Does retinol win Most Popular skincare ingredient? It’s hard to name a product-savvy celeb, friend or beauty blogger who hasn’t raved about its wonders. Dermatologists refer to retinol as the gold standard anti-aging ingredient. “It’s an essential part of any anti-aging skin care regimen,” says London-based board-certified dermatologist and Clinique Derm Pro Dr. Emma Wedgeworth. Here’s the science behind this skin care superhero:

All about vitamin A
Retinol is a pure form of vitamin A that helps speed up cell turnover, which is the rate at which your skin sheds dead cells. As you age, cell turnover naturally slows down. When dead cells start to pile up, your skin can look dull and wrinkles can look more pronounced. Retinol kicks cell turnover into overdrive, sloughing off the dead cells, allowing for fresh, radiant young cells to surface. “This makes your skin look smoother and reduces the look of wrinkles,” says Dr. Wedgeworth.

Fresh means maximum results.
Fresh Pressed Overnight Booster with Pure Vitamin A (Retinol), is a pure liquid form of retinol that is minimally processed and contains no additional additives. Since vitamin A naturally degrades over time, it is most powerful when fresh, which is why it’s packaged in an air-tight, light-proof vial that keeps it at peak potency until you’re ready to use it. “That’s extremely important because for retinol to do its job and work effectively, it must be in its purest and most potent form,” explains Dr. Wedgeworth. To reap the amazing skin-transforming benefits of retinol, mix two drops with your nighttime moisturizer. As part of the Fresh Pressed Clinical system, it works synergistically with Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10% to deliver results equal to a prescription strength retinoid to help reduce the look of lines and wrinkles.

The Do’s & Don’ts

Do apply it at night. “That’s when your skin is in repair mode—you’ll get the best results,” says Dr. Wedgeworth.

Don’t overdo it. All you need are the recommended two drops of Fresh Pressed Vitamin A (Retinol).

Do use it year round. “A lot of people think you can’t use vitamin A in the summer, but you can,” says Dr. Wedgeworth.

Do wear sunscreen when using it because retinol can make skin more photosensitive.

Don’t be surprised if you experience redness, dryness or peeling—that’s proof that it’s transforming your skin. Fresh Pressed Overnight Booster with Pure Vitamin A (Retinol) contains a soothing mix of evening primrose extract, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and soybean protein to minimize irritation. If you notice any redness or peeling, scale back to every other night and mix it with Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream, which has skin calming probiotics.

Don’t give up. You’ll instantly see a brighter complexion, but it’ll take a few weeks to reap the full rewards of retinol. By week 12 on the Fresh Pressed Clinical regimen, you’ll see improved skin texture and a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. You’ll be so happy you stuck with it.

Copy: Julie Redfern