My Honest Thoughts on This Powerful Retinol Cream That Improves Firmness, Tone and Texture

In partnership with Elizabeth Arden.

“Retinol is the gold standard of skincare."

This is a phrase you hear over and over when you work in the beauty industry. I GET IT… Retinol good; sun bad.

It’s been drilled into me since I turned 30: retinol is one of the most effective anti-ageing treatments.

So why am I still one of the most inconsistent retinol users around?

I’ll try to add it to my routine for a month or two, and inevitably, as I try to increase my usage, my skin with freak the F out.

A few months ago, I started trialling a new retinol and went way overboard. My skin barrier was very angry with me. She was red and bumpy and ultra-sensitive.

My mum took one look at my skin and said, “Whatever you’re doing… Stop. Just stop.” So I stopped.

A few weeks ago, the Beauty IQ team asked if I wanted to road-test the new Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Water Cream. I was intrigued.

Many retinol creams, like this one, purport to be tolerated well by the skin. My skin barrier, unfortunately, is quite intolerant.

So I was interested to see how the retinol and HPR technology worked together to reduce irritation.

I was even more intrigued that this formulation claims to be gentle enough for day AND night usage. 

Keep reading for my honest review...

What Is Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Water Cream?

Until a few weeks ago, I hadn’t actually tried any Elizabeth Arden skincare products.

I was, however, almost too familiar with their “miracle” Eight-Hour Cream (thanks Prince Harry).

But please be warned: Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Water Cream is only suitable for your face!

This retinol cream is quite a unique formulation, and according to the brand, is “the next generation of retinol”.

It combines retinol with HPR (aka hydraxypinacolone retinoate). HPR is an ester of retinoic acid and a relatively newer, more stable retinoid.

Unlike retinol, HPR doesn’t need to be converted into its active form of retinoic acid.

What does that all mean, exactly?

Basically, HPR boosts the power of the retinol while minimising irritation.

Over time, you’ll notice smoother lines and wrinkles, firmer skin and an improvement in skin cell renewal.

This cream also contains a cocktail of other skin-loving ingredients to hydrate, smooth and tone, including:

• Power peptides to smooth skin and support the skin’s collagen.

• Phytoceramides support the skin’s barrier. (Ceramides are my go-to for when my skin barrier gets angry with me.)

• Bisabolol and ginger root to soothe skin and minimise irritation.

• Hyaluronic acid helps replenish lost moisture and plump the skin.

My Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Water Cream Review.

Now, something you should know about me is I take beauty road tests very seriously.

And despite the scary 'retinol' label, I dove head-first into this one.

I wanted to properly test the theory that this cream is suitable for first-time retinol users.

Despite not having used retinol for months, I used this cream every second night for two weeks.

I am happy to confirm my skin tolerated it very well. When applied at night, there was no burning or redness, and when I woke up in the morning, there was a slight tingle but no irritation.

It felt like it had done its job without wreaking havoc on my skin’s barrier.

Other things I rate about this cream are the texture and packaging.

It’s got a fast-absorbing, creamy texture, and with the ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it has a comfy, hydrating feel.

Whilst it does pump out of the bottle like a cream, it absorbs like a gel.

It also makes a great night cream: I used it alone, and didn’t add anything over the top. Just don’t forget SPF in the morning, especially if you’re going to try using this cream in the morning.

The bottle is an airless pump bottle, which protects the retinol from light and ensures it keeps its potency.

According to Elizabeth Arden’s consumer study, the majority of women agreed that after one week of use, their skin looked smoother and more radiant. I completely agree with this.

After two weeks, my skin did feel smoother without the usual redness and irritation I get from high-strength retinol serums.

Over the longer term, I would expect to see a reduction in the appearance of my fine lines, as well as firmer, smoother skin.

My Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Review.

What: Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules - 60 pieces

Wow, I've never used retinol like this before!

The bottle comes with 60 capsules (pre-measured so you don't overuse the serum) filled with pure retinol and HPR, ceramides, peptides and soothing botanicals.

It has a skin-loving list of ingredients and is suitable for first-time retinol users.

It's formulated with Retinol + HPR Complex and peptides to smooth fine lines and support cell turnover and collagen, phytoceramides to support the skin's barrier, bisabolol and oat to soothe the skin and vitamin E to protect from environmental stressors.

It's also got a hydrating texture and I found minimal irritation the next day.

Final Verdict...

If you’re a retinol virgin, I wouldn’t recommend my approach of using this cream every second day.

Start with once a week, and slowly work your way up to daily use over a number of weeks.

I can confidently say this cream is suitable for first-time retinol users.

Based on how my skin reacted, you’ll get all the benefits of retinol without the scary redness and irritation.

Read more of Hannah's Beauty IQ articles below:

• Why I’m loving CeraVe’s $26 Blemish Control Gel

• This Pore Blurring Primer Is Like an Instagram Filter In a Tub

• The Product That Saved My Frizzy Hagrid Hair While on a Humid Beach Holiday