Skincare products with Retinol or Vitamin A appear to be quite a buzzword this year. Me? I’m happy about it. It means I have more choices across the board, and brands have to work harder to impress. Win for the consumer!
One I had been curious about was the Clinique Fresh Pressed Overnight Clinical™ Overnight Booster With Pure Vitamin A (Retinol). What a mouthful!
I’ll just call it the Clinique Fresh Pressed retinol, to keep things more concise.
When I heard about it, I was super curious. I am starting to incorporate products with Vitamin A (Retinol) into my skincare routine, so any new retinol product intrigues me.
I tested the Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol over the past week, and here’s what I think. “But it’s only been a week!” I hear you say “Where’s your credibility?! Don’t you have to wait at least a month for results?”
Ah… 😉
The Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol – Why the packaging?
So, what is it really? Magic? You might wonder.
The Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol comes in packaging very similar to that of their Fresh Pressed Vitamin C serum. The concept is quite simple.
When you get a new tube of the Fresh Pressed Retinol (clearly marked in purple), you remove the silver seal and depress the purple bulb. This releases the Vitamin A liquid concentrate into the serum emulsion.
The intention behind this packaging is to ensure that you receive a fresh product each time. The ingredients are not premixed, so they are freshly activated each time when you’re ready to use it, and each tube is supposed to last you about 7 days, or 14 at maximum.
That is very clever, especially for the Vitamin C serum, an ingredient which is notoriously unstable. But when it comes to Vitamin A, I did wonder about why they had to go through this, when Vitamin A is quite commonly sold premixed, and appears to be fairly stable.
RELATED READING: Freshly pressed Vitamin C serum when you need it? READ HERE
Granted, premixed products will degrade on contact with air – most products do – but if they put it into airless packaging, you’d think it’d be better preserved.
What does the Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol do?
Retinol or Vitamin A derivative products serve a skin cell renewal function, collagen production and fight free radicals. It is the only ingredient that is proven to reduce lines and wrinkles, plump up skin and smoothen skin. Alongside, it also helps some people clear up pigmentation caused by the sun and also clear up acne.
When using a retinol, there are a few things that you must take note of (especially if you are new to it):-
- You must use it at night – Retinol can make skin reactive to UV rays, so using at night is recommended
- You must wear high SPF sunscreen daily – aren’t you?!
- You may experience dryness and skin may flake – retinol does this and many people don’t realize it. For some, their skin flakes and then new skin is all wonderfully smooth. For others, they don’t experience anything so dramatic. If dryness or flakiness happens, stop and slow down.
- You must not use retinol together with exfoliators – This includes acids like glycolic or lactic acid, scrubs or anything abrasive. Don’t or your face may fall off
- You should not use retinol or any Vitamin A derivative if pregnant or breastfeeding
The Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol is supposed to penetrate deep into the skin, smoothening lines over time and improving skin tone.
The type of retinol used in the Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol is listed as just ‘retinol’. I am given to understand that ‘retinol’ usually refers to Vitamin A1. This is then broken down by the body to retinal and retinoic acid, which are what works on the skin. It also contains 0.3% of retinol, which makes it higher than many introductory retinol serums. Some contain as low as 0.1% – not to say it’s bad, some people find it more irritating than others and need lower doses.
How to use the Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol
I was on Day 6 of the Fresh Pressed Retinol when I realised that it was recommended that you mix it into your moisturiser. Ooops! 😛
All this time, I had been smearing it directly on my skin. How I’d use it is to shake it up, and pump out 2 pumps of the retinol into my palm. I can’t show you the texture, because there was too little for me to waste 😛 Each tube is just 6ml of product!
Texture is a rather liquid, creamy coloured emulsion with no discernible scent.
I then pick up product from my palm, deposit it on my skin using the 13 dot technique to ensure even distribution, then massage it into my dry skin, as part of my evening skincare routine. For this period, I do not mist my skin prior to applying the retinol, as I had read once before that retinol is more effective applied to dry skin.
USEFUL TIP
When using a retinol serum as part of your skincare routine, use and apply more hydrating and moisturizing products. Retinol can be drying to the skin, and you can preempt the flakiness by employing the moisture sandwich technique, and also by using more emollient creams and oils on top.
If you read the instructions, and perhaps have more sensitive skin than I do, you can mix the Retinol serum into your moisturiser and apply it in one single step (Clinique recommends this for their Vitamin C serum too).
