Colette Haydon, I love you!
Ok, maybe I’m overreacting a bit, but it’s SO rare to come across the founder of a skincare brand who actually knows something about skin.
Colette and I share the same skincare philosophy. Like me, she believes that less is more, a good formula can be applied all over (face, eyes, neck, you name it), and chemical vs synthetic is a bunch of nonsense.
See what I mean? Instead of coming up with more and more stupid skincare products no one needs, she keeps it simple and focuses on a few formulas that really work. How refreshing is that?
Her baby is LixirSkin. The brand is famous for its “Night Switch” range, which focuses on giving you one powerful active at a time. This way, you can give your skin everything it needs without overwhelming it.
The first product I tried (bought with my own money, FYI), is LixirSkin Night Switch Retinol 1%. Does it live up to the hype?
What’s In LixirSkin Night Switch Retinol 1%?
RETINOL TO FIGHT WRINKLES
Retinol is the real deal. This form of vitamin A has plenty of research behind it showing it can really treat wrinkles. It works in three ways:
- It has antioxidant properties that destroy free radicals before they give you wrinkles and dark spots.
- It accelerates cellular turnover (i.e. the skin’s natural exfoliating process), reducing the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles.
- It boosts the production of collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm.
Awesome, right?
Retinol is a powerful weapon. And like all powerful weapons, it has a double-edged sword: high concentrations of retinol – and 1% retinol is HUGE, trust me – can easily irritate skin, turn it red and make it flake.
If you have oily skin, you may even experience a purge. Anything that speeds up cellular turnover can make your skin worse before it makes it better.
Does it mean LixirSkin Night Switch Retinol 1% isn’t safe to use? Of course not! If, like mine, your skin is already used to high doses of retinol, you can use this without side effects.
But if you’re just at the beginning of your retinol journey, don’t rush it. Start with a smaller dose and work your way up to this (I’ve explained how to do it step-by-step here). Your skin will thank you.
P.S. Retinol is the real deal, but it’s not a miracle worker. Even with high concentrations, it can take up to 6 weeks to see results. Be patient!
Related: How To Counteract The Side Effects Of Retinol
PHOSPHOLIPIDS TO MOISTURISE SKIN
Phospholipids belong in the lipid family. They’re a group of fats and waxes that naturally occur in your skin.
You’ll know when your skin lacks phospholipids. If you’ve living somewhere freezing cold or you’ve been using harsh skincare products that strip them off your skin, your face becomes a dry and irritated mess.
You see, phosholipids moisturise skin in two ways:
- They attract moisture from the environment into skin and bind it there
- They strengthen the skin’s protective barrier against its enemies (like said harsh weather and skincare products)
That’s why it’s important to make sure your skin always has plenty phosholipids. LixirSkin Night Switch Retinol 1% contains more than its fair share. They’re second place on the list after water!
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
The texture looks and feels like a liquidy oil, if that makes sense. It’s sticky for a minute and then sinks into the skin nicely.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
At night, after cleansing. I use it alone, but LixirSkin says you can mix it with a moisturizer.
Performance & Personal Opinion
I like that LixirSkin Night Switch Retinol 1% keep things simple. Instead of filling their serums with a bunch of extracts and fillers just because they can, LixirSkin just put in the essentials.
That’s smart. 1% retinol is already harsh enough, so you don’t want anything else that could irritate skin (like fragrance or citrus oils).
Like I mentioned above, it takes time to see results with retinol. At first, I’ve just noticed how soft and smooth the phospholids made my skin.
That was a relief. 1% retinol can easily make skin flake but this didn’t. The phospholipids counteracted the potential dryness and made retinol easier to tolerate for your skin.
It took a few more wrinkles before I could see an effect on my fine lines. But they do seem to get that little bit smaller and my skin a little firmer. Plus, my whole skin glows.
The secret is to keep at it. Good skincare doesn’t work overnight. It can be frustrating to wait weeks to see only a tiny improvement, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
Who Is This For?
Mature skin that has built its way up to 1% retinol.
Who Is This NOT For?
- Oily skin: You may not like the oil-like texture.
- Retinol newbie: Start with a small concentration of retinol and work your way up.
- Sensitive skin: 1% retinol may be too harsh for you.
Packaging
A small bottle with a pump applicator. It only contains 15ml of product. But I don’t mind that. 1% retinol isn’t meant to be used daily. If you use it every other night like I do, it’ll still last you a long time.
Does LixirSkin Night Switch Retinol 1% Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Retinol regulates the skin metabolism, in both the top layers – the epidermal wall – to refine texture, control problem skin and reverse sun damage, and in the deeper layers – boosting protein production in the dermal fibroblasts – to give density, volume and firmness. | True. Retinol has been scientifically proven to do all this – slowly. |
| After one week, your skin is softer and smoother when you touch, more refined and clear when you look. | True. |
| Your wrinkles will appear less deep and your facial shape fuller. | True, but this may take a few weeks. |
Price & Availability
$42.00/£28.00 at Cult Beauty and Luisa Via Roma
Do You Need It?
If you’re looking for a high-strength retinol serum, this is a good option to consider.
Dupes & Alternatives
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Phospholipids, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Retinol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Glyceryl Laurate, EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin.
Hello Gio! Thanks for introducing this brand on your blog, I might discover a new brand to fall in love with! I have visited their website and they really keep things simple and effective don’t they? Would like to ask could you review more of their products on your blog too? Really hope to hear your thoughts about them, thank you Gio!
Claire, glad you enjoyed the review. I really loved this retinol serum and I do plan to buy and review more of their products in the future. Stay tuned!