Olay Retinol 24 Night Serum: benefits and how to use it

What does the serum do?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A and belongs to the wider family of ingredients called retinoids. It increases skin cell turnover and collagen production, helping improve texture and the appearance of fine lines. Retinol is available without a prescription; some other retinoids are prescription medicines. Those general retinol benefits explain the purpose of the serum, but choosing a cosmetic serum is not the same decision as choosing an acne medicine.45

How do you use Olay Retinol 24 Night Serum?

1. 1Patch test first. Olay advises applying a small amount behind your ear or on your wrist and checking for changes after 24 hours.
2. 2Cleanse gently in the evening and pat your skin dry. Do not scrub.
3. 3Apply a thin layer. For beginners using the UK standard serum, Olay advises starting three times a week and gradually increasing use as skin adapts. Keep retinol out of your eyes, mouth and nose.
4. 4Finish with a moisturizer. The US MAX serum directions specifically tell you to follow with one.
5. 5Use sun protection the following day, including sunscreen, shade and clothing that covers exposed skin.

General retinol guidance uses about a pea sized amount for the whole face, rather than a thick coating. The US MAX label instead says to apply the desired amount and massage until absorbed. Follow your bottle's directions, and build toward nightly use only as tolerated; nightly is the MAX label's intended frequency, not a requirement for your first week.35

How long does it take to work?

Expect several weeks before visible changes from retinol, and several months for a noticeable difference in wrinkles. Dark spots can also take months to lighten. Skin can look worse initially while adjusting. Early changes in softness or hydration are not the same as changes in wrinkles or pigmentation, so judge those goals over a longer period rather than after a few applications.5

Who should use it, and who should be careful?

Retinoids are an option for mild fine lines, mild pigmentation irregularities and mild acne. Sensitive skin, skin allergies, substantial dryness, redness or inflammation make them a less straightforward choice. If those describe your skin, discuss alternatives with a dermatologist before starting. With darker skin tones, irritation can trigger dark marks, called hyperpigmentation; a gradual introduction and moisturizer help reduce that risk.4

Do not use retinol during pregnancy. If you are trying to become pregnant, tell your obstetrician and dermatologist about your skincare and medications so they can update your routine. Discuss retinol use during breastfeeding with your healthcare provider. Do not assume that a product sold without a prescription is suitable during pregnancy simply because it is a cosmetic.56

If you already use a prescription retinoid, follow your prescriber's routine rather than adding this serum as an extra retinol step. Moderate or severe acne scarring, or acne associated with hormonal changes, warrants a dermatologist's assessment before trying a retinoid. A stronger cosmetic formula is not a substitute for that assessment.45

What should make you stop?

Retinol can cause dryness, redness, itching and peeling. Olay advises stopping immediately for burning, flaking or severe itching. Do not treat those symptoms as a reason to apply more. If redness or inflammation is substantial, ask a dermatologist about a more suitable approach.145

Olay Retinol 24 Night Cream vs Night Serum

Choose the serum if you want a separate retinol step alongside a moisturizer. Choose the cream if you prefer the retinol product in a cream moisturizer format. A serum and cream can share a range without needing to share an application, despite the temptation to collect the whole cast.1

How do you use Olay Retinol 24 Night Cream?

Use the UK standard cream after cleansing at night, instead of the serum. If you also use Retinol24 Eye Cream, Olay tells you not to layer the face cream or serum over that eye product. Apply sun protection the next morning.1

Olay Retinol 24 Max Night Serum

The US MAX Night Smoothing Serum is fragrance free and lists retinol, retinyl propionate, niacinamide, glycerin, dimethicone and a peptide among its ingredients. Niacinamide helps skin retain moisture. Olay lists the serum for oily, dry and normal skin, with concerns including wrinkles, dark spots, dullness and dryness. That positioning does not remove the need for caution with sensitive or inflamed skin.3

Its headline claim is 20% more Retinol 24 Hydrating Complex, not a 20% retinol concentration. A complex percentage cannot tell you the precise amount of retinol in the bottle. Cosmetic retinol labels are not generally required to disclose that percentage. Olay's UK guidance places the standard range before MAX for beginners, describing MAX as stronger in retinol with more moisturizers.134

The US MAX serum is listed at $46.65, or $35.88 per ounce. That is a US MAX price, not a price for the UK standard serum or cream. Choose MAX after establishing tolerance to the standard range, rather than using the name or price as a shortcut to deciding what your skin needs.3

Olay Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer

In the UK standard collection, the face moisturizer is named Retinol24 Night Cream Face Moisturiser, with a refill also available. It is the cream option discussed above, not a second product you need to add after the Retinol24 serum.2