skin.

It is a small bottle with a big impact because Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum has a waterless formulation. This affords maximum absorption of the actives.

And the actives are amazing.

Why Waterless Beauty

Waterless Beauty refers to when a skincare product formulation does not contain water.

Water is typically the first ingredient seen on product ingredient lists, sometimes comprising more than half of the product volume.

Instead of water, Waterless Beauty uses oils, ferments, butters and oil-soluble active ingredients.

There are no unnecessary fillers such as water, silicone, and alcohol in any Kat Burki product.

About The Patented KB5 Complex

Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum contains something called “KB5™ Complex”.

Kat Burki uses their patented KB5™ formula base instead of water. Instead of actives being diluted, the pure active ingredients work at full force with KB5™.

KB5 Complex is five cold-processed extract essences. Together they create the proprietary KB5 Complex, a trademarked signature blend that replaces the water in all Kat Burki formulas.

This makes highly concentrated, pure, eco-conscious formulations. And they are also remarkably effective.

Lets take a closer look at the Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum formulation:

Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum Key Ingredients

KB5™ Complex is made with:

ARNICA MONTANA FLOWER EXTRACT (ARNICA)

Gota Kola Skincare Benefits — Centella Asiatica AKA Gota Kola improves skin elasticity for firmer skin

Arnica flower is a natural anti-inflammatory. It reduces puffiness without causing dryness or dehydration around the delicate eye skin. It also decreases bruising and inflammation. Arnica promotes healing and reduces swelling.

CALENDULA OFFICINALIS EXTRACT

Calendula flower promotes the regeneration of new tissue and soothes damaged skin.

CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT (GOTU KOLA)

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) improves elasticity and reduces sagging. It boosts antioxidant activity, strengthens the skin and increases blood circulation. [1]

CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA EXTRACT (CHAMOMILE)

Chamomile is an antioxidant with potent skin-soothing action. [2] It contains Terpenoids, bisabolol and chamazulene. Chamomile Extract is excellent in a formulation with powerful actives because it contains flavones. These flavones inhibit the production of inflammation, even in deeper skin layers. [3] Meanwhile, The apigenin in Chamomile protects the skin barrier. [4].

LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA EXTRACT (LAVENDER)

Lavender Oil softens and conditions the skin. The linalyl acetate in lavender enhances cell growth.

This is combined with:

ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE (ORGANIC ALOE)

Aloe Leaf Juice has an enzyme that repairs skin cells, soothes and heals the skin. It provides nourishment to the skin as it contains Vitamins A, C, Bs, and E as well as minerals and enzymes.

This skin food heals, hydrates, and accelerates skin cell growth. It provides anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

ROSA CANINA FRUIT OIL

Organic Rosehip seed oil has amazing skin rejuvenation benefits. Rosehip Seed Oil is high in Vitamins A, C, and E. They provide nutrients, fade acne scars and promote cell turnover.

Rose Hip Seed Oil is a Vitamin C variant that is both a treatment and a hydrating ingredient. It offers the benefits of Vitamin C and Retinol serums such as lightening dark spots but without causing irritation.

Rosehip oil also has omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to soothe and moisturize eczema or dry skin. [5]

*Rosehip provides excellent skin rejuvenation*

STAY-C

Stay-C is a type of Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate which is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is activated only upon absorption. Stable C is more power with less irritation than other Cs which makes it ideal for treating orbital area discoloration, photo damage and wrinkles.

NIACINAMIDE

Niacinamide is Vitamin B3. It addresses many skin issues.

Niacinamide is a very good addition to an anti-aging regimen because it promotes collagen, addresses a loss of elasticity and reduces redness. It fades acne scars and brightens the skin. [6] It reduces the inflammation of rosacea and other inflammatory skin conditions [7] It inhibits melanin production in hyperpigmentation. [8]

Niacinamide reduces the impact of environmental damage because it improves skin’s barrier and Ceramide levels [9].

DMAE

Dimethylaminoethanol or DMAE, topical DMAE firms and tightens the appearance of the skin. It has short-term and long-range skin tightening effects.

VITAMIN E

Sweet Almond ingredient overview — Sweet Almond

this formula contains two kinds of vitamin E: TOCOPHERYL ACETATE and TOCOPHEROL. Vitamin E softens the skin and makes it more pliable.

PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS OIL

Sweet almond oil contains vitamins A, B, D, and E and has the ability to gently lighten dark under eye circles.

PANTHENOL (VITAMIN B-5)

Panthenol is an emollient moisturizer which soothes the skin.

Panthenol is the alcohol analog of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and is a provitamin of B5.

Panthenol is believed to promote cell regeneration. It is a humectant that fosters skin healing.

ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS EXTRACT

Rosemary Extract is soothing and helps reduce puffiness and lightens dark spots.

Rosemary Extract combats dry skin. It naturally protects skin from sun damage and free radicals.

It also has natural antiseptic properties and is a gentle exfoliant for dead skin flakes.

Rosemary Extract is soothing and helps reduce puffiness and lightens dark spots. It is stimulating and promotes better blood circulation to deliver the nutrients necessary to build collagen, elastin and to encourage scar repair.

RETINOL

Retinol is a staple in skincare, Retinol is a vitamin A derivative found in many skincare creams. It refines the skin’s texture by causing rapid cell turnover and softens wrinkles.

The Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum Experience

Lightly tap – do not rub – this rich cream around the delicate eye area skin. Despite some powerful actives such as retinol and Vitamin C, it is luxe and soothing, so skin does not feel dry, tight or irritated.

The scent of Rosehips is pleasant but present. I prefer scentless products around the orbital area, but was lulled into making this product an exception.

The cream feel luxe yet surprisingly absorbs very well into the my skin. There is no residue left on the skin. This is a benefit of the waterless KB5 base – it enables actives to do their best work and get deep into the skin.

This makes quick work of smoothing fine lines and evening the skin tone.

Where to Shop Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum

Find Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum at KatBurki.com and Saks Fifth Ave

Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Cream

Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum contains no fillers – only high-quality ingredients

Summary More Kat Burki Products We Love

Did you like reading about Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum?

The Kat Burki range is a stellar lineup! Here are some more of our favorites:

Kat Burki Power Trio Radiance Oil

Kat Burki Power Trio Radiance Oil is just three powerful oils: Tamanu, Kukui Nut, and Raspberry. Together they provide a non-irritating treatment that rejuvenates the skin. Ideal for winter weather. Read our full review in the article “Raspberries to the Rescue Kat Burki Power Trio Radiance Oil“

Kat Burki Power Trio Radiance Oil contains collagen-building Red Raspberry Seed Oil, rich in ellagic acid.

KAT BURKI Micro Firming wand

References

Gohil, Kashmira J et al. “Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all.” Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences vol. 72,5 (2010): 546-56. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.78519
Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, January 2009, pages 404
Merfort I, Heilmann J, Hagedorn-Leweke U, Lippold BC. In vivo skin penetration studies of camomile flavones. Pharmazie. 1994;49(7):509-511.
Hou M, Sun R, Hupe M, et al. Topical apigenin improves epidermal permeability barrier homoeostasis in normal murine skin by divergent mechanisms. Exp Dermatol. 2013;22(3):210-215. doi:10.1111/exd.12102
Mitsuishi, T. , Shimoda, T. , Mitsui, Y. , Kuriyama, Y. and Kawana, S. (2004), The effects of topical application of phytonadione, retinol and vitamins C and E on infraorbital dark circles and wrinkles of the lower eyelids. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3: 73-75. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00070.x
Grajzer, Magdalena, et al. “Characteristics of rose hip (Rosa canina L.) cold-pressed oil and its oxidative stability studied by the differential scanning calorimetry method.” Food chemistry 188 (2015): 459-466.
Niren NM, Pharmacologic doses of nicotinamide in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions: a review. Cutis. 2006 Jan;77(1 Suppl):11-6.
Josefina Navarrete-Sol, “A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Niacinamide 4% versus Hydroquinone 4% in the Treatment of Melasma”, Clinical Study Volume 2011 |Article ID 379173
Tanno, O. , et al “Nicotinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides as well as other stratum corneum lipids to improve the epidermal permeability barrier.”JDermatol.2000 Sep;143(3):524-31.
Mitsuishi, T. , Shimoda, T. , Mitsui, Y. , Kuriyama, Y. and Kawana, S. (2004), The effects of topical application of phytonadione, retinol and vitamins C and E on infraorbital dark circles and wrinkles of the lower eyelids. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3: 73-75. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00070.x

ABOUT THIS POST

Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum was submitted to Style Chicks for consideration purposes. All opinions and experiences are 100% our own.

