After cleansing, this is the night you’ll bump up exfoliation with a retinoid/retinol. Retinoids are a Vitamin-A derivative designed to target acne, premature aging, inflammation, uneven tone and texture, and stimulates collagen production. They are FDA cleared and only available via prescription. Retinoids are ideal for anyone over the age of 30 as they are highly active and incredibly effective at increasing cellular turnover. For those under the age of 30, you may be more familiar with Retinols – OTC products that treat the same skin concerns but in a gentler way. OTC Retinols are also great for all ages if new to retinol use.
Because Retinoids can be quite irritating, there are a few ways to apply the product – hydrating serum, Retinol, moisturizer is my preferred method. This approach is ideal for sensitive skin or new Retinoid users. Retinols are typically in a cream and can be applied without a serum under, but you can certainly add a hydrating moisturizer to prevent sensitizing the skin.
If you have extremely sensitive skin, not a candidate for Retinoid products, or have adverse reactions to them, you should opt for Bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to Retinoids. Bakuchiol is derived from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, also known as the babchi plant, and has been used in Eastern Medicine for centuries. It is known to behave as a Retinol and provide similar results without the side-effects of Retinoids.