I prefer to layer because it gives me the impression I’m doing something more effective – I’m no scientist or chemist after all 😛
I must say that I did not experience any negative results. My skin was not dry (perhaps because I take care to really up my hydration and moisture, do not use foaming cleansers nor cleansing oils and am huge on moisture), it was not flaky and it did not peel In fact, it was pretty much business as usual.
Only better.
I loved the results!
The results from just 7 days of using the Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol serum have been impressive.
I must say that I did notice results almost immediately. The first night I used it, I woke up the next morning to noticeably smoother skin. You can tell when you wash your face in the morning. It’s that kind of smoothness that makes you not want to stop touching your face.
This smoothness and softness has been a key observation for me the past week. I cannot vouch for line smoothening as it’s only been 1 week and I don’t have significant lines to boast of. Also, I can’t vouch for firmer skin, as again, it’s just been a week.
But I can vouch for brighter, more even-toned, less reactive skin.
Vitamin A and C powerhouse mix!
Because Clinique packages the Vitamin A together with the Vitamin C, I used the Vitamin C serum in the morning.
I used this combination for a week straight as directed. Retinol at night, Vitamin C in the day. It is wonderful!
My skin has been feeling incredibly smooth, and even looks brighter. It certainly feels stronger, and doesn’t redden so easily even in the heat. My skin just looks clearer and brighter. This, considering I thought quite little about the Fresh Pressed Vitamin C serum before.
Coupled together with the Retinol serum, it is quite a powerhouse combination. I suppose this is why Clinique sold them together. Together, they may even be better than when used separately.
But there was a problem.
Why is it only a 7 day package?!
Like the Clinique Fresh Pressed Vitamin C serum, the Retinol serum is packaged for optimum freshness when used within 7 days. This means that one tube lasts you yes, just 7 days.
What the….
I can safely attest to the fact that using 2 pumps every night will bring you to just 7 days. I am writing this on Day 8, and there is a smidge left in the bottle which I will endeavour to squeeze out, but it is really otherwise empty.
By contrast, the Vitamin C serum is still going strong and I envisage it going strong for a few days more (the tube has 8ml vs 6ml of retinol). Clinique says that you can take it to 14 days, but not more, because it will oxidise thereafter. There is some truth in that. You will notice the oxidization and change in colour by then.
You could stretch out the Retinol serum as well, by using it on alternate nights, instead of daily. This way, you will end off together with the Vitamin C serum, and for some, this could be less irritating to the skin. I wanted to test it out to see if it might irritate, which is why I slapped it on each night. Just call me “PB the Guinea Pig” 😛
For me however, I am now on Day 8, sitting here thinking “So, what’s next?” Because if I’m to be serious, it is far too expensive for me to buy the Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol serum when I can get another that can easily last me 2 months.
It could cost more, but I get more bang for my buck, and I enjoy the benefits for a longer period. As it stands, I’m done with my trial set, and ready to move on, without really seeing the full benefits. I feel this to be rather a disservice both to Clinique, and to their consumer.
I do think they should rethink this concept, or at least sell the Retinol serum on its own, in a pack of 4 perhaps, to ensure you have a fresh supply throughout the month.
Clinique Fresh Pressed Vitamin A Retinol Serum not sold separately
The general rule is not to use Vitamin A and C together.
So why does Clinique sell the Fresh Pressed Retinol serum ONLY with the Vitamin C serum? The Retinol is not sold separately, which bum and bugs the hell out of me.
From my perspective, I think it was because they wanted consumers to understand that you need both Vitamin C and Vitamin A in your skincare routine. That is something I wholeheartedly support.
But on the flipside, this forces consumers like me, to rethink a purchase. I already use a Vitamin C serum daily, but the truth is, the Clinique Fresh Pressed Vitamin C serum is not my favourite. The Fresh Pressed Retinol serum is decent, I feel, for I did notice results during my 1 week using it, and it was not irritating, which is good.
As it stands, I must say that while I thoroughly enjoyed my week with the Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol serum, I am hard-pressed to continue because I’m not big on their Vitamin C serum and not about to spring for it just to get the retinol.
