One of my favorite parts about skincare is that it never stands still.
We’re constantly learning more about how skin functions, how ingredients work together and how to create formulas that are not just effective, but better tolerated too. That's one of the reasons I love this industry…because there’s always an opportunity to improve.
At Barefaced, we take that responsibility very seriously. When new research or better ingredients have the potential to make a product perform even better, we're going to explore it. Not because the original formula wasn't working, but because if we can make something you already use even smarter, why wouldn't we? And that's exactly what this next chapter of RetinAL Skin is all about.
Why We Enhanced RetinAL Skin
If I had to name one ingredient that consistently earns its reputation, it would be a retinoid. Decades of research continue to show that Vitamin A is one of the most effective ingredients we have for improving the look of fine lines, uneven skin tone, rough texture and overall skin health, and that’s exactly why it’s one of the few ingredients I recommend to almost everyone. It just works.
But the problem has never been whether retinoids can deliver results…it’s that many people never make it far enough to see them. I've lost count of how many patients have told me they tried a retinoid, only to stop a few weeks later because their skin felt dry, flaky, irritated or uncomfortable.
At first, they assumed it was just part of the process, then eventually decided waiting on the results wasn’t worth the skin spiral. And honestly, they’re right. Retinal can have an adjustment period that includes redness and dryness, but it shouldn’t wreak havoc. The best retinoid is *not* the one that's hardest on your skin, but the one you can use consistently.
Why Consistency Matters More Than Intensity
One of the biggest mistakes in skincare is the idea that stronger always means better. In reality, your skincare routine is a lot like your exercise routine: one intense workout won’t change your body, but showing up consistently will.
Retinoids work exactly this way. Yes, they support natural collagen production, encourage healthy skin renewal and improve the appearance of fine lines and texture, but none of those benefits are going to show up overnight. They will, however, show up when you use them consistently.
That's why we've always formulated RetinAL Skin differently. It features the perfect pair of fast-acting retinal and bakuchiol combined with barrier-supporting lipids and nourishing ingredients that help skin stay comfortable while it adjusts. You still get the results retinal is known for, just without the peeling, flaking and sensitivity spiral that causes so many people to give up. Because at the end of the day, if the product isn't something you can actually stick with, it's not doing your skin any favors.
So...What Changed?
When we started looking at how to improve RetinAL Skin, we didn’t want to reinvent a formula people already loved. We were much more concerned with how we could make the current results show up even better.
That's why we've enhanced the formula with Alpine Rose Extract and Lavender Extract. These two ingredients were chosen very intentionally to make nightly use feel even more comfortable while still staying effective enough to deliver the results and healthy skin that everyone’s after.
You may often hear me talk about skin that starts to look "tired”, not because it’s actually tired, but because the skin cells just aren't functioning like they used to. Over time, this buildup can show with a complexion that appears a little dull, less vibrant and slower to renew itself. And Alpine Rose Extract was added especially for this reason. This extract is proven to help wake up tired-looking skin and support the natural renewal process that already happens overnight, so skin appears healthier and more refreshed with consistent use.
We also added Lavender Extract to help calm the look of redness and provide an extra layer of hydration while your skin does its overnight repair work. If we're asking you to use a retinal every night, your skin should actually feel good doing it and this extract adds an extra line of soothing defense. Neither ingredient changes what makes RetinAL Skin effective, but they do help the formula work even smarter.
What That Means for Your Skin
The idea has always been to create a retinal that you can actually keep using, not to create the strongest one on the market. With continued use, RetinAL Skin helps soften the appearance of fine lines, improve uneven tone, smooth texture, support natural collagen production and leave skin looking firmer, clearer and healthier. And now, with added ingredients that help support skin renewal and comfort, those results come with an even better experience. Remember, great skincare should never feel like something you have to recover from.
Why We Enhance Instead of Replace
One of the things I'm most proud of at Barefaced is that we don't believe innovation always means introducing something new. Sometimes innovation is simply taking a product that's already part of your routine and seeing how we can make it even better without asking you to do anything differently. And that's exactly what this update is.
My goal is never give you more products to think about. I want to give you products that you can trust and routines you can feel confident sticking with for skin that keeps getting better with time.
Xx,
Jordan
