Decent cheap retinol serum?

[KizzyKat91]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a cheapish retinol serum?

I usually use the ordinary granactive emulsion but don’t think it’s doing very much :( the ones in squalene are too oily and never seem to sink in. I looked at the inky list one, but some of the reviews say it’s too gentle and ineffective.

I’ve been eyeing up the paulas choice 1% serum but it’s too expensive for me to justify!

You could try the Inkey List Retinol which is perfectly pleasant to use but obviously not as potent as those with a higher price point. I was impressed with it though.
I then moved on to Medic8 crystal 3 which is more expensive, sorry! Waiting for special offers helps!

I have Garden of Wisdom Retistar.
If you watch Nadine Baggott's YT video on retinol, she explains what retinol, retinal, retinoid, Retistar and Uncle Tom Cobbly and All actually are, and it's very informative.
Apparently the Ordinary are naughty about how they present the % of the active ingredient. I can't remember offhand but it was something like you think you're getting 3% say, but that works out at 0.3 really.

I like the GOW though appreciate any retinol takes months to see a difference, unlike a Vit C where after a couple of days I'm going "hello gorgeous"

If you can get hold of retirides, its what its called in Spain its the strongest retinol you can get , I get mine when I go on holiday, obviously not this year, it only around 15/ 19 euros a tube, someone on here mentioned a chemist abroad you can order it from, sorry I can't remember the name, hopefully she will see this and let you know, if you managed to buy some, go slow as it really is strong.

Tret on prescription is your best bet. Skin + Me and Dermatica are both £20 per month, but the tube usually lasts for 6 weeks or more, so you can lengthen the delivery time.

It works, no point wasting money on stuff that does nothing.

Hiya

I thoroughly recommend the tree of life serums. I have been using their retinol one at night and their vitamin C one in the morning since spring time and within weeks I noticed an amazing improvement in visible tone and feel of my skin. My skin is soo much softer. I am mid 40s with combo skin that was starting to get a wee bit dry on the cheeks.

I wish I’d started using serum years ago.

I will post a link to the combo pack which is £18 or thereabouts.

Serum Combo Pack - Vitamin C Serum, Retinol Serum for Face and Skin www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CH5WC8S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_h8MQFbR7P62BF?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I’m using beauty pie’s serum. I’m investing in more of their stuff in the next few weeks as I’m pleased with the price and quality.

I find Face Theory are pretty good

@lindyloo57

If you can get hold of retirides, its what its called in Spain its the strongest retinol you can get , I get mine when I go on holiday, obviously not this year, it only around 15/ 19 euros a tube, someone on here mentioned a chemist abroad you can order it from, sorry I can't remember the name, hopefully she will see this and let you know, if you managed to buy some, go slow as it really is strong.

There’s an online pharmacy called alldaychemist which sells tretinoin in cream and gel form, and other actives (hydroquinone I think). I’m not sure what the strengths are though. I use dermatica, I’m quite happy with them but only been using for 1 month so far

I've just bought the boots no7 for a try. It's £35

£34 sorry
Here's the link
www.boots.com/no7-advanced-retinol-1-5-percent-complex-night-concentrate-10273192?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs_HeroCompare--No7+Retinol-_-Boots+Shopping+-+Category+–+No7+-+Mobile&gclid=CjwKCAiAkan9BRAqEiwAP9X6UW8BSl7rnZwqrx4sgA60i2sssEo3rRRfv2GMu_3n8n4sOGNhuAWtQhoCuZ0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I like the Boots No7 one - it's my first foray into retinol and while it's maybe not as strong as others mentioned I figured it's probably best to start with something relatively mild and slowly work up.

Ive been using the boots no 7 one and it's a nice consistency and non oily lotion/serum (rather than cream as it's thinner).

It's strong enough too as I'm still going through the retinol purge....my skin is so spotty argh but at least I know it's working and will be worth it in the end!

Boots also do an ‘ingredients’ range, where they focus on single ingredients products.
They have a retinol, niacinamine glycolic acid, vitamin c etc.
Their own brand of the ordinary I’m presuming it’s meant to be, cheap as chips but they don’t tell you the percentages, so a bit rubbish really

Revolution brand, 0.2%, or 0.5% Retinol serum, Superdrug/Asos. £6.