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Do you start group chats about the best scalp treatments?

male model standing against a yellow wall in a white collared shirt with graphic sky blue liner and clips in his black hair

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Google AHA vs. BHA exfoliants until the wee hours?

You’re our people.

For even more nerdiness, check outThe Science of Beauty podcast, produced by our editors.

Boscia 0.6% Pro-Retinol Repair + Renew Waterless Advanced Treatment

After chatting with board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic chemists, I learned that’s not the case at all.

Wait, so what exactly is pro-retinol?

To be more specific, pro-retinol is a fat-soluble ingredient derived from retinol.

Glossier Universal Pro-Retinol on light gray background

Pro-retinol is no different, offering the same anti-wrinkle and skin-regenerating properties.

Unlike retinol, though, this trending ingredient is milder and less irritating, Robinson adds.

Your skin is less likely to freak out when you start incorporating pro-retinol into your skin-care routine.

However, recent iterations of pro-retinol incorporate sunflower fatty acids akaretinyl sunflowerateinstead.

What are the downsides of pro-retinol?

Retinol usually needsat least six weeksbefore showing off its hard work.

Pro-retinol, on the other hand, may take even longer to produce results because it’s less potent.

Tretinoin, an intense,prescription formof retinol, will do the trick, though, Liu says.

Which pro-retinol products should I try?

Both work alongside brighteningvitamin C, so your skin has no choice but to shine.

Plus, its water-like texture feels like it’s barely another layer of product on your face.

It’s yet another plant-based retinol alternative for gently smoothing skin making its way into the skin-care zeitgeist.

I may just have to dive into that ingredient next.

Read more about buzzy skin-care ingredients:

Now, see Hyram Yarbro’s 10-minute skin-care routine in action: