Olay Retinol 24 reviews and side effects

Which Retinol 24 are you buying?

The US Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer and UK Retinol24 MAX Night Cream have different product descriptions and ingredient information. Retinol24 is a collection name, not a single interchangeable formula, despite the name doing its best to look like one.234

The US moisturizer is the option here with an ingredient list explicitly naming both retinol and retinyl propionate. The UK MAX cream emphasizes hydration and retinyl propionate; its 40% comparison concerns hydrating ingredients, not a stated retinol percentage. Choose by the exact product description rather than treating MAX as a strength measurement.24

What do the reviews and user results tell you?

Olay advertises a 4.9 star customer rating for the US night moisturizer, but stars do not tell you what happened in the bathroom. Olay also reports that 8 out of 10 users agreed their fine lines and wrinkles reduced after four weeks. These are useful signals of user satisfaction, not a reason to expect the same result on your face. The US listing prices the moisturizer at $39.99.2

For its Retinol24 collection, Olay reports that 96% of users experienced zero irritation in a four week US usage study involving 353 women aged 25 to 65. That result still leaves room for irritation, and it should not be carried across to every current Retinol24 product. A favorable tolerance result is a reason to consider a formula, not permission to skip a small area test.13

Olay markets the UK MAX cream as making skin feel smoother after one night and reducing visible fine lines over time. Its claim that 100% of women saw improvement in visible signs of ageing applies to use alongside Olay Regenerist Niacinamide SPF30 day moisturizer. Keep that paired routine separate from results attributed to the night cream alone.4

What can it do for your skin?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A. Retinoids are the wider family of related ingredients, including retinol, retinyl esters and retinoic acid. Retinol encourages faster replacement of surface skin cells and stimulates collagen production, helping reduce the appearance of fine lines. Olay combines retinol and retinyl propionate with vitamin B3 in its described Retinol24 collection. Retinol is gentler than retinoic acid, which is typically prescribed by a dermatologist; the two are not interchangeable treatments.3

Separate early softness from wrinkle improvement. Olay's US moisturizer promises smoother, brighter skin from day one and visible changes after four weeks. General retinol guidance allows several weeks for noticeable improvement and several months for wrinkles. An early moisturizing result and a slower change in fine lines are different outcomes.12

How should you start using it?

1. 1Test a little on a small skin area first. Wait a couple of days; do not progress to full face use if the area becomes very red or itchy.
2. 2At bedtime, wash with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. Do not scrub.
3. 3For the US moisturizer, Olay directs a nickel sized amount across the face. Keep retinol out of your eyes, mouth and nose.
4. 4Start every other night for the first couple of weeks rather than immediately adopting Olay's nightly schedule.
5. 5If you use other treatments, Olay places them before the moisturizer, from thinnest to thickest.
6. 6Use sunscreen the following morning and limit sun exposure.

What are the side effects of retinol on skin?

• Dryness and irritation.
• Itching or burning.
• Redness, peeling, flaking or scaly patches.
• Greater sensitivity to sunlight and sunburn.
• Puffiness, particularly around areas being treated for fine lines.

Irritation is more likely when you first use retinol or use higher concentrations. Sensitive skin is more prone to side effects. Retinol does not have to irritate to work, so peeling is not a target to chase. Olay's fragrance free positioning does not remove the need to watch for a reaction.135

Who should be careful?

If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, consider an alternative ingredient. Speak to your healthcare provider before using retinol during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you want a stronger treatment for eye corner lines because an over the counter product has not helped, discuss prescription options with a dermatologist rather than choosing by the product name.15

What if you develop spots?

Acne can initially look worse with retinol, sometimes called a purge. That does not make every new spot an adjustment response. Skin and hair products that make skin greasy can also contribute to acne. Avoid scrubbing or squeezing spots. See a GP if acne is not improving with self treatment, is deep or painful, causes scars, or affects your mental health. Hot, swollen and red skin also needs medical assessment; redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin.16

Olay Retinol24 is not oral isotretinoin, the prescription medicine used for severe acne. Isotretinoin's medication monitoring and serious side effect profile belong to that treatment, not to a cosmetic night moisturizer with a similar sounding ingredient name.27