Paulas choice super antioxidant concentrate serum with retinol

 Snag the “bizarrely effective” formula while it’s 20 percent off.

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Photo: Courtesy/InStyle

There are thousands of anti-aging skincare products on the market that promise to banish signs of aging and dull skin, but the number of formulas that deliver isn't as broad. This antioxidant serum with a dash of retinol is one of the few that actually does, according to shoppers, and even though Cyber Monday's over, it's still on sale for 20 percent off.

Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol promises to refine skin, defend against signs of aging, and eliminate dryness. The antioxidants in the serum are responsible for brightening dull skin damaged from environmental stressors. And thanks to a blend of grape seed extract and olive fruit oil, the lightweight serum adds moisture without leaving a greasy residue or clogged pores, completely absorbing on contact.

Courtesy

Shop now: $29 (Originally $36); paulaschoice.com

It also has a small amount of retinol, a derivative of vitamin A that assists in cell turnover, at .01 percent. The well-researched ingredient helps "with acne, brown spots, sun damage as well as fine lines, wrinkles, and textured skin," esthetician and co-founder of Glo Spa, Aishe Balic, previously told InStyle. "As we age, our collagen begins to break down, and [retinol] encourages collagen production," Balic explained. "But it can also help people suffering from acne and clogged pores because it reduces oil production. Sun damage can also be brightened with retinol as well because of sped up cell turnover."

Shoppers are thoroughly impressed with their results. "To say I love this stuff would be an understatement!" one wrote in a Paula's Choice review. "I love the smell of it, I love the way it leaves my skin feeling and just everything about this. I use it every morning, and it's just so refreshing." They added they "will never stop using" the retinol serum.

"I have been using this product for 18 years," another reviewer wrote. "I am 64 years old, and my skin is so smooth and barely any wrinkles. People are always asking me what [I do] to my skin and if I've had any work done. I love it, too, because it moisturizes my dry skin."

A final shopper noted that the serum is "basically witchcraft." They added: "This serum is bizarrely effective. It doesn't burn or irritate my skin. It doesn't cause breakouts. But even more amazingly, the healing cysts are healing way faster now, and the redness is dying down quickly."

Head to Paula's Choice now to stock up on the Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol while it's 20 percent off.

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  • Paula's Choice

    A rich, concentrated antioxidant serum with an effective but gentle amount of retinol that restores moisture while defending against environmental stressors and signs of aging. This high-performance, silky-smooth serum contains an ideal assortment of beneficial ingredients for dry skin to reestablish a dewy, hydrated glow and improve the appearance of wrinkles. It has a luxuriously rich texture and absorbs easily into skin. Retinol and hydrating, antioxidant-enriched plant oils smooth, softes, and fight the appearance of visible signs of environmental damage and aging. Formulated to be gentle enough for sensitive skin, including for skin prone to eczema.

    • Silky-smooth serum texture for mature and dry skin. 
    • Antioxidant complex brightens and refines skin.
    • Improves the appearance of wrinkles. 


    SKIN THERAPIST TIP
    Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum can be used with any moisturizer, sunscreen, or topical prescription medicine. It may also be used by itself for those who do not need additional moisture.

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    You cannot go wrong with Paula's Choice! I have been using this serum on and off for more than ten years! It is a favourite of mine in the winter months as I have Normal to Oily skin and use the...

    About reviewer (107 reviews)

    Age30-35

    SkinNormal, Fair, Neutral

    HairBlack, Wavy, Medium

    EyesGreen


    I received this as a free gift with an order last year and am so glad I did. This serum is perfect for my acne prone, sensitive skin. It feels silky when applied and makes your skin feel instantly...

    About reviewer (53 reviews)

    Age25-29

    SkinSensitive, Medium, Warm

    HairBrown, Straight, Medium

    EyesBrown


    Okay, so my skin can best be described as sensitive, dry, very pale cool toned. It's demanding to manage and gets cranky about what products touch it. It can go red and feel burned if it doesn't...

    About reviewer (52 reviews)

    Age36-43

    SkinSensitive, Fair, Cool

    HairBrunette, Curly, Medium

    EyesGreen


    This did nothing for my skin, and it never absorbs into the skin no matter how little of the product I put on or how long I leave it on its own. It just sits on my skin and stays sticky and super...

