She has been teasing it on social media for the last few weeks and now Caroline Hirons skincare range, Skin Rocks has launched with two very important products
She’s the woman who has simplified skin regimes for hundreds of thousands of people and now skincare doyenne, Caroline Hirons has launched her own skincare range, Skin Rocks with two debut refillable serums. The range shares the name with her hugely successful free Skin Rocks app that gives honest reviews and recommendations of thousands of skincare products so users can find products that genuinely suit their skin type, will help with their skin issues and, most importantly, work. But Skin Rocks skincare doesn't come cheap, with one product priced at £65 and the other at £75. So let's find out what she's launched and if it's worth all the hype.
Skin Rocks: the products
Skin Rocks kicks off with two serums - both retinoids in two different strengths: 'beginner' and 'intermediate' so the packaging states. There are more products in the offing next year. There is Retinoid 1, £65 for those that haven't dabbled with any type of retinoid or retinol before or for more sensitive and reactive skin types. Then there's Retinoid 2, £75 for those more familiar with retinol or for anyone who has finished a prescription-strength retinol course and wants to maintain results. It also serves as a product for those that want to graduate from Retinoid 1 to something stronger.
It's perhaps unsurprising that she's gone with retinoids because Caroline says retinoids (or vitamin A) are the products she’s asked about the most frequently. They are also potentially one of the most confusing. And as retinoids are considered the gold standard skincare ingredient for their ability to slow down the signs of ageing, thanks to their ability to change skin functionality, it shows her desire to create products for her loyal following that she knows will reap skin-transforming rewards.
What are retinoids?
Retinoids have been proven to increase cell turnover in the top layer of the skin as well as stimulate the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid - aka all the elements you need for fresher, plumper and more bouncy-looking skin - in the deeper layers of skin.
As with all things skincare related, Caroline explains the difference between retinol and retinoids in the clearest and most concise way in her book, Skin Care The Ultimate No-Nonsense Guide, £10: “All you need to know is that it’s all vitamin A. In the same way that white sugar, brown sugar and maple syrup are all sugar, retinoid is the family name for any vitamin A product.”
She continues: "A lot of people contact me because they are scared to try a vitamin A product, or they used it once, had a bad reaction and are worried about going back to it. There are side effects to using vitamin A products, but with correct usage, there is nothing on the market that gives the same results on the skin."
What makes Skin Rocks Retinoid different?
Retinoid 1 contains 0.2% hydroxypinacolone retinoate a very gentle retinoid, whereas Retinoid 2 contains 0.5% hydroxypinacolone retinoate along with 0.05% retinal to give it a bit extra skin-transforming welly.
The idea of offering different strengths of vitamin A isn't a new one. Medik8, a brand that Caroline respects and recommends, also do this. However, Caroline Hirons was never going to create skincare products that came with a massive side portion of gimmick. As a woman with over 25 years of experience in the skincare and beauty world, she has created two products she knows people will want, need and genuinely work. Yes, there are other retinol products that will offer the same results and there are some that are less expensive but if you don't know where to start then you can rely on Caroline's authenticity and expertise to know you're buying into a brand that is honest, transparent and most importantly that you're not wasting your money on.
How to use Skin Rocks Retinoid
Caroline recommends using vitamin A on cleansed skin and generally at night. This is because on the whole most retinoids are not stable in sunlight however there are some newer formulas that don’t break down and can be used during the day. But if you’re ever unsure, opt for using it at night and the Skin Rocks Retinoids are designed to be used in the evening.
A touch of utter simplistic genius is that on the top of the bottle is a circle indicating how much you should use. Just another way Caroline is ensuring that her customers are getting the best out of her products but also reducing product waste and the overuse of strong actives. So you simply pump that amount out and lightly massage it into the skin. You can follow with your regular moisturiser if your skin needs it. It has a really light, silky consistency and like many retinoids has a slight yellow tinge.
When it comes to the frequency of vitamin A use, Caroline quotes skin expert, Kate Somerville's advice in her book. "If you're in your 20s, use it twice a week; 30s, three times a week; 40s, four times a week; and so on."
And then always use an SPF in the morning to protect the skin. We've got you covered if you’re looking for a new daily SPF or the best-tinted sunscreens.
Skin Rocks Retinoid 1 is £65
Skin Rocks Retinoid 2 is £75
Both are available from skinrocks.com now