Warning: Those 'retinol alternatives' from the drugstore are a total waste of money

I was super skeptical about paying $60 for a real retinol serum from my derm's office. For like 6 months I just bought those gentler OTC creams with bakuchiol and stuff. They did basically nothing for my fine lines even after I used up a whole tube. My esthetician friend begged me to try the real deal from her supplier. After 4 weeks of using a proper 0.3% retinol at night my skin texture is totally different. I feel dumb for wasting close to $80 on fake stuff that didn't work. Has anyone else had this happen or found a good budget retinol that actually does something?

2 comments

2 Comments

seanperry1mo agoTop Commenter

I used to think the gentler ones were fine but you're totally right.

blakefox1mo ago

3 years of keeping these guys taught me that anything with "gentle" in the name is a trap, @seanperry. They just hit you with that slow burn instead of a quick sting.