Sunday Riley - A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum - 15ml

I used another high end retinol product for years. I thought it was working well enough. I couldn’t really see a difference, but I convinced myself that I had been using it so long that I just didn’t notice anymore. I decided to look for a cheaper brand and while I was trying to decide which one to purchase I was given a small (5 ml) deluxe sample tube of this serum. First of all, that small tube lasted for a lot longer than I expected because a little goes a long way! I used it almost every night and when it was gone (almost 2 weeks) I couldn’t believe the difference in my skin. I wasted so much money thinking the other brand was working and that my skin just couldn’t look any better since I am getting older. I love this serum. It is amazing. Strong, by didn’t ... MoreI used another high end retinol product for years. I thought it was working well enough. I couldn’t really see a difference, but I convinced myself that I had been using it so long that I just didn’t notice anymore. I decided to look for a cheaper brand and while I was trying to decide which one to purchase I was given a small (5 ml) deluxe sample tube of this serum. First of all, that small tube lasted for a lot longer than I expected because a little goes a long way! I used it almost every night and when it was gone (almost 2 weeks) I couldn’t believe the difference in my skin. I wasted so much money thinking the other brand was working and that my skin just couldn’t look any better since I am getting older. I love this serum. It is amazing. Strong, by didn’t irritate my skin. No scent that I have noticed. It is expensive, but I like that there is a smaller bottle available also. It’s perfect for me anyway since it only takes a small amount for each application. I’m hooked.

With all the beautiful new AFFORDABLE skincare brands coming out, I've learned that sometimes you don't HAVE to break the bank. HOWEVER....when it comes to finding a Retinol product I've found that I just cam NOT find another product that comes anywhere CLOSE to this Sunday Riley A+ serum. It just feels so silky and lightweight not greasy but moisturizing. I didn't go through any purging or any of the harsh side effects that can come when using retinol products. There's something about this product that keeps me coming back for more every single time. It's one product that I'll continue to break my bank for with a smile on every time. It's going to get the job done. Also the packaging is beautiful convenient. Ingredients and directions are clearly there, the airless ... MoreWith all the beautiful new AFFORDABLE skincare brands coming out, I've learned that sometimes you don't HAVE to break the bank. HOWEVER....when it comes to finding a Retinol product I've found that I just cam NOT find another product that comes anywhere CLOSE to this Sunday Riley A+ serum. It just feels so silky and lightweight not greasy but moisturizing. I didn't go through any purging or any of the harsh side effects that can come when using retinol products. There's something about this product that keeps me coming back for more every single time. It's one product that I'll continue to break my bank for with a smile on every time. It's going to get the job done. Also the packaging is beautiful convenient. Ingredients and directions are clearly there, the airless pump. Dark bottle to keep the retinol stable and safe.. they just know how to do it and what I want. No complaints with this one. This completely erase pores from existence. What pores? I haven't had pores since starting to use A+ if you're going to splurge on Sunday Riley, THIS is the one to go for. If you're absolutely not going for retinol then the ice ceramide cream is nice and the good genes is good. But I'm telling you, THIS changed my skin in so many good ways!

This was the first Sunday Riley product I tried and it remains my favourite. It came in a Boxycharm subscription and I have since purchased 3 more bottles. There is an immediate effect with this product. It seemed like my forehead lines started disappearing right away. Over time, the results are quite dramatic. I have sensitive skin and Sunday Riley's A+ serum did not aggravate my skin or cause me to break out. I did start with once a week and slowly titrated up. This product is on the expensive side but I find it lasts about 4 -6 months if you buy the 50ml bottle and use it 2-3 times per week. It's also produces the best, most consistent results without wrecking my skin. Go buy yourself a bottle. You will not be sorry!

I first came across this with a deluxe sample back in my early 30s when I noticed forehead lines. I was only able to use it about 2-3x/week because it is very strong. But even with that limited usage, my forehead lines disappeared and stayed that way long after I ran out of the sample. Well now I'm in my late 30s and lines are starting to show up again, not only on my forehead but the beginnings of other fine lines and wrinkles. I have since bought several bottles of this product after using another 1% retinol product from another brand that yielded zero results. Several weeks into going back to Sunday Riley A+, my forehead lines have disappeared again! It is strong and I had to build up tolerance to use it daily. I still cannot use it around my mouth and on my chin ... MoreI first came across this with a deluxe sample back in my early 30s when I noticed forehead lines. I was only able to use it about 2-3x/week because it is very strong. But even with that limited usage, my forehead lines disappeared and stayed that way long after I ran out of the sample. Well now I'm in my late 30s and lines are starting to show up again, not only on my forehead but the beginnings of other fine lines and wrinkles. I have since bought several bottles of this product after using another 1% retinol product from another brand that yielded zero results. Several weeks into going back to Sunday Riley A+, my forehead lines have disappeared again! It is strong and I had to build up tolerance to use it daily. I still cannot use it around my mouth and on my chin since the peeling is intense there but I can use this every day now. It has worked miracles for my skin. It has several different forms of retinoids that for me, seem to work synergistically with each other and whatever other ingredients are in this product and I highly recommend Sunday Riley to anyone and everyone I know. If your skin can withstand Sunday Riley, your next step would be tretinoin if you need it because it is that strong and effective.

