It’s not that often you find a retinol cream for under $40. To find a retinol product that many people say actually works is even rarer.
Recently I have noticed a lot of buzz around an inexpensive retinol cream called Afirm 3X so I decided to check it out.
Afirm 3X is one of three retinol creams in different strengths from TX Systems. The idea is you select which strength you want based on how sensitive your skin is and whether you’ve used a retinol cream before.
Three strengths of retinol
Afirm 3X is the strongest with 0.6% retinol – use this if you don’t have a particularly sensitve skin or you have used a retinol cream at a lower strength
Afirm 2X has 0.3% retinol and is for normal, fairly tolerant skins or if you’re already used to using a lower strength retinol product.
Afirm 1X is the weakest of the three creams with only 0.15% retinol – if you have a sensitive skin or you’re not used to a retinol product then this is the level recommended. This cream is also best for sensitive areas of the face like the eye area.
The two things that matter with any retinol cream are – how much retinol is in it and is the delivery system good enough to get the retinol into your skin without causing irritation and inflammation.
“I have used Afirm for over 20 years …. I love what it has done for my skin and continues to do for years now. My skin is firm, shows little sun damage, and at 57, I have almost no noticable fine lines around my eyes or mouth areas. Even my dermatologist commented on how good my skin looks!”
TX systems – unlike many manufacturers – clearly state the level of retinol in their products. They also claim that their creams have a unique delivery system using microencapsulation to carry a high concentration of retinol and yet be exceptionally gentle on your skin.
Highest level of retinol OTC?
TX Systems also say that Afirm 3X has the highest level of retinol in any over the counter retinol product. Take this with a pinch of salt – many makers claim to have the strongest retinol products available without visiting a skin doctor. The market is changing all the time and now both Green Cream and SkinCeuticals Refining Night Cream have higher levels in their strongest products as well as equally good delivery systems.
How to use Afirm 3X
The recommendation is to apply Afirm 3X to a clean face in the evening. If you use it in the daytime as well you definitely need a good sunscreen and you may also need a moisturizer – both of which can be applied on top.
Also you should be careful what you use with a retinol cream like Afirm. Any product containing AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) should not be used at the same time as you apply the cream.
My advice would be – if you’ve never used a retinol product before or have sensitive skin – to start with Afirm 2X and use on alternative days to start with to gradually build up tolerance. No matter how good the makers say the cream is – retinol can irritate skin.
Good reviews for a budget product
The reviews that I have seen of all the Afirm products – especially the high strength 3X – are very positive. And the great news is that all three sell at under $40. Affordable anti aging skin care is a bonus in these credit crunched times and retinol is one of the few anti aging ingredients proven to work.
At that price – even if you haven’t used a retinol cream before – you can afford to give Afirm 3X a go.
About Eileen
Tara – thank you so much for your comment – it’s almost an article in itself and it will be very useful to other people. You’re right I wasn’t expecting many comments from students in their twenties but what you have to say makes a great deal of sense. I think what is great is that you realized (with your grandmother’s help) what you were doing to yourself and took action. Many people don’t do that until much later. Retinol products are a great way to start to deal with wrinkles. I haven’t used Afirm 3x retinol cream but I know many people have and find it excellent. Look at the reviews on SkinCareRX or a similar site if you prefer.
Also worth looking at are some of the anti aging moisturizing products from Murad Skin Care specifically for acne prone skin which I believe are based around retinol – search on the site there is a lot of useful info on there and you can get help if needed. Exfoliate using a good hydrating scrub cream (doesn’t have to cost a lot). Other tips to help your skin recover – make sure you improve your diet with plenty of colorful fruits, vegetables and green leafy salads. Take a fish oil supplement to give your skin moisture from within and vitamin E which is great for skin also. There are a lot of articles on the main Simply Anti Aging site – click on the home tab at the top and look under anti aging nutrition or anti aging supplements – they should help. All these things will help your skin resist the formation of new deeper lines as you get older and put back some of the resilience and bloom you lost.
Finally – remember that all wrinkles especially frown lines are expression lines. It sounds ridiculous but you can train yourself to stop pulling the expressions causing the lines in the first place. Take a look in a mirror and watch what you do when you frown – make yourself conscious of it and make a big effort to stop doing it and keep your face still. Actually I did a similar thing when I was at Uni – I kept raising my eyebrows and developed deep forehead lines so I concentrated on not pulling that expression – guess what over time it worked! After all it’s only what botox does but without the needles, discomfort and expense! Anyway – I hope that helps – let us know how you get on.
Hi, my name is Tara and I’m a college student. I know you’re probably not expecting comments from a college student, but here’s my story.
When I was 18 years old I looked even younger than my actual age, I moved into my college dorm and most people assumed I was 16 or 17 years old. That year I began a path of self destruction that lasted the next couple years. My first year in college I was heavily binge drinking 2-4 nights a week. In my 2nd year, I started drinking even more, 3-5 nights of heavy drinking a week and in my 2nd semester I began smoking. I quickly became a chain smoker and spent age 19-22 heavily drinking and chain smoking, not to mention tanning all last summer.
