Retinol changed skincare. Now it’s time for what’s next.

Is Retinol Still the Gold Standard? 

If you have been spending any time researching skincare, you probably heard the same advice over and over again:

“Use retinol.”

Retinol has earned its reputation for helping improve fine lines, uneven texture, pigmentation and acne. It’s one of the most researched ingredients in skincare for good reason.

But here’s the question we asked when developing our Night Serum:

Do the results have to come with irritation? 

The problem with traditional retinol

While retinol is effective, it’s also one of the ingredients people stop using most often.

Why?

Because many users experience:

• Redness
• Peeling
• Dryness
• Tightness
• Skin sensitivity
• A compromised skin barrier

For some people this is only temporary. But for a lot of others, especially those with sensitive or reactive skin, it becomes the reason they give up altogether. 

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Meet RetinART®

RetinART® is a next generation bio retinoid derived from sustainably sourced microalgae. 

So rather than broadly activating several retinoid receptors, RetinART selectively aactivates the RARβ receptor only, which is primarily involved in skin remodelling within the dermis which is the layer where collagen, elastin and fibroblasts live. 

This selective approach is designed to deliver many of the benefits associated with retinoid activity while reducing activation of receptors linked to irritation.  

What does that mean for your skin? 

RetinART has been shown in studies to help:

• Increase hyaluronic acid production
• Support collagen type I and III production
• Improve skin firmness and elasticity
• Smooth appearance of fine lines
• Promote more even looking skin tone
• Help reduce appearance of hyperpigmentation
• Support clearer looking skin all while being better tolerated than traditional retinol.

Why its in Cactus Skincare

When we formulated our Regenerative Night Serum, we weren't trying to create the strongest product on the shelf.. instead we wanted to create one people could actually use night after night. Because skincare only works if you stay consistent.

If an ingredient leaves your skin inflamed or damaged, you are less likely to keep using it right? That is why our philosophy has always been to work with your skin not against it. 

Is RetinART better than retinol?

Retinol still remains an excellent ingredient with decades of evidence and studies behind it. However, what impressed us about RetinART was the research showing it performed as well as (or even better than) certain retinol formulation on measures such as wrinkle appearance, skin firmness and pigmentation while offering improved skin comfort and tolerability. 

That combination of efficacy and gentleness made it the right choice for the Cactus Tribe, many of whom have sensitive, reactive or post treatment skin. 

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The future of skin renewal

For years we were made to believe that irritation was just the price you have to pay to achieve better skin..... But we are not convinced that's true anymore.

Science is moving toward ingredients that are smarter, more targeted and more compatible with the skin barrier.

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Where RetinART fits in our Regenerative Night Serum

This is why RetinART was chosen for our Regenerative Night Serum.

The goal was not to create a harsh "overnight transformation" product. It was to formulate a night treatment that supports the skin's natural renewal process while respecting the skin barrier.

At night, the skin is already in repair mode. RetinART works alongside this process by supporting collagen, teture, tone and visible skin renewal without relying on the irritation that comes with traditional retinol. 

For sensitive, reaactive or post treatment skin, that distinction. matters. Better skin renewal should not come from forcing the skin into stress. It should come from supporting the skin so it can function getter over time.