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Fashion Voyeur

People will stare, make it worth their while.

Categories: Beauty, Fashion, Uncategorized

Retinol – What is it & Why Should You Be Using it?

If there’s one ingredient that can pimp up your skincare routine and tackle all those niggling little issues you have, it’s retinol.  Praised for it’s ability to combat the signs of ageing and stimulate cell turnover, retinol is one of those ingredients that people either rave about, or are terrified of.  Well I’m here to tell you that retinol is nothing to be scared of, in fact quite the contrary, embrace it, use it, love it and reap the benefits!  Sure, there are some guidelines to follow, but as long as you’re using it correctly there’s no reason why retinol can’t be incorporated into your routine effectively.  I LOVE retinol, like most Dermatologists I’m of the opinion that retinol should be a regular part of our regime and after having tried a gazillion retinol products from ‘budget’ to ‘blow the budget’, I’m going to share my favourites with you, and a little more on how and why you should be using them.

Firstly, what is retinol?

Basically, it’s Vitamin A and it’s super effective and scientifically proven to improve the appearance of your skin.  Retinol is a weaker and more readily available version of a prescription only product called Tretinoin.  Tretinoin is strong, hence only being available via prescription.  It can’t be tolerated by everyone because it can be drying and can cause irritation.  Retinol is much weaker, it works in a similar way to Tretinoin but it’s more tolerable.

From dullness to firmness and everything in between, this super ingredient really packs a punch; but it’s best known as an anti-ageing product.  Walk into any branch of Boots and you’ll find the shelves brimming with anti-ageing products, in an off the shelf product, retinol is the only ingredient worth looking for when it comes to turning back the clock. There’s no magic wand, we’re not talking ‘Death Becomes Her’ here but Retinol stimulates cell turnover and collagen production and results can be seen in as little as 4 weeks with the right product.

Who can use retinol?

It’s not suitable for everyone and it won’t agree with everyone’s skin.  The difficult thing with retinol is finding a product with the exact measure that your skin can tolerate and with so many products available, there will be one out there for you.  Advice from the US states that whilst there is no evidence to suggest that retinol is harmful, products containing retinol and retinoids should not be used when pregnant or breastfeeding and this relates to the amount of vitamin A in your system at any one time.  Also, if you’re going on vacation to somewhere sunny, I’d recommend you stop using any retinol product 7 days before you leave to ensure you’re not more susceptible to sunburn.

What are the benefits to using retinol?

Where do I start?  Retinol boosts skin’s natural collagen production, it stimulates cell turnover which evens out discolouration and it works a treat on blocked pores and acne or breakout prone skin.  It’s hailed by many Dermatologists as a wonder ingredient in skincare and more and more retinol products are hitting the shelves every month; it’s a super effective and scientifically proven skincare ingredient – when used correctly.

When should I use retinol?

Retinol is perfect for a night time skincare routine.  If you already use a specific night cream before bed, then consider replacing this with a retinol based cream or serum 2 – 3 times per week or as a sleeping masque once a week.  There are some products that state that they can be used during the day but you need to check the dose, retinol encourages cell turnover and this delicate new skin needs to be protected when exposed to sunlight.  Most retinol products are intended for night time use however there are a few creeping through for day time use too, personally, I only use it at night.

How do I use retinol?

There are LOADS of retinol products readily available.  You can pick up a retinol product on the high street from as little as £10 and prices can go right up to £250 for something from an aesthetic specific company.  It’s a very personal choice, one not so much determined by your budget and more what your skin can tolerate.  I’ve tried lots and lots of different retinol products and narrowed it down to my favourites, the ones I use over and over and can see visible results with, without irritation.

Once you’ve selected your product, start using it once a week on a night on clean skin.  I wash my face with a simple Clinique soap, tone with Murad‘s spray bottle toner, I use Peachy Fox Marine Collagen Eye Gel (literally the best eye gel ever, read my review here) and then use my retinol product right before I go to bed.  Once you’ve gotten used to your product you can think about increasing the frequency to maybe 2-3 times per week, depending on its potency.  contrary to what you might think, retinol is particularly effective around the eyes.

