Lunar Bloom Retinal Serum

Use 1-2 pumps at night before you apply your favorite moisturizer. Start by using 3 times a week and build up to nightly use. Daily AM sunscreen use recommended.

Q: What is Retinal?

A: Short for retinaldehyde, Retinal is one of the strongest forms of Vitamin A available without a prescription. It helps rewind the look of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting renewal and boosting collagen. 

Like Retinal’s widely-known “cousin”, Retinol, both derivatives need to go through a conversion process at the level of the skin to reach their active state: Retinoic acid. Traditional Retinol is 2 steps away from this conversion. Since Retinal needs only 1 step, it’s able to get to work more quickly, and your skin is able to use it more effectively. 

TLDR: We like to think of Retinal as Retinol’s hard-working, super-skin-renewing cousin that you’ve always wanted to hang out with (and now you can).  

Q: How and when do I use this product? 

A: As part of your nightly ritual, apply 1-2 pumps of Lunar Bloom Retinal Serum before your moisturizer of choice. Start out slowly (3 times a week) to allow your skin to acclimate, before building up to nightly use. 

Already loving the other Ursa Major serums in your routine? We suggest using Vitamin C in the morning and either layering Mountain Glow over Lunar Bloom at night, or alternating every- other-night between the two serums. 

Non-negotiable: pair this nighttime serum with a daytime SPF (we’re partial to our Force Field SPF 30), as retinoids can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

Q: How do I work this product into my existing serum routine?

A: One recommendation would be using Vitamin C in the morning and layering Mountain Glow over Lunar Bloom at night, or alternating every other night between the two serums. 

Q: Is it pregnancy safe?

A: This product is not recommended for those who are pregnant, nursing, or attempting to conceive. 

Q: What skin type is this suitable for? 

A: Lunar Bloom Retinal Serum works great for all skin types, even sensitive and acne-prone skin. This serum can keep both mature and young (and everywhere in between) skin glowing strong. 

Q: Is this safe for sensitive skin?

A: We chose Retinal specifically because of its efficacy—it’s 20x more potent than Retinol! That means we only needed to use a tiny bit (0.1%) in our formula. A tiny amount of potent Retinal is much easier on your skin than a larger amount of traditional Retinol—because your skin can’t absorb all that Retinol, and what's not absorbed can sit on skin and potentially cause unwanted side effects. We also added barrier-loving ingredients like plant-derived Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid. to soothe even the most sensitive skin types. 

No matter your skin type, but especially those with sensitive skin, begin using gradually (3 times a week) to allow your skin to adjust. And don’t forget daily SPF protection.

If you’re worried about how extra-sensitive skin might react, you can build a Retinal sandwich—AKA applying a layer of moisturizer both before and after your serum—when starting out.

Q: How do I recycle this product? 

A: When you run out, just give the glass container a rinse and recycle it at home. Because the plastic pump is a mixed material, it can’t be recycled at this time. 

Q: What is the aroma?

A: Lunar Bloom Retinal Serum is unscented.