RESIST 1% Retinol Booster

To start, there are similarities between the RESIST 1% Retinol Booster and CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment. Both contain a high-level of 1% retinol, and each is formulated with peptides and a significant amount of antioxidants and anti-irritants. Where they really differ is in terms of texture, usage, and which skin types they are ideal for (although both products are suitable for all skin types).

The RESIST 1% Retinol Booster has a fluid texture that allows it to be mixed in with your favorite serum or moisturizer. Its formula is thinner, lighter, and especially well-suited for normal to oily or breakout prone-skin. It’s also a phenomenal option for ANYONE who wants to boost their current skincare routine with a higher strength of retinol. Adding RESIST 1% Retinol Booster to your serum or moisturizer allows it to work more gently on your skin, so you can use it more frequently – even as a daily part of our routine.

The CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment has a creamy lotion texture that is most ideal for normal to dry skin. It’s an intensive high-percentage retinol treatment that a consistent retinol user looking for powerful results will love. It’s best to slowly add this to your routine – no more than a pea-sized amount up to 3 times per week to start – and adjust based on your individual experience.

RESIST 1% Retinol Booster is best applied along with your moisturizer step at night, so the combination of moisturizer plus this booster would be the last products you apply. If used during the day, mix in your preferred number of drops of RESIST 1% Retinol Booster with your serum and follow with your daytime SPF 25+ product.

If you are planning to use RESIST 1% Retinol Booster at night with a prescription retinoid, apply the prescription retinoid after cleansing, toning, and exfoliating. Follow with the rest of your skincare routine, mixing RESIST 1% Retinol Booster with your nighttime moisturizer as the last step. Note that combining this product with a prescription retinoid increases the risk of side effects such as dryness, flaking, and sensitivity.

If you use 1-3 drops of this concentrated formula per application, there are about 150-300 uses per bottle. See the "How to Use Tab" for more info

Yes, this is fine to do, especially if you want to further customize your anti-aging routine or find that doing so makes the 1% concentration of retinol easier for your skin to tolerate.

The most notable difference is that RESIST 1% Retinol Booster is a concentrate designed to be mixed into another product. The RESIST 1% Retinol Booster is a light, water-based fluid treatment that gives you control over the level of anti-aging potency you get from your AM and/or PM routines, by the number of drops you add. Unlike the other Paula’s Choice retinol products, the RESIST 1% Retinol Booster was specifically formulated to penetrate faster and more efficiently, making it more effective when mixed with serums or moisturizers.

Yes, though you may wish to alternate them—this will depend on how your skin responds. You can also apply your usual retinol product (serum or moisturizer) all over your face and neck, then apply RESIST 1% Retinol Booster to areas showing more advanced signs of aging: Crow’s feet around the eyes, laugh lines, expression lines, and dark spots.

Yes, although of course it always depends on how skin reacts. Our fragrance-free formula contains an advanced mix of several anti-irritants designed to minimize any discomfort those with sensitive skin may experience from using a stronger retinol treatment. The easy-to-use pump allows you to control the level of strength by the number of drops you add, see the How to Use tab for more information.

Yes, although of course it always depends on how skin reacts. There’s research showing retinol can help reduce the inflammation that’s an underlying factor in rosacea, plus the numerous anti-irritants this booster contains will help reduce redness. As you are able to tailor the strength of this booster by the number of drops you use, start off with one drop into your serum or moisturizer and see how your skin responds.

Yes; in fact, research has shown that this amount of retinol is akin to prescription-strength retinoids prescribed by dermatologists to manage all types of acne. And the thin, fluid texture of this booster can be all the “moisture” those with oily, breakout-prone skin need. Alternately, this booster mixes beautifully with lightweight moisturizers such as RESIST Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator.

This concentration of retinol has been shown by research to work the same as some prescription strength retinoids.

As with most well-formulated anti-aging products, consistent use and daily sun protection will produce the best results.

Yes. For best results, apply the benzoyl peroxide product to breakout-prone areas, allow to dry, then follow with RESIST 1% Retinol Booster, mixed into your serum or moisturizer.

You may have read or heard that retinol and benzoyl peroxide cannot be used together for fear they will adversely affect each other’s stability. However, there is no research showing that to be true. Scientific and medical research actually says the two ingredients can complement each other—which is good to know, whether you’re dealing with acne alone or the unwelcome mix of wrinkles plus breakouts!