When I heard that Olay was coming out with a line of products containing retinol, I walked, no ran, to my computer to learn more. It didn’t take much convincing: I ordered online and before I knew it, I had in hand their nighttime serum, eye cream, and moisturizer from their new Retinol 24 skincare line.
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I’ve been using Olay Retinol 24 skincare products for a few months and have some thoughts on the collection. Before diving in, let’s talk about retinol and why it is so important to an anti-aging skincare routine.
If you want more product details (or are in a hurry):
✅ Olay Retinol 24 products can be found here
What is Retinol?
Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A, and derivatives of the vitamin come in different forms, one of which is retinol. While other retinoids such as retinol esters take two steps to be converted into active retinoic acid in the skin, retinol needs only one step to convert to retinoic acid. So while retinol is not the strongest retinoid, it is also not the weakest, making it the perfect over-the-counter retinoid option.
Retinol is a key player in an anti-aging skincare routine. By supporting cellular turnover and stimulating collagen production, retinol can improve skin tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation and firmness. As a result, skin appears clearer, brighter and more youthful. Yes!
As with any retinoid, retinol makes the skin more sensitive to UV rays and sunlight. While we should be wearing sun protection every day, it is super important to wear sun protection while using retinol and up to 7 days after.
Olay Retinol 24
Olay Retinol 24 is a collection of three products that are designed to be used at night. The collection is named Retinol 24 because each product was formulated so that it continues to work on your skin for a full 24 hours, working deep into the skin’s layers. Olay’s formula for the collection is a proprietary blend of Vitamin B3 + Retinol Complex.
Olay combines retinol, which is converted in the skin to retinaldehyde then retinoic acid to reach its active form, with retinyl propionate, a retinol ester that requires three conversions by your skin to be available in its active form. For more details on retinyl propionate, INCI Decoder provides a funny analogy comparing retinoids to the royal family.
Olay’s Retinol 24 products are formulated to treat fine lines & wrinkles while improving smoothness, brightness, firmness, dark spots, and pores. They work to accomplish these anti-aging benefits without the typical irritation that you can experience from retinol. Too good to be true? Let’s look at the other active ingredients found in this skincare line in addition to their Retinol Complex.
Related: A Guide to Drugstore Retinol
Niacinamide
Olay includes Vitamin B3 – niacinamide – in these products. Niacinamide is an all-star skin savior in my opinion. It helps support cellular turnover and exfoliation to remove dead skin cells.
Niacinamide also helps the skin retain its moisture barrier to improve hydration. It helps to reduce hyperpigmentation, and can even improve acne and rosacea.
Niacinamide also has anti-inflammatory properties, which is ideal when used with a retinoid, which we all know can be irritating. This study in the New England Journal of Medicine determined that niacinamide can even protect skin against the damage caused by UV radiation.
Related: The Benefits of Adding Niacinamide to Your Skincare Routine
Amino Peptides
If that weren’t enough, the Retinol 24 collection also contains amino peptides. These peptides are the “building blocks” of skin cells. These molecules support the production of collagen for firmer more youthful-looking skin. All three products contain pentapeptide-4, the 5 amino acid chain sequence that can help improve skin texture as well as the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum is a super-light formula containing Olay’s proprietary blend of Vitamin B3 + Retinol Complex that hydrates and works for 24 hours. Plus it contains amino peptides for the improvement of skin’s texture and glycerin for added moisture and hydration.
This fragrance-free serum absorbs quickly into your skin and leaves your skin feeling incredibly silky without any stickiness.
Olay Eyes Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream
Olay Eyes Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream is formulated with Olay’s proprietary blend of Vitamin B3 + Retinol Complex. It also contains antioxidant vitamin E and moisturizing glycerin.
The eye cream addresses many of the concerns for the skin around the eyes and works to firm, brighten and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles.
This eye cream is creamy and light. I made the mistake of applying it on the sensitive skin too close to my eyes and found it slightly irritating. So I made sure to use it a bit lower under my eye during the next application and did not experience any further irritation.
Related: Do You Really Need An Eye Cream?
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer also contains Olay’s proprietary blend of Retinol Complex + Vitamin B3. This fragrance-free moisturizer absorbs deeply into the surface layers of skin and goes to work for a full 24 hours.
The moisturizer helps to improve dark spots, brightness, smoothness, and firmness of the skin with no or very little irritation. Similar to the eye cream and serum, this moisturizer is light and creamy.
Final Thoughts on Olay Regenerist 24
All three products felt so light on my face. The serum smoothed my skin. The moisturizer takes it to another level and left my skin feeling like silk.
Sensitive Skin
Those with sensitive skin should be careful since even though the retinol in this formula is gentle, it can be irritating. After applying all three products at night for a few days in a row, my skin felt a bit dry and irritated. So I cut back. Rotating either the serum/eye cream or the moisturizer /eye cream every other night works well for my skin.
I also added an additional moisturizer on top of the night moisturizer. I alternate between this rich cream from Beauty Pie and Olay Regenerist Whip which really seals everything in.
So far, I love the collection and the one thing that stands out to me is the texture of my skin. I believe this must be due to not only the retinol but also the niacinamide and the amino peptides in the formulas. My skin’s texture is actually changing. My pores appear smaller, especially around my nose, and my skin seems so much smoother.
The Power of Retinol
You tend to see visible results quicker with retinol than most other anti-aging ingredients. The trick is finding a product or collection of products that work well with your skin. This collection from Olay is really working for my skin. I’m not surprised since I get great results from other Olay products.
One other thing I love about this line is that you don’t have to use all three products together to see the benefits. If you just want to use the serum with another moisturizer, or the moisturizer with another treatment product, you can still get the benefits of a retinol product without having to use them at the same time.
Have you tried this line? I’d love to hear your results!
Thanks for reading, and until next time…
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Irene Irvine says
I completely agree. I love these products and in all my 78 years I have slapped pretty much everything on my face but this is absolutley the only product which has made a visible difference. As you have said,—my skin is clearer, pores look smaller and skin looks brighter. Cant say I look like a 20 year old, or a Hollywood filmstar, BUT—-I look better
And thats as good as it gets!!!!
Sarah says
Oh, I love your comment! These products are not completely changing our looks, but they are simply helping us look better. I’m so glad they’re working for you!
Jen says
Can you provide exactly how much retinol are in either of these “24” products? Cant seem to find it anywhere.
Thanks
Sarah says
I was unable to find the exact amounts either. I reached out to Olay and they said that since their product formulations are proprietary, they don’t disclose that information. The retinoids in the Retinol 24 line are a proprietary blend of retinol and retinyl propionate. While I don’t know the exact amount of retinoids in the formulations, for my sensitive skin, both the Retinol 24 serum and cream are a little strong for daily use. Keep in mind your skin may react differently depending on your skin type. Thanks for your question!
Julie Sancesario says
In which order should I apply these products and if I apply all 3, is it a good idea to also add the olay whip? I’m 47 today and starting to look every last day of the 47yrs so want the best advice to stay looking as young as I can!
Many thanks x
Sarah says
I apply a serum, then eye cream and then a moisturizer. I apply the Retinol 24 eye cream and Retinol 24 serum on the same night, but I save the Retinol 24 moisturizer for a different night since using the Retinol 24 serum and Retinol 24 moisturizer together make my skin a bit irritated, dry and flaky. Depending on your skin type and tolerance to retinol, alternating the serum and moisturizer on different nights might be your best bet. I do recommend following the Retinol 24 serum with a moisturizer though. I usually use it with Olay Whip. On nights that I use the Retinol 24 moisturizer, I don’t usually add Olay Whip. Thanks for your question!
Elizabeth says
Thank you for answering this question. I’ve just spent an hour googling it and could not find out how to use them. I bought these as a pack of three on offer from my local drugstore, but nothing was on the boxes to say how to use them together.
Sarah says
You are very welcome! I hope you see some good results with the products!
Alli says
If I can only buy one to start, should I start with the serum or the moisturizer?
Sarah says
While you can’t go wrong with either, if I had to choose one, I’d choose the serum. Serums are typically formulated to deliver actives (like retinoids) and tend to penetrate the skin better since they are applied prior to moisturizers, which seal everything in. Thanks!!
Marlene Curran says
What is the order I need to use this new products.can use 3 together every night??
Sarah says
I usually apply serums first, followed by eye cream and then moisturizer. I tried all three products together and after a few nightly applications, my skin got a little dry and irritated, so while I use the eye cream every night I don’t use the serum and moisturizer together on the same night. Depending on your skin type, you might be able to use all three together though, so you’ll have to see how your skin reacts! Thanks!
Stephaine says
Hello,
Just ran across your blog as I was looking for information on the Oil of Olay products with the retinol. I currently have the serum and the moisturizer, but haven’t used them yet. My questions is since retinol can make your skin sort of sensitive can I use my facial brush to cleanse my face before I apply it, or should I not use my facial brush at all.
Sarah says
I would test the facial brush on a small area of your face to see if your skin is sensitive to the retinol after using the brush. It really depends on how sensitive your skin is. Thanks for your question!
MJ says
Hi can I use this olay retinol serum and moisturizer at night and use AHA (wishthrend Mandelic Acid) in the morning as my exfoliating toner?
Sarah says
Hello! In regard to using an acid in the morning and a retinoid at night, it really depends on your skin type. If your skin is not too sensitive, you should be able to use By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water in the morning and a retinoid at night such as Olay Retinol 24 Night Serum or Night Cream. All three are effective products. Mandelic acid tends to be a gentler acid than others such as glycolic or lactic acid. I usually recommend applying Olay Retinol 24 Night Serum and the Night Cream on alternate nights, but again, it depends on how sensitive your skin is. I tried using the serum and night cream together and it created flaking and irritation, so I switched to using them on alternate nights and the irritation went away. Thanks for your question!