    About reviewer (56 reviews)

    Age30-35

    SkinNormal, Fair-Medium, Neutral

    HairBrown, Curly, Coarse

    EyesBrown


    I had a horrible reaction to this product last winter. I am not sure what was in the product that I reacted to, but it took me several weeks of really gentle pampering to get back to normal. It...

    About reviewer (45 reviews)

    Age36-43

    SkinDry, Tan, Warm

    HairBlond, Wavy, Fine

    EyesGreen


    I have a bunch of sample packs. I have mature combination skin, tending towards dry, with an oily T zone, prone to hives and milia. My skin is tolerant of AHA, BHA and retinoids, including...

    About reviewer (517 reviews)

    Age44-55

    SkinCombination, Olive, Warm

    HairBrunette, Straight, Medium

    EyesBrown


    This is a early review- I will update! I have been using this product for three nights so far and have had good things results. I have mild rosacea (the red cheeks and flushing stage) and dry...

    About reviewer (4 reviews)

    Age25-29

    SkinSensitive, Fair, Not Sure

    HairBrunette, Wavy, Fine

    EyesGreen


    Greasy, creates a shine. And ineffective. The amount of retinol Paula puts in her products is NOT enough to make a difference to your skin.

    About reviewer (70 reviews)

    Age36-43

    SkinSensitive, Fair, Cool

    HairBlond, Other, Other

    EyesBlue


    This is my favourite serum. I try to avoid using it during summer (but it is HARD) as it contains Retinol and we literally have the sun shining 24-7 (midnight sun). I just started using it again...

    About reviewer (26 reviews)

    Age36-43

    SkinVery Dry, Fair, Warm

    HairBlond, Wavy, Fine

    EyesBlue


    I received this serum as a sample so I have only been using it as part of my nightly routine for the past three nights, and although that isn't long at all I had to write a review because I have...

    About reviewer (46 reviews)

    Age25-29

    SkinCombination, Fair-Medium

    HairBrown

    EyesBlue



    You cannot go wrong with Paula's Choice! I have been using this serum on and off for more than ten years! It is a favourite of mine in the winter months as I have Normal to Oily skin and use the...

    About reviewer (107 reviews)

    Age30-35

    SkinNormal, Fair, Neutral

    HairBlack, Wavy, Medium

    EyesGreen


    I received this as a free gift with an order last year and am so glad I did. This serum is perfect for my acne prone, sensitive skin. It feels silky when applied and makes your skin feel instantly...

    About reviewer (53 reviews)

    Age25-29

    SkinSensitive, Medium, Warm

    HairBrown, Straight, Medium

    EyesBrown


    Okay, so my skin can best be described as sensitive, dry, very pale cool toned. It's demanding to manage and gets cranky about what products touch it. It can go red and feel burned if it doesn't...

    About reviewer (52 reviews)

    Age36-43

    SkinSensitive, Fair, Cool

    HairBrunette, Curly, Medium

    EyesGreen


    This did nothing for my skin, and it never absorbs into the skin no matter how little of the product I put on or how long I leave it on its own. It just sits on my skin and stays sticky and super...

    About reviewer (56 reviews)

    Age30-35

    SkinNormal, Fair-Medium, Neutral

    HairBrown, Curly, Coarse

    EyesBrown


    I had a horrible reaction to this product last winter. I am not sure what was in the product that I reacted to, but it took me several weeks of really gentle pampering to get back to normal. It...

    About reviewer (45 reviews)

    Age36-43

    SkinDry, Tan, Warm

    HairBlond, Wavy, Fine

    EyesGreen




    How do you use Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum?

    Smooth a few drops onto face, neck and eye area before moisturizing. For optimal results, use AM and PM. For daytime, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater.

    What does skin balancing serum do?

    SKIN BALANCING Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum has a unique texture with a soft, light feel that supplies skin with an exciting mix of antioxidants and retinol to help soothe skin, unclog congested pores and visibly improve the appearance of wrinkles and uneven skin tone.