0.3%

Pure Retinol

Face Serum

Our retinol is a high-purity, stabilized form of pure retinol, designed to deliver maximum efficacy with minimal irritation. Unlike standard retinol blends, our active contains 50% pure retinol, solubilized in a skin-compatible base (Polysorbate 20), making it exceptionally potent, stable, and precisely dosed in your /PHD/ formula.

What makes it better:

1. Higher Purity & Strength

Most commercial retinol blends contain 10–15% active retinol.
Ours delivers 50% active concentration, allowing us to formulate a clinically effective 0.3% dosage that works without overwhelming your skin.

2. Superior Stability

Retinol is notoriously unstable when exposed to light, heat, and air.
Our retinol is stabilized with antioxidants and rigorously tested to maintain its potency so your skin gets consistent performance, bottle after bottle.

3. Dermatologist-Preferred Delivery System

We use Polysorbate 20, a clinically recognized solubilizer that helps disperse and stabilize retinol evenly in the formula. It enhances skin penetration while maintaining formula integrity allowing the active to remain both effective and well-tolerated.

Retinol can be safely incorporated into your skincare routine starting in your mid-20s, which is often when early signs of skin aging—like uneven texture, fine lines, or dullness—begin to show. Starting early allows you to build long-term skin resilience and maintain skin health over time.

Our /PHD/ 0.3% Retinol Serum is designed to support this early introduction with a balanced formula that includes Bakuchiol, Peptides, and Hyaluronic Acid to reduce irritation and support the skin barrier.

Importantly, retinol should only be used at night. That’s because retinol molecules can break down in sunlight, reducing their effectiveness. Additionally, retinol can make your skin more photosensitive, increasing the risk of sun damage if used during the day.

For best results, apply on clean, dry skin in the evening, followed by a nourishing moisturizer. And don’t forget your sunscreen the next morning—it’s non-negotiable when using retinol.

Yes, you can — and in fact, maintaining retinol in your routine through the year can help ensure long-term skin benefits. However, winter can make skin more vulnerable to dryness and irritation, so it’s important to adjust your regimen to support your barrier.

Our /PHD/ 0.3% Retinol Serum is thoughtfully formulated with Bakuchiol, Peptides, and Hyaluronic Acid, which help buffer the drying effects of pure retinol and keep the skin hydrated. That said, if your skin becomes drier in winter, here are some dermatologist-approved strategies:

Moisturize generously: Layer a hydrating, barrier-repairing moisturizer after applying retinol. This helps minimize transepidermal water loss and soothes potential irritation.
Reduce frequency if needed: Shift to using it 2–3 times a week instead of nightly if your skin feels sensitive or tight.
Apply to fully dry skin: This minimizes the chances of increased irritation.
Never skip sunscreen: Even in winter, UV exposure can compromise skin that's more photosensitive from retinol use.

It’s possible you're experiencing purging, which is common when starting actives like Niacinamide, Retinol, Salicylic Acid or Vitamin C. This happens as the product speeds up cell turnover, bringing clogged pores to the surface usually in areas where you already get breakouts.

Purging typically lasts 2–4 weeks and then improves.
If breakouts appear in new areas or persist beyond 4–6 weeks, it may be irritation instead.

To support your skin:
– Keep the rest of your routine gentle
– Don’t introduce other new actives
– Use hydrating moisturizer and sunscreen

We’re here if you’d like help adjusting your routine!