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I have sensitive Drying My Skin, so using retinol feels intimidating. Even though I know about the myths and have attended many retinol events, spoken with dermatologists, and tested various products, I often end up with redness and dryness. That’s why I hesitated to try Olay’s new Cleansing Melts with retinol.
At a preview event earlier this year, I was intrigued by these Cleansing Melts. They’re small pads that activate with water to create a foamy lather, making them convenient for travel. Olay offers them in three types: retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. I tried the vitamin C and hyaluronic acid versions and liked how easy they were to use and how nice the foam felt.
After using them for weeks, I found that I preferred the hyaluronic acid version over vitamin C. The vitamin C had a subtle citrus scent, which I try to avoid due to my preference for fragrance-free products. Despite the smell, Drying My Skin was thoroughly cleansed, even with heavy makeup. The hyaluronic acid was very moisturizing and refreshing. With no issues from the first two, I decided to give the retinol a try.
How I Tried It
Although the instructions suggest using Olay’s New Cleansers every night, I started with two nights a week and planned to increase to three. I ran one pad underwater for three seconds and watched it dissolve. Then I rubbed my hands together to create a creamy lather and massaged it onto my face for about 45 seconds. After rinsing and gently patting my face dry, I finished my evening routine with a serum and a moisturizer.
What I Really Think
One pad doesn’t create as much lather as shown on the box, but it’s enough to do the job. This is good for me since I was worried about using too much retinol.
As I rubbed the bubbles all over my face, my skincare and makeup came off easily. I usually need to do a second cleanse for my eyes, but I didn’t need to with these Melts. Afterward, my skin felt clean, hydrated, and soft. There was no burning or irritation, even after trying it a couple more times. I’m really happy with it.
