Two PhDs walked into a lab at MIT and decided retinol was too dumb to live. So they built a smarter one — wrapping retinal in lipid nanoparticles so it actually sinks in instead of just sitting on your face like a jerk.
This isn’t a beauty brand faking lab coats. They published the research. That’s the origin story no one’s telling you.
It’s $89 for 30ml. The claim that got me: “clinical-strength retinal without the purge.” I called bullshit. Then I read their studies.
Oleosome Encapsulation
Lipid spheres carry retinal 10x deeper than standard serums — measured, not marketed.
Time-Release Delivery
Slow release over 12 hours. No 3am itch, no angry red skin at brunch.
Stabilized Retinal
Retinal degrades in light — this stays potent for 24 months. That’s witchcraft.
Photo: Content Pixie / Unsplash
Hero ingredient is retinaldehyde — one step closer to retinoic acid than retinol, so it works faster. The nanoparticles aren’t just delivery — they’re the whole point. They protect the retinal from oxidation AND your skin from irritation.
- Retinaldehyde: The strong stuff — anti-aging, cell turnover, collagen boost
- Squalane: Carries retinal without clogging pores
- Vitamin E: Stops oxidation — keeps the serum alive
- Hyaluronic Acid: Counteracts retinal’s drying effect
Photo: Vedansh Agrawal / Unsplash
Feels like water touching your face — thin, weightless, absorbs in 8 seconds flat. No greasy film. No scent. Just gone.
Week 2: My skin started flaking around my nose. Not the scary peel — more like shedding a dull layer. By week 3, my forehead lines looked less… etched. My makeup sat smoother too. That surprised me.
Fine lines around my eyes lightened by maybe 30% — not gone, but softer. Pores on my nose look smaller. The dark spot on my cheek is still there, just less rude about it.
This is the first retinal serum that actually respects your skin barrier while doing its job. MIT nerds beat the beauty industry at its own game — and it’s not even close.