It's not that often you find a retinol cream for under $50.

To find one that many people say actually works is even rarer.

Recently I noticed that several visitors to this site have been buying a retinol cream called Afirm 3X so I decided to check it out.

Afirm 3X is one of three retinol creams from TX Systems.  They come in varying strengths depending on how sensitive your skin is and whether you've used a retinol cream before:

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.

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 which allows them to carry a high concentration of retinol and yet be exceptionally gentle on your skin.

They also say that Afirm 3X or any of the other products in the line will:

repair years of sun damage

make your skin look and feel smoother and firmer.

reduce the appearance of fine lines

unclog and tighten pores by lifting out dirt and makeup

The recommendation is to apply Afirm 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 to start at a lower strength 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.

The reviews that I have seen of all the Afirm products - but especially the Afirm 3X - are highly positive. And the great news is that all three sell at under $50 at SkinStore.  Affordable anti aging skin care is a bonus in these credit-crunched times and retinol is an anti aging ingredient proven to work.

So, at that price - even if you haven't used a retinol cream before - you can afford to give it a try.

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