Now that I’m almost 30, I decided I was long overdue to try retinoids, the gold standard in #proyouth skin care.

I used to think of retinoids as an ingredient that I could only access through a prescription from the derm (such as tretinoin), but luckily it’s now a pretty mainstream over the counter ingredient at lesser but still very potent strengths.

Why retinoids?

As you get older, collagen decreases in the skin. We’re talking over 20 years old. The skin gets saggier and more weak the less collagen is in it.

Collagen, however, is increased with the use of retinoids (vitamin A derivatives)! Not only that, but the enzyme that breaks down collagen is inactivated by retinoids.

Retinoids also have the ability to increase cellular turnover, the rate at which old skin cells are replaced by newer, more glowy ones, AND are an antioxidant that stops the environment from damaging your skin!

But prescription retinoids themselves are extremely powerful and can be extremely irritating, and dry out the skin in the beginning before actually working supposed miracles…This adjustment period is normal-ish because most people overuse them and have incomplete routines that don’t properly hydrate and protect the skin.

Because I know that retinoids can be irritating ingredients, I wanted to start with a light version –a version that my skin could easily get used to.

I opted for the newest and gentlest formulation from The Ordinary containing Granactive Retinoid since my skin has no real consistent experience with any retinoid.

Though The Ordinary have quite a buffet of Retinoids and Retinols to choose from, this was the only oil-free formula so of course I was sold!

Learn why I don’t use oils on acne-prone skin here.

According to The Ordinary, “ Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) is a highly-advanced form of retinoid which is, in fact, a non-prescription ester of all-trans direct retinoic acid that offers a multi-fold better effect against signs of ageing than retinol, retinyl palmitate and nearly all other forms of non-prescription retinoid.”

Apparently this is some really powerful stuff and yet somehow it’s more gentle too…Which to me is super important.

Granactive Retinoid is just a more gentle version of prescription retinoids, that is also very effective but waaaaay less irritating. I believe in gentle skin care, and that slow and steady wins the race in skin care.

My Experience With Granactive Retinoid 2%

With that said, this product caused zero irritation or dryness for me. However, this might be because my skin has been exposed to varying strengths of acids and actives over the years.

Though I have acne-prone skin, it’s also extremely strong and resilient…all while getting increasingly more strong and more resilient because of my amazing skincare routine.

I didn’t expect miracles with this product, since it is quite light. I am not using it for wrinkle reversal, but more for wrinkle prevention and also overall skin-texture improvement.

I usually wake up with just clear, even-toned skin, and my pores appear smaller too after applying the Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion at night.

I’ve also noticed that I wake up with a more matte face after using the Granactive Retinoid 2% Elmulsion, than after anything else.

Does the Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion Make You Break-Out?

As I keep saying, breaking out is what happens when your pores are clogged, while purging is something that happens when you use active ingredients — that is, ingredients that promote cellular turnover.

Any gunk you have lying around will get purged, and this is awesome!

I haven’t noticed any purging with this product in particular, but if you do have acne then be careful.

Mentally prepare for a purging period lasting from 1-4 weeks on this product. This is a good thing and will go away and result in clearer more amazing skin. Don’t give up on retinoids!

You need not rush into using Retinol or retinoid products. This is truly the type of ingredient that you need to slowly adjust to…If I were you, I would ease myself into using this product, by only using it 2-3 times a week in the first two weeks, and slowly increasing the frequency as your tolerance increases.

The adjustment period will end when your skin is no longer dry or irritated, and you’ll be able to use the ingredient more often, and in the case of the Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion — even every night!

Product Details

The Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion  comes in a cute glass bottle with a dropper that makes it feel like science in a bottle. The colour of the actual product is a creamy white, and it has a faint milky scent to it that I find really pleasant and non-offensive. I actually really like the smell!

It spreads very easily with a light consistency.

I personally use about 3 drops of it at a time, and only at night before bed.

Honesty hour: I actually don’t apply a moisturiser underneath nor on top of this product, and have had ZERO flakes or irritation.

Update: this stuff is stronger than it seems, so I would absolutely advise a moisturizer on top to avoid dehydration! 🙂

Ingredients

Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Ethyl Linoleate, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Bisabolol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carrageenan, Xanthan gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Cetyl Palmitate, Sucrose Laurate, Polysorbate 20, Isoceteth-20, Behentrimonium Chloride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Disodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Wear sunscreen every single day, but especially if you use retinoids. This ingredient can sensitise your skin to the sun and cause more damage! When you skip sunscreen, it’s like throwing your actives down the toiler — you don’t benefit from them.

Final Thoughts

If you’re interested in starting with anti-aging, or as I like to say, pro-youth skin care, then The Ordinary’s Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion can be the place to start.

It’s not just good for aging though, it’s fantastic for acne-prone skin. It really helps the skin become more firm, strong, and capable at healing!

It’s very gentle, but makes the skin better — at least so far this has been my experience.

This has been a successful foray into building tolerance towards actual Retinol that I can’t wait to get into in the coming years. I will use this product until it runs out and then decide what’s next in my pro-youth skin care journey!

Babyface forever,
Olena