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Reviews
wl*******Dehydrated SkinAcne SkinSebum/BlackheadsInner DrynessWrinkles/ElasticityEnlarged PoresDead Skin CellsRecommendedJun 9, 2025If you apply it before bed, you'll notice your acne scars and marks becoming lighter by morning! It's quite pricey, I must admit. However, I can't deny its effectiveness. Be warned though, it's very potent. Even though I gradually increased from 0.1%, when I generously applied it to my neck, I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I had a burn. It was that intense! It's crucial to increase the percentage slowly. For the first month, use only a small amount every other day. - ar********Combination SkinSebum/BlackheadsWrinkles/ElasticityEnlarged PoresRecommendedApr 1, 2025
Skin type: Combination Reason for purchase: I bought this with my own money. I've always used 1% retinol products for wrinkle prevention without any sensitivity issues or side effects, so I wanted to try a higher concentration. While I usually use products from other brands, there aren't many high-concentration options available, so I chose Paula's Choice as it seemed to offer the highest concentration. Texture: It's a cream that's slightly less thick than an ointment. It has a yellowish tint, and sometimes the cream and liquid separate when used over a long period. It feels more like a balm rather than being oily. User experience: Although wrinkle prevention is the goal, it seems too much of a good thing can be harmful. Using this product for 2-3 consecutive days causes skin peeling. Applying it around the eyes deepens wrinkles as the skin lifts, and using it on smile lines leads to skin peeling, deeper wrinkles, and makeup pilling. As a result, I've adjusted to using it once a week, but I'm starting to think that using a 1% retinol daily might have been better. Don't overestimate your skin's resilience... Using it once a week is okay, but I question whether such infrequent use is effective for wrinkle prevention. Price: I bought it on sale for around $50, which initially seemed like a great deal for such a good product... but I recommend testing it before purchasing. Packaging: It comes in a plastic container with UV protection, which is crucial as retinol is sensitive to sunlight. The pump works well, making the packaging user-friendly. For those with truly resilient skin, this might work wonders. For me, it seems the concentration is too high... Oh well... Only those who can truly handle high concentrations without irritation should use this. Testing is absolutely necessary. - pz***Combination SkinSensitive SkinAcne SkinBrightening/Dark SpotsEnlarged PoresRecommendedJul 22, 2024
A stable retinol that's a pleasure to use! I'd like to introduce you to Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment. It's a night treatment containing a stabilized, high-concentration retinol that helps prevent and manage skin elasticity and wrinkles. When you try it, you'll notice it has an emulsion texture that feels moisturizing yet gentle. What I really want to emphasize is that this retinol is incredibly user-friendly - it's not sticky and absorbs well, making it very convenient to apply. Personally, I didn't experience any irritation when I first started using it, and I still don't feel any now after consistent use. You know, everyone's been raving about retinol for ages, and I've tried countless retinol products over the years. But I have to say, while using Paula's Choice Retinol, I feel like I've seen actual results in terms of blemishes for the first time. You might wonder if retinol really helps with blemishes, but personally, I feel like my spots have noticeably faded! Another thing I love is how smooth my skin feels when I touch it in the morning after using this at night. I'm really satisfied with how it improves my skin texture. Paula's Choice always delivers with their high-concentration formulas... I have no complaints! - fl*****Oily SkinAcne SkinRecommendedJun 10, 2024
Among retinol products, this seems to be one of the more stable ones. However, I don't think it's necessary to apply such a high concentration. I was once obsessed with seeing dramatic results... There was a time when my face would be super smooth the day after using this, as if all the dead skin cells had peeled off. But for some reason, the effectiveness seems to have decreased now... The devilishly good price is its biggest advantage... Oh, but they say people in their early twenties shouldn't use retinol... If you use it when your skin is acting up, your face goes haywire.. It should only be used when your skin is healthy.. When I first used it, it was chaos, but now my skin has adapted and it doesn't seem to have any effect.. What should I do? I've wasted my money twice. Start with a lower concentration first. Don't apply it with other irritating products.. Only use it with gentle ones.. Try using it with the Bring Green ampoule.. 