"Almost perfect" retinol/retinoid combination

This is my second bottle which means that it has made an excellent impression. (Drunk Elephant retinol only lasted 1 purchase). It really is an A+ product. It seems to me as much if not more effective than Drunk Elephant retinol but with markedly less irritation. Also seems to have a bonus feature of fading acne discolouration which I did not notice with Drunk Elephant. It absorbs well and quickly, no tacky finish. Smell is OK-ish but fades away quickly so not a bother. Overall, it seems to be a much better formulation in terms of effect than the other retinol products that I have tried. Cheaper ones never seem to live up to the hype. The only reason that I have said "Almost Perfect" in my review is the price. It would be "Perfect" if it cost half as much! But ... MoreThis is my second bottle which means that it has made an excellent impression. (Drunk Elephant retinol only lasted 1 purchase). It really is an A+ product. It seems to me as much if not more effective than Drunk Elephant retinol but with markedly less irritation. Also seems to have a bonus feature of fading acne discolouration which I did not notice with Drunk Elephant. It absorbs well and quickly, no tacky finish. Smell is OK-ish but fades away quickly so not a bother. Overall, it seems to be a much better formulation in terms of effect than the other retinol products that I have tried. Cheaper ones never seem to live up to the hype. The only reason that I have said "Almost Perfect" in my review is the price. It would be "Perfect" if it cost half as much! But having said that, it seems to be the best one I've tried, hence the second bottle despite the price!

Awful Smell

I wanted to Love this product but I cannot get past the smell!!! Prior to purchase I did quite a bit of research and so many people claimed they either loved the smell, said it was a natual/earthy smell, or said it had a slight smell but nothing bothersome, but personally I can't handle it!! To me it smells like old mop water or an old wash rag! 🤢🤮I will say that I am sensitive with smells but usually only fragrance type smells. This one is just gross! I left it on hoping it would dissipate over night but it still smelled just as bad in the morning. I tried it a second time mixed with one of my moisturizers that has a slight scent but it didn't help with the smell of the A+.Sadly I will be passing this product on to a friend and never purchasing again.

Best non-prescription retinol serum

This is truly I product I didn't know I needed. I saw it on sale during Ulta's 21-days of beauty and I'm so glad I took a chance on it. It has done wonders on my complexion, redness, dryness and dark spots. I had a rough area on my temple and it was gone after one application!I don't have terrible skin to begin with and I do have sensitive skin with some rosacea. I have been tolerating this serum well using the two days on/two days off method and likely will keep up that routine instead of using this everyday given my sensitivity. Based on the reviews looks like it is hit or miss if your skin can handle it.I'm so glad I had to sense to buy two during the sale but now I'm annoyed that I love it so much because it's definitely not a cheap product.

SO STRONG. USE WITH CAUTION

I have tended to like pretty much all Sunday Riley products. I got this in a kit with the eye serum and Luna night oil. I have used the Luna oil many times in the past. I had been using the Drunk Elephant retinol but wanted to try this having seen such glowing reviews. First, you have to use sunscreen with this. It's so, so strong. I used this two nights on and two nights off, as the instructions recommend for new retinol users, bearing in mind I have used retinol in my daily routine for around 12 months (Drunk Elephant and 111 Skin retinol oil), I didn't consider myself new to retinol but I wanted to take it easy. After a few days my skin became so dry it was almost painful. My eye area especially looked like I had aged by around 15 years, NOT the look I was going ... MoreI have tended to like pretty much all Sunday Riley products. I got this in a kit with the eye serum and Luna night oil. I have used the Luna oil many times in the past. I had been using the Drunk Elephant retinol but wanted to try this having seen such glowing reviews. First, you have to use sunscreen with this. It's so, so strong. I used this two nights on and two nights off, as the instructions recommend for new retinol users, bearing in mind I have used retinol in my daily routine for around 12 months (Drunk Elephant and 111 Skin retinol oil), I didn't consider myself new to retinol but I wanted to take it easy. After a few days my skin became so dry it was almost painful. My eye area especially looked like I had aged by around 15 years, NOT the look I was going for. I also found my skin stung so intensely when I applied anything (i.e. when I would go about my normal morning routine). It also triggered eczema on certain areas of my face and neck which looked like dark patches of skin. So my skin tone became even more uneven. I know there is "downtime" with retinol so I continued to trust the process but needed to use some "hero" products to help my skin through this period (Chantecaille healing jasmine mask on the very dry patches; Keilhs avocado eye cream around the eye area alternating between ReVive eye cream; 111 Skin Y Theorum serum and Oskia hydra serum on alternate mornings for additional hydration in the AM). All of these are products I already had and I know "rescue" my skin. So I was very lucky indeed as these are not cheap products. The dryness went after around 2 weeks and the sensitivity is not as intense not (nearly two months later) but it is still there. I still can't use this daily. I have had more breakouts than ever since using this and as I suffer from hyperpigmentation this means any spots leave a dark mark on my skin for months (sometimes years) so any benefits of slightly brighter skin are (for me) massively outweighed by having more blemishes. I can't say that this retinol is so much better than Drunk Elephant that it's worth the severe downtime. I didn't find the effects as bad with DE. In all honesty, I don't think my skin looks that much better for it. I hoped that the downtime would be worth it, but two months later I sort of regret it as I am left with these blemishes from the side effects. I find using the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta peel or the Drunk Elephant TLC Babyfacial gives me better instant softness and brightness without the reaction. Please do use with caution if you have sensitive, dry skin or have ever had eczema in the past. Mine flared up and I have not had a flare up in years! And PLEASE use sunscreen.

