If you asked me what my skincare staple would be, I’d proclaim my love for retinol before you’d even finished asking the question. And most likely, I’m not alone. As one of the most heavily researched skincare actives, retinol is the pillar in most routines since it tackles a wide array of concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles to acne, hyperpigmentation, and dullness. But, as good as it is, retinol is prone to oxidation, and it can degrade to up to 80% after six months at 25°C and up to 100% at 40°C and even faster when exposed to light. That’s why everyone advises us to keep our serums in cold and dark places, but guess what? I’m done with the trips to the fridge since I’ve got my Exponent Time Rewind Retinol System.
For a bit of context, Exponent is an innovative skincare brand that takes fresh skincare to the next level delivering actives in their peak potency for enhanced benefits from every dose. Liz Whitman, the founder of Exponent, identified the degradation and efficacy issue of traditional skincare products every time they’re exposed to the daily environment, so she landed on powderized actives to protect them against degradation.
“Anti-aging skin-care products, ironically, have an aging problem.” Liz Whitman, Founder of Exponent
About Exponent Retinol System
This retinol never sees the light of day, so it delivers peak effectiveness in every dose. Yep, you read that right — Exponent uses a patented Self-Activator System that allows for precise dispensing of retinol powder which mixes with their Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Hydrator to create a lightweight gel-cream serum.
The system packs 0.25% retinol in every dose to fight aging signs, pimples, and uneven tone, plus allantoin, vitamin E, and shea butter to soothe and moisturize without clogging the pores. When the powder mixes with the Hydrator — filled with a few humectants, including four molecular weights of hyaluronic acid — a potent retinol serum comes out.
My experience with Exponent Time Rewind Retinol System
I love how simple it is to mix my fresh retinol serum at night. And above everything, I’m fond of the final texture of Exponent Time Rewind Retinol Serum, which, IMO, strikes the perfect balance between a rich serum and a lightweight moisturizer. The elixir is dense and moisturizing; it melts quickly into the skin, dries to the touch within minutes, and leaves zero residues behind. Also, I never got any reaction from Exponent Time Rewind Retinol, nor it stung my skin upon application, which is a huge win. Finally, the lavender scent (which comes from essential lavender oil) feels calming, which makes me look forward to using it.
The value
The Exponent Starter Kit costs $166 and includes the Self-Activator System, the Hydrator (60 doses), and the Retinol Powder (45 doses). Because the Self-Activator System is designed to be used again and again, only the Retinol Powder ($88) and the Hydrator ($68) should be refilled.
The takeaway
Because this serum is housed in a system that doesn’t allow actives to degrade and delivers prime benefits with every dose, it is a staple in my routine as it targets pretty much all of my concerns: fine lines, dark spots, and clogged pores. Time Rewind Retinol Serum is both preventative and corrective, moisturizing, gentle, and, most importantly, active. I rigorously use it in my nighttime routine, and in the morning, I swap it for Exponent Brightening Vitamin C Serum for an active dose of protection.
