Bad skin has followed me all my life. I’ve tried everything from powders to potions without much luck. In my youth, it was the bane of acne. In my mid-thirties, when I hoping to finally reap the benefits of my overactive sebaceous glands, my skin went oddly dry.

As I face my later 30s, I have made peace with my dermatological imperfections. We are made in God’s image or whatever…

It’s difficult for me to stick to a routine, a habit or anything that requires a smidgen of discipline. Despite my ways, I have managed to stick to a thing for over 15 years, and that thing is retinol.

What is retinol?

I’m no chemist, but it’s my understanding that retinol is a type of retinoids or compound of vitamin A.

One of the most powerful anti-ageing ingredients, vitamin A is a substance that can change the appearance of the skin surface. The molecules of retinol go deep within the skin into the dermis.

Once there, they strengthen the protective function of the epidermis, prevent water loss, protect and boost collagen and stop the breakdown of protein. It can also draw in more blood towards the skin, speeding up wound healing.

Within just days of using retinol, you may notice significant changes to your skin; however, it gets worse before it can get better.

The side effects of retinol

One of the biggest drawbacks of using retinol — despite its many benefits — is the temporary worsening of skin appearance. The skin starts peeling relentlessly and it may sometimes appear inflamed.

These side effects often discourage people from continuing with the retinol treatment. Those who persevere are rewarded with great-looking skin.

Retinol and I

Somewhere in my late teens, I had a bad bout of acne (one of many bouts). Back then, my dermatologist recommended a cream that worked miracles on my skin. It did what benzoyl peroxide or neem powder couldn’t: it gave me smooth acne-free skin. Ever since, if there is a steady skin care product in my arsenal, it is retinol.

Imagine my happiness when I learnt that retinol also worked against wrinkles. And the best part is that the pharmaceutical grade retinol brands are very cheap. I love the ones that Janssen Pharmaceuticals make. A small tube can last months and months, and the results are far superior to what your expensive tubs of face creams can give. A single tube won’t cost a dime over Rs 250.

However, I was curious about the many brands out there and was tempted to buy Reequil retinol cream. Did it meet my expectations? Will I go back to a cheaper alternative? Here’s what I thought.

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Reequil 0.1% Retinol Night Cream for Wrinkles & Skin Tightening

Reequil is an up and coming brand that has a variety of skincare products under its ambit. It markets its retinol cream as a “nighttime moisturiser.” Rightly so since retinol products are best avoided during the day and should be used at night.

The brand that Reequil sells has 0.1% strength, which is enough to work against wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation and acne. Visible differences in skin texture can be seen in four weeks, the brand claims.

This cream is suitable for all skin types. It’s lightweight and has a hydrating effect that sits on the skin without feeling greasy.

The cream is pale yellow in colour with a light and soufflé-like texture.

What I liked about it

Quick results

Reequil Retinol Cream does what it says, and in some ways, it over-delivers. While the brand claims that the differences can be seen in four weeks, I noticed a marked improvement in my skin in 10 days.

No peeling

A 0.1% strength from a drugstore brand can make your skin peel badly. That’s where Reequil surprised me. Although I was armed with a good moisturiser, I didn’t have to use it. Reequil has a hydrating formula that moisturises your skin without leaving it dry and flaky.

Fragrance-free

The hallmark of a responsible cosmetic brand these days is being fragrance-free. Once a selling proposition, cosmetic fragrances are now actively shunned by good brands. Fragrance can cause damage to your skin in the long run and is the top cause of dermatitis.

Packaging

In keeping with the spirit of the brand Reequil, the packaging has no bells and whistles. The tube is reminiscent of the old-fashioned aluminium packaging that we see in vintage products.

Little goes a long way

The beauty of retinol cream is that you only need a pea-sized amount. This brand is no different. A small bit of cream spreads easily over the skin surface.

What I didn’t like

Price

The only drawback that I see when it comes to this product is the price point. As someone who has used generic brands of retinol for cheap with great results, Rs 590 for a tube seems steep. That’s probably the only negative point.

To sum it up, this one gets a thumbs up. It will be a while before I go back to my old brand because I ended up getting two tubes of Reequil. :-/

Buy it here.

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