I haven’t done a facial skincare review in a little while because I wanted to test the Oz Naturals Retinol Serum for a few weeks to give my skin a chance to adjust to a new product. If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you will know that I have been using the Resist Retinol Serum from Paula’s Choice for several months. I found that once my skin adjusted to the retinol, I was able to move from using it every second or third night to every night without any sensitivity issues (review is here).

After reading several reviews of various Oz Naturals products, I decided to research the brand, and found that they had recently introduced a retinol serum into their line. Here is a little screen capture from their website about Oz Naturals:

I knew that I wanted to try out several of their skincare products. But since I have sensitive skin, I can only introduce one product at a time so I can monitor whether or not my skin can tolerate a product.

This retinol serum contains a few added ingredients that combined with retinol, are supposed to be have an anti-wrinkle, anti-aging effect. The key ingredients are Retinol, Astaxanthin, and Phospolipids. Below is a quick explanation of the properties and benefits of each (taken from the Oz Naturals website):

Retinol:
This Vitamin A derivative treats fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, dullness, crepiness, and sagging skin you name it, it does it. Retinol speeds up cell turnover, rids the skin of dead cells that cause dullness, and boosts collagen and elastin by stimulating cellular repair at the deepest level of the skin. Retinol also increases blood-vessel formation for better skin circulation, so skin appears much healthier.

Astaxanthin:
A powerful antioxidant with potent anti-inflammatory effects. Its unique molecular structure allows it to reside in the cell membrane, and to protect the inside and outside of cells from free radical attack. Research shows that astaxanthin taken as an oral supplement can help protect the skin from UV damage, minimize wrinkles, and reduce hyper pigmentation.

Phospholipids:
A broad group of naturally-occurring molecules which includes fats, waxes, sterols, and fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E and K.) The main biological functions of lipids include energy storage as structural components of cell membranes, and as important signalling molecules but that’s not all. These “heads and tails” organize themselves into bio-layers that gives them a structure similar to that of skin. Because of this it is said that products that contain them have an affinity with the skin, and a higher tolerance. And, what’s more, phospholipids retain their structure when applied topically.

The review:

I was a little nervous in trying this serum out because it has a 2.5% concentration of retinol in it. When I tried the Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment from Paula’s Choice, my skin reacted badly, with stinging, redness and dryness despite having no problem using the Resist Retinol Serum from Paula’s Choice.

My fear was unfounded. The Oz Naturals Retinol Serum did NOT irritate my sensitive skin at all. In fact, my skin seems to be less easily irritated and less prone to reacting. I think that it is the combination of ingredients that reduces the harshness of the retinol. It works better with my skin that any other retinol that I’ve ever used. It helps minimize fine lines and evens out my skintone.

The serum is light amber in colour, and absorbs quickly into the skin. Very minimal to no scent (a huge plus).

I will definitely purchase this serum again, and I plan on testing out a few other products from Oz Naturals once I use up my current stash of skincare products.

Disclosure: I purchased this!

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!!! ❤ ❤ ❤