Take it slow, and u will have the best skin ever

I know it’s expensive, but this product has helped me so much! I started with a 1% retinol from inkey list 3x a week to ease into retinol products, then used this 3x a week, then used this every night for many months. I have sensitive dry skin and was worried about damaging my skin barrier to the point that I’d have to stop all actives and start from square one again to build up tolerance, which has happened to me many times before when I tried to ease into 0.025% tretinoin. I never had any issues with this and gradually saw a reduction in active acne, though I still had milia and some small blemishes and post-acne hyperpigmentation. Over the months it felt more in control and I started to replace this product one or two nights a week with 0.025% tretinoin. No ... MoreI know it’s expensive, but this product has helped me so much! I started with a 1% retinol from inkey list 3x a week to ease into retinol products, then used this 3x a week, then used this every night for many months. I have sensitive dry skin and was worried about damaging my skin barrier to the point that I’d have to stop all actives and start from square one again to build up tolerance, which has happened to me many times before when I tried to ease into 0.025% tretinoin. I never had any issues with this and gradually saw a reduction in active acne, though I still had milia and some small blemishes and post-acne hyperpigmentation. Over the months it felt more in control and I started to replace this product one or two nights a week with 0.025% tretinoin. No flaking! I’ve since successfully transitioned into tretinoin 3x a week and I use this every other night. I don’t use moisturizers after 8pm to make sure these products penetrate completely and are most effective. I can’t even believe I can do that, bc before my skin was always so dry and flakey I needed moisturizer twice a day. Now I only moisturize in the morning, and let the retinols soak in all night. this has been a 6 month process, but for the first time in my life I dont have any active acne and am seeing my post-acne hyperpigmentation scars fade. I'm finally not embarrassed to go out without makeup. Before, i would cancel plans with friends and dates bc i was so embarrassed of my adult acne. I have the full size and the travel size now, and I recommend this as part of a gradual tretinoin tolerance regimen for everyone. It also feels good to know I'm protecting my skin from early signs of aging. The key is sunscreen, slowly building up from 1%, and not using any other products except cleansers after 8pm to not dilute this product and get its full effects and potency (which is esp important if u dont have access to prescription strength tretinoin). So pleased with my results!

WOW!

I am bad about keeping up with leaving reviews but I just had to leave one for this. It’s been about a month since I started using it and I feel like my skin has improved dramatically! I should have taken a before and after photo because I feel like the results are jarring! My skin glows like it never had before. I have never liked any of the retinol’s I’ve tried before- they always made me break out (even past the normal pore release process) or made my skin too sensitive. I followed the directions on the bottle to ease myself into using this product and never had a breakout. My skin is a bit more sun sensitive than before, but that is to be expected with any retinol and I just upped my sunscreen usage and haven’t had a problem. The CEO glow oil is already my holy ... MoreI am bad about keeping up with leaving reviews but I just had to leave one for this. It’s been about a month since I started using it and I feel like my skin has improved dramatically! I should have taken a before and after photo because I feel like the results are jarring! My skin glows like it never had before. I have never liked any of the retinol’s I’ve tried before- they always made me break out (even past the normal pore release process) or made my skin too sensitive. I followed the directions on the bottle to ease myself into using this product and never had a breakout. My skin is a bit more sun sensitive than before, but that is to be expected with any retinol and I just upped my sunscreen usage and haven’t had a problem. The CEO glow oil is already my holy grail product, so I love that this doesn’t negatively interact with that- in fact they recommend the pair together. That is the one product I have gone back to for years because whenever I don’t spend the money and use a lesser oil or run out and don’t get a new bottle asap- I regret it. So the fact that this blends with that seamlessly is amazing. For reference I have KP on my face as well as very dry skin. My skin can be sensitive if I have an allergy to something, which is why I stick to mostly “clean” brands. In the last week I have gotten a ton of compliments on my skin and I feel like it is entirely because of this and the ceo glow. Btw I have never gotten free product to review or anything.