If you asked me yesterday what skin-care product you should add to your routine, a retinol body serum would not be in in my top five responses. But take a step back and the logic is lacking—roughly 90% of skin falls below the chin, so why don’t we pay as much attention to body care as we do our faces? Doesn’t our décolletage, torso and arms and legs also deserve the anti-aging benefits of retinol?
Soft Services Software Update Performance Retinol Serum ($44) enlightened me to body retinol. Unlike others on the market, Soft Services’ formulation is a serum rather than a lotion. The quick-absorbing texture improves fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, lax texture and helps to even tone and texture while you sleep, per the brand. 0.25% pure retinol encourages rapid skin cell turnover and boosts collagen production, while niacinamide and glycerin hydrate and brighten for balanced, healthy skin from head to toe.
To use, apply to dry skin after cleansing and before a normal body moisturizer. As with face retinol, go slow. To decrease the chance of irritation, the brand recommends starting with one use a week, working up to four days a week dependent on your skin’s tolerance. Due to retinol’s aptitude at quick cell turnover, protect those brand new cells with diligent sun protection; SPF 30 or higher daily is a must. Pregnant or breastfeeding persons, or those with broken, sunburned or sensitized skin should sit this serum out.
Shoppers especially in their 40s and 50s are especially praising the Retinol Serum. A 41-year-old user said it has been “incredibly helpful in evening [her] skin tone and texture especially on my chest area.” A 44-year-old reviewer commented her skin feels “softer” and “the fine lines around my chest seemed less defined.” “Definitely improved the textured of my sun damaged skin,” wrote a 52-year-old shopper. Another 42-year-old said she noticed the most improvement “at the tops of [her] knees,” elaborating the serum “helped with crepey skin” and it “minimized wrinkles” in the area.
If you want smoother, more youthful skin while you sleep, get Soft Services Software Update Performance Retinol Serum before it sells out, here.
