This post contains affiliate links. Product provided by Wishtrend.
I remember my first retinoid a few years ago - I was very hesitant to introduce it, fearing skin reactions and irritation. I had to use a North American product, because seeing retinol in a Korean skincare formula at that time was rare. Now I appreciate what retinoids can do for my skin, and kbeauty brands keep coming out with new and improved formulas.
By Wishtrend Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol Night Cream, launched in late 2022, combines 300ppm retinal with 10,000ppm bakuchiol to reduce wrinkles, improve pore appearance / skin texture, and promote well aging without irritation. It’s available on Wishtrend (code LUCY15), YesStyle (reward code KBHOBBIT), and Stylevana (code INF10KBH).
The first edition of the night cream comes in a TMI (tell more information) box with educational materials, samples, stickers, and other goodies. Watch the unboxing reel here.
Retinol vs Retinal
When applied to the skin, the more commonly known retinol must be converted to retinal and then to retinoic acid, but retinal has only one step to retinoic acid. That last conversion is rapid, and since the first conversion is skipped, retinal can provide faster results than retinol.
How to use
Apply 1-2 pumps after serum at night
Introduce slowly if you are new to retinoids, starting once a week and increasing frequency gradually
The cream has a velvety, silky texture and a yellow color common for retinoids. It glides on smoothly and absorbs quickly without stickiness. My face may look a bit shiny / oily in the morning, but it doesn’t feel greasy or sticky. Some might consider it a ‘glow’. I usually rinse my face with water or use a toner pad, which takes care of the excess shine. I do not notice a scent.
My impressions
I’m using prescription tretinoin, so I typically don’t apply any other retinoids on my face unless I pause tret first. By Wishtrend Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol Night Cream is a fantastic retinol for the eye, neck and chest areas, because the skin there is often too sensitive for tretinoin; at least mine is. When it comes to active ingredients like retinoids or exfoliating acids, having dedicated products for specific areas makes sense.
I’ve tried the cream on my whole face a few times, to be able to talk about the overall texture and feel, but on a regular basis it serves as my eye, neck and chest cream. My eye area can tolerate it nightly, same with the neck and chest, but remember that your skin may be different. Patch test and start slowly.
I absolutely love the texture and feel of this product. I have hooded eyes and cannot stand when they feel sticky. And yet I need something moisturizing enough to deal with this dry winter air. By Wishtrend A-mazing cream does a great job. It’s rich and moisturizing but not suffocating. I also appreciate that the formula combines both bakuchiol and retinal, instead of using the tired “retinol alternative” tagline. Bakuchiol is not retinol; it just isn’t. But it’s a worthy ingredient, especially when combined with a true retinoid.
My skin feels soft and smooth, and hopefully this will help keep some of the fine lines at bay. I don’t have any major concerns around my eye area (yet), the neck has some expected rings of Venus (thanks, phone), but prevention is typically better than attempts at reversal. I like the packaging, because airless pumps are great, except when I run out one day it will be a rude surprise. There’s really no way of telling how much is left in the container by looking at it. Do I already have a backup bottle in my stash? Yes, yes I do!
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By Wishtrend Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol Night Cream ingredients: Aqua(Water), Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Bakuchiol, Trehalose, Behenyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Glucose, Fructooligosaccharides, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinal, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Collagen, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Dextran