Sienna Miller and Alexa Chung love this French face cream which keeps skin looking young- and it's less than £15
The A313 Vitamin A Lightweight Face Cream has been hailed as the 'French-girl secret to great skin' and is packed with anti-ageing ingredients like retinyl palmitate
Sienna Miller is a huge fan of the affordable retinol
(Image: Getty Images)
Back in the noughties, Alexa Chung and Sienna Miller were hailed as two of the most stylish and sought-after "it girls", and even in 2025, they remain our favourite sources for recommendations. Despite being celebrated for their unique styles, they share a common trait, as their skin appears as youthful now as it did a decade ago.
We've discovered the secret to their enduring youthfulness, as both rely on an incredibly affordable retinol-infused cream as a crucial part of their skincare routine. Last year, Sienna featured in Harper's Bazaar's 'Inside my Beauty Bag' video series, where she disclosed that she uses the A313 Vitamin A Lightweight Face Cream, available for just £13.89 on Amazon.
In the video, Sienna revealed: "This is a really fantastic secret, it's a French retinol that you can get over the counter. Alexa Chung told me about it because she's got the most amazing skin, and it's described as 'the French-girl secret to great skin' – so we all need that."
This so-called French-girl secret cream is loaded with anti-ageing ingredients like retinyl palmitate, which help enhance skin texture, reduce fine lines and boost your skin's overall radiance.
The A313 Face Cream also helps diminish wrinkles and sagging skin, keeping it plump and firm for a more youthful appearance. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here
Besides tackling signs of ageing, it's also helpful for diminishing hyperpigmentation and dark marks left behind by spots, not to mention it can help prevent acne flare-ups.
It also aids in boosting collagen production and smoothing texture, leaving your complexion more balanced and plumper-looking, reports the Mirror.
The A313 Face Cream is best incorporated into your evening skincare regime, as with all retinols it can make skin more susceptible to the sun.
That's why it's advisable to steer clear of using it in the morning and always ensure you apply SPF the following day (which you should be doing regardless to further guard against sun damage and premature signs of ageing!)
Whilst you can use the cream alone or blend it with your preferred serum or moisturiser, if you favour a product that already ticks all boxes, the Olay Retinol 24 Night Cream is £21.99 and merges retinol with an intensely hydrating moisturiser for the ideal final step in your evening regime.
The retinol has been called the "secret to French girl skin"
(Image: Amazon)
Alternatively, Beauty Pie's Super Retinol + Vitamin C Night Renewal Moisturiser is £32 and features 1% retinol complex and shea butter to moisturise whilst shielding skin and diminishing fine lines.
Nevertheless Amazon customers have clearly been delighted with the outcomes of the budget-friendly A313 Face Cream. One penned: "Best cream for hyper pigmentation highly recommended saw results in a week drastically reduced my dark spots highly recommended make sure you mix with moisturiser."
Another wrote: "I've recently started using the A313, and although it's only been a short period, I've already noticed some positive changes in my skin.The cream has a lightweight texture that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. It's easy to apply and feels comfortable on the skin."
However, not everyone had a positive experience, with one customer stating: "I tried the product for two weeks and could feel it making a difference. However, I had to stop as the persistent itching was unbearable."
It's important to note that, like all retinol-based products, you should introduce the A313 Face Cream gradually to your skin, particularly if you're new to using retinol. Overuse can damage your skin barrier, leading to itching, burning or drying sensations.
Yet, many customers were thrilled with the cream, with one exclaiming: ""The best cream ever. I use Murad Sculptra usually but this cream is far better and the price is very affordable.
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"Beats all the expensive creams from far away. I recommended this cream to all my friends and colleagues."
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