If you’re thinking about entering the world of retinoids and feel intimidated AF, don’t worry- you’re not alone. With so many variations and derivatives, figuring out which youth-inducing elixir to start with can be as confusing as Ye’s IG feed.
Turns out, there’s a new retinol oil in town and it might just be the ~gateway retinol~ you never knew you needed. We recently caught up with Tiffany Masterson, founder of iconic skincare brand Drunk Elephant, to get the deets about her latest skincare product, the A-Gloei Maretinol Oil. Ngl, it sounds legit.
Fun fact: the inspo behind the name “Drunk Elephant” came to Tiffany one day while researching Marula Oil. She saw a “video of the elephants eating Marula fruit and stumbling around.” She felt the name reflected her “fun and not-so-serious personality.” Ultimately, she says “it’s a light-hearted name.” (Supplied)
So, tell us. Is retinol more of a Cassie or a Maddy?
Okay, we didn’t actually ask Tiffany that in those exact words. But I mean, every character is flawed, amirite? So what about retinol? Does it only veer on the side of being good, or is there a lil’ bit of a reckless streak that lies within?
“Retinol is highly effective at increasing cell turnover and is incredibly good at targeting the signs of aging while also reducing inflammation and acne. It’s an amazing powerhouse ingredient that teaches skin cells how to act younger.”
And the cons? “The flip side is that it can be an intimidating ingredient for people who have never used it before. It’s easy to overdo it, so retinol gets a bad reputation for being sensitizing, and if you go in with too much in the beginning it can cause peeling and redness.” Mmm-hmm. We thought so.
Enter the latest (and greatest)
The benefits of retinol sound as good to us as our ex *not* texting us, so obvs, we want to give it a try. What exactly though is different about A-Gloei than every other product on the market? And why is Tiffany calling it a gateway retinol?
Good news- A-Gloei works for *all* skin types. (Supplied)
It’s gentle
“A-Gloei is a gentle, effective skin-smoothing treatment that combines 0.5% vegan retinol, antioxidant-rich virgin marula oil, and barrier-supportive ceramides to clarify and refine skin’s texture and minimize the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, blemishes, and sun damage while locking in moisture and restoring a youthful, healthy-looking glow.”
It’s moisturising
“The high concentration of virgin marula oil (which makes up 95% of the formula) replenishes essential moisture and reduces the appearance of redness, making it the perfect partner for the vegan retinol in A-Gloei.”
It’s perf for beginners
“By combining a lower dosage of retinol and combining it with soothing, antioxidant-rich marula oil, we made A-Gloei to be a gateway retinol. I essentially wanted to sneak retinol in the line at a lower level to make it ideal for anyone who is just getting used to retinol and wants to start building up their tolerance.”
Ease into it, bb
And how often should we use it exactly? “For anyone who is new to retinol, the best way to get started is to ease in. Apply two or three drops in the morning or at night to a clean, dry face, avoiding the eye area. If you are using A-Gloei during the day be sure to follow with sunscreen. Start by using A-Goei once or twice a week, gradually increasing frequency to every other night, then every night as tolerated.”
This gateway retinol retails for Dhs285 and is available from 1 March at sephora.ae.