I just started using this product. So far I can tell you that the pump is defective. Unfortunately, when I was attempting to kick start it the way that they instruct you too, the bottom of the bottle broke! I appreciate the care to package an air and light-sensitive product carefully but was really disappointed that it was hard to use. Attempting to get it to work properly resulted in me literally breaking the bottle apart. Needless to say, I can now get product out of the bottle but this did not make for a positive first impression. The product itself is high quality. It is a creamy texture and goes on very smooth. It doesn't have an offensive smell either. I will continue to use! One point of confusion for me, however, is whether or not I can use an AHA/BHA exfoliant while using this product? On the product packaging it instructs you to avoid, however on the website says it is safe. Any advice?

Lola

Princeton, New Jersey

It's frustrating to pay what you pay and get a dysfunctional product. The pump does not work. I cannot get any product out of the container. I ordered 5 items from PC and two of them have dysfunctional/non-working pumps.

crog

Denver, CO

This is one of the only products I use where you literally see the results in days. It took me about a month of sporadic use to acclimatize to the retinol but now my skin is very resilient and I'm able to use it even with a BHA. This product has done wonders for my pores and overall skin vitality.

Kate West

Vancouver, BC

I can't critique the product because I can't get any out of the container. This has happened before with other products with defective packaging. I have been a loyal user of PC for years, but it's getting frustrating dealing with poor packaging.

Leslie

Summerville

The Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment Serum is one of few products that I have re-purchased several times. This retinol is strong enough to be very effective but contains enough skin soothing ingredients that it doesn't leave my skin feeling irritated. If you haven't used retinol before I recommend you start out very slowly- like every other day or even less if your skin starts to flake. You could also mix this in with a hydrating serum or the other option is to start out with a product that has a lower percentage of retinol. I have read some reviews of the Paula's Choice Serum stating that it made their skin flake and dry but this has nothing to do with the brand- it is just that the percentage of retinol was just too much for them to start out with. I use this at night after cleansing and on top of a very light hydrating serum. I always apply a thick moisturizing cream over the retinol serum to keep my skin from becoming overly dry. I love that Paula's Choice has done a great job protecting the serum from air and light. Retinol is extremely reactive to air and light exposure so you definitely want make sure the retinol you buy protects it from this exposure. This is also why you should use retinol at night and ALWAYS use sunscreen in the day time. The only "true" anti-aging product you can buy is sunscreen. One more thing to love is that this serum is alcohol and fragrance free. It is also on the more affordable end of the spectrum and cruelty free to boot.

NoBSbeauty

minneapolis, MN

I use every night never had a problem. Unlike other retinol products where I was red itchy and peeling. My skin n feels soft.

Peaches

Washington Ut

I love this Retinol Treatment. I only use it at night. Just this one without any toner or cream. When i woke up in the morning my face is soft and bright. I'm ANCE skin, always red but when i use this my face is clean! don't recommend use it in summer or hot weather. it's a little bit greasy.

mollie

reading pa

The Clinical 1% Retinol was my introduction to PC products, and I'm in love with it. My skin felt velvety after the first application, and it looks wonderful. A tiny bit goes a long way, especially when it's being layered with other products. To get the most from it, I dispense the pea-sized amount onto the back of my hand and tap my fingertip in it to apply to my face. When finished, I add a dot of hand cream or PC Triple Action Dark Spot Eraser to whatever film of the retinol product remains, then rub the backs of my hands against each other to distribute. As a result, my hands looking pretty awesome, too -- you'd never know they belong to someone who's turning 50 in a few days!

3 Little Kittens

Atlanta, GA

I love this product. I have been using it over a year. I use it at least 3 times a week. A bottle lasts a long time and is well worth the price.

Renee

Moss Point, Ms

I had no adverse reaction to this from day one. I use it every other night. Firmer skin was a fast result. This stays in the routine.

Susan

Vacaville, CA