ka**********Combination SkinBrightening/Dark SpotsInner DrynessWrinkles/ElasticityRecommendedMay 18, 2024As someone accustomed to retinal, I was curious about retinol and decided to give it a try. I applied it generously all over my face, and wow, it triggered a major dead skin cell party! Looks like I'll need an adjustment period. Personally, I feel that retinal works better for me than retinol. - 39*******Combination SkinSensitive SkinAcne SkinInner DrynessEnlarged PoresRecommendedApr 19, 2024
Let me start with the conclusion: it's definitely effective for improving skin texture and pores. While retinol tends to cause irritation and dryness (due to promoting skin cell turnover), this 1% formula feels less irritating and drying initially compared to other products - so much so that I doubted its effectiveness at first. The advantage is that it feels moisturizing and less irritating when applied. You'll notice results starting from day 2-3 after use. There's no reaction on the first day, but then you'll start to see dead skin cells flaking off where applied (keep this in mind when applying makeup) and gradually peeling away, revealing a subtle glow to your skin. DO NOT pick at the flaking skin! (You could damage your skin trying to improve it with retinol) Interestingly, despite the high retinol content and visible skin cell turnover, I'm not sure about its effectiveness on red marks compared to other retinol products. However, it definitely works on pores. I had a particularly large pore on my nose, so I applied a small amount there for a few nights, and was surprised to see the indentation and size reduce noticeably. I wish I'd taken before and after photos. The prominence when wearing makeup is almost gone. I don't have any complaints. The high content of expensive ingredients justifies the price, though it would be nice if it were more effective on red marks too. Don't use it daily, just apply a pea-sized amount at night, and sunscreen is a must. If you have a weak skin barrier, focus on repairing that first before using this. Dry skin types who overuse retinol may end up with deep dryness that's hard to fix. For those people, I recommend Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume. I've tried most famous moisturizers, and this one provides intense hydration without feeling greasy or slippery, and has great moisture retention. After repairing my skin barrier with it, my skin can now handle retinol without issues. This isn't a disguised ad, just a product I personally recommend through word of mouth. - Hwahae UserCombination SkinRecommendedFeb 22, 2024
As someone who's been using 0.5% retinol for a while, I decided to step it up to 1%! I'm thrilled to see visible results! It can cause some irritation, so I've set a routine of using it three times a week! 
ci******Dry SkinSensitive SkinBrightening/Dark SpotsInner DrynessWrinkles/ElasticityRecommendedJan 12, 2024Absolutely recommend pairing this with Paula's Choice 20% Niacinamide. The powerful 1% retinol concentration delivers impressive results. Rather than dramatic overnight changes, you'll notice a series of subtle yet impactful improvements. While it's on the pricier side, I've worked my way up through other retinol products to build tolerance. The difference is noticeable right away compared to more budget-friendly options. Given its potent 1% strength - 10 to 100 times stronger than many others - I gradually introduced it over a month, starting once a week and working up to daily use. I initially mixed it with moisturizer, but when I tried applying two pumps directly, my skin did peel a bit. When that happened, I focused on repairing my skin barrier for a few days before reintroducing it. Now I plan to use it every other day. While it won't magically erase all fine lines, it does leave skin noticeably smoother and firmer. You'll see an overall improvement in skin quality and texture. It's expensive with a high concentration, but you can use it sparingly to make it last longer. Don't rush it - gradually increase usage over time. Start with milder retinols to build up your skin's tolerance before moving to stronger formulations. - hy*******Combination SkinAcne SkinRecommendedDec 14, 2023
I chose this retinol serum as a replacement for Stiefel-A ointment. Since it contains 1% retinol, I'm applying it cautiously... So far, I've been using it without any blemishes. It seems much gentler than the ointment. Currently, I'm alternating it with a low-concentration retinol serum every other day. I plan to gradually increase the frequency of use. The expensive price and the scent! Rather than smelling like a cosmetic, it has a faint medicinal odor. I find that scent slightly bothersome. Be careful with the amount you use, as this has a high retinol concentration! When I was getting used to Stiefel-A ointment, I alternated it with a low-concentration retinol serum every other day to adapt... If you're new to retinol, it might be good to use this product every other day, alternating with a lower concentration product. - to********Normal SkinAcne SkinRecommendedDec 1, 2023
I bought this to improve my overall skin condition, including recurring blemishes, pigmentation, and pores. It definitely requires an adjustment period, and at first, it might seem like your skin is breaking out more, as if it's purging. However, once your skin adapts, it's great. When I wake up after applying it at night, I can definitely feel a difference in my skin. There's nothing particularly bad to mention. I plan to repurchase and continue using it. If anything, the initial irritation might be a bit intense during the first few uses...? Instead of being overeager and applying it too frequently from the start, if you take it slow and allow for an adjustment period, you can definitely experience its effectiveness.
