What is it?
'A potent nighttime skin renewal serum with retinol.'
Who is it for?
People looking for the extra boost that retinols give. Vitamin A is a proven ingredient that can help reverse the signs of ageing. Everyone should use one. Well, not kids, obviously - but if you're over 30 I'd get busy.
What’s in it?
Water, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isoamyl Laurate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Shea Butter Esters, Triheptanoin, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Behenyl Alcohol, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Retinol, Glyceryl Stearate, Simmonsia Chenesis (Jojoba) Oil, Xanthan Gum, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Citrus Nobilis Oil, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic /Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Glycine Soya Sterols, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Maslinic Acid, Phenylpropanol, Bht, Sodium Phytate, Dimethiconol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Honey, Pectin, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Heliantus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycine Soya Oil.
Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
shea butter
essential oils
Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
man made with some natural ingredients
Tested on animals/sold in China?
No/Yes
What's not in it?
mineral oil
parabens
sulfates
phthalates
How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?
'Apply after cleansing, a thin layer all over the face.'
It may not surprise you to know that I used this after acids. I used it directly over my Dennis Gross MD Extra Strength pads and it was absolutely fine. More of that here: Beauty Myth No.9
Use in the PM and obviously mind your SPF if you're in warmer climes to keep the newer skin protected.
What’s good about it?
I have tested a lot of retinols in my time, this one gave me noticeable results overnight. There was visible fading of some spot scars, 'tighter' skin and it was certainly firmer.
As always, nothing will compare with prescription retinol, but if you're not quite ready for that yet, this is a great way to go in the meantime. It's the best I've used thus far.
What’s not so good about it?
Well it's not that it's not good exactly, but it says it contains 2% retinol complex. Eagle-eyed readers will notice that the retinol is listed after phenoxyethanol, which immediately should tell us that it is 1% or less.
So I don't know if the labelling is incorrect, the claim is exaggerated, the retinol is in a complex that somehow pushes it over 2% when it's all added together? I don't know. But in this case, it works, so I'm not overly fussed. (I have asked the question to them directly btw, will keep you posted if I get an answer). It doesn't put me off the product however, as the proof is indeed in the pudding.
Dr Brandt Glow Overnight Resurfacing Serum is £73.00 from Feelunique.com and $85.00 from Sephora.com
Similar products?
Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM
