Retinol is one of the best things you can do for your skin. It benefits adult skin of men and women at any age. Whether a teen coping with acne or mature skin fighting wrinkles, discoloration, texture, or large pores, retinol can help. Original Sleek Retinol Cream is non-comedogenic, cruelty-free and contains stellar plant extract ingredients for great skin. Read about this ingredient formulation and our experience with Original Sleek Retinol Cream.
What are the Benefits of Retinol?
What are the skincare benefits of retinol? Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative. It is a marvelous antioxidant which prevents collagen and elastin loss[1]. It resurfaces the texture of the skin, encouraging new, healthy skin cell turnover.
Retinol can improve the appearance of:
- sun damage
- rough skin texture
- acne and stubborn acne scars [2]
- dark circles
- uneven skin tone (brown spots, hyperpigmentation)[3]
- enlarged pores
- sun damage (rough skin, sun spots)
- sign of aging skin: wrinkles, sagging, dullness
Why It Is Special
Original Sleek Retinol Cream contains plant-based and natural buffering ingredients to help even sensitive skin types tolerate regular retinol use. This formulation is:
- Non-comedogenic
- High-potency cocktail of various weight Hyaluronic Acids
- Cruelty free
- No unwanted additives such as gluten, parabens, phthalates, SLS, SLES, and petroleum.
- Buffering ingredients to keep skin free of retinol dryness and irritation
- Opaque packaging keeps ingredients fresh
- Ingredients typically seen at higher price point products
- Ideal for those who want a simple skincare routine such as busy moms, college students, and men
- Gentle enough to use on the backs of hands and on the throat helps minimize sun spots and UV damage
In addition to Retinol, Original Sleek Retinol Cream contains helpful supporting ingredients:
Key Ingredients
Centella Asiatica Extract
Gotu Kola improves skin elasticity and reduces sagging. It boosts antioxidant activity, strengthening the skin and increases blood circulation.
Licorice Liquid Extract
Licorice root contains glabridin, a potent antioxidant that soothes skin. It lightens dark circles gently, improves uneven tone and skin redness.[4]
Shea Butter
Shea Butter provides an occlusive barrier to retain moisture. Shea treats acne scars, including cystic acne dark scars. Shea can feed the skin and overhaul the skin texture.
Willow Bark Extract
Willow Bark Extract unclogs pores, reduces redness, and regulates sebum production. It is gentle to the skin. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. [5]
Rose Oil
Rose Oil refines skin texture. Its’ antioxidants absorb well into skin dermis which benefits dry and mature skin.
Horsetail Extract
Horsetail Plant Extract reduces redness and soothes skin. Horsetail makes for more flexible skin, especially in connective skin layers and tissue. Horsetail strengthens connective skin layers to keep the skin structure pliable yet taut. Horsetail also lightens discoloration, particularly the dark shadow area of wrinkles.
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe Vera Juice provides nourishment to the skin as it contains Vitamins A, C, Bs, and E as well as minerals and enzymes. This skin food heals, hydrates, and accelerates skin cell growth. It provides anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and counteracts skin irritation.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid holds its’ weight in moisturizer, plumping the skin, making fine wrinkles and mild sagging disappear temporarily. It also drives active ingredients to deep skin layers for better results.
Alpha Arbutin
A natural skin-lightening agent extracted from bearberry. It inhibits melanocytes from producing melanin to slowly reduce hyperpigmentation. Effective on acne scars, photoaging, and age spots.
Dandelion Extract
Dandelion Extract stimulates collagen production. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, it protects skin against free radical damage and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Magnesium and zinc detoxify skin, and anti-inflammatory properties calm irritation.
Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic Acid is a stable Vitamin C which brightens the skin, increases collagen production, and reduces free-radical damage.
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Olivate is a combination of the ester of Cetearyl Alcohol and the fatty acids from olives. Cetearyl Olivate is moisture attracting and retaining. Olive oil fatty acids have skin-enhancing Omega-3s and polyphenols. These make skin glow!
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural skin conditioner packed with Vitamin A. It helps with healing, stimulating cell turnover, protects against UV radiation, and fights against the free radicals that cause premature signs of aging. Beeswax has an occlusive quality to provide a barrier while retaining skin moisture.
Vegetable Glycerin
A natural, pure glycerin that serves to attract and retain moisture and oxygen in the skin.
The Experience
PACKAGING
We like the one-pump dispenser design to keep the product fresh, and the nozzle cap to keep it airtight.
PRODUCT
- Scent: faint, nothing on drydown
- Color: Opaque white
- Consistency: It is a creamy texture. A second moisturizer is not necessary, but there was no piling when I applied one after drydown.
- Dry-down: It takes a few minutes to dry down but then it is smooth.
How to Use It
- Dispense one pump of cream.
- Dab it onto the forehead, nose, each cheek, and chin.
- Gently rub/pat it into the skin, spreading evenly over the face.
- For the throat and upper décolletage, use a second pump worth of product.
Use retinol at night. It can be used nightly, but if you are new to retinols, start with 3 times a week.
With regular use, my skin is well-hydrated and not dry like some retinols. There is no itchy tight feeling!
This is a great formulation for sensitive skin types who cannot tolerate prescription strength retinoids.
Where to Buy It
Find Original Sleek Retinol Cream at originalsleek.com
Questions? Comments?
Have any questions or comments about Original Sleek Retinol Cream?
Email or comment below and we will do our best to answer them!
References
- Ganceviciene R, Liakou AI, Theodoridis A, Makrantonaki E, Zouboulis CC. Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):308-319. doi:10.4161/derm.22804
- Callender VD, Baldwin H, Cook-Bolden FE, Alexis AF, Stein Gold L, Guenin E. Effects of topical retinoids on acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with skin of color: a clinical review and implications for practice. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(1):69-81. doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00643-2
- Ibid
- Natural Product Research, December 2007, pages 1,234-1,239
- Shara M, Stohs SJ. Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extracts. Phytother Res. 2015 Aug;29(8):1112-6. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5377. Epub 2015 May 22. PMID: 25997859