Three High-Dose Retinol Serums Compared: Paula's Choice vs. The Ordinary vs. Sunday Riley

• The Difference & Reviews

| Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment

Paula's Choice: $65.00/30ml (up to 7% cashback)

Sephora: $65.00 (up to 4% cashback)

Dermstore: $65.00 (up to 5% cashback)

What Is It?

CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment is a potent and uniquely formulated retinol formula that hydrates and delivers anti-aging benefits to the skin. Its creamy lotion texture rests lightly on the skin while the retinol quickly penetrates into the top layer to smooth and firm skin, boost cell regeneration, stimulate collagen production, refine pore size and even out skin tone. 

Unlike other retinol-heavy products that may irritate the skin, this cream offers the nourishing and anti-irritating vitamin C, licorice and oat extract to leave your skin smooth and well-soothed. The quadruple peptide blend complements high-strength retinol, promoting strong, visibly firm skin.

Key Ingredients:

- 1% Retinol: A potent, slow-release concentration that visibly improves signs of aging.

- Vitamin C: Reduces the appearance of brown spots, inflammation and irritation.

- Oat, Willow Bark, and Licorice Extracts: Soothe the skin to visibly address redness and other signs of sensitivity.

- Quadruple Peptide Blend: Complements high-strength retinol, promoting strong, visibly firm skin.

Best for: Most skin types without oily to very oily skin.

Texture & Fragrance: The cream is bright yellow, when applied to the skin is quite thick and has high moisturizing ability. However, the product does not absorb quickly, so you will feel a bit shiny and sticky. It's fragrance free and it smells like nothing.

Review: Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment is a fantastic product – it's effective at treating a range of skin concerns, and it's really good value. The texture is that of a lightweight lotion, that absorbs easily and quickly into the skin, and does not leave any residue. This fragrance-free formula works for any skin type, though its cream base may not be preferable for those with oily to very oily skin.

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| The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane

ASOS: $8.90/30ml (up to 1% cashback)

Selfridges: $9.50 (up to 7% cashback)

Cult Beauty: $11.73 (up to 8% cashback)

What Is It?

Retinol 1% in Squalane offers a water-free solution containing 1% retinol—an ingredient that improves the appearance of fine and dynamic lines that arise from a loss of collagen and elastin, while evening skin texture and tone. What's more, this expert-level formula is supported with squalane, a moisturizing agent naturally found in your skin that enhances surface-level hydration and helps combat the dryness that can be associated with retinol use.

Key ingredients: 

- The highly stable retinol present in this formula works to reduce the appearance of fine lines, photo damage and general signs of skin ageing. It also encourages natural cell turnover, helping to promote softer and healthier-looking skin while working to minimise the appearance of blemishes and dark spots.

- Squalane, a moisturizing agent naturally found in your skin, enhances surface-level hydration and helps combat the dryness that can be associated with retinol use.

Best for: Those with combination, acne-prone, and oily skin types.

Texture & Fragrance: The consistency is a yellow-coloured oil that is dropped on with a pipette and massaged into the skin as part of your evening skincare routine. The scent is slightly acidic, but not unpleasant. There can be a slight tingle on your fingertips when you first massage it but it shouldn't feel painful on your face in any way. The consistency is thick and oily and may take a while to absorb into the skin.

Review: When you apply it, you would find your skin hydrated, moisturised and glowing. It really does give an appearance of plump, cushioned and firm skin which feels softer after use.

A high-strength retinol serum that targets general signs of skin ageing, dryness, textural irregularities and uneven skin tone. Some fans of the the product claim it's helped their acne, and have even seen some progress with fine lines around the eyes.

| Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum

Sunday Riley: $85.00/30ml (up to 2% cashback)

Sephora: $85.00 (up to 4% cashback)

Dermstore: $85.00 (up to 5% cashback)

What Is It?

Elevate your skin care routine with A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum from Sunday Riley. This advanced-strength retinoid serum delivers a 6.5% solution of stabilized retinoid blends and botanical, retinol-alternative extracts into the skin. Combining 5% retinoid ester blend, 1% liposomal-encapsulated retinol blend and .5% blue-green algae with natural, retinoid-alternative activity, this serum fights the signs of aging and improves the look of congested and UV damaged skin. Encapsulated CoQ10 helps to improve the appearance of aging or damaged skin, while rare, Hawaiian white honey, bisabolol, cactus extract and ginger balance and soothe the skin for the appearance of calmer, even-toned complexion.

Key Ingredients:

- Retinoid Complex 6.5% (Retinol, Retinoid Ester, and Botanical Alt-Retinol): Helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines and encourages signs of clearer skin.

- CoQ10: Improves the appearance of aging or UV-exposed skin, for a healthier-looking, balanced complexion.

- Hawaiian White Honey: A hydrating, calming, and soothing humectant rich in phytonutrients.

Best for: Dry, more mature skin, and those who want serious results without the unwanted side effects of traditional retinol formulations.

Texture & Fragrance: You can definitely get away with using just one or one and a half pumps to cover your entire face and neck. It comes out in a pale yellow fluid that's easy to spread and more reminiscent of a light lotion than a tacky serum. It absorbs quickly, doesn't feel greasy or heavy, and leaves no tingling sensation behind.

While the brand claims there is no added fragrance, you can detect a chemical-ish scent that lingered for a few minutes after you spread it over the face.Those who have a sensitive nose may want to consider getting a sample size to see if it's tolerable for them. 

Review: Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum is a fantastic middle ground between a low dose retinol/retinoid and the over the top prescription. This "high dose" serum gets high praise from the seasoned tretinoin users. This can be used on all skin types except those that are super sensitive. It does feel gentle on skin, and does not dry the skin out nor cause it to feel irritated and sensitized. The combination of hydration and exfoliation makes it a very capable retinoid, but even more so for those with oily, acne-prone skin. 

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