When we talk of retinoids, we mean the big group of vitamin A derivatives which includes the non-potent forms like retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinyl palmitate found in skincare and the medical-grade forms like tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene and the oral isotretinoin. These are typically prescribed for acne. Scientifically speaking, they work by binding to the retinoic acid receptors in the skin cells which will increase skin cell turnover, increase production of dermal collagen, minimize pores, and brighten hyperpigmentation.

When I first heard of bakuchiol, I thought it was yet another skincare ingredient slash marketing ploy carefully crafted to draw in the “all-natural” consumer group. A plant extract that acts like retinol without side effects? It sounds too good to be true, and conveniently fits the bill for those looking for “clean” and vegan product alternatives.

There are so many products swimming in a sea of beauty aisles that it’s easy to get confused, or worse, make a mistake about their usage. Experiencing a bad reaction after combining multiple things in your routine is not unusual but it can be avoided. This is why it’s important to know how to use certain products together by understanding the effects of each one so you can identify what you really need.

We’ve talked about the proper way to layer skincare products before, and the general rule is to apply them on your skin from water-based solutions to oil-based solutions. This can also translate to using thinner skincare products first to thicker ones, or lightest to heaviest. With actives though, things get a little more tricky.

The word "retinoid" is casually thrown around these days when it comes to acne treatment. This is a pretty potent ingredient though, so I put my pharma training to good use and did quite a bit of reading on what retinoids are and how they work. If you've been thinking of adding them to your routine, read this lowdown before you commit!