'I've tried plenty of boujie retinols, but I used this $60 one down to the last drop.'

Thanks to our brand partner, OLAY

There's something uniquely humbling about scraping the final microscopic drop out of a retinol sample — usually from a brand I absolutely cannot afford — and thinking to yourself, "maybe one day."

But occasionally, I have splurged on the odd boujie serum, hoping it would not only change my skin but also my life (which feels reasonable, given the price tag). And yet, I've still had to endure the purging, the dryness and the weeks where I've really struggled to "trust the process."

I've always wanted retinol to work for me, but I also didn't want to spend half my salary building a routine just to survive it.

Now that I'm turning 30 and my fine lines are becoming a little more visible, I knew it was time to find something that actually performs. So when I started trialling the Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Serum ($60), I went into it with curiosity… and a very healthy amount of scepticism.

Image: Supplied.

Okay, let's talk first impressions.

When the product arrived, I genuinely wasn't expecting it to look as luxe as it did. The bottle is weighty and chic, the kind of thing you want to keep out on your dresser rather than tucked in a drawer.

The dropper makes application easy, and the serum itself feels silky. It absorbed so quickly and left my skin looking surprisingly nourished. Even the scent is soft and clean — just enough to make it feel like a nighttime ritual rather than something clinical.

Image: Supplied.

What really made me want to try it was the formula. It combines pure retinol with retinyl propionate, niacinamide and amino peptides in a stabilised, highly bioavailable form that's designed to be both effective and gentle. As someone with dehydrated skin who has absolutely been through the purging phase before, that was a huge selling point.

There's also a stronger option, the Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Max Night Serum ($70), which contains 40 per cent more of the retinoid hydrating complex for more experienced retinol users tackling deeper wrinkles and tougher ageing concerns. But because my focus is early fine lines and dryness, I stuck with the original Retinol24 serum.

The one week trial.

Day one.

I fully braced for the usual retinol sensations — tingling, tightness, that immediate dryness — but none of that happened. The serum went on beautifully and made my skin look instantly glowy. When I woke up the next morning, my face looked soft and hydrated instead of parched. That alone felt like a win.

Day two and three.

These are usually dangerous days for me. This is where retinol starts to show whether it's going to be your friend or ruin your week. But surprisingly, I had no dryness at all.

My skin actually started to look brighter, the makeup on my forehead sat smoother and the general tone looked healthier. I also realised I wasn't reaching for my usual hydrating serum before bed, because the Olay one seemed to be doing enough on its own. As a mum who wants her nighttime routine to be as quick as possible, anything that cuts a step without sacrificing results is an instant favourite.

Day four and five.

This is when I really started to notice it was doing its job. My skin looked plumper, especially around the areas where dehydration usually makes my fine lines look more pronounced. It wasn't a dramatic transformation (retinol isn't magic in 48 hours) but the results were enough that I caught myself doing that close-up examination in the bathroom mirror. That's always a good sign.

Before and after. Image: Supplied.

Day six and seven.

By the end of the week, there was a glow happening that didn't feel forced or overly shiny. My fine lines weren't gone, obviously, but they were definitely appearing less noticeable than when I first started.

The biggest shock was one night where I accidentally forgot to apply moisturiser after the serum, and my skin still felt comfortable and hydrated. That has never happened to me. I'm normally a thick-moisturiser-at-all-times person, so forgetting it completely and still waking up with happy skin says more than any claim ever could.

Did it rival the boujie serums?

What surprised me most was how gentle this retinol was. I didn't get the harsh dryness, the peeling or the irritated phase I've had with more expensive formulas. I didn't need to build a whole routine around "protecting" my skin. It just fit in effortlessly — without the stress or the price tag.

And yes… it's $60. That matters. In a world where everything feels impossible to afford, finding something that works this well while also replacing other products in my routine feels like an actual win. It honestly makes total sense that Olay Retinol24 is Australia's number one selling retinol range.

Image: Supplied.

Final thoughts.

If you're starting to notice fine lines, dealing with dehydration or just want to dip your toes into retinol, this feels like the perfect option. It's gentle but effective, beginner-friendly and particularly great for people who want retinol benefits without drying out their skin. If your lines are deeper or you've already used retinol for a while, the Retinol24 Max version would probably be the next step.

My biggest seal of approval is that I'm genuinely going to keep using it. It's hydrating, it gives real results and it fits into a routine I can actually maintain. I'm looking forward to using it down to the last drop, not out of desperation like with my old tiny luxury samples, but because my skin loves it.

Shop the Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Serum at Chemist Warehouse.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Try Olay Retinol: Australia's #1 Retinol Range! Available at Chemist Warehouse.