In this episode we go deep on the full vitamin A family, from prescription Retin-A all the way through to bakuchiol and whole plant ingredients. If you've been told you should be using retinol but aren't sure it's right for you, this one is for you.

What we cover:

• The full vitamin A spectrum, retinyl palmitate, retinol, retinaldehyde, HPR, and prescription tretinoin, what each form is doing in the skin and how they convert to their active form
• Why retinol causes peeling and sun sensitivity and what that means for your barrier
• The skin microbiome and how retinoids affect it
• Corneotherapy - the philosophy of skin health built around protecting the barrier, not disrupting it
• Bakuchiol - where it comes from, what the research actually shows, and how to read a label to know if you're buying the real thing
• Why a high percentage bakuchiol product is a red flag, not a selling point
• How bakuchiol and oil-soluble vitamin C work better together than retinol and vitamin C ever could
• What to do if you're pregnant, sensitive, or thinking about transitioning away from retinol
• Sea buckthorn, rosehip, and whole ingredients that feed the skin rather than direct it

Studies referenced:

• Dhaliwal et al. 2019 - Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing. British Journal of Dermatology
• Draelos et al. 2020 - A Double-blind Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a Bakuchiol Moisturizer. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology

Products mentioned:

• Immortal Serum - 1% bakuchiol, oil-soluble vitamin C, sea buckthorn, rosehip, turmeric, immortal flower, neroli, frankincense, red raspberry, jojoba — skinfrequency.co

Referenced episode:

• Vitamin C — the full breakdown:

Find Skin Frequency:

• skinfrequency.co