As a Beauty Director, It Takes a Lot to Impress Me—This New Retinoid Serum Has Me in Awe of My Own Skin

After working in the beauty industry for 12 years, there's one thing I know for certain: retinoids are one of the most proven groups of ingredients in skincare. By this, I mean that retinoids are known to work.

Along with the likes of SPF and vitamin C, the effectiveness of retinoids on the skin has heaps of scientific research and, subsequently, proof behind it. And yet, I'm going to be honest: it's not often I find myself waxing lyrical about an off-the-shelf retinoid serum. Why? They might be deemed do-it-all wonder ingredients, but retinoids are complex. Whilst on the surface they possess undeniable skin-refining properties in the form of fine-line reduction, textural improvements, evening of skin tone and reduction of breakouts, the results differ greatly between formulas, and not all are as effective as they promise.

Retinoids can also have side effects (dryness and irritation) if not used correctly, so it's important to find a formula that actually delivers visible results and doesn't upset your skin. But today, for perhaps the first time in my very long career, I am pleased to announce that I have found a retinoid formula that ticks every box: Beauty Pie Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal Serum (member price £49).

The reason this serum has changed my outlook on reporting on retinoid serums is multi-fold. For starters, true to Beauty Pie's reputation, it really works. It was created in collaboration with U.S. triple-board-certified dermatologist Dr Mamina Turegano to ensure it meets clinical-grade standards without the need for a prescription. Then there's the seriously impressive formula that combines ingredients to restore skin after damage, and protect both its future and appearance in the moment.

And finally, we get to the results from trials. Clinical trials showed the serum improves skin texture by up to 66% and increases skin firmness by up to 50% in just four weeks*. In user trials, 90% said their skin appeared firmer, and 91% said their skin tone appeared more even after two weeks**. And whilst all of this looks and sounds impressive on paper, more than anything, the thing that has impressed me most is the results I've seen with my own eyes since using it. As a beauty director, I know firsthand that Beauty Pie's ability to produce groundbreaking skincare with scientific innovation at the forefront is second to none, and its unique business model means it can deliver these formulas at fair prices.

Whilst retinoids are typically touted as "anti-ageing" ingredients, I know that they are actually powerful ingredients that can address a number of skin concerns. Most notably, at 31 years old, I have long used retinoids as a means of promoting the appearance of a healthy complexion in the here and now, as well as trying to delay accelerated skin ageing in my near future. And after just a few weeks of use, it has become crystal clear that Beauty Pie Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal Serum is the best on the market at what it does. Here's what I want you to know.

So, what makes the Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal Serum formulas so impressive? For those who aren't au fait, the term "retinoids" refers to a group of vitamin-A derivatives that accelerate the skin's natural turnover process and stimulate collagen production. And without getting too chemistry-teacher on you, the most important thing to know is that three main types of retinoids exist within off-the-shelf skincare: retinyl esters, retinol and retinal.

On application, the skin converts each of these into the active form of retinoid that is effectively "used" by our skin: retinoic acid. Retinyl esters get converted to retinol, which gets converted to retinal, which, eventually, gets converted into retinoic acid. The more conversions that take place, the gentler (and less effective) the retinoic acid results are. Topical retinoic acid in its pure form is only available via prescription as tretinoin. Therefore, when taking conversion into consideration, retinal is the most effective form of retinoid you can apply to your skin outside of medication.

Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal Serum contains not just an encapsulated L-retinal, but also a granactive retinoid (which Beauty Pie has found to have more efficacy compared to traditional retinol) and a bio-bakuchiol (a plant-derived ingredient that is heralded for its collagen-stimulating properties that are similar to those of retinoids). As a result, you get a triple-threat, ultra-advanced retinoid serum that reduces the appearance of fine lines, blemishes and pigmentation.

And whilst the triple-retinoid complex works on skin repair at a more impressive level than ever, things don't stop there. The formula also contains other potent ingredients to deliver more immediate results. There is lactic acid to smooth the skin's surface in the short term, hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate, niacinamide to decongest and refine the appearance of pores and ceramide NP to support the skin barrier (and therefore limit the extremities of retinoid-induced irritation). The cherry on top is the inclusion of geranylgeranon (GGA), an antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory all-rounder.

Before we get into this, I need to emphasise that Beauty Pie Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal Serum is not a retinoid serum for beginners. It is the most efficacious, hardworking and results-driven skincare product I have ever used. In fact, it isn't just Beauty Pie's most potent retinoid serum yet; it's the most potent I have encountered outside of a tretinoin prescription.

If you haven't used retinoids before, I'd recommend opting for one of Beauty Pie's more gentle formulas, such as Super Retinol Ceramide-Boost Anti-Aging Face Serum (member price £23) or Super Retinal Rejuvenating Serum (member price £28), before building your way up to Youthbomb Double-Retinol Action Skin Overhaul Serum (member price £44) and then, ultimately, the new Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal Serum.

Luckily, as a beauty director who tests hundreds of skincare products a year, I'm an experienced retinoid user. So much so, in fact, that even some of the most effective formulas out there aren't proving enough on my now-highly tolerant skin. So, introducing Beauty Pie Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal Serum into my nightly routine felt like a natural next step.

The serum itself is lotion-like, with a creamy consistency that feels silky on the skin, giving the whole ritual of application the sort of luxurious edge I very much crave when it comes to my evening skincare products. I apply it to my skin in the evening, straight after cleansing. I then follow up with a nourishing moisturiser (my go-to is Beauty Pie Youthbomb Biologic Collagen Peptide Cream (member price £44). Initially, I used the serum twice per week, and after two weeks of use, I slowly started increasing the frequency. Right now, I'm using it five times per week, and haven't experienced even a hint of irritation.

Something that sets Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal Serum apart from other retinal serums I've used in recent years is the immediate brightening results. From the first second of application, my skin looked instantly brighter and more radiant; the glow-boosting effects are impossible to ignore. My skin also felt soothed, smooth and silky as I climbed into bed. Come morning, it still felt as great as when I fell asleep.

And the joy I experienced on that initial application has not faded. Every single time I apply this serum, my skin adores it. I wake up with a more radiant, healthier-looking complexion, and the best part is, I know that this one nighttime serum is delivering my skin everything it needs to look its healthiest come morning. On rising, I cleanse, slap on some SPF (retinoids are thought to make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so SPF is even more crucial than normal) and head out without fear of my skin looking drab.

The results have been so impressive, in fact, that I've received more compliments on my skin than ever before. I've pushed back my scheduled Botox top-up because I'm so happy with the way my complexion looks, and I haven't battled any notable acne breakouts in weeks (something I usually experience at least once a month). So yes, Beauty Pie Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal Serum is extreme, but my word, is it mighty.

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*Clinical Results: From the clinical trial featuring 21 participants using the finished formula over four weeks.

**User Trial: Results from the user trial featuring 66 participants using the finished formula and self-reporting at two and four weeks.