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Retinoids are the tried-and-true, dermatologist-approved active ingredient for targeting both anti-aging and anti-acne concerns, from softening fine lines and discoloration to combatting pore congestion and fading post-inflammatory scars. Retinoids (the umbrella of chemical compounds derived from vitamin A, including the most common, retinol) work to improve the skin by accelerating cell turnover and sloughing away dead skin cells to reveal a new layer of smoother, more even skin. Retinoids transform the skin by resurfacing it (and amping up collagen production), which doesn't come without a fair share of side effects for most people -- after all, beauty is pain.

Peeling skin, dryness, redness, and overall irritation are often a part of the journey to smoother skin, especially if you're new to vitamin A skincare or using prescription-strength formulas like tretinoin. In fact, when it comes to using retinol for the first time, it's not uncommon for your skin to look worse before it looks better, requiring patience and confidence to progress (*sigh*). If you've been terrified to incorporate a retinoid into your skincare routine because of this veritable laundry list of side effects, allow me to introduce you to your new favorite skincare sidekick: Murads's multitasking Retinol Youth Renewal Face Oil Drops.

Murad's new Retinol Youth Renewal Oil Drops is one such formula that delivers the benefits of retinol without over-drying or irritating the skin. The retinol is suspended in a nourishing (yet not too greasy) oil, which helps prevent irritation and dryness before they even begin. After all, it's always easier to prevent side effects than correct them.

Murad's retinol-powered facial oil can be used right after your nighttime cleanse to streamline your routine (and replace excess products in your current lineup). You can also mix it with your favorite moisturizer for an extra dose of hydration or simply use it as the final step in your skincare routine. I personally love to mix it in with my nightly cream on nights when I don't use relatively more irritating actives. Even after applying all of my other nighttime skincare products, the silky, fast-absorbing oil doesn't pill or sit on top of the skin like other facial oils -- it penetrates deeply, and I wake up with a glowing, peel-free complexion after every use. Best of all, the dropper is easy to use and dispenses the perfect amount for my entire face every time, preventing messes and wasting the product.

I was lucky enough to receive a sample of the drops ahead of the launch and have been using them nightly for three weeks now. So far, I haven't experienced any peeling, over-drying, redness, or tightness. For context, I have very sensitive skin and have a hard time tolerating most retinol -- even including those formulated specifically for reactive skin types. My skin looks firmer, and my crow's feet and the fine lines under my eyes look less pronounced after adding this facial oil to my current lineup. Overall, my skin feels plumper, tauter, and far less crusty and crepey than it has all winter long; I have no doubts that the Retinol Youth Renewal Oil Drops are the culprit. And it's not just me who noticed some pretty impressive results.

Murad says that the new drops are clinically proven to reduce wrinkles in just two weeks and improve skin firmness by 68 percent in four weeks. Even better, 90 percent of participants in the trial said that they did not experience any irritation from using the drops. Whether you're brand new to retinoids or your skin just doesn't tolerate them as well as you'd like, Murad's new Retinol Youth Renewal Face Oil is the ultimate age-defying elixir that doesn't make you suffer before seeing results.