An Australian country GP got sick of watching patients chase retinol trends that wrecked their skin. So she did the doctor thing — she built her own, backed by 10,000 patient files.
That’s the whole origin story. No celebrity, no lab in a penthouse. Just a woman with a prescription pad and a very specific grudge against irritation.
It’s retinaldehyde — the overlooked step between retinol and prescription tretinoin. $92 for 30ml. The claim that got me: “visible results in 7 days.” Bold. I called bullshit.
10,000 Patient Files
Formulated on real skin types from rural clinics, not lab-controlled perfection
0.05% Retinaldehyde
Strong enough to work, gentle enough to skip the flaky purge phase
Time-Released Delivery
Sinks in fast, but works slowly — your skin adjusts without the drama
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
Retinaldehyde is the hero, but it’s the supporting cast that saves your skin barrier. This isn’t a one-hit wonder — it’s a full band.
- Retinaldehyde: Converts to retinoic acid in one step — faster than retinol, gentler than tretinoin
- Ceramides: Rebuild the barrier so you don’t peel like a snake
- Hyaluronic Acid: Plumps lines while the retinaldehyde does the heavy lifting
- Vitamin E: Stops the oxidation before it starts — formula stays fresh longer
Photo: Harper Sunday / Unsplash
It’s a milky gel that disappears in 15 seconds. No greasy film, no sticky residue. Just skin that feels like you’ve already moisturized — which is weird, because you haven’t.
Week two, my chin peeled. Just the chin. Like a bad sunburn in one tiny spot. I panicked, then remembered — that’s the retinaldehyde working. It stopped by day 10, and my skin looked… rested?
Photo: Kaeme / Unsplash
My fine lines around the eyes softened by week 3. My pores didn’t shrink — that’s a lie brands sell. But my skin looked like I’d slept 8 hours on 5 hours of sleep. That’s the real win.
Photo: Rosa Rafael / Unsplash
This is the retinaldehyde that makes me understand why derms keep it in their back pocket. It’s smarter than retinol, kinder than tretinoin, and it actually does what it says.