The beauty secret of Sienna Miller: this retinol costs only €20,-
You have retinol and you have A313. A French pharmacy secret in a sort of toothpaste-like white-and-blue tube, which looks like it belongs in a first aid kit rather than in your toiletry bag. But looks can be deceiving, because this is the skincare secret of none other than the beautiful Sienna Miller and Alexa Chung. And honestly? Now we want this too.
Sienna calls it “a really fantastic secret” and got the tip from Alexa herself. And have you ever seen her skin? So beautiful. In their beauty bags, there are no fancy glass bottles or luxury droppers, just a simple tube of A313 Pommade. It does what it needs to do, and that's how it should be.
What is A313 actually?
A313 is a retinoid (a form of vitamin A) in the milder variant retinyl palmitate, which you encounter more often in skincare products and supplements. It is less intense than, for example, Tretinoin (this is a retinoid and a powerful one available only by prescription), and therefore also suitable for sensitive skin. And even though you don't need a prescription for it, it is still considered a medicine for skin damage in France.
The ointment has the texture of Vaseline: thick, shiny, and a bit old school. But that’s exactly what makes it so beloved. It seals the skin as if you are putting a sheet mask over it, keeping everything you apply underneath (or nothing, that works too) well retained. And because it is so concentrated, you only need a tiny bit on your skin, which means you can use a tube for quite a long time.
What does it do exactly?
It helps with everything retinol is known for: reducing fine lines, improving skin texture, shrinking pores, producing collagen, tackling pimples – you name it. But then without side effects like peeling, redness, irritation, or dry skin. Provided you build it up correctly, of course. If you have never used a retinoid before, start with a small amount, once a week. Then you build it up to three times or more. It’s just what you prefer.
You should always do this in the evening, because vitamin A makes your skin more sensitive to UV radiation from outside. And even if you use it in the evening, it is still wise to apply a good SPF 30+ or preferably 50 the next day. Like actually every day of the year, right?
Why are we sold on it now?
Because sometimes you come across something that is so beloved and so affordable that you just want to try it yourself. A313 is such a product. It has that typical je ne sais quoi-glow of the French pharmacy, it does what it promises, and it is loved by women whose skin we would really like to have, right? Oh, and it costs less than a cocktail on an Amsterdam terrace. Bonjour, new skincare crush.
Source and image: Harpers Bazaar
