PR Sample, Affiliate Links
Today, City Beauty is launching a new product that I’m excited about and that I think is really worth a look. In fact, I’ve had a big year with new CB products that have become staples for me. Their new Advanced Retinol System, a two-in-one facial skincare product, has joined City Beauty Lid Lifting Treatment and Body Sculpt Firming Complex as my new CB favorites so far in 2021.
City Beauty Advanced Retinol System is a two-in-one skincare product that comes in a dual chambered pump bottle containing two different serums: one that brightens and prepares the skin for the second one. I had no idea of the benefits my skin could get by using both ingredients in tandem.
I. Restore Serum with Stabilized Vitamin C
- a superstar antioxidant that strengthens the skin barrier to protect against the deleterious effects of sun’s rays and and neutralize environmental aggressors (something that sunscreen can’t do!)
- replenishes and nourishes skin with essential lipids
- by promoting the synthesis of collagen, it helps firm sagging skin
- by inhibiting skin’s production of melanin, it can prevent the formation of dark spots and even out skin tone
II. Renew Serum with Retinol
- opens a pathway for the retinol to get into the deep layers of the skin without the skin losing moisture (this benefit really intrigues me and I’m sorta taking it on faith because I have no idea how it does that!)
- a high concentration of OTC Vitamin A that’s encapsulated and time-released
- makes skin look more radiant, less wrinkled, more even-toned
Vitamin C and Retinol are two of the workhorses of non-prescription skincare products. In fact, along with the humectant hyaluronic acid, they are the skincare ingredients that you should be sure are in the skincare products that are part of your regular anti-aging skincare routine. They’re the “pillars of skincare”, if you will.
In the past, I had heard that you shouldn’t use Vitamin C and Retinol together because of their differing pH, but that myth has been debunked. No need to trade off one for the other!
One of the things that I love about City Beauty Advanced Retinol System is that I can either use the two serums sequentially, or I can use them separately at different times of the day. I’ve gotten in the habit of using Vitamin C skincare products in the morning because Vitamin C helps protect against photo aging. As a result, I often just use the white Restore Serum (#1) after cleansing and toning in the morning. Then at night, I use the pale yellow Renew Serum (#2) after removing my makeup, cleansing and toning. When I use skincare products featuring Vitamin C and Retinol, I always wear sunscreen or moisturizer with sunscreen to protect my skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
Some days, however, I use the Restore and Renew Serums sequentially. Because Retinol can be broken down by sunlight, I always apply Retinol at night. When I use the two serums together, I start with Restore and let it dry completely before applying Renew. Though both serums are lightweight creams, they are so emollient that I don’t need a moisturizer if I use the two together at night.
The dual chamber pump bottle is fun to use. But the pump in an opaque bottle is excellent at protecting both the Vitamin C and the Retinol from degrading. One pump of each serum is usually enough to cover my entire face. I am trying hard to use the same amount of each, lol, so I finish them both at the same time!!
I’ve been using Vitamin C and Retinol ingredients for years, so I am not new to this routine. But because I test so many skincare products, I don’t use those ingredients all the time. If one is new to Retinol or hasn’t used it in a while, it is best to start off slowly to avoid irritation, using it a couple of times a week, then every other night before using it on a daily basis. Skin can definitely be sensitive to Retinol. In fact, if I use a chemical exfoliator or even an epilator in the evening, I will skip using Retinol that night. But I must say, I was quick to adjust to the City Beauty Advanced Retinol System Retinol ingredient.
There are two other key ingredients in the formula that help prepare the skin for the Retinol:
- Essential Lipids that replenish the skin and support the skin’s barrier to keep the good things in (moisture) and the pads things out (environmental irritants)
- China Root Extract blend: a botanical blend that soothes and prevents irritation from environmental irritants as well as from Retinol
For my friends who are curious about whether there is fragrance in these two serums, there is. Fragrance is listed at the very end of the ingredient lists for both serums. But frankly, the scent is very light and extremely fleeting. It’s gone in a flash.
The Retinol Serum/Renew contains dimethicone, in case your skin is sensitive to that ingredient. For me, dimethicone is a dream ingredient because it makes my skin feel so smooth, lol, but I know that not everyone can use products that contain it.
I’ve been using City Beauty Advanced Retinol System for almost a month now, and I love it. It’s a pleasure to use. Although I think my remaining dark spots need to be removed with IPL, my skin looks brighter, more radiant, and some of my wrinkles appear less pronounced (I need to put it specifically on my deep wrinkles). Plus, my skin feels so smooth and plumped. It’s a mood booster as well because it feels so nice. (That’s me with no makeup except lipgloss needing to wash my hair!)
City Beauty Advanced Retinol System is launching today on the City Beauty website. In fact, I haven’t even seen the web page for the product yet! Although the serum duo is pricey at $119 for the bottle, it is deeply discounted during the product launch that started today. It’s 50% off through October 24 with the code RENEW50! Check it out on the website to see some before and after pix and learn more about the ingredients.
What a wonderful sounding new launch! I am a huge fan of retinol-based products, and this one sounds like a must-try, Allison!
Lola Seicento recently posted…Spongellé Riviera Collection Body Buffers
I love that CB Advanced Retinol System is a day and night product in one container!
50% off is amazing. City Beauty has put so much science and research into their product line. It’s interesting to see this new product for them. Your face looks very soft.
MarciaF recently posted…Comment on Nectar Bath Treats New Tropical Summer Paradise Collection! by sql interview questions
Thanks, Marcia. My face actually is soft. I’m a sucker for these 2-in-1 dual chambered skincare products. I love this one!
I am a HUGE Retinol fan, so of course this goes on my list!
I love that this 2-in-1 vitC/retinol combo is a day and night product in one handy container! It’s so cool. It deserves to be on “the list” 😉
I tried to use the 50% off coupon and it said invalid coupon code. What is the correct code for 50% off?
Paula, I am so sorry you had trouble with the coupon code. I just tried it, and it worked. I clicked through one of the links in my blogpost and I typed in the code RENEW50 and it gave me 50% off. I hope that the exclamation point that was after the code in my post didn’t confuse you. The code RENEW50 has no punctuation 😀 Please let me know if it works for you now.
I’m very curious about this packaging! I like that you can combine both formulas right before the application so the actives are fresh.
Glamorable recently posted…Ipsy Glam Bag October 2021 Unboxing & Review