The Firm Ground lotion from Versed combines retinol (a type of vitamin A) with moisturizing ingredients like squalene, vitamin E, and cocoa butter. Suggested for use on areas including the chest, knees, and elbows, Firm Ground addresses signs of aging that traditionally occur on drier areas of the skin. To buy: $18; versedskin.com. Skin irritation is often a common side effect of retinol use. While experts confirm that your skin will gradually adjust with continued use, Firm Ground aims to reduce that experience from the start, using an encapsulated version of retinol. “Encapsulated retinol is a way to get the full benefits of retinol with less irritation. Encapsulation is also a way to formulate a product with a higher concentration of retinol, as the skin will tolerate it better, Dr. Luigi Polla, founder of Forever Institut and Alchimie Forever, told Real Simple. In order to further reduce possible skin irritation, Tamerri Ater, senior director of product development at Versed, noted, “Like with all retinol based products, you should wear broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher and keep areas of application out of direct sunlight.” Firm Ground reviewers confirm their skin has acclimated to the lotion without any issue. “My skin usually reacts poorly to anything other than the most basic body lotion. However, that wasn’t the case with Firm Ground,” a reviewer shared. They added, “The retinol didn’t cause any irritation—it only made my skin soft! For the first time in as long as I can remember, I have soft elbows.” It’s recommended that you apply the lotion morning and night, but if this is your first time using retinol or you have sensitive skin, dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum suggests only using retinol twice a week. “After a few weeks, you can try increasing the frequency to four nights a week until you can use it nightly,” she added. Based on the experience of one first-time retinol user, Firm Ground is appropriate for most all skin types. “This lotion worked far better than I had ever hoped. Having never used retinol, I didn’t know what to expect. People, it helped my eczema,” one reviewer shared. “I applied it to the keratosis pilaris (bumpy chicken skin) on the backs of my arms overnight. The next morning, it was darn near gone. Next, I tried it on my lower legs and feet, which is where my eczema flares worst. Overnight, [there was] soft, moisturized skin. My mind was blown. I plowed through the whole tube.” Ready to experience the lotion that left one shopper with “baby smooth skin?” Pick up a bottle of Firm Ground from Versed Skincare now.