So, moving on then. Lots more to experiment with. Next! 😛
IN A NUTSHELL
The Clinique Fresh Pressed Clinical Overnight Booster with pure Vitamin A (Retinol) serum is in one word, a retinol serum. It contains 0.3% retinol which is a decent amount for those who want a little more than just a starter product, but may want to work their way up to the 1%. It is fragrance-free, guaranteed fresh, as you mix it only when you want to use it, and has a comfortable, lightweight emulsion texture that sinks right into the skin without residue. It is very nice, except that one tube only lasts you 7 days (14 days at max if you use it on alternate nights) and it is only sold with the Vitamin C serum. While they both work very well together (used separately, not together) I prefer being allowed to choose my own Vitamin C, not have it rammed down my throat, thanks 😛
PROS:
Freshly mixed product each time
Portable and handy for travel
Not irritating (for me)
Makes my skin feel and look smoother and softer
Used together with a Vitamin C serum in the day, my skin looks brighter and more even toned and generally betterCONS:
Pricey
Vitamin A is not sold separately
7 days is too short to notice significant benefitsWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a portable, handy duo pack of Vitamin C and A serums, Anyone who wants to try a Vitamin A serum without the long term commitment
PRICE: RM178 | £30 | US$39.50 for a 7-day duo pack of Vitamin C and A serums
WHERE TO BUY: Clinique counters, stores and online (MY) (US), Sephora, Asos, Nordstrom
For those interested, this is the ingredient list for the Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol serum.
Ingredients: Water, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methyl Trimethicone, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Methyl Gluceth-20, Retinol, Salicylic Acid, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Gellidiella Acerosa Extract, Cholesterol, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Caffeine, Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul’S Wort) Extract, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Plankton Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Hypnea Musciformis (Algae) Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Whey Protein\Lactis Protein\Protéine Du Petit-Lait, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Peg-8, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Disodium Edta, Bht, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol.
Does this Clinique Fresh Pressed Retinol serum interest you?
I think it’s quite good, on its own. But because of how it’s sold and packaged, I’m also ready to move on. There are another 2 brands in the Estee Lauder Group introducing retinol serums – Origins and Estee Lauder – so guess who’s itching to have a go? 😛
Paris B
Vitamin A and Vitamin C has always been a great combination. Used to use them alternately at night until I ditched Vitamin A. I felt my skin doesn’t need it and I’m good with Glycolic Acid. Perhaps it’s time to give the Clinique combination a go. Great review by the way.
I’m going to run against the grain of people touting retinol and say this – if you don’t notice a lot of sag in your skin, and don’t have a significant problem with lines and wrinkles, I think you can leave off the retinol for now. I know many people say you should use it because it helps prevent lines, and helps boost collagen etc, but I also think that we should use whatever we think our skin needs. If it is glycolic acid for you, then so be it. I’m only just dabbling with retinol products for now. It’s hard for me to tell if/when anything works, simply because I don’t have the problem with the lines, that is the most obvious thing it fixes. Also, I know it can’t do much about my sort of pigmentation, so I don’t pay that attention either, letting Vit C do most of the heavy lifting LOL! And thank you, I’m glad you found it helpful 🙂
I LOVE retinol and have been using it consistently since my mid-30s. I have deep lines across my cheeks and retinol has helped soften them over the years. I first started with a very gentle 0.1% and have gradually moved to 1%. My favourite has been the Cosmetic Skin Solutions Retinol. It’s bloody annoying to get hold of and shipping is atrociously prohibitive. Then, Drunk Elephant came into the picture. It’s not cheap but it works. The thing with retinol (which I’d learnt from observing my skin over the years) is you need to be consistent. I fell off the bandwagon for about 6 months (due to laziness in obtaining any products) and the lines came back with a vengeance. So, for Clinique to push this as a 7 day thing, my question to them – What do you do after the 7 days? Or 14 days, if you can so happen to stretch the product?
That’s a very valid question, and one I struggled to answer myself if only due to the cost of the product. While I feel the initial concept is a good one, packaging it not as a 1 month supply (at minimum) but just 7 days does a good product a disservice. Granted, this makes it more accessible to many in terms of cost, it will not bring the desired results in that period of time. If it did, I’d be worried it was too strong.
Hi Paris, thanks for sharing about this!
Just wondering, do you feel any differences between this Clinique Retinol Serum and the Elizabeth Arden’s Pink Capsule (with retinol)?
Hi Hui Min, sorry for the belated reply! But yes, I do feel a difference between this Clinique and EA retinol, in that this Clinique one feels more “potent”. I actually felt and noticed a prolonged difference more quickly. With the EA one, which seems fairly gentle, I felt the silicone effect more. That said, I do not believe that the percentage of retinol in both brands far exceed each other. It would come down to formula.
I know I am repeating myself, but anyone interested in a strong, affordable retinol treatment should take a look at Alpha H Beauty Sleep Power Peel. A combination of retinol and glycolic acid, and unfortunately some fragrance.
