Retinal Night Cream
Retinal Night Cream
Retinal Night Cream - An age defying and deeply regenerating treatment cream formulated with Retinaldehyde - a next-generation vitamin A, which accelerates cell renewal and the recovery process while you sleep. It combines many innovative and advanced regenerative active ingredients to help repair skin damage, restructure, improve clarity and boost skin density while increasing moisture and elasticity. Formulated without essential oils, synthetic colors, alcohol and fragrance.
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About The Product
About The Product
Retinal Night Cream combines many innovative and advanced regenerative active ingredients including B-Vitamins, Resveratrol, Lactic Acid and Willow bark to help repair skin damage, restructure, improve clarity and boost skin density while increasing moisture and elasticity.
Powered by Retinaldehyde (retinal for short) - an encapsulated and ultra stabilized bio-active form of Vitamin A that gradually and effectively converts to retinoic acid in the skin. Retinaldehyde is far less irritating compared to other retinoids and is known to have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory andantibacterial properties. Retinaldehyde boosts and protects collagen, increases cell turnover and enhances barrier function. Cream strength: for an intermediate - advanced retinoid user.
Ingredients
Ingredients
KEY INGREDIENTS:
0.25% Retinaldehyde: Delivers advanced concentration, with the most potent, effective retinoid results. BOOSTS AND PROTECTS COLLAGEN; INCREASES CELL TURNOVER AND ENHANCES BARRIER FUNCTION
SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE: ANTIOXIDANT THAT PROTECTS AND IMPROVES THE SKIN’S ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE BARRIER
LAMINARIA ALGAE: ANTI-AGING AND REPAIRING
NIACINAMIDE + PANTHENOL: ENHANCES HYDRATION, SOOTHES, SOFTENS AND MOISTURIZES
LUPINE OLIGOSACCHARIDES: REPAIRING AND REGENERATING
COQ10 + RESVERATROL + Caffein: antioxidants
LACTIC acid + WILLOW BARK: REDUCE HYPERPIGMENTATION AND IMPROVE SKIN TONE AND TEXTURE
AZELAIC ACID: TREATS SKIN CONDITIONS LIKE ROSACEA, HYPERPIGMENTATION, MELASMA AND ACNE
FULVIC ACID: minimizes pores, reduces acne scarring
DRAGON’S BLOOD + ZINC: anti-inflammatory
MARULA: COLLAGEN-BOOSTING & SOOTHING
ROOIBOS + HONEYBUSH: SOOTHE & REDUCE REDNESS
INCI LIST:
Aqua (Water), Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Retinal (Retinaldehyde), Olive Squalane, Cyclodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorghum Bicolor Stalk Juice, Yeast Extract, Hydrolyzed fucoidan (Laminaria) Algae Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloud Berry) Seed Oil, Isoamyl Laurate, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture (Swiss Apple Stem Cells), Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Niacinamide, Panthenol, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Croton Lechleri (Dragon’s Blood) Extract, Rosa-Senensis (Hibiscus) Extract, Resveratrol, Caffein, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Oil, Citrillus Lanatus (Kalahari Melon) Seed Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii (Mongongo) Kernel Oil, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Leaf Extract, Kigelia Africana Extract, Cyclopia Genistoides (Honeybush) Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Arnica Cordifolia Extract, Salix Alba (Willow Bark) Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Extract, Lactic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Fulvic Acid, Rosa Moschata (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.
Contains ethically and responsibly sourced ingredients. 100% Vegan & Cruelty-Free.
CAUTION: For external use only. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Not suitable for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
THIS INGREDIENT LIST IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE REFER TO YOUR PRODUCT PACKAGING FOR THE MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION.
Skin Concerns
Skin Concerns
FOR ALL SKIN TYPES. IDEAL FOR Fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, Problematic skin types (blemishes / breakouts), Dark spots and UV damage.
Benefits
Benefits
Targets all signs of aging: Helps minimize fine lines and wrinkles, Clarifies and brightens, Triggers cellular regeneration AND Enhances barrier function.

Retinal Night Cream
DIRECTIONS
Use PM Only. Application should be phased in gradually and only used overnight. For optimum results apply a large pea-sized amount over clean, dry face, neck and décolletage. Allow to absorb before applying a face oil or a moisturizer if needed. Use twice a week for the first 2 weeks, every other night for the next 2 weeks, then every night. Always use a broad spectrum SPF during the day while using this product
TEXTURE
concentrated CREAM
Collapsible content
What is Retinal Night Cream?
Retinal Night Cream is a deeply regenerating overnight treatment cream powered by 0.25% encapsulated, ultra-stabilized retinaldehyde — the most advanced and effective form of vitamin A available without a prescription. The formula pairs this next-generation retinoid with niacinamide, lactic acid, willow bark, azelaic acid, vitamin C, CoQ10, resveratrol, and South African botanicals to visibly refine skin texture, even tone, soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and support a smoother, firmer, more luminous-looking complexion overnight.
What is retinaldehyde, and how is it different from retinol?
Retinaldehyde — also called retinal — is one molecular step away from retinoic acid, the active form of vitamin A that your skin actually uses. Retinol, by contrast, requires two conversion steps in the skin before becoming active. This shorter pathway makes retinaldehyde faster-acting, more efficient at lower concentrations, and significantly gentler than traditional retinol. In our Retinal Night Cream, we use a premium 0.25% concentration of encapsulated, ultra-stabilized retinaldehyde — a treatment-tier formulation designed to deliver visible results with less of the irritation often associated with retinoid use.