One thing to remember when using any retinol based product is to wear sunscreen during the day.  I use a specific facial SPF40 product from Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream range but any city block with SPF 30+ will do the job.  You’ve spent time and money investing in your skin, now look after it!

How do I select a retinol product?

Again, it’s a choice you’ll make based very much on your particular skin needs and it may take a few tries to find your personal blend but there are a few things you should be looking for when you’re scanning the shelves.  Retinol and other vitamin A derivatives break down rapidly when exposed to the elements.  Skincare products containing retinol should be in an opaque or completely covered tube or tub and should always come with a pump dispenser, they typically have a shelf life of 6 months or less before they lose their efficacy.

Ready to give it a try?  Here are a few of my favourite retinol products, some of them I’ve only just discovered and some of them I’ve been using for a long time.  None of these are top budget products although I have used more expensive retinol products from Exuviance and Skinceuticals which really didn’t work for my skin, they left it feeling irritated and red despite the £200+ price tag.  Most importantly though, nobody has paid me for this review or to choose their product over another, this is an unbiased and personal review based on my own skin, some of the products in there were gifted to me in the first instance and some were purchased.

1. Peachy Fox Aloe Retinol Serum £12.97 Amazon

This is a lovely product to use, it has a lovely fresh and natural ginger scent and you only need one pump for your face.  I concentrate on using it around my eyes and then distribute what’s left around my face.  As with any retinol product, it can break up if you rub it too harshly so pat it gently until it’s soaked in.  In Spring and Summer I use this three times per week although the directions state that it’s suitable for daily use given it’s concentration.  This organic skincare brand is becoming a firm favourite amongst Bloggers and Influencers.

2. Retinol Youth Renewal Serum £65 Murad UK

This serum packs a punch and it comes in two different sizes so this one is great for travelling.  Use it once a week and use it sparingly as a little goes a long way (overloading on  retinol products can cause redness), this has a lovely smoothing consistency and skin looks fresher and visibly renewed the next morning.  It’s light enough that you can use your usual night cream on top once it’s soaked in.

3. The Ordinary Retinol Emulsion £6 Beauty Bay

I’d finished and thrown away the tube by the time I came to writing this post so don’t have a picture but the packaging is clean and simple and so is the product.  At 1% it’s a decent amount of retinol and the tube lasts for ages, this is a great budget buy that packs the same punch as some of its more expensive rivals.  It’s a lovely smooth product and you can see a visible difference after around 8 weeks of use.

4. Image Skincare Ageless Total Overnight Retinol Masque £80 imageskincare.com

This is a must have when it comes to retinol – it’s one of my favourites for a reason!  It comes with a “press & pump” dispenser so there’s no mess and no fuss, one pump does your whole face and it’s thicker in consistency than the other products as it’s intended as a moisturising masque.  Skin feels more plump and renewed and you can feel the difference when you wash your face the next morning.  This one is safe to use three nights per week but I’d recommend you start with one night per week if you’ve never used retinol before.  You don’t need a night cream on top of this one, you get the anti-ageing properties and a hit of hydration in one awesome product. (read about the Image Skincare O2 Lift Facial here).

5. Peachy Fox Collagen Retinol Moisturiser £12.98 Amazon

Another one from all natural and organic, cult skincare brand Peachy Fox, this moisturiser is deemed suitable for daily use and also for use morning and night due to the more tolerable retinol strength, however my personal preference is to stick to night time use (I know other Influencers who use this product during the day and have never had any irritation or issue).  This one is tricky to get to grips with when you first use it but persevere.  It has a different consistency than most skincare products but once you figure it out it really is a lovely product.  You tap this one all over your face and then very lightly pat it into skin, it needs to be fully dry and absorbed before you put anything else on your face otherwise it can pill and ball, if it does – you haven’t used it properly.  This one delivers an immediate glow after use, you’ll notice a difference in your skin from the first time you use it.

