And is it actually right for your skin?
Retinol has become one of those skincare ingredients that seems to be everywhere.
It’s recommended for fine lines, texture, pigmentation, dullness, breakouts, almost like it’s become the default answer to every skin concern. And to be fair, there’s a reason for that. Retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives, are some of the most clinically studied ingredients in skincare and have consistently shown benefits for photoaging, texture, and tone over time. Clinical research supports their ability to improve visible signs of sun damage and skin aging when used properly.
But just because something is effective doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.
That’s where I think the retinol conversation needs more honesty.
In beauty, we’ve somehow normalized the idea that if your skin is peeling, dry, red, or irritated, it means your skincare is “working.” I don’t agree with that. While retinol can be effective, it can also be irritating, especially when it’s overused or layered into routines that are already too aggressive. And although retinol itself doesn’t “age” the skin, too much irritation and barrier disruption can absolutely make skin look thinner, duller, tighter, and more stressed.
That’s not healthy skin. That’s overcorrection.
As a founder, and as someone who sees beauty through a more Indigenous lens, I think we should be asking a different question: what works in relationship with skin, not against it?
Traditional Indigenous ways of thinking are rooted in balance, respect, and reciprocity. I believe that should influence how we think about skincare too. Not everything needs to be stripped, resurfaced, and pushed to its limit in the name of results.
Sometimes the smartest choice is the one that supports the skin barrier, not challenges it.
That’s why I’m equally interested in ingredients and approaches that feel more aligned with long-term skin health, including plant-based alternatives and gentler active systems. One ingredient that has drawn attention is bakuchiol, a plant-derived compound that has shown comparable improvement to retinol in some clinical research, but with less irritation. That matters, especially for people with sensitive or reactive skin. ( Honestly, not as effective as Retinol, but good.)
For me, this conversation is also bigger than efficacy.
It’s about asking better questions:
Where do ingredients come from?
What is their environmental impact?
How do we formulate products that are not only effective, but also more thoughtful?
Because the future of beauty, in my opinion, isn’t just stronger formulas and faster turnover.
It’s smarter formulation. Better sourcing. More respect for skin. More respect for the planet.
Retinol can absolutely have a place in skincare. But it shouldn’t be treated like the only path to healthy, beautiful skin.
Sometimes the most advanced choice is not the harshest one.
And honestly, I think that’s a much better way forward.