From the creators of the famous snail mucin repair products, cult-favorite Korean skincare brand MIZON debuted their first ever retinol line. MIZON is known for their skin barrier repairing, hydrating products, so hearing about a retinol line from them was incredibly exciting. Retinol (Vitamin A) is known as a “magic” skincare ingredient, fighting acne and signs of aging through increasing skin cell production. Through channels like Tiktok, awareness of and demand for retinol has skyrocketed. Many brands have added a retinol product to their line, and many consumers start slathering it on their faces without taking care to counteract for side effects like dryness, peeling, sun damage, and purging. MIZON’s approach takes these side effects under consideration already, by offering different concentrations of retinol (.1% and .3%) and combining them with skin-soothing ingredients like Niacinamide, Peptides, Shea Butter, and a supporting plant-based anti-aging ingredient, Bakuchiol.
I had the chance to try out MIZON’s new retinol line – both their Retinol Youth Serum (.1%) and their Retinol Youth Cream (.3%). I have to say, right on application, this was the best experience I’ve had with retinol. The serum is a lightweight, cooling gel that glides over your skin in a satisfying way and soaks in seamlessly. Where retinol can often be a thick, gloopy cream that pulls at your skin when applying, at least in my experience with dermatologist-prescribed tretinoin, this was anything but.
I applied the serum first and then moved onto the cream once fully absorbed. The cream offered a more emollient option that moisturizes as well as promotes anti-aging, but still thin enough to spread easily and gently on the skin.
After using these products twice a week for over a month, I’ve noticed smoother, brighter skin. My dark spots are beginning to fade, and while I experienced minimal peeling when I first started using the line, it was nowhere near the intense dryness and peeling I’ve noticed with other retinol products despite doubling up on hydration in both cases. The gentle yet effective retinol that MIZON’s range offers is something unique to the market at under $50 each, and I highly recommend these products based on my experience!