Who is Retinal Night Cream best for?
Retinal Night Cream is formulated for intermediate to advanced retinoid users seeking a high-performance overnight treatment to address visible signs of aging, uneven tone, loss of firmness, and blemish-prone skin. While retinaldehyde is celebrated as the most tolerable form of vitamin A, this 0.25% concentration is a serious treatment-strength formulation. If you are entirely new to retinoids, we recommend introducing it very gradually following the phasing guide below. Mature skin, skin showing signs of fatigue, fine lines, loss of bounce, or uneven tone particularly benefits from this formulation.
How do I introduce Retinal Night Cream into my routine?
We recommend phasing Retinal Night Cream in gradually to allow your skin to acclimate:
— Weeks 1–2: Use twice a week.
— Weeks 3–4: Use every other night.
— Week 5 onward: Use nightly.
Always apply to clean, dry skin in the evening, and always wear a broad-spectrum SPF the following morning. This phased approach helps minimize sensitivity while allowing your skin to build tolerance to retinaldehyde's active benefits.
Is purging or irritation normal when starting retinaldehyde?
A short period of adjustment is common when beginning any retinoid, including retinaldehyde. Some skin may experience mild dryness, light flaking, or temporary breakouts as cell turnover accelerates. This typically subsides within two to four weeks. To minimize this adjustment phase, follow the gradual phasing schedule, apply Retinal Night Cream to clean, completely dry skin, and follow with a nourishing moisturizer or face oil to support comfort. If significant irritation persists, reduce frequency and consult your dermatologist or skincare professional.
Does Retinal Night Cream help with fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness?
Yes. Retinaldehyde is widely considered one of the most effective ingredients for addressing visible signs of aging. In this formulation, it works alongside lupine peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, CoQ10, resveratrol, and Swiss apple stem cells to help soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles, support a firmer, more elastic-looking complexion, and visibly refine skin texture overnight. With consistent use, skin appears smoother, more sculpted, and more youthful.
Does Retinal Night Cream help with dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or uneven tone?
Yes. The formula is designed to help visibly even skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots, post-blemish marks, and overall dullness. Retinaldehyde supports cell turnover, while niacinamide, vitamin C, lactic acid, willow bark, and azelaic acid work together to brighten the complexion and refine the look of uneven tone. With consistent use, skin appears clearer, more luminous, and more even.
Does Retinal Night Cream help with blemishes and breakouts?
Yes. Retinaldehyde is uniquely effective for blemish-prone skin among retinoids, with naturally clarifying properties that help support a clearer-looking complexion. The formula helps refine the look of pores, support balanced-looking skin, and reduce the appearance of post-blemish marks. Niacinamide, azelaic acid, and zinc further support a calmer, clearer-looking complexion.
Why is Retinal Night Cream used only at night, and do I need SPF?
Retinaldehyde works best while your skin is in its natural overnight repair phase, when active ingredients can perform without competing with environmental stressors. It can also increase the skin's sensitivity to UV exposure. For this reason, Retinal Night Cream is formulated exclusively for evening use, and a broad-spectrum SPF the following morning is essential to protect your results and prevent UV-related damage.
Can I use Retinal Night Cream with vitamin C, peptides, or exfoliating acids?
Yes, with thoughtful sequencing. Vitamin C is best applied in the morning and pairs beautifully with Retinal Night Cream used in the evening — together they support brightness, firmness, and protection. Peptide serums layer well underneath Retinal Night Cream at night. Exfoliating acids (AHAs, BHAs) should not be used in the same routine as Retinal Night Cream; instead, alternate them on different nights to avoid over-sensitizing the skin.
Is Retinal Night Cream safe to use during pregnancy or nursing?
No. Retinal Night Cream is not suitable for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Vitamin A derivatives, including retinaldehyde, are not recommended during these stages. We suggest pausing use during pregnancy and nursing, and resuming once advised by your healthcare provider.
How do I apply Retinal Night Cream?
In the evening, apply a pea-sized amount to clean, completely dry face, neck, and décolletage. Allow to fully absorb before following with a moisturizer or facial oil if desired. Always wear a broad-spectrum SPF the following morning. Use according to the phasing schedule above, building gradually to nightly use as your skin acclimates.
This product is a workhorse and a staple for me, it does what it says it does! I also like the fact that this product uses premium ingredients!
Have only used about a week. My skin soaks this right in. Feels good, smells good. Hoping to get results on my dark age spots. Liked the sample pack included with purchase. I will be ordering more products from this quality company!!
This is by far my favorite night cream! I’ve tried others and always come back to it! It’s just what my aging, sensitive skin needs!
African Botanics products are outstanding! Each one I have tried has surpassed my expectations and the retinal cream is no exception! My aging, sensitive skin is not bothered by it at all!
I have been using some of this line daily for about 6 months and loving each new product that I try. Recently, I added in the Retinal Night Cream and am coming to the end of my first bottle. Don't worry - I have already ordered my replacement because I have decided I can never again go a night without this treatment! It has COMPLETELY CHANGED MY SKIN. I am 39, with hormonal acne and some fine lines developing. I saw a family member this weekend who could not stop commenting on the clarity and even tone of my skin. Since using daily for about a month I have seen a dramatic change in my pore size, overall clarity & tone, have not had a single breakout, and am now experiencing line reduction, firmer skin, and better skin cushion/padding. Thank you so much for creating this line and product. ✨