SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream 30ml/1oz

Even though I have sensitive skin (allergies and mild eczema flare ups), I really rate this product. For aging skin (late 40's) prone to minor breakouts (occasionally cystic acne too) this retinol has been a definite game changer. It's done wonders for my fine lines, pigmentation, oily t-zone and it's dramatically reduced the scale and frequency of my breakouts and the size of my pores. It will also give your skin a soft, smooth baby skin texture. I started out with the 0.3 strength and took my time building up my skin's tolerance with no redness or purging. After using the 0.5 formula for 6 months, I made the mistake of getting a little too heavy handed and got the product around my eyes which triggered a reaction with common side effects of redness, itching and flaking. I still had heaps in the tube so (rather than stopping altogether or pairing back to the 0.3 strength) I now apply a gentle moisturizing serum first (and a heavy eye cream to protect that delicate eye area) and then apply a tiny 1/2 pea size portion of the 0.5 strength mixed together with my moisturizer. Many would say this reduces the efficacy of the product, which may be the case, but I can still notice a huge difference in my skin and for me, the benefits outweigh the risk of irritation. Many have complained of the product's packaging but I think this is to preserve the product's stability and potency. You can't get better than skinceuticals products in my opinion. They are one of the few skincare companies that invest in scientific research to back their products. I think it's worth spending the extra money for high quality ingredients, rather than cheaper knockoffs who put a whole lot of extra crap into their formulas to keep costs down. This tube will last you 5-6 months for a beginner user and honestly, your skin will love you for it!