Advanced retinol care with stabilized retinaldehyde & bakuchiol and other active ingredients.
The active ingredient retinol has proven itself for years as the "gold standard" for cosmetic anti-aging: It helps stimulate cell renewal, demonstrably reduces lines and wrinkles, frees pores, promotes collagen formation and can even reduce acne. But where there is light, there is also shadow: pure, high-dose retinol can dry out and irritate the skin. Mild retinol precursors, on the other hand, are better tolerated, but often do not develop the optimal retinol-typical anti-aging effect.
The search for the best combination of tolerability and effectiveness has now come to an end: with the RETINAID system, consisting of two differently intensively dosed retinol formulas, even sensitive skin can be optimally and permanently treated with retinol.
The INCIs of RETINAID are listed below. The composition of the FORTE version is identical, but contains twice the amount of retinaldehyde, i.e. 0.1%. Both product variants contain 0.5% Bakuchiol.
AQUA (water serves as solvent and consistency enhancer), PENTYLENE GLYCOL (pentylene glycol is a solvent with moisture-binding and antimicrobial properties), PASSIFLORA EDULIS SEED OIL (passion fruit seed oil has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect due to its high linoleic acid content), GLYCERIN (glycerine is part of the skin's own moisture retention system; HYDROGENATED ETHYLHEXYL OLIVATE (a mixture of different esters derived from olive oil with softening and skin-caring properties), HYDROGENATED OLIVE OIL UNSAPONSIFIABLES (Lipid extracted from olive oil with nourishing properties), SR-SPIDER POLYPEPTIDE-1 (silk proteins protect the skin by means of a breathable film), ISOSORBIDE DICAPRYLATE (Diester of isosorbide and caprylic acid; SACCHARIDE ISOMERATE (natural cosmetic substance derived from glucose with moisture-binding properties), ORBIGNYA OLEIFERA (BABASSU) SEED OIL (babassu oil is quickly absorbed, has a slightly cooling effect, retains moisture and leaves the skin feeling soft and silky), UBIQUINONE (also known as Q10 co-enzyme with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties), TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (the derivative of vitamin E is an antioxidant and radical scavenger, so it protects the skin from harmful influences), C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE (skin-friendly lipid of synthetic origin; combines nourishing and antimicrobial properties), UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA (WAKAME) EXTRACT (extract of the Wakame algae with skin-protecting and moisture-preserving properties), PECTIN (natural cosmetic thickener), XANTHAN GUM (xanthan gum is a thickening agent derived from sugar, which is also used for organic food), CHONDRUS CRISPUS EXTRACT (extract of red seaweed with skin-caring properties), CYCLODEXTRIN (oligosaccharide complex, which is used here to stabilise the retina), RUBUS CHAMAEMORUS (SEED) OIL (cloudberry oil); nourishing oil with a high proportion of vitamin C), RETINALDEHYD (also known as retinal; direct precursor of retinoic acid; stimulates the production of collagen and elastin), CERAMIDES NP, CERAMIDES AP, CERAMIDES EOP (ceramides are an endogenous component of the skin barrier; protect them from harmful environmental influences and regulate the moisture balance), PHYTOSPHINGOSINE (belongs to the group of ceramides; endogenous component of the skin barrier), CHOLESTEROL (endogenous lipid; component of the cell mortar in the horny layer of the skin (stratum corneum)), SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE (sodium salt extracted from vegetable oil; is used as a mild emulsifier), CARBOMER (gelling agent with stabilizing properties), TETRAHEXYLDECYL ASCORBATE (stabilized, as it is an oil-soluble form of vitamin C), BAKUCHIOL (active ingredient extracted from the Indian Babchi plant which acts similar to retinol), DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE (extract from the liquorice root; has anti-inflammatory and skin calming properties), MAGNOLIA OFFICINALIS BARK EXTRACT (extract from the bark of the magnolia tree; has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, thus slowing down skin ageing), SODIUM HYALURONATE (hyaluronic acid stores many times its own volume of moisture, plumping up the skin and stimulating collagen formation), ALLANTOIN (allantoin has a wound healing promoting, anti-inflammatory and skin calming effect), SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYL BETAGLUCAN (film former of plant origin), SODIUM HYDROXIDE (sodium hydroxide is a pH regulator of mineral origin).
What should I know before I start using RETINAID (FORTE)?
How exactly do I apply RETINAID (FORTE)?
RETINAID or RETINAID FORTE?
We recommend all retinol newcomers to the market to start with RETINAID and to switch to the FORTE version from the 2nd bottle on. Those who are already used to retinol products or have robust, insensitive skin can also start directly with RETINAID FORTE. In general, retinol (or the retinaldehyde contained in RETINAID) needs a few months to take effect. Therefore RETINAID is intended for long-term or even continuous use. A phase of habituation lasting several weeks, during which the skin may be somewhat tense or slightly reddened, is also normal and no cause for concern. In the detailed package insert you will find useful tips for gentle settling in.
Behind the skin-improving effect of retinol products is retinoic acid (also known as vitamin A acid or tretinoin), which is the only active form of retinol. Pure retinoic acid is not only highly effective, but also very irritating to the skin. Therefore only precursors (retinol) or even precursors (retinol derivatives) are used in over-the-counter skin care. These are first converted into retinoic acid in the skin and are therefore significantly less irritating - but also less effective. For the optimal combination of tolerability and efficacy, the order in which the conversion takes place is decisive:
1. retinol derivatives
(e.g. retinyl palmitate)
⇓
2. retinol
⇓
3. retinaldehyde
⇓
4. retinoic acid
Retinaldehyde thus has a decisive advantage over conventional retinol or its precursors: it is directly converted into highly effective retinoic acid in the skin with virtually no loss. Therefore, a comparatively low, well tolerated dosage is sufficient to achieve relevant results.
Another special feature of RETINAID: The form of retinaldehyde used here is additionally stabilized by a special embedding in oligosaccharides. This eliminates another disadvantage of conventional retinol: its high sensitivity to light and oxygen. Therefore, RETINAID can even be used during the day (which leads to extensive loss of efficacy with conventional retinol products).
This active ingredient, extracted from the seeds and leaves of the Indian Babchi plant, is also referred to as the "best alternative to retinol". Not without reason: Although not chemically related to retinol, bakuchiol works in almost identical ways - but without stressing the skin.
However, Bakuchiol is more than a mild, vegetable retinol alternative: studies have also shown that Bakuchiol even enhances the effect of retinoic acid, but not its irritant potential. Bakuchiol also improves the stability of retinaldehyde through its antioxidant properties - all in all a perfect active ingredient partner!
The extract of Wakame algae (Undaria pinnatifida) used in RETINAID is known as a true elastin and collagen booster. It contains important minerals and essential amino acids and is also rich in the so-called Wakame esters. These esters activate a total of 14 different genes that are involved in the synthesis of the three main components of the extracellular matrix (intercellular spaces): Collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid.
RETINAID (FORTE) contains a mix of skin-identical ceramides, which are similar to the lipid barrier in the stratum corneum due to their multilamellar membrane system. This mix restores the skin's barrier function and strengthens its own protection. This reduces the stress potential for the skin and optimally supports the success of the treatment.
The vegan, functional silk polypeptides used in RETINAID (FORTE) form a breathable, protective film on the skin and thus support the barrier-protective properties of the formulation from the outside.
