Super Strong Super Retinol from Aria Starr Beauty #retinol

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Retinoids, a derivative of Vitamin A, can be a big help in smoothing skin by increasing collagen production and diminishing dark spots.  If your skin is starting to look dull, with fine lines, you may want to check out this Super Retinol Serum from Aria Star Beauty.

I remember when prescription Retinol was all you could get.  Now that it's available over-the-counter, it's in lower dosages, but it still works well; it just takes a little longer.  It could take months to see appreciable changes due to any retinoid.  After using this serum for about a month, I have seen a reduction in my blackheads, and my pores, once clogged, now look smaller.

Aside from being made in the USA with 72% organic ingredients, this serum has 2.5% retinol.  I found this to be a strong concentration, and even having tried retinol creams before, this is the first one that stung a little the first week that I used it.  I worked through it, and I'm glad I did.  According to this article I read from Allure, it can be beneficial to work through the adjustment period of a retinol, as the skin will get used to it and adapt to stronger concentrations.

The second ingredient, aloe, helps with soothing the skin.  Hyaluronic acid helps the skin hold on to moisture, so that there can be pretty immediate results with the skin looking plumper and more hydrated. Plant oils like jojoba help keep that moisture in the skin, longer. Green Tea helps calm and brighten the skin.

I love a pump dispenser on a serum, and I only need one or two pumps to get enough to cover my face and neck.  The dark blue bottle also helps protect the serum from light, which can damage the effectiveness of the retinoids.

I found the serum to be odorless, and quick-absorbing.  I only used it with my evening routine, so I didn't apply makeup over it, but I don't think it would be a problem, especially if you followed the serum up with a moisturizer.

My nailart today was inspired by the dotted gradient on the label.  I thought Different Dimension Aquila, a blue metallic flakie polish, would look good in a glitter gradient over a simple white background of OPI Put A Coat On.  I am really enjoying these new metallic flakies!

For more information, or to purchase, you can find Aria Starr Beauty on Amazon, where this serum is currently on sale for $16.95.  They have a one year satisfaction guarantee, too, so if you aren't happy, you can get a full refund.