If you’re like us, when it comes to the skincare treatments you use on your face, you care just as much about the efficacy of the product as you do its formulation. Which explains why we’re rubbing on Vivier’s Retinol 0.5% treatment.
For starters, the product’s 0.5 per cent concentration of retinol is gentle enough for us to use regularly and still strong enough for us to see visible improvements. Trust us, we know. We’ve been slowly working our way up from 0.1 to 0.3 per cent-based retinol products for the past six to eight months and are now we’re ready for the big 0.5 with its skin resilience building and cellular turnover benefits.
The science-led Canadian brand is renowned for creating skincare solutions like this, that bridge clinical strength with everyday wearability. And they’ve built their reputation on dermatologist-developed formulas that respect our skin’s biology while delivering measurable results. We appreciate it. After all, retinol can be easily misused and misunderstood.
A derivative of vitamin A, retinol is a favourite ingredient in anti-aging skincare as it eliminates tired and old surface skin cells so as to make way for fresh new ones which, over time, improves the appearance of fine lines, texture, uneven skin tone and dullness. It helps refine our pores and smooth our skin’s surface too, making it look tighter and younger. A win-win in our opinion. But, and it’s a big one, retinol demands respect in how it’s introduced. Lower grades, like 0.1 and 0.3% retinol are the best way to start using these treatments and require patience and pacing until your skin is up to speed. But once you get there, you’re golden.
Then, all you have to do is apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin in the evening, once or twice a week. In the mornings apply your regular skincare including a dose of SPF 30 or higher, because retinol can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and you’ll want to and need to protect it. The rest is easy. Just sit back and enjoy as you watch the clock turn back time on your face. You can thank us, well, Vivier, later.
Vivier Retinol 0.5%, $114 for 30 ml, available online at vivierskin.ca.
