I Tried the Retinol Serum Cream That Says It’s Gentle Enough to Use Every Night
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
When I first heard about the new IT Cosmetics Hello Results Retinol Serum-In-Cream, I'll be honest. I wasn't entirely sold.
An anti-ageing serum and soothing moisturiser in one product? Interesting.
As the owner of a baby face that throws a tantrum just looking at high-strength vitamin A skin care, I liked the sound of a hydrating cream that could give me all the benefits, without any of the irritation.
Being able to cut an extra step from my evening skincare routine also appealed to the lazy part of me (i.e. my entire being).
Plus, I've seen heaps of positive IT Cosmetics skincare reviews, particularly when it comes to the moisturisers and creams.
So what I'm trying to say is, I decided to give this new retinol product a go.
Keep scrolling for my IT Cosmetics Hello Results Retinol Cream review, and to find out if it's genuinely gentle enough for daily use, and those with more sensitive/sensitised skin.
What is Retinol (Vitamin A for Skin)?
Before we get into the product review, here's a quick refresher on what retinol is and what it can do for your skin.
Retinol is a form of vitamin A, the gold standard of anti-ageing skincare ingredients.
There's heaps of evidence and research proving its ability to reduce the look of hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes, and deliver an overall improvement in skin appearance, texture and collagen production.
You can learn more about vitamin A in our retinol YouTube video below.
There are five main forms of vitamin A (listed here from gentlest to strongest):
- Retinol esters like retinyl palmitate and retinyl acetate.
- Granactive Retinoid is the next step up. It's a newer, gentle retinoid.
- Retinol is a the most commonly-used form of vitamin A because it's strong enough to be effective, but not enough to cause major irritation.
- Retinaldehyde or Retinal is a very strong retinoid, and is the closest thing to prescription retinoids you can get over the counter.
- Prescription vitamin A/retinoids like tretinoin and isotretinoin - only available with a prescription from your medical professional.
Only catch is, the stronger the form of vitamin A, the more irritating it becomes to certain skin types.
This is why some people experience irritation or skin purging when they first start incorporating vitamin A into their routines.
The reason retinol is so popular is it's basically the halfway point.
Not too gentle. Not too strong. Juuuuust right.
Plus, even small percentages from 0.01% of retinol have proven to be effective in clinical evidence.
What is IT Cosmetics Hello Results Retinol Cream?
Now, back to the new retinol product.
IT Cosmetics Hello Results Retinol Cream 50ml promises to "combine the power of an anti-aging serum with the soothing care of a cream in just one step."
Hence, the name serum-in-cream.
This anti-ageing night moisturiser helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and hyperpigmentation for firmer, more hydrated-looking skin.
But the best bit? It's gentle enough for daily use, and for all skin types, including those with sensitised skin.
Developed with an advisory board of plastic surgeons and dermatologists, the main ingredients in the IT Cosmetics retinol moisturiser are:
- A blend of free and encapsulated retinol to deliver the benefits of vitamin A, but without the irritation (so no burning or 'retinol face' here!).
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3) targets skin tone, texture and radiance, and helps to support the skin's barrier.
- Panthenol (vitamin B5) is a humectant or water-retaining ingredient that improves moisture levels in the skin and supports the skin barrier.
- Antioxidant vitamin E is calming and soothing. Together with vitamin B5, it helps to minimise common retinol usage effects like dryness, redness, stinging and flaking.
Shop IT Cosmetics Hello Results Retinol Cream here:
My IT Cosmetics Hello Results Retinol Cream Review.
The first thing I noticed about IT Cosmetics Hello Results Retinol Cream 50ml was the colour.
It comes out of the push pump packaging a light shade of yellow, and with what I'd describe as a 'clinical skincare' scent.
As for consistency, it's exactly what you'd imagine a serum-in-cream to be.
It's not too runny, nor too thick or heavy, and has a silky texture that glides on, absorbs quickly into the skin and doesn't pill or ball up when layered with other creams.
One tub of this retinol night cream will last you a fair while. The packaging dispenses the perfect amount - you literally only need one pump max - while maintaining the integrity of the remaining product.
It's normal to experience a bit of a 'tingling' sensation when using an active skincare product like a vitamin A cream, but it shouldn't be painful or uncomfortable.
My skin is dry and prone to sensitivity when I overdo it with skin care (think redness, flakiness and stinging). I felt the tiniest amount of tingling with this product and it subsided after a minute or so.
Keep in mind, it usually takes minimum six to eight weeks of consistent use to see any visible results from a retinol product like this one.
I've been using IT Cosmetics Hello Results Retinol Cream twice a week for about a month (my evening skincare rotation schedule is pretty busy).
I think my skin's looking and feeling healthy, plump and hydrated.
One might even say I'm glowing post-application. Not me, but someone.
How to Use This Anti-Ageing Moisturiser.
I'd recommend applying a pea-sized amount at night after cleansing, and never on the same night as any other resurfacing or exfoliating product.
The packaging says you can use it every night from day one, but if you've never used a retinol product before or are worried about irritation, start by applying once a week or every second night, and work your way up from there.
Fraidy cat face tip: I like to 'buffer' my night time active skincare products by applying a basic moisturiser over the top. This doesn't dilute the effectiveness, but it does reduce the chances of destroying your skin barrier.
Finally, and most importantly, you've gotta wear sunscreen every day too because retinol will make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Tough love, but if you're not ready to commit to daily sunscreen, you're not ready for retinol.
The sun is responsible for around 80 per cent of visible signs of ageing, so applying enough and reapplying as directed is a non-negotiable (read the label, always seek shade, wear sunnies and protective clothing, you know the drill).
Final Verdict...
IT Cosmetics Hello Results Retinol Cream is a very lovely, reasonably-priced retinol night cream that does what it says it will.
If you're an experienced vitamin A skincare user or are looking to move up to a higher strength product, this won't be The One.
But vitamin A beginners? Sensitive skin friends? Anyone who just wants one do-all night cream that can slot into your routine? It's a winner.
It might even be right up there with the most agreeable vitamin A skincare products my baby face and I have tried.
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