What Are Retinoids, Anyway?
At their core, retinoids are a family of compounds derived from Vitamin A. This family includes over-the-counter options like retinol, retinaldehyde (retinal), and retinyl palmitate, as well as prescription-strength versions such as tretinoin (Retin-A), tazarotene, and adapalene. While they vary in potency and how quickly they convert to retinoic acid (the active form our skin uses), they all work tirelessly to revolutionize your complexion from within.
It’s time to celebrate one of the most powerful and transformative ingredients in dermatology: Retinoids! National Retinoid Week is from September 15-21 and we're here to enlighten you on why these vitamin A derivatives are considered gold standards in achieving healthy, youthful, and radiant skin.
The Powerhouse Benefits of Retinols & Retinoids
During National Retinoid Week, it's essential to understand the myriad of benefits these powerful ingredients offer:
Anti-Aging Marvels: This is perhaps their most famous superpower! Retinoids boost collagen production, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also promote skin elasticity, leading to firmer, smoother skin over time. It's like turning back the clock, one application at a time!
Acne Fighters: For those battling breakouts, retinoids are a game-changer. They help to unclog pores by normalizing cell turnover, preventing the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). They also reduce inflammation, leading to clearer and healthier skin.
Texture Refiners: Retinoids accelerate cell turnover, bringing fresh, healthy skin cells to the surface more quickly. This process not only smooths skin texture but also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Tone Perfectors: Dealing with hyperpigmentation, sunspots, or post-inflammatory marks? Retinoids inhibit melanin production and encourage the shedding of pigmented cells, leading to a more even and luminous skin tone.
AlphaRet: A Powerful Collection of Retinoid Skincare
Want Retinol-Level Results? Think skinbetter. AlphaRet is a next-gen potent, powerhouse retinoid + AHA for clinically validated results with little-to-no irritation. Our AlphaRet skincare collection features award-winning retinoid skincare with clinically demonstrated efficacy and tolerability. Traditionally, retinoids can be very difficult to incorporate into robust formulations. The unique construct of AlphaRet combines an alpha hydroxy acid with a retinoid and can be incorporated in formulations with additional skin supporting ingredients that address the specific needs of each patient, including peptides, hydrating, soothing ingredients, and additional alpha and beta hydroxy acids. Inspired by Retinol. Built Be++er. AlphaRet is a clinically tested retinoid + AHA—powerful and gentle enough for nightly use.
AlphaRet Overnight Cream
This 18x award-winning overnight cream works to improve the appearance of lines, wrinkles, uneven tone and texture while counteracting dryness and significantly reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads
Our exfoliating pads featuring our award-winning retinoid, AlphaRet, a unique biotechnology formulated with a combination of a retinoid and an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), along with a triple-acid blend of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid, provides additional exfoliation, improvement in the appearance of skin smoothness, clarity, lines and wrinkles.
AlphaRet Clearing Serum
This uniquely formulated retinoid-based serum is designed for those who wish to maintain a youthful-looking complexion and clarify the appearance of oilier, blemish-prone skin.
EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Bringing the power of AlphaRet biotechnology to the delicate eye area, this hydrating cream significantly improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles, texture, darkness, and puffiness.
Intensive AlphaRet Overnight
Like AlphaRet Overnight Cream, this powerful overnight cream features AlphaRet bioechnology, but offers a higher concentration of glycolic acid to enhance the texture and feel of the skin.
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AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Photodamage, lines, wrinkles, uneven tone and texture.
AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads
Dull, uneven skin tone and texture, lines and wrinkles.
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AlphaRet Clearing Serum
Skin clarity, pores and overall tone and texture.
EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Dryness, crepiness, puffiness, lines and wrinkles and darkness in the skin around the eyes.
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Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Photodamage, lines, wrinkles, uneven tone and texture.
How to Incorporate Retinoids into Your Routine
While retinoids are incredibly effective, some products require you to slowly introduce them to avoid irritation.
Start Slow: Begin by applying a pea-sized amount of your chosen retinoid 2-3 nights a week. Gradually increase frequency as your skin builds tolerance.