So now you know all about this must have skincare ingredient, go, armed with this knowledge and treat yourself to something that will compliment your existing skin regime and when the compliments start rolling in, pass it on and share the joy!

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, Fashion

Peachy Fox Eye Gel

I don’t know about you Voyeurs but I have real trouble when it comes to selecting eye products that don’t cause irritation.  From eye creams and gels, to eyeliners and shadows, they all seem to cause some form of irritation, itchiness or redness.  I’m a person who doesn’t sleep a lot, you’ll know this from my many late night posts and Tweets, and as a result of that I’m often left with those unsightly undereye shadows and the dreaded puffy eyes.  So whilst I have a need for a specific undereye product, I’ve never found one suited to my uber sensitive skin, until now….

Step forward Peachy Fox.  I’ve been using the marine Collagen Eye Gel from the Youthful Eyes range, the mission statement for which is that it “Helps to reduce dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles”.  Bold claims for a single product.  The packaging is simple and in keeping with the brand’s focus on organic products, it’s definitely instagrammable.

The gel consistency is light and way more suited to my skin than a heavier cream or lotion and the application instructions are quite specific, stating that you dab the product around the eye area rather than rubbing it.  You leave it wet on the skin to absorb on its own which takes around 20 seconds so you’re not really adding any time to your morning routine.

Personally, I love this product.  I’ve tried a lot of different eye products including gels, powders and creams and each one has caused some degree of irritation or left visible redness in the outer corners underneath my eyes.  I’d normally buy eyedrops in an attempt to counteract the reaction, but with Peachy Fox Marine Collagen Eye Gel, I’ve had no adverse reaction at all.  The skin around my eyes feels less tight, the puffiness I have on a morning disappears quickly after first use and I use it again as part of my night time routine as directed.

I haven’t noticed any difference yet in the appearance of fine lines around the eye area, but I imagine it takes more than a few weeks for that type of effect to be visible.  I’m just psyched I’ve found something that doesn’t irritate my eyes!  It’s a lovely product to use at the end of the day after you’ve taken off your makeup, sometimes after I remove my eye makeup my eyes can feel sore and ‘scratchy’, this is soothing on the skin after toner and calms any post-makeup redness on sensitive skin.

I was gifted this product in return for my honest review and it’s not a brand I was familiar with beforehand so it’s unlikely I would have discovered it otherwise.  Having used it now, it’s definitely something I’d buy and use as part of my skincare regime.  Peachy Fox is an all natural skincare company and there are no hidden nasties in any of the products.  Every ingredient is natural and organic and they’re completely cruelty free.  The eye gel has no perfume (which can often be an irritant), colouring or sulphates so it’s very much a part of the natural skincare movement that’s being pushed heavily right now.

Why Should I Buy it?

There are a few reasons you should try out Peachy Fox, I’ve been using a few products from their small but perfectly formed range and they’re all pretty damn good and all have specific skin benefits.  This is my favourite from the range.

  1. It’s an Amazon Prime product which means you get guaranteed free next day delivery.
  2. It’s affordable.  At £12.97 for a 1.0 fl oz eye gel it’s comparable to high street brands like Olay and Garnier and it’s a better product.
  3. Peachy Fox offer a satisfaction guarantee – Love it or get your money back.
  4. It’s natural, organic and cruelty free.
  5. It’s an amazing de-puffer!
  6. You can apply a thick layer and use it as a mask if you’ve overdone it and your eyes need some recovery.
  7. It’ll look pretty on your Instagram!

Pixie Tenenbaum 2024

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People will stare, make it worth their while

Pixie Tenenbaum

FASHION VOYEUR

Freelance Fashion and Beauty Writer
Currently taking review slots
Hire Me: pixie.tenenbaum@gmail.com

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RION Magazine Fashion Editor

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Copywriter/Editor/Proofreader/Journo in fashion, fashion history & language Currently: Fashion Ed @rionmagazine & @so.edited.co Fashion Innovation @shopbyshape

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