Original Sleek Retinol Cream How to Best Use

November 26, 2022 · Leave a Comment

Original Sleek Retinol Cream REVIEW + Ingredients Explained

Retinol is one of the best things you can do for your skin. It benefits adult skin of men and women at any age. Whether a teen coping with acne or mature skin fighting wrinkles, discoloration, texture, or large pores, retinol can help. Original Sleek Retinol Cream is non-comedogenic, cruelty-free and contains stellar plant extract ingredients for great skin. Read about this ingredient formulation and our experience with Original Sleek Retinol Cream.

Original Sleek Retinol Cream

What are the Benefits of Retinol?

What are the skincare benefits of retinol? Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative. It is a marvelous antioxidant which prevents collagen and elastin loss^[1]. It resurfaces the texture of the skin, encouraging new, healthy skin cell turnover.

Retinol can improve the appearance of:

sun damage
rough skin texture
acne and stubborn acne scars ^[2]
dark circles
uneven skin tone (brown spots, hyperpigmentation)^[3]
enlarged pores
sun damage (rough skin, sun spots)
sign of aging skin: wrinkles, sagging, dullness

What are Original Sleek Retinol Cream Benefits

Original Sleek Retinol Cream contains plant-based and natural buffering ingredients to help even sensitive skin types tolerate regular retinol use. This formulation is:

Non-comedogenic
High-potency cocktail of various weight Hyaluronic Acids
Cruelty free
No unwanted additives such as gluten, parabens, phthalates, SLS, SLES, and petroleum.
Buffering ingredients to keep skin free of retinol dryness and irritation
Opaque packaging keeps ingredients fresh
Ingredients typically seen at higher price point products
Ideal for those who want a simple skincare routine such as busy moms, college students, and men
Gentle enough to use on the backs of hands and on the throat helps minimize sun spots and UV damage

Original Sleek Retinol Cream has many skincare benefits

In addition to Retinol, Original Sleek Retinol Cream contains helpful supporting ingredients:

Key Ingredients

Gota Kola improves skin elasticity

Centella Asiatica Extract

Gotu Kola improves skin elasticity and reduces sagging. It boosts antioxidant activity, strengthening the skin and increases blood circulation.

Shea butter definition at StyleChicks.com Defining Beauty Glossary

Shea Nut butter

Licorice Liquid Extract

Licorice root contains glabridin, a potent antioxidant that soothes skin. It lightens dark circles gently, improves uneven tone and skin redness.^[4]

Shea Butter

Shea Butter provides an occlusive barrier to retain moisture. Shea treats acne scars, including cystic acne dark scars. Shea can feed the skin and overhaul the skin texture.

Willow Bark Extract

Willow Bark Extract unclogs pores, reduces redness, and regulates sebum production. It is gentle to the skin. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. ^[5]

Rose Oil

Rose Oil refines skin texture. Its’ antioxidants absorb well into skin dermis which benefits dry and mature skin.

Horsetail Extract

Horsetail Plant Extract reduces redness and soothes skin. Horsetail makes for more flexible skin, especially in connective skin layers and tissue. Horsetail strengthens connective skin layers to keep the skin structure pliable yet taut. Horsetail also lightens discoloration, particularly the dark shadow area of wrinkles.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Vera Juice provides nourishment to the skin as it contains Vitamins A, C, Bs, and E as well as minerals and enzymes. This skin food heals, hydrates, and accelerates skin cell growth. It provides anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and counteracts skin irritation.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid holds its’ weight in moisturizer, plumping the skin, making fine wrinkles and mild sagging disappear temporarily. It also drives active ingredients to deep skin layers for better results.

Alpha Arbutin

A natural skin-lightening agent extracted from bearberry. It inhibits melanocytes from producing melanin to slowly reduce hyperpigmentation. Effective on acne scars, photoaging, and age spots.

Dandelion Extract

Dandelion Extract

Dandelion Extract stimulates collagen production. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, it protects skin against free radical damage and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Magnesium and zinc detoxify skin, and anti-inflammatory properties calm irritation.

Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic Acid is a stable Vitamin C which brightens the skin, increases collagen production, and reduces free-radical damage.

Cetearyl Olivate

Cetearyl Olivate is a combination of the ester of Cetearyl Alcohol and the fatty acids from olives. Cetearyl Olivate is moisture attracting and retaining. Olive oil fatty acids have skin-enhancing Omega-3s and polyphenols. These make skin glow!

Beeswax

Beeswax is an occlusive

Beeswax is a natural skin conditioner packed with Vitamin A. It helps with healing, stimulating cell turnover, protects against UV radiation, and fights against the free radicals that cause premature signs of aging. Beeswax has an occlusive quality to provide a barrier while retaining skin moisture.

Vegetable Glycerin

A natural, pure glycerin that serves to attract and retain moisture and oxygen in the skin.

The Original Sleek Retinol Cream Experience

PACKAGING

We like the one-pump dispenser design to keep the product fresh, and the nozzle cap to keep it airtight.

PRODUCT

Scent: faint, nothing on drydown
Color: Opaque white
Consistency: It is a creamy texture. A second moisturizer is not necessary, but there was no piling when I applied one after drydown.
Dry-down: It takes a few minutes to dry down but then it is smooth.

Original Sleek Retinol Cream is a lightweight, creamy and spreads easily

How to Best Use Original Sleek Retinol Cream for Skin Benefits

Dispense one pump of cream.
Dab it onto the forehead, nose, each cheek, and chin.
Gently rub/pat it into the skin, spreading evenly over the face.
For the throat and upper décolletage, use a second pump worth of product.

Use retinol at night. It can be used nightly, but if you are new to retinols, start with 3 times a week.

With regular use, my skin is well-hydrated and not dry like some retinols. There is no itchy tight feeling!

Sunscreen is a must when using any retinol product.

This is a great formulation for sensitive skin types who cannot tolerate prescription strength retinoids.

Where to Buy Original Sleek Retinol Cream

Find Original Sleek Retinol Cream at originalsleek.com

Questions? Comments?

Have any questions or comments about Original Sleek Retinol Cream?

Email or comment below and we will do our best to answer them!

References

Ganceviciene R, Liakou AI, Theodoridis A, Makrantonaki E, Zouboulis CC. Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):308-319. doi:10.4161/derm.22804
Callender VD, Baldwin H, Cook-Bolden FE, Alexis AF, Stein Gold L, Guenin E. Effects of topical retinoids on acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with skin of color: a clinical review and implications for practice. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(1):69-81. doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00643-2
Ibid
Natural Product Research, December 2007, pages 1,234-1,239
Shara M, Stohs SJ. Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extracts. Phytother Res. 2015 Aug;29(8):1112-6. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5377. Epub 2015 May 22. PMID: 25997859

About This Post

Prescription Retinol or Over the Counter Retinol Products: Deciding Which is Right For You

August 17, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Which is better, over the counter Retinol products or prescription Retinol? It depends. Several factors go into this decision. We’ve tried many prescription and Retinol products at a variety of price points and report on the best features of each so you don’t have to live through Retinol trial and error. To determine the best Retinol product plan for your needs, ask yourself the questions below.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer contains a prescription strength 2.5% pure Retinol without a prescription or doctor’s visit

RETINOL HAS A BACKSTORY

Retinol is an absolute game-changer for many skin conditions ranging from acne to sun damage, scarring, discoloration, as well as wrinkles. Retinol, which in prescription form goes by the name Retin-A, comes in cream and gel forms.Â In the way, way back, Retinol was only available by prescription for severe acne, and in its’ original form, it wasn’t a pretty process. People tolerated the peeling, itching, irritation, drying and redness for months, waiting for acne-free skin to emerge. And eventually, it did. Meanwhile, many people noticed scars, wrinkles and age spots also disappeared. People wanted Retinol for anti-aging, not just acne.

Now Retinol is readily available, so available that it’s difficult to know what to seek in a Retinol product. Key areas to examine are cost, the percentage of Retinol, ability to tolerate the product and its’ active ingredients, buffering capabilities and ease of use.

