Core Four (Retinoid Alternative)
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Core Four (Retinoid Alternative)
Core Four (Retinoid Alternative)

Core Four (Retinoid Alternative)

The four pregnancy-friendly essentials your skin needs

214 reviews

The Barefaced Core Four (Retinoid Alternative) is a simplified skincare system designed to strengthen skin over time. Each step—exfoliate, protect, correct, and brighten—works together to improve clarity, tone and texture while supporting healthy skin function day to day. Built for consistency and lasting results, the Core Four focuses on long-term skin health to deliver results that last beyond the moment.

Customize your set

Round Out Your Routine

Hydrating Lotion
Hydrating Lotion
lightweight, antioxidant rich, age-defying moisturizer
$42
What’s Included
  • Niacinamide: Brightening & soothing
  • Caffeine: Minimizes pores
  • Ceramides NP, AP: Strengthens skin barrier
  • Resveratrol: Reduces inflammation
  • Sodium Hyaluronate: Boosts hydration
  • Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2: Increases collagen & elastin
  • Apple Fruit Extract: Moisturizing & anti-aging
  • Green Tea Polyphenols: Antioxidant & soothing
  • Tocopheryl Acetate: Hydrating & anti-aging
Key Benefits
  • Improves the look of fine lines + uneven texture without retinoids
  • Helps keep pores clear + skin balanced
  • Visibly brightens dull tone for a more even-looking complexion
  • Supports healthy skin renewal with consistent use
  • Designed for skin that can’t tolerate traditional retinoids
  • Suitable for sensitive skin types
How to Use

Morning Routine

After cleansing, apply Toning Pads, gently swiping one pad across your face, neck and chest. Follow with 2-5 drops of Liquid Gold to face, neck and chest, then apply Overachiever and moisturizer. Finish with SPF for broad-spectrum protection.

Evening Routine

Double cleanse. Gently swipe a Toning Pad across your face, neck and chest. Apply 2-5 drops of Liquid Gold and let it absorb. Apply Overachiever. Follow with Hydrating Lotion (or your preferred moisturizer).

Getting Started Tips

Introduce one new product a day, starting every other day to monitor tolerance. Once tolerated, increase to daily use. If you have sensitive skin, wait 1 week between introducing new products to avoid irritation.

Ingredients

Toning Pads/II: 1 jar/60 pads

  • Glycolic Acid: Brightens + exfoliates
  • Lactic Acid: Hydrates + smooths fine lines
  • Salicylic Acid: Clears pores + fights breakouts

Liquid Gold: 1 fl oz/30 mL

  • L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 15%: Brightens & defends
  • Vitamin E: Enhances antioxidant efficacy

Tinted/Sheer Protection SPF 50+: 2 fl oz/60 mL

  • Zinc Oxide 14.5% & Octinoxate 7.5%: Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection

Overachiever: 1 fl oz/30 mL

  • Bakuchiol: Enhances efficacy & reduces sensitivity
  • Resveratrol: Improves texture/radiance + reduces redness/inflammation

While all other products are considered pregnancy/nursing-friendly, we recommend consulting your healthcare provider for any specific concerns.

View Full Ingredients

Toning Pads: Water (Aqua), Sd Alcohol 40-B, Glycolic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Succinic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol

Toning Pads II: Water (Aqua), Sd Alcohol 40-B, Glycolic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Succinic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol

Liquid Gold: Water (Aqua), Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Coconut Alkanes, Hydrated Silica, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) Extract, Morus Alba (White Mulberry) Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Pullulan, Silica, Phenoxyethanol

Overachiever: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Bakuchiol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Bisabolol, Azelaic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Resveratrol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Sprout Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Lycium Barbarum Callus Culture Extract, Isomalt, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Bacillus Ferment, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Caffeine, Sodium Lactate, Undecane, Tridecane, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Propanediol

Tinted Protection SPF 50+:

  • Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 14.5% & Octinoxate 7.5%
  • Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water, Niacinamide, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyisobutene, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Sucrose, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloydimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA

Sheer Protection SPF 50+:

  • Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide 14.5% & Octinoxate 7.5%
  • Inactive ingredients: Purified Water, Niacinamide, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyisobutene, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Sucrose, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloydimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA

Jordan Harper, NP

From the Expert

Where it Fits in Your Routine

  • 01 CLEANSE
  • 02 TONE
  • 03 ANTIOXIDANT
  • 04 STRENGTHEN
  • 05 HYDRATE
  • 06 PROTECT
Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

