I'm 27 and just recently started to up my skincare game. I have been a smoker for half my life so my skin isn't as youthful as should be at my age. Anyway, this is more of a first impression review since I have only used it twice. Definitely mix with half parts lotion if is your first time because my skin flaked off even with diluting it. At first I regretted using it because my skin was so sensitive and I couldn't use any active ingredients or acids on my it for 3 days.I also looked a bit sunburnt. But after the initial sensitivity went down I noticed how much my skin was glowing. My main concerns are textured skin and fine lines. It hasn't helped the lines much yet but my skin is really smooth. My pores are smaller. This is the first time I have used a skincare product that actually delivered really noticeable results so fast. My advice would be to spend the $11 for the trial size. It's super tiny but you don't need a lot in the beginning anyway. It also is still in a safe pump container. Just a super tiny one. I just wish all of Paula's products were available in the travel size.

Monica

Baltimore, MD

My skin has a healthy glow and feels so youthful ... Please always make this available because it works and I can say with honesty that I will only spend this amount on your product because it works I don't like to spend money on any products that don't pass my strict test... I stock up when you give really deals like 40% off I cant wait for some xmas sales please make to have this item on sale more and me and my sis and mom will stock up love you Paula your the best ...

Jenna lovely rose

Rhode Island

Love it, it did not irritate my skin. I also mix it with any serum, don;t put it directly to my skin. I can see a great result.

Dahlia

Sausalito Ca

It is really hard to say that a particular product works, since I use a lot and different brands. But with this one, that I apply at night, I see the difference the next morning. My skin is so smooth and silky, unbelievable. Definitely a must have!

Vik

NY

The CLINICAL 1% Retinol is one of the best treatments I have tried, making my skin looking better almost instantly. It plumps and makes my skin smooth, minimizing the look of my fine lines (forehead, smile lines). I don't find it hydrating, I use it with a good moisturizer. I have tried other retinol treatments and while they help, nothing has the same amazing results for my skin like this one. I have combination skin, some dry patches (especially in cold weather) and a good tolerance to retinol (I use it 3-4 times a week). I actually prefer the travel size, I can finish the big bottle in one year.

Ana, P.

Santa Clara, CA

In only 2 weeks, my skin is smoother and has more glow. I used it ever 2 to 3 days, allowing the mild peeling to reveal smoother skin. Even one annoying dark spot looks better. Expect light p[peeling, but it's worth it for what lies beneath. This is product is now part of my extensive Paula's Choice regime.

Adventurer

Southern California

Nothing works as well for me as Paulas Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment. Before I got serious about skincare I'd think - oh that one is a little cheaper or I'd get caught up in the fancy packaging and nice smells of department store brands. But I always walked away feeling I wasted my money. Either I couldn't trust the product to not irritate my skin or it flat out didn't do anything. I can't even fathom the amount of money I have spent on products that just ended up in the trash. But not this stuff - I treasure it - along with my other skincare from Paulas Choice. Not only does it do what it says but I wake up in the morning and my skin feels moisturized and soft. Healthy. Finally.

Trish

St. Louis, MO

long story short, i tried it when it first came out and i used it for more than a month and it didn't do ANYTHING to my skin. and i am using it now and it made a huge difference to my acne and pigmentation in less than 2 weeks !!!! so i donnow if it was something wrong with the bottle i have used in the past or something else !!!!??

khaled

US

I have very sensitive, milia-prone skin that barely agrees with products I try to use. I could rant and rave about this stuff for days because it COMPLETELY changed my face. My skin is softer, firmer, more radiant, and every trace of milia I had is gone. I will be buying this again, for sure!!!!

Meranda

Altoona, PA

I'm 38 years old and have sensitive skin. I'd honestly never really gotten complimented on my skin before, until I started using Paula's products, and can tell there's a huge difference in it's condition. My skin used to have a sort of dull cast to it that began in my mid-thirties. Now I get complimented often and people ask what I use every time. If your skin can tolerate a retinol, I highly recommend this. Just make sure you follow the instructions. It took about three weeks for me to be able to apply this daily. A heavy moisturizer helped, but now my skin's adapted.

Ida

Indiana