Consider the following when selecting a Retinol:

COST

Prescription Retinol brand name and generics are expensive, often $100-150 a tube. Insurance may cover this if you are under 35, but often only for the treatment of acne when prescribed by a dermatologist. If your insurance plan covers Retinol for free or the cost of a co-pay, this could be less expensive than purchasing an over the counter Retinol product.

Prescription Retinols can cost as much as luxury skincare products and often require powerful moisturizers to buffer its’ irritating effects.

HOW MUCH RETINOL IS IN THE PRODUCT?

When purchasing a retinol, a good place to start is 2.5% retinol within the product. More than that can be too irritating without much extra benefit, less than that won’t accomplish much. Many drugstore creams and lotions contain some retinol, but not as much as 2.5%. Some doctors only prescribe Retinol in very low doses, which won’t provide much of a beauty boost. Some prescriptions are too much at 5%, which can irritate all but the hardiest of skin. Prescriptions above the 2.5% range best serve those with severe acne, not those with wrinkles or photodamaged skin.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER ACTIVE INGREDIENTS & DO THEY HELP OR IRRITATE MY SKIN?

Retinol does a great deal for skin, but it can also give a pretty nasty accidentally self-imposed chemical peel, and the results are not pretty. Itâ€™s easy to give oneself an accidental Retinol chemical peel, because skin starts looking so good, that it is tempting to apply just a bit more. This works for a few days or weeks, until suddenly it doesnâ€™t, and your face goes from looking dewy and younger to looking like a bad, bad, bad sunburn.

Even if you only use the prescribed amount of Retinol, skin becomes more sensitive to Retinol after about two weeks. The reason is now the old, dead skin layer is sloughed off, but the new skin is more delicate. Yet the same amount of Retinol is being applied to the skin, and that new skin isnâ€™t ready to exfoliate yet. So instead, it becomes red and irritated. Some prescription Retinols come with a creamy base, such as Renova. This creamy base makes the skin surface seem flake-free and dewy, but underneath Retinol is still Retinol, and the skin can suddenly appear red and chapped.

BEST PRACTICES: HOW TO NOT BURN YOUR SKIN WITH RETINOL

The key to avoiding burning yourself with Retinols, prescription or over the counter, is buffering. To buffer either apply moisturizer first (if youâ€™re very sensitive) or after applying Retinol, and donâ€™t skimp. Buffering allows for the maximum frequency of Retinol use per week. If you still canâ€™t tolerate the peeling and dry skin, apply Retinol for twenty minutes to an hour, then wash it off before bed. This way you at least get some Retinol benefits.

But ideally, your Retinol product comes with built-in buffering moisturizers. We like Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer because it is SO emollient without being greasy. In fact, itâ€™s gentle enough to use twice a day every day without redness, irritation or dry, flaky peeling. You won’t have to take days off Retinol use due to over-doing it, but it still packs a powerful 2.5% Pure Retinol.

EASE OF USE

Even if your insurance covers Retinol, the added ingredients in Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer make it an all-in-one product: Retinol plus Vitamin C serum plus moisturizing buffer cream in one easy to apply bottle. No need to wait for the Retinol to dry down before applying moisturizer in the morning or being left sticky by a Vitamin C serum. A product that has everything in one makes skincare much easier.

One pump is all you need for face, neck and decolletage.

One pump of this 3-in-1 product is all you need to meet your Retinol, Vitamin C and moisturizing needs

PRODUCT PICK:Â WHY WE LIKE LORDSBURY RETINOL+C CREAM MOISTURIZER

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer combines the power of a prescription 2.5% pure Retinol with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and several natural moisturizing agents that make it gentle enough to use twice a day with no irritation, peeling or redness. The Aloe Vera, Jojoba, Green Tea and Shea Butter nourish the skin while buffering. It dries down without being sticky, greasy or leaving a film-like residue, make-up and sunscreen can go directly over the cream. Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer also comes at an outstanding price point in a generous 2.8-ounce pump bottle.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer contains prescription strength Retinol plus Vitamin C to combat KP, along with Jojoba, Vitamin C and Aloe Vera to soothe irritated skin

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer contains prescription strength Retinol plus Vitamin C along with Jojoba, Vitamin C, and Aloe Vera to soothe irritated skin

