This Derm-Founded Brand Just Launched A Retinol Serum That Offers All The Benefits Without The Downsides

When it comes to skin-transforming topicals, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an active ingredient more beloved by dermatologists than retinol. But it’s also an ingredient that’s difficult to formulate just right. Anyone who’s experienced in the world of retinols can attest that some products are too strong, while others aren’t potent enough and can destabilize when exposed to light, oxygen, and even other ingredients. Then, there are the Goldilocks of retinol offerings, like Perricone MD’s new Triple Retinol Renewal duo, that get the formulation just right.

The brand, which was founded by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone, has focused on a holistic approach to beauty since its founding more than two decades ago. For its most recent launch, Perricone MD introduced a retinol-infused face serum and eye serum that are gentle enough to be used daily while still remaining effective at giving you smoother, more even-looking skin.

The Science Behind The Serums

For a quick refresh, retinol works in two ways to deliver multiple benefits: first, it speeds up skin cell turnover, which helps with everything from evening the skin tone to preventing acne to promoting smoother skin. Second, it stimulates collagen production, which can help with plumping up fine lines. Perricone MD’s High Potency Triple Retinol Renewal Serum contains the brand’s blend of three forms of retinol (encapsulated retinol, retinol ester, and phyto-retinol) that were selected to make the active ingredient less irritating, more stable, and better able to penetrate the skin.

To enhance the retinol, Perricone MD also included antioxidant-rich coenzyme Q10 and beta-carotene in its fragrance-free serum. Coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10), which is naturally found in the body, decreases with age. But using it topically has been shown to firm skin and provide protection against skin damage. Then, there’s beta-carotene, which helps with combatting uneven skin texture and dullness while further stabilizing retinol. Take a scan through the ingredient list, and you’ll also notice an impressive number of moisturizing and soothing ingredients, from hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin E to antioxidant boosters like raspberry seed oil and brightening niacinamide.

While the serum is a bit of a splurge at $135, Perricone MD does sweeten the deal by offering a free gift with purchase. In addition to getting to choose up to five travel-size products at checkout (the number is determined by how much you spend), each serum purchase includes a High Potency Travel Collection that’s automatically added to your cart. Valued at $119, the four-piece set includes travel-friendly versions of the cleanser, toner, and moisturizer from the High Potency line, all packaged in a reusable zip pouch.

Because the skin around your eyes is more delicate than the rest of the skin on your face, Perricone MD also introduced a targeted eye serum to gently smooth and brighten. The triple-retinol blend paired with CoQ10 and beta-carotene work to reduce puffiness and dark circles, while also plumping up fine lines with continued use. Ingredients like niacinamide, licorice root extract, and peptides further help with delivering brightening and smoothing benefits over time, while caffeine temporarily reduces under-eye puffiness and squalane, cucumber water, and hyaluronic acid work to immediately improve hydration.

Just as with the face serum, the High Potency Triple Retinol Renewal Eye Serum was formulated to be gentle enough to use in the morning and at night (with SPF in the morning, of course). However, because retinol is such a potent ingredient, you’ll want to work your way up to twice daily applications, starting with only applying the serum one to two times per week and gradually increasing as your skin acclimates. Also, similar to the face serum, the eye serum includes a free gift with purchase — this time, a four-piece set of minis valued at $62, which includes a face mask, serum, and two moisturizers.