'I used retinol on my chest for a week and the change to my sun damage was incredible'

I don't know about you, but every time the first real bit of spring sunshine appears, I suddenly notice all the ways my skin has paid the price for summers past. After months under jumpers and coats, it’s easy to forget about the damage that’s built up — but one afternoon in a strappy top and I was immediately zooming in on the sun spots, rough texture and fine lines across my chest that looked way more obvious than they did last year.

I’ve used retinol on my face before – for many years, in fact – but I’d never really thought about using it on my chest until recently. After listening to experts talk about how neglected chest skin can make you look way older than you feel, I decided it was time to give it a go properly. I picked up the because I liked the idea of pre-measured capsules — no faffing around worrying about how much to use — and because it combines retinol with skin-soothing ceramides, which I hoped would mean less chance of that dreaded retinol flakiness.

Now I'd like to point out that don't specifically sat they're meant for use on the chest – and that there are targeted neck and decolletage retinols out there – but I had them to hand, so I thought what was the harm in giving them a go? If they're good enough for my delicate complexion, they're more than good enough for the more resilient skin on my chest. I'm happy I did because after just seven days the difference is amazing.

I’ve been applying one capsule’s worth to my chest every night, and right from the second day, the skin felt noticeably softer. Before, it was rough, almost a bit crepey, but now it’s so much smoother to the touch. The fine lines I always wake up with — those faint but annoying little creases from sleeping on my side — are already less visible when I get up in the morning, and even throughout the day they seem to stay softer and less etched in.

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The thing I’m most impressed by, though, is the improvement in the patches of discolouration I had from sun damage. Those slightly darker, uneven bits that used to really stand out are definitely less pigmented and starting to blend in better with the rest of my skin tone. It's not totally perfect yet (realistically, that would take longer than a week), but for just seven days, it’s way more progress than I expected. I also have very freckly skin, which is largely genetic, but also certainly signals I've had a fair amount of UV exposure that may cause sunspots down the road.

I haven't had any dryness or redness yet. I have been careful to apply SPF50 to my face, neck, and chest (where I'm using the retinol), as vitamin A products make you more prone to sensitivity and burning. I'm also trying to keep my chest covered and out of the sun as much as possible to avoid further damage.

If you're quick, you can pick up these instead of their usual price of £53 for 30, but if you want a slightly cheaper option, — a no-frills formula that’s lightweight but still really effective for smoothing and evening out skin tone.

Another one I really rate is — it’s £35 for a big tub, gentle enough for beginners, and is specifically made for use on the body. I’ll definitely be sticking with the Elizabeth Arden capsules for now because I’m loving the results, but it’s nice to know there are good options for all.

The moral of the story? Don't forget skincare isn't just for the face!