WHERE TO FIND IT

Find Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer at Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3PSEQX/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=lordsbury-20&linkId=80ce0c85b497e19a5480f6b096cc3147

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer for the strength of a prescription Retinol for less than the cost of a Vitamin C serum

Style Chicks received Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer in exchange for our unbiased review and received compensation for our time and effort. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

Vitamin C and Retinol Skincare What to know

January 1, 2018 · 11 Comments

The first time one spots fine lines, crows feet, brown spots, or eleven lines on their face, one is probably only in their late twenties, but it feels like the start of a slippery slope into looking like a full-fledged card-carrying AARP member on their way to get a free senior coffee. To combat signs of aging, dermatologists recommend a combination of Vitamin C serum and Retinol. Considering starting a Vitamin C/Retinol topical skin care program? Find out exactly what to expect and when from this topical anti-aging power couple, as found in Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer contains both 2.5% pure Retinol and 20% Vitamin C Serum

WHY RETINOL AND VITAMIN C ARE THE FIRST LINES OF DEFENSE

Aging skin sneaks up on you. Your skin may seem dull, less dewy or vibrant, but not old, just… lackluster. This aging starts in our late twenties when collagen starts to decrease, and by 40, aging typically exhibits in increased uneven pigmentation, dark spots, redness, broken capillaries, along with the usual aging suspects of wrinkles, crinkles and sagging.

It’s easy to focus on the wrinkles and sagging, but the discoloration, dullness and cumulative sun damage effects are far more aging to the overall facial appearance. According to an article in the December 2006 Clinical Interventions in Aging Journal, “solar UV radiation unquestionably is the single major factor responsible for skin aging” (Clin Interv Aging. 2006 Dec; 1(4): 327â€“348).

Fortunately, both Vitamin C and Retinol excel at both building more collagen and undoing sun damage, its’ resulting discoloration, and skin texture changes, as well as restoring a youthful glow regardless of age. While there is a slew of anti-aging remedies and products out there, this sun damage reversal ability is one of the chief reasons that dermatologists will recommend a Vitamin C and Retinol combination.

CHOOSING YOUR TOPICALS

The temptation in anti-aging skin care is to panic and use too much too soon, attempting peels, scrubs, and topical treatments all at once, leading to dry, irritated skin. But the tried and true combination that addresses the broadest scope of anti-aging issues is Retinol and Vitamin C. We like Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer because it’s an all-in-one product that combines a 2.5% pure Retinol with 20% Vitamin C serum plus Hyaluronic Acid for deeper penetration, plus a host of moisturizers to buffer the powerful active ingredients.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer provides gentle but effective Retinol plus Vitamin C in an all-in-one product

ABOUT VITAMIN C: HOW IT REVERSES SKIN AGING

Vitamin C is needed for collagen production. Collagen is the scaffolding of the skin, keeping it supported and firm. We produce less collagen as we age, and we also lose collagen, which is tantamount to pulling bricks out of a wall – it eventually causes sagging and deterioration. But these missing “bricks” in the skin can be patched with Vitamin C application to produce more collagen. Because the skin makes less collagen as it ages, it’s helpful to apply Vitamin C topically to have it present at the cellular level where skin makes collagen, as Vitamin C is involved in all three collagen production processes. Vitamin C also fights free radicals which age the skin via oxidation and exposure to pollutants. Vitamin C fades away discoloration without bleaching it, just returning the skin to its’ natural tone.

Vitamin C can build collagen even around the delicate eye area

ABOUT RETINOL: HOW IT REVERSES SKIN AGING

Retinol helps retain existing collagen by preventing collagen breakdown and stimulate new collagen production. It is a great pairing with topical Vitamin C that provides the production process tools while Retinol gives the skin “orders” to make more collagen. It also increases skin thickness which makes it less prone to wrinkle and appear more even in tone. It breaks up discoloration and scars, which makes it easier for Vitamin C to fade it away. And it sloughs away dead skin cells and encourages new, younger skin to take its’ place. It shrinks pores, which tend to enlarge with age, and purges blackheads.

Retinol also uniquely retains the healthy glow or luminosity of youth that no other product or active ingredient can truly emulate or effect. If you have ever seen an older person without wrinkles or sagging, but their skin does not glow, you know they are maintaining their skin in some unnatural (surgical, laser or injectable) fashion. That glow is what gives older skin a natural young look.

