Retinol & Swertiamarin Contour Cream for Face and Neck

I’ve come to realize this past month that I’ve neglected my neck for far too long. You see, I am religious about my skincare and I never skip my routine. To ensure that, I try to keep it as minimal as possible so that I don’t feel compelled to miss it because it’s too complicated or takes too long. Even with that, I still failed to look after my neck and it’s showing.

That sent me looking for a product that can improve it, but also, not break the bank. And I once again, reluctantly chose retinol.

I have a love-hate relationship with retinol; It does work but it leaves me with dry patches and peeling skin, which is a deal-breaker. That basically means that in order to minimize that side effect, I have to use it sparingly (or more like, on and off), and that defeats the whole purpose. In order to see significant results with any product you have to use it consistently — I’ve convinced myself of that.

With this product, I figured that since I intended to use it specifically for my neck, it shouldn’t be too bad; I bought this cream last week and I started using it right away… all over my face and neck. I had a pretty hectic week, and out of a rush, I started applying this all over (like I said, I don’t skip my routine, I just simplify it). But let’s back up…

We’ve all heard about retinol by now, but I have to admit that Swertiamarin was new to me, so I did some research. Here’s a succinct explanation; basically, Swertiamarin is known for its regenerative properties and its extraordinary ability to quickly repair damaged skin. Read a very long, more scientific description here.

That aside, here’s why I chose this contour cream:

“A contouring moisturizer with Retinol for the face, neck, and jawline developed in partnership with dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

This face, jaw, and neck cream with Retinol was developed in collaboration with dermatologists and plastic surgeons to work throughout each layer of the skin’s surface to visibly firm, lift, and contour the skin on your face, neck, and jawline.” — I guess I’m a sucker for big words…

I didn’t think too much about it, but once I started using this product, I continued to apply it every day because I loved the consistency — it feels very lightweight, yet mighty.

It wasn’t until this morning, when I was putting on my makeup, that I noticed how much better my skin looked and felt, and most importantly, that there were no dry patches. Seriously! That to me is a huge win, especially with a retinol product. So far, I’m really impressed.

Out of curiosity, I was reading the online reviews for this product. One in particular stated that it broke them out and I feel like I should note that if your skin is not used to retinol, breakouts could be a side effect, along with the dry patches and peeling skin (this is often referred to as the purge phase). With long-term use, the skin should get used to the retinol. That is, if you “can live” with the purging for a while...

I haven’t paid attention to the contouring part, though I think my neck is looking better and some lines on my face seem less noticeable. I will update this post in a few weeks with more details, but so far, this cream is a winner for me. I fully recommend it if you’re looking for a retinol cream that is not irritating, hydrates well, and, of course, is affordable.

This face cream can be used both in the am and pm, however, SPF is highly recommended. As always, the best results come from consistent use.

11/13/2023 Update:

I am 100% noticing a difference in my appearance since I started using this cream. My jawline is more defined, fine lines are less visible, and I swear it “stops” blemishes. The day moisturizer I have been using (by a different brand) has been causing blemishes/whiteheads (yes, I’m discontinuing it). However, they would “heal” overnight.

I have been exclusively using this retinol cream at night for the last month, so this has to be the answer. Either way, I am loving it so much that I just restocked — I see this staying in my skincare routine long-term.

02/23/2024 Update:

Without any reticence, I say that if I had to only use one retinol product for the rest of my life, this cream would be it! Because I now know for a fact that it makes a difference in my skin. And here’s why…

I stopped using it for a few weeks while I was finishing up another product, and I swear that during that time, my skin missed it. The first thing I noticed was losing some of the sculpting in my neck and face.

Don’t get me wrong — this cream does not erase wrinkles or fine lines, but it does make them look less pronounced, and it definitely firms the skin. To me, the very best thing about it is still the fact that it does not irritate my skin at all, and it helps prevent the ugly dry patches I was getting while using other retinol products. This is now part of my regular nighttime skincare routine.

P.S. I do not have any relationship with the brand. I have used and loved several of their products in recent years, hence this review.