For those who have a serious interest in skincare that goes beyond clever marketing and fancy packaging, the NeoStrata Retinol + NAG Complex is one of the big launches of the year. Though NeoStrata already have products that contain a small amount of retinol this is their first focused retinol treatment and it’s been a long time in the making.
There’s two things that make it special. Firstly, it’s been formulated to minimise skin irritation which is a common side effect from using retinols. Secondly, it contains a high concentration (4%) of NeoStrata’s patented NeoGlucosamine which works in conjunction with the retinol for an enhanced anti-ageing effect.
NeoGlucosamine is a non-acid amino sugar that has multiple actions. It’s a building block for hyaluronic acid which gives skin it’s smooth, plump and firm appearance. Though there’s plenty of  topical HA serums available they mainly have a superficial and temporary hydrating effect. It’s far better to use ingredients that encourage skin to produce its own HA. NeoGlucosamine also inhibits the production of tyrosinase which is responsible for hyper-pigmentation so extended use will lead to a more even skin tone. Further, NeoGlucosamine gently exfoliates skin which boosts cell renewal and leads to improved texture. The advantages of using retinol have been widely discussed before but to recap it prevents and treats all signs of skin ageing. No other topical skincare ingredien...