Very strong, only use twice a week. Brilliant. I prefer it over tretinoin, although tretinoin is for me as a doctor cheaper and easily available. 🙂
I agree with you Maja! The Alpha-H Beauty Sleep Power Peel is amazing for skin! Such a lovely treat for the skin and I thoroughly enjoy using it too 😀
i started on differin (a type of retinol) back then to combat acne and still use it now. its only sg$40 per tube and lasts for a good 6 months. it’s cheap and it works. i use it maybe once or twice a week for maintenance and it stretches to 9 months. since it’s prescription only in sg, my friends have been shipping the gel version from amazon since it’s OTC there. cheap and effective my friends!
i also recently for a313, a drugstore retinol in france, similar to differin. texture wise is quite different and i didnt feel it working for me.
Yup, I’ve heard a lot about Differin, and it’s pretty affordable especially in our part of the world 🙂 We can also easily get Tretinoin locally without a prescription (another affordable Vitamin A product often touted) I however have chosen not to use these as I feel that it’s too much for my needs. Differin is primarily formulated for acne, and while I have never used it, I have come across many positive accounts for those who suffer from acne. However, for ‘anti-aging’, I have read that it is not tested for that, and therefore, I fear I may be doing my skin a disservice. It is primarily for that reason I choose not to use Differin despite its cost efficacy, but have nothing against it as a product 🙂
Wow – for only a 7-day supply this is an incredibly expensive product!!! :O In Australia, the dup pack costs $108 – that’s an arm and a leg!
I wonder what 7 days of use really does for your skin long term though. I remember reading via the Futurederm blog that the effects of retinol can be found in the skin for 2 months after stopping ‘treatment’ (cell turnover was increased for this period of time) but I can’t remember how long you had to use the retinol in order to get this effect. Like with everything, I’m a bit sceptical that 7 days of use would give you long term results…
I love retinol and everything it does, but I wonder if this is just a money making gimmick for Clinique… I don’t mean to. be negative – I think I’ve been feeling flat about the beauty world these last few weeks!
Considering that our skin needs 28 days to renew itself (longer if we’re older, which we would be if we need retinol LOL!) I’d say 7 days is just far too short to see any significant results. Sure, my skin felt softer and smoother, but how much of it is due to the retinol, and how much of it is due to my skin just choosing to behave itself for a week? I don’t know LOL! 😀 I personally feel that Clinique would have retained more credibility (since they say they work with dermatologists) by releasing a full retinol serum. I would have been much more positive about that. And not to worry, nothing much has been very exciting about the beauty world of late. A lot of it is pretty much same-old-same-old LOL
I fully agree with both of you 🙂
Hi,
I’m 27 yo and already’ve been taking measures to prevent fine lines (I’m terrified). I use a prescription cream called retacnyl which has 0.05% tretinoin (and some emollients). Do you know which is the difference between this and retinol? I don’t know which one should I use now. And, with vitamin C, AHAs and BHAs I’m very much confused as to what skin routine can I follow to minimize the most the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines (I use sunscreen daily, moisturize and a serum from Bobbi brown).
I would very much appreciate if you can give me some advice regarding this.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Pili, firstly, I’d just like to say that it’s natural that we gain lines and wrinkles as we age. It is our physiological make up, and also a reflection of our life. Personally, I wouldn’t be too worried that it’s happening. Slowing down the process is of course something that everyone wants to do, but products aside, I feel it is also to do with genetics, where we live, our lifestyle and our diet.
That said, I am not familiar with Retacnyl, and as it is a prescription product, I suggest that you raise any questions or concerns with your doctor. I am no expert, but based on my understanding, Tretinoin reacts more directly on skin, while retinol must first be converted to retinoic acid before it reacts. Therefore, Tretinoin is more effective (which might explain why it is a prescription product). As for Vitamin C, I have read that it is not advisable to use it together with retinol. It would make sense therefore to use Vitamin C in the morning and retinol products at night.
As for AHAs and BHAs, it is also not recommended to be used together with retinol as it can be too reactive. So, the recommendation is to use it on days when you do not use retinol. However, as you are using a prescription product, it might be worth checking with your doctor how they recommend that you use it for best benefits. Sunscreen is a good start, as it does protect skin from aging. But ultimately, there is no way we can stop the process, merely slow it down, and look also at genetics, lifestyle and diet for a more comprehensive result 🙂