Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM

I've mentioned the Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM serum in previous months, and now that I just bought my fourth bottle (or is it fifth? I've lost count) it's probably time for a full review. Obviously, I love it and find it highly effective, otherwise I wouldn't have strayed permanently from what used to be my staple, Paula's Choice Resist. Paula has served me well since 2011 and it's an excellent serum, but I wanted to try something new with perhaps a less silicony film on the skin that would work better for layering other products (I'm all about the Korean method of layering these days, but that's a subject for a separate post).

Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM uses a 1.5% Microencapsulated Retinol (I can't find the retinol percentage for Paula's current formula anywhere. That's not cool.) which suits my skin perfectly. Looking at my testing notes from last year it appears that I felt some tingling the first couple of nights I used it, but it's long passed. The serum is very liquid and runny, and it takes at least five minutes to dry (sometimes depending on other products I've used underneath). It's more wet than tacky, and for some reason takes a little longer to sink into the skin on my neck. It doesn't matter, though, and I find that I can layer other products over the PTR Retinol almost right away and all seems to be working effectively.

Like all good retinols, the Peter Thomas Roth Fusion PM gives the skin a visible boost with continuing use. It helps dissolve dead skin cells, treats hyper-pigmentation and sun damage (especially if you add an effective Vitamin C products in the morning), helps fade acne marks, and contributes to a firmer glowing complexion. If you're not familiar with the hierarchy of skincare ingredients, retinol is the OTC version of  the big gun, prescription Retin-A. Right now my prescription cream (I use the dermatologic service Curology, formerly Pocketderm) is not retin-anything, so I keep using this serum as the "treatment" part of my regular nighttime routine and see very good results. As a matter of fact, my skin is the best it's been in a very long time. Obviously, the retinol serum is just one part of the deal, and I credit the prescription cream, my return to Lauder's ANR (which I use in the morning), as well as the carefully-chosen routine of Korean products, snails and others, that build a strong and sustaining moisture barrier the like I've never had before.It all works together, and Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM is a major player.

Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM ($65, made in USA) is available from Sephora and Ulta.