All About Retinol

Are you looking for a way to revitalize aging skin or boost skin clarity? Retinol is an ideal ingredient because it helps to work at the cellular level to clear the skin and reverse the physical signs of aging. We recommend adding retinol to your nighttime skincare ritual as early as age 30, but starting at any age will give you results! Wildcraft carries two categories of retinol: Botanical Retinol and Clean Retinol.

→ Botanical Retinol

Botanical or Phyto Retinols are interesting ingredients as they are very effective in encouraging cell turnover, revitalizing the skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles, but have zero structural chemical resemblances to retinol itself, and are not a Vitamin A derivative.

You may want to choose Botanical Retinol if you’re pregnant, or have experienced sensitivity, peeling, or redness while using a synthetic retinol. Botanical Retinols work gently without the irritation, while being incredibly effective.

Moth Bean Extract and Bakuchiol are popular examples of “phyto-retinols.” Moth Bean is an Asian legume that also protects against free radicals and UV damage. Bakuchiol is from the babchi plant that has a long history in both Ayurveda and Chinese medicine.

1. SAI Clear Skin Serum Siam Seas

   Sai is a powerhouse antioxidant serum that synergistically combines a stable form of Vitamin C and science-proven actives to create a second skin-like protective layer providing a firming appearance and natural glow. It smoothes skin texture, soothes lesions, redness, brightens dark spots and evens skin tone. Perfect for acneic or skin that needs brightening.

    

2. Twilight Be Calm Serum Siam Seas

   A powerful blend that will help your skin repair and regenerate cells. Wonderful for sensitive, acneic, or rosacea skin types to relieve inflammation, remove toxins, promote blood circulation, brighten, and fight infection. Two phyto-retinols + Coenzyme Q10 regenerate cells and boost collagen synthesis further enhancing the youthful look of your skin.

    

3. Full Moon Serum Graydon

   This water-based retinol alternative face serum soothes, smooths, and protects your skin for a more radiant complexion. It shields your skin from pollutants and relieves redness. Reduces the appearance of fine lines, help firm skin, diminish the appearance of pores, and brighten your complexion. Perfect for a boost of hydration for dry and mature skin types.

    

4. Phyto Clear Graydon

   This gel-like natural retinol face moisturizer is made of not just one, but two retinol-like botanicals which makes it the perfect choice if you’re looking to get all the benefits of conventional retinol, without the possible side effects. Brighten your skin, minimize fine lines & wrinkles, and relieve redness. Perfect for combo, oily and acneic skin types.

→ Clean Retinol

We carry safe, BHT-free retinol — the purest derivative of Vitamin A, and the gold standard in inhibiting the breakdown of collagen, increasing collagen synthesis, increasing skin elasticity, helping to seriously address the signs of photo-aging, and regulating sebum production. (BHT is a synthetic antioxidant used as a stabilizer in most retinol products that may be carcinogenic and an endocrine disruptor.)

Retinol works best when combined with Vitamin C, and we love it combined with botanical retinols and antioxidant rich plants to boost its all-around effectiveness.

We believe that using a topical product that causes stress and irritation will actually cause aging, but you can achieve the same results as a Retin-A product without the irritation from our two picks👇.

1. Active Infusion Oil ~ Retinoid & Vitamin C Josh Rosebrook

   Retinoid + a clinical concentration of stabilized Vitamin C blended with plant oils that absorb quickly and cushion the delivery of the actives into the skin, while antioxidant rich, in-house made herb and mushroom extracts offer concentrated phytonutrients to help support, regenerate and protect skin structure and luminosity.

2. The Straight A ~ Advanced Gentle Retinol Maya Chia

   Encapsulated Retinol combined with two forms of Botanical Retinols + Vitamin A-rich plant oils. The highest quality shelf-stable Vitamin C, along with Vitamin E, help brighten and reduce hyperpigmentation. Perfect for normal, dry and mature skin types. A gorgeous rose scent. 

Give your skin an extra boost and try one of these options to start seeing smoother, healthier looking skin today!