I'm 56, and This Smoothing Retinol Alternative Reduced My Fine Lines in 1 Week

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The serum works just as well without any irritation.

In almost 20 years of writing about all things beauty, serums are probably the product that shows up most frequently in my mailbox for review consideration. While many serums are effective at doing what they’re supposed to do—whether that’s hydrating, brightening, or tightening—after years of trying them, it takes an innovative product to really catch my eye.

So, when I opened a recent delivery to discover SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst, an exfoliating, anti-aging serum with a multi-acid complex that gently peels to speed up skin cellular turnover, I was intrigued. As we age, our rate of skin cell turnover slows down, leading to increased signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness—which makes it harder for anti-aging products to absorb into the skin. Retinol has always been my go-to active for boosting skin cell regeneration, but retinol products can also irritate my slightly sensitive skin. Because I live in Florida, I also need to be careful of the increased sun sensitivity caused by retinol use. In other words, I’m always on the lookout for a good retinol alternative.

$115 at howl.me

Instead of retinol as an active, the SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst contains a 7.7 percent complex of alpha hydroxy acids, exfoliants that act as peeling agents on the skin’s top layer, and beta hydroxy acids, exfoliants that help improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There’s also 1 percent taurine, an antioxidant found naturally in the skin that activates cell renewal, helps the skin maintain moisture, and reduces signs of aging.

Because SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst is designed to increase the effectiveness of other anti-agers, I began using it as the first post-cleanse step in my nightly skin care routine. The formula is lightweight, even watery—don’t use more than the instructed one-third of a dropper-full to avoid a mess (speaking from experience, here). I really loved how quickly the serum absorbed into my skin, allowing me to apply other products right away. After one week, my often-dull skin looked much smoother and had a fresh glow. My pesky fine lines (particularly my crow’s feet and “11s”) and oversized pores were also noticeably reduced. All these benefits came without any of the visible peeling, redness, dryness, or irritation that can happen with retinol use.

The brand advises that the SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst also reduces blemishes and is gentle enough to use under a retinol. The results I got using the serum on its own were so good, I didn’t feel I needed to try it with a retinol product. Others agree, with one shopper who’s sensitive to retinol pleased that the serum gave the same benefits without peeling. Another shopper over 65 called the serum a “game changer,” while one reviewer raved that their skin looked more moisturized and radiant every morning.

Whether you’re looking for a retinol alternative, an effective anti-ager—or both!—shop SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst and more fan-favorite serums from the brand, below.

$182 at howl.me

$110 at howl.me

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