Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Facial Oil
Pros:
- This product has a short list of ingredients
- This product makes the claim that it contains the highest level of concentration of the key active ingredient without the need for a prescription from a registered dermatologist
- Claims to achieve results far faster than other products of its kind which are known to need months of use before any significant results can be seen
Cons:
- Rather expensive compared to many products of its kind
- Provides no added SPF benefits compared to its competition
- Has a history of claims by users of skin irritation and burning
- Other users make claims that they saw no real positive results
Overview
If you're looking for an expansive line of impressive facial products then Neutrogena thinks it has what you're looking for, including its new essential ingredient known as Retinol SA. The core product called Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil is designed to be utilized twice each day both in the morning and in the evening before bedtime.
The company recommends utilizing their skin-repairing serum before moisturizing but after your cleansing routine. The company further claims that this product can have a significant effect on even the deepest and most notable wrinkles while having a profound impact on fine wrinkles.
Beneath the Slippery Surface
On its surface, Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Lightweight Anti-wrinkle Retinol Facial Oil may appear to be just another in a long line of ineffective restorative products that are long on promises and short on results. But, when one looks deeper at the formulation what can be found is a product that combines a long list of elements with a long history within the industry as well as some others that appear to be on the cutting edge in cosmetic therapy.
Neutrogena’s core ingredient in this product and the one that is making waves across the industry is Retinol SA. Although it was first patented by the company back in 2009, Retinol SA has actually been in use in products going all the way back to the nineteen-seventies. Despite that interesting fact there had been no real evidence of any definitive research which proves that there was any real benefit to using retinoic acid which is the chemical that is created upon contact with skin.
Produced and distributed by the corporate giant known as Johnson & Johnson, this product has been the subject of a seemingly endless array of studies just like so many of the products that have preceded it. Still, it must be pointed out that there are many continuing questions when it comes to how different Retinol SA is from regular Retinol. According to the company the answer lies in the evidence that they say has been found which shows that the new product remains active on the skin for up to twelve hours. It is this contention that relates to the "SA" added to the product which stands for Sustained Action.
Again, being that there is no clinical evidence that the company has produced to show that this claim has a basis in fact, consumers will just have to take the producer's word for it.
At this time, the consensus based on consumer reviews and other analysis indicates that the results gained with Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil are mixed at best. This is best exemplified by looking at many of the personal testimonials posted to the company's own website. A look at many of these testimonials shows that there are quite a few which heap a high amount of praise on the product for the results that it purportedly provided its users. But, at the same time, there are many which indicate that a lot of consumers did not feel that they received any significant benefit from its use. Some even reported negative results including worse looking skin as well as symptoms associated with burning or flaking skin.
Editor’s Note
How effective can a lightweight retinol oil really be?
Ingredients
One of the key attractions of Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil is the fact that it has a rather short list of ingredients, especially among cosmetic beauty products. Containing less than ingredients, all of them have a vitally important role in the benefits that it is claimed to provide within the one ounce container.
Triethyl Citrate
With many essential applications within the cosmetics industry this derivative of citric acid is a key component of many products across several core industries including mass food production mainly as a stabilizer. Additionally, it can be and is often employed as an additive to the whites of eggs in order to produce lighter foam and, at the time of publication, the vaping industry which helps to keep the products viscous. As a part of its use In Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil, this ingredient is employed to keep the various oils clinging together in a smooth product. It should be noted that the FDA has found it to be safe for both digestion as well as use on the skin.
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Known as a lipid component, this plant based fat compound is believed to provide a satin-like softness to the skin. It is also widely used as an emulsifier in many products of this kind. With this component background it is said to have a strong capacity to combine with other ingredients to coalesce into a formulation that binds together yet still spreads quite smoothly while resisting the tendency to leave behind any oily residue.
Polysorbate 20
As the old saying goes "Oil and water simply to not mix." Still, this old saying did not take into account the properties of Polysorbate 20. This key emulsifier which is often derived from certain berries, provides a natural fragrance to numerous products within several major industries but most notably in cosmetic products. As part of Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil, its benefits are known to produce a smooth and creamy product as opposed to one that ends up separating into a product that has several separate layers of oil. A growing body of research also indicates that it has a low level of toxicity to developmental and systems related to reproduction based on some animal research.
Beyond that, there is some evidence that it is the cause of a small degree of skin irritation when used in significant amounts.
Total List of Ingredients:
Retinal, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Triethyl Citrate, Polysorbate 20, Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, BHT, and Isohexadecane.
Positives
- This product has a short list of ingredients
- This product makes the claim that it contains the highest level of concentration of the key active ingredient without the need for a prescription from a registered dermatologist
- Claims to achieve results far faster than other products of its kind which are known to need months of use before any significant results can be seen
Negatives
- Rather expensive compared to many products of its kind
- Provides no added SPF benefits compared to its competition
- Has a history of claims by users of skin irritation and burning
- Other users make claims that they saw no real positive results
How To Use Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil
According to advisory statements by Neutrogena this product should be used as the second step of a four-part skin regimen. As one would suspect, the company advises the utilization of their flagship products for each and every step in the process.
No matter which products the consumer chooses to use Neutrogena for the other parts of their own skincare routine, it is highly stressed by the company that all parts of the regimen be followed closely.
The first of these steps is to simply, clean your face with warm water and some form of mild soap. No matter what others may say in this matter, it is widely believed that this is the most important step of the daily beauty routine, as it works to prevent any significant buildup of dirt and oils on the face from being trapped under any products placed on top of it. The next part of the process includes utilizing four or five drops of Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil in the center of the palm of your hand. This amount should then be worked gently into the face utilizing your fingertips and working in a small circular motion.
The company then suggests procedures that include steps three and four, which involve a moisturizing process utilizing their Regenerating Cream and spot treatments with Neutrogena’s most recently released eye cream product. For a better understanding of all of the information related to this product we recommend looking at a number of other articles on Neutrogena’s newest product line that we offer.
Great Skin Products Can Be A Gamble
There is no doubt that the cosmetics industry has produced a number of fantastic products that truly deliver on their promises. When it comes to Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Lightweight Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Facial Oil there is ample evidence that it does truly deliver for some. Still, there is just as much if not more evidence that it does not deliver for many others. As noted earlier, those with sensitive skin have experienced some notable skin irritation. And, there is also a growing body of evidence that a large segment of users received no significant benefit at all.
Finally, there is the cost factor as we found that this product is far above the average price for products of this kind. This is especially troubling given the inconsistent reviews related to its performance. It is this as well as the other factors mentioned here that makes this product a real gamble for some potential buyers.
For more information on our picks for best wrinkle creams, click here or see our links below.
Conclusion: Antioxidants and Peptides and Moisture, Oh My!
Aquallure is a superb choice for your daily face cream. Not only is it a 24-hour moisture magnet, it also yields substantial anti-aging results across the board. It effectively reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, supports a healthy youthful glow, and helps repair damage to skin. I would highly recommend this product.
Senior Editor & Skincare Expert
Rebecca Austin is a well-established aesthetician with over 20 years experience in skincare. She has researched over 5,000 products over the past decade, striving to help her readers fine-tune their skincare routine so they can get the results they want.
HOW DOES Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair COMPARE?
- Supports smoother, younger looking skin.
- Clinically shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- Rescues and protects skin from damage.
- Deeply moisturizes to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- Versatile, all-inclusive, anti-aging skincare
- Restores youthfulness and radiance for the long term
- Contains Ritapro 165, a next-gen moisturizer.
- Helps to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
- High-end European company with spa-quality products.
- Uses Padina pavonica algae to boost collagen.
