I Was Afraid of Retinol — Then My Skin Changed In One Week

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Everyone's skin is different. My experience reflects what happened for me, and results can vary depending on your skin type, the product you choose, and how consistently you use it.

The Mirror Moment

There's nothing better than a4-mile walk with my friend on a Saturday. Our walks usually last about an hour and a half. During that time, we solve all the world's problems—or at least work on our own.

On this particular day, we were talking about getting older. I confessed that I'd looked in the mirror that morning and thought, Wow...my face is looking hella old. My friend told me her dermatologist had recommended retinol, and that she was happy with the results.

Mirror mirror on the wall...oh, whatever!

I Let My Fear Limit Me

I’m going to be honest here. I’m late for the retinol party. I had heard that retinol can be harsh on the skin. I've always been afraid to use anything that might inflame or damage my skin. For most of my life, I’ve had great skin, with few issues if any. Other than a few dark spots. And that’s because like you, I’m an 80’s kid. Remember lying out in the sun covered in baby oil? Sunscreen? We didn't even know what that was. And yet, here I was at 60 being concerned about what to put on my skin. I swear I’m a walking contradiction.

I’ve always used moisturizer. By this stage in my life, I was using brands that contained hyaluronic acid, peptides, and collagen. The whole kit and kaboodle. But something was missing. My skin looked dull and my wrinkles seemed more noticeable.

Me at 62 after adopting a consistent skincare routine.

The Leap of Faith

By nature, I’m a skeptic—until proven wrong. Naturally, I did my research. I read articles about retinol and asked other friends if they were using it. If you haven’t started using retinol, I want you to have the benefit of my research. Retinol speeds up cell turnover, revealing fresher, healthier-looking skin—just like when we were younger.

This is where my search for the perfect retinol began. Off I went—credit card in hand—to my local Ulta. I tried several well-known-retinol products — and honey they are not cheap. I followed the instructions. I waited. I hoped. And saw very little difference. And then I found THE ONE.

 Let me be clear. I’m not comfortable trashing brands that didn’t work for me. I won’t do that here. What I will do is tell what did work.

The RoC Moment

I purchased RoC Retinol Correcxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream. That’s a mouth full, isn’t it? It pairs RoC’s Patented retinol with plumping hyaluronic acid. You can use it in the morning or at night. RoC does not disclose the exact percentage of retinol in this cream. However, based on ingredient formulations and industry analysis of their retinol products, it is generally a mild-to-moderate concentration meant to minimize irritation. It’s recommended that you use a pea-sized amount.

The first time I tried it, I saw a difference immediately. I’m not saying all of my wrinkles went away. But my face was brighter. Plumper. Just better. After just one week I could see a noticeable difference. The lines around my mouth weren’t as pronounced. They were plumper and softer. My dark spots were lighter. The lines around my eyes looked noticeably softer. And that stubborn 11 mark between my eyebrows—you know the one. The two vertical lines that show up between your brows after decades of expressions, squinting, and yes, raising an eyebrow at things that deserve it. It was visibly softer and smoother, and honestly, that surprised me the most.

My daughter said my face had a glow and a lift! My husband asked me what I was doing. That beautiful little 1.7oz jar was my new best friend. And I dare anyone to pry it out of my hands.

The Importance of Sunscreen

At this stage in our lives, we know the importance of sunscreen. So, let’s talk about it. I mean really talk about it.

I have seen the viral videos. Women who used retinol and then went out in the sun. Their skin burned. It peeled. It looked genuinely painful and completely avoidable.

Here is what you must understand: retinol accelerates cell turnover, which means your fresh new skin is significantly more vulnerable to sun damage. Going out in the sun without protection while using retinol is not just counterproductive – it can result in significant irritation and sun damage.

My personal rule is simple: I only use retinol when I know I am not going to be out in the sun. If I’m going to the beach, taking a walk, spending several hours outdoors – I skip the retinol and use my anti-aging moisturizer instead.

And every single morning, sun or no sun, I apply Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Serum with an SPF of 60+. I didn’t work this hard and spend this much money not to protect my happy new face.  

Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Full Stop.

With Rebel Love — Jeannie

Now it's your turn. What's the one skincare product you've discovered that made a real difference? Share it in the comments. I have a feeling we're all going to discover a few new favorites.