Vitamin C and Retinol both accomplish different parts of many of the same tasks, making them a great team.

Just one pump of Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer treats the face and throat with a potent combination of Retinol, Vitamin C and a bunch of natural, effective moisturizers

TIMEFRAME: WHEN CAN I EXPECT RESULTS?

Results can be seen between a week to three months, depending on the type of aging concerned. The return of skin radiance happens fairly quickly, whereas reversing deep wrinkles and sagging requires collagen production which can take a few months of daily Retinol and Vitamin C use to start to visibly show.

A key factor in how long it takes for Retinol and Vitamin C to improve skin is how well you tolerate the flaking, redness, and dryness that occurs with many retinol and even some Vitamin C products. Many people can only tolerate every other day Retinol use. This will delay results. A Retinol we like is Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer because it contains 2.5% pure retinol, 20% Vitamin C serum and a host of natural moisturizers that serve as a gentle buffer so effective that it can be used twice a day with zero skin irritation, even around the delicate eye area, and even for those with very sensitive skin, like myself.

LUMINOSITY: ONE TO TWO WEEKS

This famous elusive Retinol glow appears just after a major skin sloughing. And it is fabulous.

SMOOTH AND EVEN SKIN: TWO WEEKS TO TWO MONTHS

Within the first week or two, the combination of Vitamin C and Retinol leads to rapid dead skin turnover, which makes skin look and feels soft and smooth, like after exfoliating. Wrinkles appear smaller and less deep because the light reflects better off of smooth skin than dead skin cells, but wrinkles are not actually improved at this stage, they are just attractively “buffed”. Prescription retinol is highly effective in dead skin sloughing but tends to have several weeks of itchy peeling to suffer through. Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer also has rapid dead skin turnover, but without tell-tale peeling or redness often seen in prescription retinol.

REDUCED PORES AND REDUCED BLACKHEADS: ONE TO THREE WEEKS

A particularly satisfying part of Vitamin C/Retinol use is watching pores shrink down to nothing and blackheads mass exit your face, even the stubborn ones around your nose. This pore-shrinking is surprisingly youthifying, as it’s something that unknowingly makes one look older.

ACNE: WEEKS THREE AND FOUR

Vitamin C tackles acne quickly. Retinol removes the dead skin cells and sebum congesting pores. There is a brief period a few weeks into retinol use that the pores purge with a temporary major breakout, then skin remains largely clear after that period. Cystic acne takes longer to clear but daily Vitamin C use is excellent for shrinking the inflammation out of cystic acne.

DISCOLORATION FROM PHOTOAGING (SUN DAMAGE): 2 to 6 MONTHS

This is one of Retinols and Vitamin C’s best tricks, reversing years of sun damage. How fast you see results depend on how much damage you have, but even severe sun damage can be vastly improved within three to six months. Vitamin C builds collagen and fades discoloration, improving sun damaged skin’s texture and even tone. According to the same article cited above, Retinol is the most effective treatment reversing skin damage, generally within three to six months, but most users won’t tolerate the burning, scaling, itching, peeling and general dermatitis issues associated with retinoid therapy. This is where buffering your retinol with moisturizers, such as those found in the all-in-one Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer, becomes crucial to assure regular, consistent use.

CONCLUSION

Few treatments can hold a candle to what daily use of Retinol and Vitamin C can do for the skin in terms of reversing sun damage and restoring the skin. The key to making this program work for you is finding a Retinol and Vitamin C that you can use consistently each day without excess irritation or redness. Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer provides 2.5% pure Retinol with 20% Vitamin C serum in a highly moisturizing cream base that contains many natural moisturizing agents so that you can tolerate daily use. In fact, you can use it twice a day without irritation. Once you see the wonderful youthful luminosity that Retinol can give your skin, you won’t want to stop, so Lordsbury gives the ability for daily use without any irritation, just soft, smooth, increasingly younger and better skin.

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3PSEQX/

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer contains 2.5% Pure Retinol, 20% Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba, Wildcrafted Green Tea, Shea Butter and many other Retinol-enhancing ingredients

Style Chicks received compensation for our time and effort to test this product. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.