It’s time to debunk some of the facts, reasons, and hows we’ve been hearing about our brilliant new wrinkle-removing eye serum. It’s tricky! Adding new products to your routine. Especially active ingredients.
Since this is our first foray into the world of vitamin A, we thought you should really know the product as well as we do. Example: De-Crease Likes: All skin types. De-Crease Dislikes: Wilted spinach.
Why Retinaldehyde over Retinol?
We chose Retinaldehyde because it’s proven to work better, faster, and less irritating than Retinol, and is the gold standard for cell turnover and collagen production.
Retinaldehyde and Retinol must be converted to Retinoic Acid (which is produced naturally once Retinoic Acid is applied to the skin) to produce their skin-brightening, collagen-boosting, and acne-reducing effects. But Retinol is two steps away from converting to Retinoic Acid, while Retinal is only one step away. A direct precursor. So: better, faster, less irritating.
Can I use De-Crease if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Unfortunately, vitamin A and its derivatives (like the one in De-Crease) are contraindicated for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding (congratulations, by the way!).
Excessive or continuous use of this ingredient could harm your unborn baby as it tries to grow and strain your bladder.
Can I use De-Crease if I have sensitive skin?
De-Crease has been dermatologically tested and is suitable for sensitive skin. But! We always recommend that you consult a dermatologist and do a patch test before use.
Otherwise, start slowly. Use only the retinoid of your choice (no other active ingredients) for the first week to see how your skin reacts to this ingredient. As your tolerance to vitamin A increases, increase the frequency of use from twice a week to more frequent.
What’s up with this whole sandwich thing?
You take two slices of ciabatta bread, take pesto, provolone cheese…
Who are we kidding! This is a super useful skincare tip, of course. Let me explain. If you have particularly dry or sensitive skin, or consider yourself a retinoid newbie, applying retinoids between two layers of moisturizer (moisturizer, retinoids, more moisturizer!) can help prevent potential skin irritation. The first layer of moisturizer acts as a cool buffer between the retinoid and the skin, which would otherwise come into direct contact and could cause discomfort upon first application.
How do I actually apply the serum?
Your face actually has an easy-to-use built-in guide – the orbital bone. You can feel this rounded, cup-shaped bone structure under the eye, on the outer edge, and below the brow. Gently tap your product along the edges (don’t rub! Applying too hastily can irritate the skin and may cause blood vessels to break) to reach all the key aging areas, avoiding the eyes themselves.
What if I already use a retinoid?
We recommend sticking to one retinoid per area of the face per routine.
De-Crease was developed specifically for the eye area and is gentle on the eye area. So only apply the serum there. If you regularly use a different retinoid on other parts of your face, make sure the two products don’t overlap after application. Too harsh. You can alternate between the two in your evening routine to avoid further irritation.
How does Vitamin A work with my other active ingredients?
Vitamin A loves certain active ingredients (think: Niacinamide! Hyaluronic Acid!), but should stay away from others (AHA! BHA! PHA! Vitamin C!). It all depends on the effectiveness of each ingredient and whether they work after application. This can affect the effectiveness of certain products and prevent them from working optimally.
Can De-Crease be used in the morning?
No! Put it away! Vitamin A should always be saved for the evening, as it increases sensitivity to the sun. (So wear sunscreen. Every day.) Zoë shows you her current nighttime routine here. Check it out!
Can I use De-Crease on other areas of my face?
We think you mean laugh lines, frown lines, lip lines, right? Well, the answer is (politely) no.
The skin under and around our eyes is many, many layers thinner than the rest of our face. De-Crease is designed to treat this sensitive area.
For the most effective results, use a product designed for that skin area. An eye for an eye. Face for face. Using de-crease elsewhere sounds expensive, too. Enjoy this serum!
