Vitamin A for the skin

Serums are most definitely my ride or die, as I have found over the years switching out your serum can make the biggest impact on your skin. Over the next few weeks, I will delve deep into serums and their uses.

Let's look today at retinol or vitamin A and how it can impact your skin with a gold standard of anti-ageing.

It is revered as the magic potion for the skin and surprisingly, despite what you believe, it has evolved in recent years with brands recognising the need for less purge but equal power. Here are three of the best available now.

For sensitive skin

Kiehls potent retinol serum is formulated with 0.1 per cent pure retinol in a daily-strength micro-dose, along with ceramides and peptide, to promote gentle skin surface turnover for youthful-looking skin.

The precise micro-dose formulation of the anti-aging serum delivers visible results with minimal redness, dryness, or peeling. Wrinkles are visibly reduced, skin is firmer, pores appear minimized, and skin tone and texture are more even. This retinol serum is a fast-absorbing lightweight cream.

Some important points to note! The serum with retinol is precisely formulated to deliver a gentle, daily-strength dose of pure retinol with ceramides and peptide for visible anti-aging results with minimal visible redness, dryness or peeling.

90 per cent of users, even first-time retinol users, agree skin feels comfortable during use. It easily integrates into a skincare routine and is suitable for use day or night. I recommend it at night for regeneration. It’s for all skin types, including first-time retinol users and sensitive skin types.

Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum 50ml had pre launched exclusively with Kiehl's Irish retail partner on brownthomas.com.

To level up the power

Skinician's Ageless range contains two powerful retinol products that are designed to fight against the visible signs of ageing. The Level Up System allows you to increase your retinol intake at a pace that suits your skin type for maximum results.

Potent Retinol Power Balms dramatically target and reduce the signs of ageing, improving skin tone and texture. Skin appears rejuvenated, lines and wrinkles reduced, and pigmentation faded.

Level 1 - The perfect product to introduce retinol into your daily routine. This potent balm actively targets all the signs of advanced ageing. Fortified with a blend of three powerhouse peptides and active retinol.

When your skin is ready and can tolerate Level 1, progress onto Level 2. This luxurious facial balm is formulated with five times more retinol than Level 1. It is designed to take users to the next level with maximum results. Available from skinician.com and selected salons nationwide.

For oily skin

Dermalogica’s Retinol Clearing Oil combines two powerhouses into one formula for the first time. Salicylic acid to rapidly clear and prevent breakouts, and potent, time-released retinol to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.

Although using an oil based product on oily skin seems counter intuitive, it really works. Best of all, this high-performance night oil visibly renews skin overnight, delivering clearer skin and reducing signs of premature aging within seven days.