Retinol serum for dynamic under eye lines? (Photo)

Question

I have dynamic lines under my eyes. I plan on trying botox (from great advise on this site) but for skin care I was wondering about Retinol. I purchased the Medik8 Retinol and before I start using it wanted to check if it's recommended for this problem! (I've seen mixed options) Or is there a better option for creams/ serums. Thank you!

Melvin Elson, MD · Answer

Retinol is a good choice to help smooth the skin and make it more atttractive. Use the retinol only at night and use topical vitamin C in the morning and a sunscreen.  there are many skincare lines that have these and some of the best are Skinceuticals and Jan Marini

Sheryl D. Clark, MD, FAAD · Answer

Dear NicholaKate:
You have done your homework and discovered that the retinoids, including Retinol, all-trans retinoic acid (tretinoin or Retin-A) and Tazorac are the most effective topicals for wrinkles, skin tone, texture, discoloration, and resolving precancerous changes. Retinol (vitamin A), which is available without a prescription, is converted by your skin cells in two quick steps to all-trans retinoic acid, the active ingredient in the prescription cream, Retin-A. It has been proven that the effect of a 1% Retinol cream is equivalent to that of the strongest tretinoin cream, 0.1%. So the only problem I see is that the cream you obtained has only 0.1% Retinol, a concentration that has not been shown to be effective.  (The lowest concentration of Retinol for efficacy has been shown to be 0.2%). But of course you had no way of knowing that!  Many over-the-counter Retinol creams do not even indicate the Retinol concentration, so it can be difficult to get something effective on your own.  I have been able to determine, however, that Vichy’s Retinol cream has 1% Retinol. Skin Revision 2x has 0.2%; the 5x has 0.5% and the 10x has 1% Retinol.  This formulation is not irritating because it also has 90% green tea polyphenols and resveratrol, which prevent damage from sun and toxins and reduce inflammation. 
I hope this information is helpful to you (and not too much!).
All the best,   Dr. Clark

Retinol serum for dynamic under eye lines? (Photo)

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Retinol serum for dynamic under eye lines? (Photo)

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