Face Reality Retinal B3 Serum

Face Reality Retinal B3 Serum — gentle retinaldehyde serum with niacinamide for anti-aging and renewal

Size: 1 oz / 30ml

What it does for your skin

A carefully engineered retinaldehyde serum that delivers real vitamin A results — smoother texture, firmer skin, reduced fine lines, improved tone — with significantly less irritation than conventional retinol. The retinaldehyde (retinal) is stabilized in cyclodextrin to protect its potency, then buffered by niacinamide, saccharide isomerate, cloudberry seed oil, and a botanical calming complex to minimize the sensitivity that prevents most people from sticking with a retinoid. One of the most intelligently formulated vitamin A serums available at this price point.

Key benefits

• Retinaldehyde — one step closer to retinoic acid than retinol, faster-acting with less irritation
• Cyclodextrin stabilizes the retinal to protect potency until it reaches the skin
• Niacinamide calms retinoid sensitivity and strengthens the barrier while vitamin A works
• Glycolic acid provides complementary surface exfoliation for enhanced renewal
• Saccharide Isomerate locks in moisture to prevent retinoid dryness
• Cloudberry seed oil — rare Nordic botanical rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids
• Glucoside antioxidant complex (rosmarinyl, caffeyl, gallyl) protects against oxidative stress
• Mirabilis Jalapa extract calms reactive responses during retinoid adjustment

Best for

All skin types wanting vitamin A anti-aging benefits with less risk of irritation — particularly clients who have tried retinol and experienced sensitivity, peeling, or barrier disruption. Also ideal for clients with acne-prone or sensitive skin who want to incorporate retinoids into their routine carefully. Strength and frequency confirmed during your consultation.

How to use

Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin in the evening as directed during your consultation. Start 2 nights per week and increase gradually only as tolerated — never rush the introduction. Follow immediately with Face Reality Barrier Care Gel Cream or Clearaderma to buffer sensitivity. Always use SPF 50 every morning without exception. Do not use on the same night as other acid exfoliants unless directed.

Jasmine's note

Key ingredients

• Retinal (Retinaldehyde) — the form of vitamin A one step closer to retinoic acid than retinol; converts to retinoic acid with fewer steps in the skin, making it faster-acting and more potent than retinol while still significantly gentler than prescription retinoic acid; boosts cell turnover, smooths fine lines, and improves skin texture
• Cyclodextrin — molecular cage that encapsulates and stabilizes the retinaldehyde, protecting it from oxidation and degradation until it contacts the skin; ensures the vitamin A remains potent from the bottle to the skin
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) — the B3 in the product name; calms the inflammatory response that causes retinoid sensitivity, strengthens the skin barrier, and regulates sebum — making retinaldehyde tolerable for skin types that couldn't use conventional retinol
• Glycolic Acid — provides complementary surface exfoliation that works synergistically with the retinaldehyde for enhanced cell turnover and texture improvement
• Saccharide Isomerate — long-lasting hydration molecule that binds moisture to the skin; specifically included to counteract the drying effect that vitamin A can cause during the adjustment period
• Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Oil — rare Nordic berry oil exceptionally rich in vitamin E, vitamin A precursors, and omega fatty acids (3, 6, and 9); nourishes the skin barrier and provides antioxidant protection during retinoid treatment
• Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Caffeyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside — trio of stabilized glucoside antioxidants derived from rosemary, coffee, and gallnut; protect skin from oxidative stress during the cellular turnover process triggered by retinaldehyde
• Mirabilis Jalapa Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract — four o'clock plant extract with exceptional anti-inflammatory properties; reduces post-application redness and reactive skin responses during retinoid adjustment
• Lonicera Japonica & Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract — dual natural antimicrobial preservation system that supports microbiome balance during treatment
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride — lightweight non-comedogenic emollient that creates the serum's smooth texture while keeping the formula acne-safe

Complete your routine

Retinal B3 Serum is your evening active — build your PM routine around it:

• Step 1 — Cleanse with: Face Reality Ultra Gentle Cleanser or Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser
• Step 2 — Tone with: Face Reality Moisture Balance Toner — allow skin to dry for 10-15 minutes before applying retinal (dry skin reduces sensitivity)
• Step 3 — This serum: Retinal B3 Serum — pea-sized amount, press gently in, allow to absorb
• Step 4 — Buffer immediately with: Face Reality Barrier Care Gel Cream or Clearaderma — essential during the adjustment period to prevent over-sensitivity
• Morning pairing: Face Reality Antioxidant Peptide Face Serum in the AM — antioxidants in the morning, vitamin A at night is the gold-standard pairing
• Always finish AM with: Face Reality powerMineral SPF 50 or Mineral Matte SPF 28 — mandatory with any vitamin A product
• Brightening support: On nights not using retinal, Face Reality GlowTone Corrective Serum to address any hyperpigmentation while the retinal handles texture and firming

Frequently asked questions

Full ingredient list

Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Cyclodextrin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Propanediol, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinal (Retinaldehyde), Pentylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Mirabilis Jalapa Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Caffeyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Saccharide Isomerate.