Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Eye 2% Retinoid Serum Review
Thinking of switching your eye cream to Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Eye 2% Retinoid Serum? You’ve probably reached the time in your life when your previously much-loved eye cream just isn’t cutting it anymore. It might be brilliant at bringing moisture and hydration to this delicate skin, but eventually, that alone is not enough.
So, if you’re noticing that the skin around your eyes is more creased than usual, or that your dark circles have become more noticeable, it’s time to upgrade to an eye cream (like this one from doctor and skincare expert Dr Sam Bunting) that contains a retinoid. Retinoids are the gold standard of anti-ageing ingredients. They have been used and studied for years, with plenty of clinical proof to back up their collagen-stimulating abilities – giving you the confidence to invest knowing that they really do work.
What are the key ingredients in Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Eye 2% Retinoid Serum?
Flawless Nightly Eye 2% Retinoid Serum combines three key ingredients – Granactive retinoid, niacinamide, and vitamin C. Granactive retinoid (also known by its scientific name hydroxypinacolone retinoate or the acronym HRP) is a sophisticated form of retinoid that is absorbed quickly and efficiently into the skin without causing irritation. On entry to the skin, it binds directly to the receptor cells – so your complexion can take full advantage of its wrinkle-reducing abilities straight away. Think of it like the skincare equivalent of a ready meal. Niacinamide is there to brighten skin and soften the appearance of fine lines, while vitamin C adds glow.
What results can you expect to see after using Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Eye 2% Retinoid Serum?
If you’ve applied Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Eye 2% Retinoid Serum before bed, you’ll notice upon waking that your eyes look rested, less tired and visibly brighter. I think that the formula must drip feed throughout the night, as the eye still feels moisturised in the morning with none of the dryness you can get from some retinoid eye creams. Expect lines to appear less visible and the under-eye area to look smoother.
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Will Flawless Nightly Eye 2% Retinoid Serum help with milia?
If you’re prone to milia, a type of milky white spot that forms due to keratin becoming blocked in a hair follicle and hardening, you may worry about your eye cream making things worse. I can personally vouch that not only did Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Eye 2% Retinoid Serum not cause milia, but actively helped reduce the milia I had by my eye bone and temple.
Do you need to use an eye cream over the top of Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly 2% Retinoid Serum?
When you first apply Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Eye 2% Retinoid Serum it absorbs rapidly, yet still feels creamy and moisturising. For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend using an eye cream over the top as this is nourishing enough on its own.
What’s the difference between an eye serum and an eye cream?
There are two key differences between eye serums and eye creams. The first is the texture, as eye creams tend to be thicker and more akin to your moisturiser, while a serum will be lightweight and watery. The second is their potency, as serums will contain a higher concentration of active ingredients than eye creams. For this reason, even though an eye product may have a cream-like texture, some brands will still refer to them as eye serums to signify the potency of the active ingredients within the formula.
At what age should you start using a retinoid eye cream?
As we age, we lose up to 1.5% of the collagen (the protein that gives our skin bounce and structure) every year. By the time you’re in your 40s, the collagen levels in your skin will have dropped significantly, and this is the point when you’ll want to step up your eye cream game. This is why I would recommend that from age 40 and above you should be using a retinoid eye cream every night. Prevention is always better than cure, so the earlier you start the better. In your 30s it’s a good idea to use a retinoid eye cream every other night to keep your collagen receptor cells awake and working efficiently.
What are retinoids?
Retinoids are a group of compounds derived from Vitamin A. There are different types of retinoids with varying strengths, including retinoic acid, retinal, retinol and retinyl. Which one is right for you will depend on factors including your skin concerns, skin type and how sensitive your skin is.
I like to compare the different types of retinoids to different kinds of chocolate. Dark chocolate has a higher concentration of cocoa, stronger in flavour, and is not necessarily enjoyed by everyone as much as good milk chocolate with half the cocoa which is softer in texture.
How do retinoids work?
Retinoids are like an expresso shot for the skin, speeding up cell turnover and pushing new cells to the surface whilst encouraging dead skin cells to fall away. This process will help to soften lines as well as fade hyperpigmentation for a more even skin texture and tone. Although the process might sound similar, retionids don’t work in the same way as liquid exfoliants. Exfoliation immediately removes dead skin cells, while retinoid speeds up the rate at which they naturally turnover over a period of time. Retinoids will also help stimulate collagen production, helping to improve firmness and reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Are retinoids safe?
There has been a lot of scaremongering over the years (mainly from brands that don’t use retinoids in their formulations) but retinoids are very safe to use. In fact, retinoids are among some of the most researched and well-tested ingredients available in skincare. The only exception is if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it is not recommended to use retinoids during this time. Also, if you have sensitive skin I could always suggest doing a patch test first before applying a new retinoid product to your entire face and introducing them slowly into your routine to give your skin time to adapt.
When I do use retinoids?
It’s best to apply retinoids at night. This is the time of day when your skin isn’t preoccupied with by external stressors like sunlight and pollution, and is at its most receptive. Using retinoids overnight will allow you to take full advantage of their ability to supercharge cell renewal and regeneration, as they’re able to do so with no distractions. As they increase cell turnover, retinoids can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so you’ll need to make sure you’re using a high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect those fresh new cells during the day.
Thank You For Reading
I hope you have enjoyed this blog, please let me know if you need any help with your skin.
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Bye for now,
Fiona x
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