Nighttime is the Right Time: AlphaRet delivers results in four weeks and is gentle enough to use every night. Retinoids can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Always apply them in the evening.
Sunscreen is NON-NEGOTIABLE: This is perhaps the most critical rule. Because retinoids increase photosensitivity, daily application of broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is absolutely essential, even on cloudy days. Our sunbetter collection elevates your sun defense with 5 highly efficacious sunscreen options with up to SPF 75. The technology in sunbetter’s ultra-high performing 100% mineral sunscreens support skin’s defenses against UVA/UVB, IRA, blue light, and pollution.
Be Patient: Skin transformation takes time. AlphaRet demonstrated visible skin improvement in 4 weeks. Significant improvements can take longer—consistency is key!
How to Choose a Retinoid Product for You
Depending on your individual skin’s needs, the skincare solution you choose will vary. To improve the appearance of lines, wrinkles, uneven tone, and texture while counteracting dryness and significantly reducing the appearance of wrinkles, use the AlphaRet Overnight Cream. For a higher concentration of glycolic acid to enhance the texture and feel of the skin, use Intensive AlphaRet Overnight. If you are experiencing breakouts or have blemish-prone skin, opt for the AlphaRet Clearing Serum.
Nightly Retinol Skincare Routine
Step 1: Cleanse Skin
Begin your nightly routine by cleansing your face with our Cleansing Gel. This mild, foaming gel cleanser gently and thoroughly cleanses the skin and removes makeup.
How to use
- Use as part of your morning and evening skincare regimen.
- Apply a generous amount to damp skin.
- Massage gently with fingertips and rinse with warm water.
- Protect with sunbetter sunscreen during the day for additional skincare benefits.
Once the skin is thoroughly cleansed, use our Exfoliating Peel Pads up to three times a week to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pores, and rough patches.
How to use
- Use as part of your evening skincare regimen up to three times per week.
- After cleansing, gently apply to skin in small, circular motions to the face, neck, and décolleté. Can be applied all over the face, avoiding the lip and eye areas.
- Do not rinse after application.
- Wait a few minutes after application before applying other skincare.
- Protect with sunbetter sunscreen during the day for additional skincare benefits.
After exfoliating and cleansing, apply AlphaRet Clearing Serum formulated with retinoids, salicylic acid, and more powerful actives to help maintain a youthful-looking complexion and clarify skin.
How to use
- Use as part of your evening skincare regimen.
- Apply a rice grain amount to clean, dry skin around the delicate under-eye area.
- Gently dab product, starting from the center under the eye and dabbing outward before going up to the outside of the eyebrow, avoiding the eyelids.
- Protect with sunbetter sunscreen during the day for additional skincare benefits.
Deeply moisturize while you sleep with the power of retinoids in our AlphaRet Overnight Cream. Our ultra hydrating blend of Ceramides, Squalane, Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid complement the AlphaRet ingredients to soothe while targeting visible signs of aging.
- Use as part of your evening skincare regimen.
- Apply a thin layer to a clean, dry face. Can be applied all over the face, avoiding the eye area.
Before bed, apply EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream to improve the appearance of dryness, crepiness, puffiness, lines, wrinkles and darkness around the eyes.
Daily SPF
As part of your daytime routine, use a broad-spectrum, mineral sunscreen with SPF 30+ daily, even on cloudy days, to protect healing skin and prevent dark marks. Our sunbetter collection with ultra-high performing sunscreens supports skin’s defenses against UVA/UVB, blue light, and pollution in five highly efficacious options with up to SPF 75.
How to use
- Use as the last step of your morning skincare regimen.
- Apply product all over the face, neck, and décolleté, ensuring the entire surface of your skin is covered for optimal protection.
- Apply liberally and evenly 15 minutes before sun exposure.
- Reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel drying, and at least every 2 hours.
Our National Retinoid Week Challenge!
This week, we challenge you to start your retinoid journey (if you haven't already!) or recommit to consistent use.
Happy National Retinoid Week! Here's to radiant, resilient, and visibly healthier-looking skin!
