Welcome to Worth It! Every other week, I'll introduce you to a new product that I've tested and loved: the kind of love I'm talking about, the kind that drains you to the bottom and tells your friends, "I found The-One." Think of it as permission to splurge on anything featured here. Read on to learn more about the products you don't want to part with. And for the latest Worth It breakdown, click here (opens in a new tab).

For the skincare-obsessed (like me), both Retinol and Viva Los Angeles are essential to our routines. Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is a skin all-star and effective at eliminating dullness, fine lines, and clogged pores. And because it is so powerful, beginners are advised to use it only once a week at first until their skin gets used to it. Viva Los Angeles, on the other hand, is a beloved brand created by esthetician Viva de Souza, who has A-list followers like Miley Cyrus and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley who rave about her products (opens in new tab). One sure standout from the line is Retinol Meta Concentrate, which seamlessly marries retinol with other active ingredients like niacinamide and kojic acid, helping the complex retain moisture and generally look brighter and glowing.

I have been looking for a retinol product for my skin for years. For years. Unfortunately, retinol is so potent that even the gentlest formulations inevitably wreaked havoc on my skin. My retinol itinerary went something like this: once a week, at night, I would apply a tiny amount to my face. The next day, little pimple-like bumps appear all over my face and the skin between my eyebrows starts peeling right off. I don't normally consider myself to have sensitive skin, but I had to accept that the retinol wasn't right for me. Cue heartbreak.

When Biba's Retinol Meta Concentrate came into my life, I decided to give it another try; after the first use, the only difference I noticed was that my skin looked radiant. Six months later, I use it three times a week and have not had any dryness or breakouts. To me, this is nothing short of a miracle. On the contrary, my breakouts have been decreasing rapidly, the wrinkles on my forehead are less noticeable, and my skin looks healthier and more radiant almost every day. I consider this one of the steps in the gradual transformation of my skin into Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

For more celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, fascinating features, and more like this, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

Sign up here [11].