On My Mind: All the Ways I Retinol
During the pandemic, I started consistently using prescription tretinoin. It faded my freckles, a benefit I hadn’t anticipated, but the persistent dryness and flaking led me to switch to an over-the-counter retinal, which helped maintain my results with less irritation. (I wrote about my experience with a retinal cream from K-beauty brand Celimax here.)
Now that I’m 46, fine lines and dark spots aren’t my biggest concerns; skin laxity is, particularly on my lower face and neck. I attended a launch event for Cottonball, a new customized prescription-skin-care brand back in September. The brand takes into account the products you already use, climate, sensitivity, skin type and tone, and health history to tailor tretinoin formula (it adds in other ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, bakuchiol, tranexamic acid, and niacinamide). Mine arrived as two prescriptions, one for my face and one for my neck, with a lower concentration of tretinoin in the latter.
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So far, the adjustment has been surprisingly easy: I’ve experienced a little flaking on my neck, almost none on my face, and no significant irritation or initial breakout (often called a purge). My skin already looks smooth and brighter, but it’s too early to judge longer-term firming results. For now, I’m sticking with it.
I’m also looking beyond my face. As I’ve noticed more cellulite on my thighs, I’m wondering whether thinning body skin might be making the dimpling more apparent. Because retinoids are among the few topical ingredients with evidence of stimulating collagen production, body-retinol creams have caught my attention, too.
Dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, MD, explained that results on the body may take much longer than on the face because body skin is thicker. Still, I’m willing to give them a shot.
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I’ve been using Nécessaire’s Body Retinol nightly, and I love how smooth it leaves my skin. It’s also fragrance-free, a major plus for me since fragranced body products sometimes trigger hives. I haven’t experienced any irritation or flaking.
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This one pairs retinol with ceramides and a copper peptide for additional firming benefits. It’s really lightweight and absorbs quickly.
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I’ve always loved Josie Maran’s body butters. The consistencies are so good and leave my skin so smooth and well moisturized. This one has retinol derived from lab-grown algae and also contains the brand’s signature argan oil.
Everything else I’ve been seeing lately
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Working at the Strategist has made me realize I’m just not fussy enough about my bedding. I get decent sleep, but my sheets are basic, my pillows are nothing special, and my comforter could use an upgrade. I’ll start with some new sheets — higher thread count and a soft, buttery sateen finish.
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I’ve also been basic with Advent calendars over the years. Our elf has always bought the old-school cardboard calendars with the chocolates on December 1. But our Advent-calendar roundups at the Strategist have me tempted to step it up this year with more fun calendars. My teens would love this one from Anthropologie that contains mini-size beauty products, including Mario Badescu Facial Spray and L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil.
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And for my my 9-year-old, I love this fun Advent calendar with hair accessories. She’s very into wearing clips and scrunchies and trying different hairstyles lately.
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Madewell The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean
I need new jeans and spotted these in the Strategist Readers’ Choice Award winners story. They are dressed up enough for work.
What I’ve saved lately
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I’m eyeing Brenley Goertzen’s pick for comfy work-from-home pants.
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Since I’m upgrading sheets, I might as well get new pillows too.
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I recently bought a vintage dark-green Bottega Veneta bag that looks like this. I love the brown.
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I recently went back to hip-hop dance and need baggy sweats I won’t trip over.
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I didn’t buy a new stick vac on Prime Day, so now I’m price-watching this one.
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I’ve used the same black MZ Wallace tote for over a decade. I’m ready for a new one.
More From The Strategist
- Hark, the Advent Calendars Arrived (Very) Early This Year
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- 63 Things You Should Never Buy Full Price
- The Strategist Fall 100
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