750 reviews

Papaya Enzyme Cleanser
mild exfoliating cleanser
Toning Pads

4167 reviews

Toning Pads
reveals brighter, smoother skin & unclogs pores - best for first time users + normal/dry skin
Core Four (Retinoid Alternative)

214 reviews

Core Four (Retinoid Alternative)
the foundation of your skincare routine
Liquid Gold

4618 reviews

Liquid Gold
hydrating, 15% vitamin C serum
Overachiever

3903 reviews

Overachiever
a skin-boosting serum
Hydrating Lotion

2224 reviews

Hydrating Lotion
lightweight, antioxidant rich, age-defying moisturizer
Tinted Protection SPF 50+

2066 reviews

Tinted Protection SPF 50+
broad-spectrum mineral based sunscreen

Clinically-Proven Ingredients You’ll Love

  • Pregnancy-friendly
  • No parabens
  • No fragrance
  • No phthalates
  • No sulfates
  • No artificial dyes
  • No mineral oil
  • No formaldehyde donors
Ingredient Highlights
Glycolic Acid

Brightens + exfoliates

L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 15%

Provides antioxidant protection + collagen stimulation while visibly brightening + evening skin tone

Bakuchiol

Retinoid alternative that helps improve texture + tone, fights acne + has antioxidant power

Zinc Oxide (14.5%) & Octinoxate (7.5%)

Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection

See Full Ingredients

Toning Pads: Water (Aqua), Sd Alcohol 40-B, Glycolic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Succinic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol

Toning Pads II: Water (Aqua), Sd Alcohol 40-B, Glycolic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Succinic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol

Liquid Gold: Water (Aqua), Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Coconut Alkanes, Hydrated Silica, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) Extract, Morus Alba (White Mulberry) Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Pullulan, Silica, Phenoxyethanol

Overachiever: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Bakuchiol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Bisabolol, Azelaic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Resveratrol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Sprout Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Lycium Barbarum Callus Culture Extract, Isomalt, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Bacillus Ferment, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Caffeine, Sodium Lactate, Undecane, Tridecane, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Propanediol

Tinted Protection SPF 50+:

  • Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 14.5% & Octinoxate 7.5%
  • Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water, Niacinamide, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyisobutene, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Sucrose, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloydimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA

Sheer Protection SPF 50+:

  • Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide 14.5% & Octinoxate 7.5%
  • Inactive ingredients: Purified Water, Niacinamide, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyisobutene, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Sucrose, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloydimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA

FAQs

Are these products considered safe if I’m pregnant or nursing?

Other than RetinAL Skin and Polishing Pads, all of our products are considered pregnancy/nursing-friendly. However, we recommend consulting your healthcare provider for any specific concerns.
What’s the difference between Toning Pads and Toning Pads II?

Both our Toning Pads and Toning Pads II are designed to exfoliate, smooth, and brighten the skin. The key difference comes down to strength and skin tolerance.

Toning Pads:

  • Up to 2% glycolic acid
  • Best for sensitive skin or those new to exfoliating acids
  • Provides gentle exfoliation to clear pores and improve skin texture

Toning Pads II:

  • Up to 5% glycolic acid
  • Better suited for experienced users or those with oily, resilient skin
  • Helps improve stubborn congestion and more noticeable texture concerns

*Both pads contain up to 2% Salicylic Acid

If you’re new to Barefaced pads, start with Toning Pads to let your skin adjust before moving up to Toning Pads II. Always use sunscreen daily when incorporating exfoliating acids into your routine.
Should I start with Toning Pads or Toning Pads II?

We recommend starting with regular Toning Pads and then increasing to Toning Pads II as tolerated.
Can I wear SPF with makeup?

Absolutely. It layers beautifully under foundation or tinted moisturizer and also gives a polished, even finish on its own.

If you’re wearing makeup, reapply with a powder or spray SPF to maintain protection throughout the day.
How do I apply my products?

We wrote you a blog post all about it! Check out How to Layer Your Skincare Products for more info.
What is your Shipping and Returns policy?

Orders are processed Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and major holidays. Orders are typically delivered within 5-7 business days.You may return any item purchased at full price in new or gently used condition within 30 days of purchase, by mail. Some orders may be subject to a $9.95 handling fee. Please note, some items are final sale. More Information on Shipping + Returns.

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