TOSOWOONG Real Retinol 0.1% Night Cream, Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer with Retinol, Bakuchiol, Firmer Skin, Reduce Wrinkles and Pore Minimizer | Korean Skincare for Face & Neck, 50ml / 1.69 fl. oz.

Gentle dual-action anti-aging cream that is perfect for beginning-to-intermediate users
I review (and purchase) quite a lot of Tosowoong products because I’m a huge fan of the brand. I love their fragrance-free, effective, no-frills products that always use actives in effective concentrations. I love that they spend money on ingredients rather than marketing or flashy packaging, and their products always do what they say they will.This cream is a formulated with a moderate concentration of retinol that is strong enough to provide visible results but mild enough for regular use (for most people and skin-types). While it’s perfect for intermediate users who have already built up a tolerance with a lower concentration, I think beginners could also use this product to build a tolerance as long as they start low and slow.The cream itself is very gentle and soothing. Like all Tososwoong creams, it comes in an ointment style tube (some are metal but this one is plastic). Like most retinol creams, the texture is quite thin and gel-like; a pea size amount is meant to cover your face AND neck, so really spread the cream as thin as possible when applying. More is NOT better. There is no scent and it does not leave a film or tacky feel. It absorbs super quickly, even on my very picky skin.Ingredients-wise, this cream is way better than the average retinol cream as it combines retinol with bakuchiol, a plant-based compound that delivers the same results as retinol but without the side effects like sun sensitivity or irritation. Therefore you get a nice boost in results without having to increase your retinol concentration (and thus risk having a reaction). Score! It also has other anti-aging ingredients like ceramides and peptides, as well as soothing ingredients like panthenol. It’s an extremely well formulated cream that applies well, feels great on, and causes zero irritation.I test a lot of retinol products and this is one of my favorites.Tips for a successful experience:1. Start SLOW, especially if you have sensitive skin. See how your skin reacts! Once a week is enough for some people until they adjust. When your skin is okay with it, move to twice weekly, then every other day, then daily. This may take more time than you want it to! Slow and steady wins the race.2. MOISTURIZE! Barrier health is *everything*. Keeping your skin hydrated, moisturized, and strong is the key to being able to use retinol without negative side effects. You may find that you need a much richer cream than you are used to to combat flakiness. Barrier creams are often a great choice, even for oily or acne-prone skin.3. USE SUNSCREEN DAILY to account for increased sun sensitivity. I prefer Korean or Japanese because they have the highest SPF (50+) and are PA++++ rated (if you can still get your hands on the real formulas; look around because they are out there). You absolutely CANNOT use retinol without sunscreen, so if you are committing to one you are committing to both. Keep that in mind before starting.4. If you notice ANY redness or peeling, SLOW DOWN! (or even save this and drop down to a lower concentration). Low and slow is the best way to build the tolerance necessary for consistent use, which is the key to seeing results. You might need to start with 0.05% retinal, and that is totally okay!5. Expect slow progress. At this concentration, you’d start to see effects around 8 weeks of consistent use (improved firmness, texture, and signs of photoaging (such as lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, and loss of elasticity).Trust your skin to tell you what it needs and it will!Hope that helps!

Slight break-out initially, but skin accustomed over time
I have been using this TOSOWOONG Real Retinol 0.1% night cream every other night for approximately a month now. The cream itself is lightweight and absorbs well — there is no greasy feeling or film to it. It moisturizes well. The little purple beads are not perceptible upon application – they melt right into the skin along with the cream. Overall it has left my skin smooth and nourished.Two items of note, for which I have removed a star:* The initial several applications left my skin slightly red the following morning. It wasn’t a burning or uncomfortable sensation, and after a couple of weeks it stopped occurring. But it was noticeable.* The first couple of weeks I experienced minor breakouts — isolated red bumps on the forehead. These did not develop into pimples or other forms of acne and lasted for about a day.Now that my skin is used to this cream, I use it with confidence. It’s worth a try – my skin has always been a bit “particular,” so my experience may be an outlier. Moderately priced for a Retinol cream.

My face becomes softer and clearer.

Great quality Korean made retinol skin cream that goes on smoothly and has made a difference in helping smooth out fine lines on my face. Leaves my skin feeling smooth and nourished.