Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment with Peptides, Vitamin C & Licorice Extract, Firming Cream for Face, Anti-Aging & Wrinkles, Fragrance Free - 30 ml

Q: 1% retinol? I use prescription Tretinoin - where maximum prescription strength is 0.1% How is is possible this cream be 1%????

Tretinoin is all trans retinoic acid, which is a bio-active form of vitamin A in skin. Retinol is not retinoic acid. Once absorbed into skin it needs to be converted into retinoic acid to show bio-activity. Topical retionoic acid products are about 20X more potent compared to Retinol products. Therefore, theoretically speaking, 0.1% retinoic acid (tretinoin) would be equivalent to 2% retinol.

Q: I am 66 and had a facelift about 5 years ago. My problem is sun damage. Lots of fine lines and and untoned skin. Subjestions?

I recommend this product. It has made a big difference in my skin and my problem was sun damage. I also recommend microdermabrasion crystals, which you can also find on amazon. Use them with your regular cleanser. You can also find glycolic acid on amazon up to 50% strength. These are used for peels which will help with sun damage. You should start at a lower concentration (20%) and a short time, then increase time and concentration. Between these three products you should see a big improvement. Your skin may get dry and irritated, or it may not. It varies from person to person. If it does, use more moisturizer, and or, go longer between all of these treatments. Start with once a week for each one.

Q: Is this the strongest retinol without perscription? Does it fade red marks and sun spots?

This is the strongest retinol product that Paula offers. It is not as strong as prescription products such as combining Retin-A and a 4% hydroquinone product from my experience. I believe Paula offers only a 2% hydroquinone. I have found that a tube of Retin-A lasts for months and months making it rather affordable.

Q: what is the list of the ingredients?

Here is the ingredient list (which can also be found on the product page): Water (Aqua), Dimethicone (skin-softening), Glycerin (skin-replenishing), Butylene Glycol (hydrating/penetration enhancer), Isononyl Isononanoate (emollient), Castor Isostearate Succinate (skin-softening ), Glyceryl Stearate (texture enhancer), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (emollient), Dimethicone Crosspolymer (texture enhancer), PEG-33 (stabilizer), Polysorbate 20 (texture enhancer), Behenyl Alcohol (texture enhancer), PEG-100 Stearate (texture enhancer), Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate (stabilizer), Polymethylsilsesquioxane (texture enhancer), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (vitamin C/antioxidant), Retinol (skin-restoring), Ceramide NG (skin-replenishing) , Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (skin-restoring), Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 (skin-restoring), Sodium Hyaluronate (skin-replenishing ), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (antioxidant plant extracts/skin-soothing), Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract (licorice extract/antioxidant/skin-soothing), Avena Sativa Kernel Extract (oat extract/antioxidant/skin-soothing), Arctium Lappa Root Extract (burdock extract/antioxidant/skin-soothing), Salix Alba Bark Extract (willow bark extract/antioxidant/skin-soothing), Glycine Soja Sterols (antioxidant/skin-softening ), Lecithin (skin-restoring), Allantoin (skin-soothing), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E/antioxidant), Hydrolyzed Soy Protein (antioxidant/skin-softening), Sorbitan Laurate (texture enhancer), Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester (skin-soothing), Disodium EDTA (stabilizer), Hydroxyethylcellulose, and other