Ella Baché Retinol Night Treatment Serum review

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Quick verdict:

This retinol treatment is basically a facial in a bottle.

What we liked

• Advanced formulation
• Simple and travel-friendly packaging
• Australian made

What we didn't like

• High price tag

Looking for an anti-ageing miracle treatment? Or something that's going to completely rejuvenate your complexion? If you haven't already, it could be time to start thinking about adding retinol to your skincare routine.

The powerhouse active ingredient has been studied immensely and proven to neutralise free radicals, increase moisture retention and dramatically improve your skin's texture.

The Ella Baché Retinol Night Treatment Serum is the first retinol product to come from the brand – and when it landed on my desk, I could not tell you how excited I was! Here's exactly what I thought of it.

What does it do?

Ella Baché's Retinol Night Treatment Serum is formulated with 0.5% encapsulated retinol. What does that mean exactly? Well, the retinol is gradually delivered to the deeper layers of your skin overnight – so you'll get all the amazing benefits in a super gentle process, without the dreaded irritation.

The retinol serum is combined with peptides and ceramides to strengthen your skin's barrier, Kakadu plum seed oil to brighten, niacinamide to smooth and hyaluronic acid to hydrate.

All in all, you've got yourself a powerful night serum that will work to seriously transform the look of your skin.

Does it work?

I've been using the Ella Baché Retinol Serum 2-3 times a week for the last month. I strictly use this at night, applying 2 pumps all over my skin and following up with a super-hydrating moisturiser. I also ensure I've lathered on plenty of sunscreen the morning after to keep my skin protected.

Here's what my skin looked like immediately after my nightly skincare routine, and then in the morning when I woke up.

Image: Marina Tatas/Finder

As you can see, this retinol treatment does all the work while you sleep. After using this product, it looks like I've just stepped out from having the ultimate facial. My skin is bright and tight, it's looking hydrated and poreless, my acne scars don't look as prominent and I've got no nasty redness.

I really admire the formulation – the retinol does all the hard work but the additional ingredients make this treatment different from others on the market. The unique combination delivers a plethora of hydrating, plumping and smooth ingredients.

Another thing I love about this product is the packaging. Not only is it super lightweight, but it's also packed into an airless pump to ensure the retinol isn't exposed to any air or light.

Should you buy it?

Overall, I give the Ella Baché Retinol Night Treatment Serum 4 out of 5 stars. I've tried a bunch of retinol treatments on the market and this is definitely one of my favourites.

The formulation is powerful and gentle at the same time. I can visibly see the difference it makes to my skin – it looks brighter, tighter, smoother and more hydrated.

I also love that it doesn't cause me any redness or irritation, which is something that can happen with retinol treatments.

The retinol serum did lose a star because of its price tag. It's almost $150, which is not super accessible. While I do think you are getting what you pay for (because it's that good), you can still find cheaper alternatives on the market.

Looking for an affordable retinol? I recommend the Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum – it's $60 and you can read my review on it to find all the goss.

Pricing and availability

Ella Bache

How did we test this product?

The members of our editorial team review hundreds of beauty products. They reflect on their own personal experiences when testing each one. To test the Ella Baché Retinol Night Treatment Serum, our reviewer used it 2-3 times a week over the course of a month.

Why you can trust us

I used the Ella Baché Retinol Night Treatment Serum 2-3 times a week over the course of a month. The serum was tested alongside other skincare products, and before and after photos were taken.