I went home from school for Christmas this past holiday season and suddenly it hit me. My grandmother sat me down and said to me “honey, I want to tell you before it’s too late. You look much older than the last time I saw you. It’s time to start taking care if yourself before it’s too late” .. my mother quickly came to my defense stating “that’s because she IS older”…
I realized that my grandmother was right, though. The last time I saw her I was 19, and I just recently turned 22. I looked at pictures of myself at 19, and I easily passed as 17, looking nowhere near my age. I realized I’ve gotten furrows between my brows and small lines on the sides of my mouth from smoking. My skin just doesn’t look as radiant as before, and it’s lost a fair amount of elasticity.
I know at my age I shouldn’t be worrying about it, but I do know in my heart that if I continued to abuse my body I’d be looking extremely haggard by 30, and I want to hold onto my looks for as long as possible.
I purchased an anti-aging moisturizer from clinique and used it for about 4 months, but it provided very minimal effects to the lines beside my mouth, so I decided to look into purchasing a retinol product. I have oily, acne-prone skin and I noticed Afirm 3x had a LOT of great reviews and it’s a good price.
I’m wondering if you’ve tried this product yourself and if you think it would have the power to soften my brow furrows and the lines next to my mouth (they aren’t very deep, but I notice them every time I look in the mirror).. again, I’m only 22 but I regret the choices I made during my transition into adulthood and every time I look in the mirror I feel ashamed and regretful about the damage I caused to my skin during that time period. It really gets to me having people commenting about the fact that I look older.
Just for the record, I’ve completely quit smoking as of 3 months ago, and I only drink about once or twice a month.
I’d really appreciate your help, thank you so much
Hi Nina – Affirm is one of two great and inexpensive retinol products that many people swear by – the other is Green Cream which is reviewed in depth on this site in another article you may want to look at. You could also start with my article on Retinol Creams which gives you several to look at and covers some of the things you need to know – follow the links to recommended products which take you to sites like SkincareRX. You can browse retinol products there and take advice from online advisers. Look at online reviews on the sites – that helps to guide you but remember your skin is unique to you and your reaction may be different. Buying online gives you protection and money back guarantees if the product doesn’t work for you. Good luck and I hope you find what works for you.
Hi,
I am in search of a very good serum/cream containing retinol in recommendeded quantity because my skin is easily irritated. I am just 37 years but have deep lines about the sides of my mouth and i hate them.After reading that retinol can minimise the lines i have searched the internet for a good one. I see so many top rated products and now i am really confused as to the one to buy(boots no 7, skinceuticals, affirm2x,Roc Complexion, Greenm cream, Leaf and rusher and lots more). Please i need your expert advice and also note that i have African skin.
Can u give me an expert advice and a brief review on some of these acclaimed products?
Thank You
Where can I purchase Afirm 2x ?
Kat – thanks for the question! A good (high strength) retinol cream will accelerate the level of skin cell turnover and this can be accompanied by increased skin sensitivity and possibly redness and irritation in more sensitive skins. AHA Alpha Hydroxy Acid or fruit acids are skin exfoliators which broadly perform the same function. The FDA insisted on warnings about skin sensitivity and AHA products when their use was approved in 2003. So basically both retinol and AHA products may cause skin irritation – putting them both together will increase the risk.
Carolyn – Thanks for your comment – we don’t sell a retinol product – the Afirm retinol cream is one that I have seen great reviews for on the forums and the price is so good I thought it needed an article! I’m sorry you have got worries about your treatment. I know hydroquinone is a very strong ingredient and that it is not approved for use in skin care in the UK and Europe. Try searching for negative reports to see some of the problems associated with it. Maybe also try other skin specialists to get second/third opinions.
This website mentions “Also you should be careful what you use with a retinol cream like Afirm. Any product containing AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) should not be used at the same time as you apply the cream.”
BUT WHY?
thanks
I am an dark skin African American woman who currenly started using a cream from a cosmestic surgery office I was told by skin care specialist it contain 10% hydroquoinine and 5 percent retinol, I have very dark discloration in my face and neck, I noticed that the cream started to peel my skin which I was told this was the retinol. I would like to buy your retinol, does your retinol peel the skin also or do I need to use it with a hydroquione cream if so would percent do I mix with retinol in order to achive the results I have experienced from the cream I am using now. Please write me back I let me know what you recommend.
Thanks
Carolyn Bell
I have used Afirm 3x for about a year now and it has helped reduce fine lines and definately evened out my somewhat sun-damaged complexion. I feel it has also helped reduce the frequency of acne breakouts.
I use an 8% aha gel before I use this and I have had no problems at all with dryness. I wait at least 20 minutes after applying Afirm 3x before I apply my moisturizer, which is simply aloe vera gel with a squirt of jojoba oil mixed together in the palm of my hand.
You’re very wise to start with lower doses of retinol and work up to the max. Retinol gets great press over and over as an effective anti aging product that works and Affirm gets good reviews. Hope it works for you second time around too!
I use this cream, but I haven’t used it in a while, so I need to build up to it, because it’s Strong!!! I usually rotate between this, or Differin, which is for keeping my acne away, but it also works for wrinkles.