This post will be reviewing the Geek and Gorgeous Retinal 0.1%.
It’s been a while since I’ve been excited to share a review like this one. Geek and Gorgeous is a European brand from Hungary. Yes, it’s not every time I come across non-French brands with decent popularity. I’ve heard about the brand from YouTube and Reddit. But just like The Inkey List, I thought they’re a slight upgrade from The Ordinary Skincare with just a few exceptions. So, I wasn’t exactly going out of my way to get their products. This was not until I found a great deal for two bottles of their Retinal 0.1% from a UK seller. I figured why not just give it a try. So, I did,
It’s been about three months that I’ve been using the Geek and Gorgeous Retinal 0.1%. After postponing for a while, I’m finally ready to talk about it.
What You Need To Know About Retinoids
I’m sure you know the importance of using a Retinoid in your skincare routine especially after the age of 25.
Retinoids aka Vitamin A aka the ultimate anti-ageing product is primarily used to increase cell turnover. So, if you’re struggling with acne, pigmentation or signs of aging, there are various types of Retinoids for your skin concern. Now, the gold standard for Retinoic Acid is Tretinoin but because of how strong and powerful it is, it can only be purchased in certain countries via prescription. But for other countries, you can get it over-the-counter. As amazing as Tretinoin is, not everyone can use it immediately. You have to build a tolerance to it. This is why the skincare industry has created products with Retinoid Acid derivatives. So, you have Retinyl Ester >>>> Retinol >>>> Retinaldehyde >>>> Retinoic Acid with Retinol being the most popular because of how well accepted it is by all skin types.
As you can see, Retinal is converted to Retinoic Acid in just one step which goes to show how strong Retinal is compared to Retinol. You’ll get similar benefits for your skin with fewer side effects.
Now, that we know how powerful this product is, let’s get down to business!
First Impressions of the Geek And Gorgeous Retinal 0.1%
According to Geek & Gorgeous:
A silky, light emulsion containing a high-strength amount of retinal to help against all signs of aging.
Unlike other brands, Geek & Gorgeous goes further to explain what Retinal is in detail backed up with a lot of research and how beneficial it is for our skin just as I’ve done in the first paragraph.
Ingredient List & Fragrance
The brand has two Retinal products in its portfolio; 0.05% and 0.1%. I got the latter without even thinking. Obviously, if you’re new to Retinals, you need to start with the lower strength.
Notwithstanding, the product is formulated with;
- 0.1% Retinal
- Glycerin for hydration
- Vitamin E as an antioxidant
- Allantoin & Panthenol for its soothing properties
It has such a simple no-fuzz formula that is sure to work across all skin types. It’s no wonder it’s one of their best-selling products. Including Allantoin and Panthenol is such a smart move as it helps buffer any kind of irritation from the Retinal.
Otherwise, it is vegan, fragrance, essential oil and cruelty-free. What more can you ask for?
Packaging, Texture & Consistency
It was so brilliant of them to package this product in an airless pump bottle. It’s such a breath of fresh air from the typical dropper bottles. Plus with this, the product lasts longer without being exposed to the elements which might oxidize it.
It has a super lightweight silky emulsion texture. It has a bright yellow hue that glides on smoothly without leaving any kind of residue behind. Its non-drying formula ensures that a pea size is just enough for your entire face. Although, there are certain times when I’ve gone over a pea-size. Unlike a lot of products on the market, it is a generally pleasant experience using this product. I have no complaints whatsoever.
Avaliability & Price
It retails for about £16/$22 for a 30ml product that lasts months. I honestly can’t say the same for a lot of overpriced products on the market. Unfortunately, their products are not exactly mainstream yet so you won’t find them in drugstores, instead, you have to buy directly from the brand’s website.
Review of the Geek And Gorgeous Retinal 0.1%
I have dry acne-prone skin that is easily prone to pigmentation. As such, I always have to use products that help fade my hyperpigmentation in my routine. While I use different tyrosinase inhibitors like Kojic Acid, Alpha Arbutin and Azelaic Acid, I always like to pair them with a Retinoid for faster results.
During the period, I use this product, I sometimes paired it with 2.5% Tranexamic Acid or 20% Azelaic Acid. While the latter was a bad idea, I saw great results when I used it consistently.
Performance & Side Effects
Every time you use a Retinoid, you need to prepare yourself for a potential ‘Purge phase’. This is where you would breakout non-stop until it stops. I promise you, it is completely normal and it will pass.
For me, I purged quite a lot to point that I became slightly worried. But then again, I had not used a strong Retinoid before so it was to be expected. With my arsenal of Salicylic Acid products, I was able to overcome the purge. It didn’t help that I introduced a 20% Azelaic Acid product and use it together in one routine. This exacerbated my purge phase and extended it for a longer period. All in one, I didn’t mind at all because I knew it would pass. So, the next time I use another Retinoid, I probably won’t purge as much.
In terms of effectiveness, I loved how it helped fade my dark spots quickly. I don’t exactly have any signs of ageing yet except for a couple of lines on my forehead when my skin was dehydrated but it’s all gone now.
I also didn’t experience any peeling like you would with Tretinoin. The only thing I would consider a side effect was when I briefly damaged my skin barrier. But I was able to fix it by skipping the product for about a week.
In Conclusion,
I absolutely love the Geek and Gorgeous Retinal 0.1%. If you are not ready to commit to Tretinoin and still want to enjoy the benefits, I suggest you upgrade from Retinol to Retinal. It makes all the difference, I promise you.
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