I’m 61, and three months ago I kicked tretinoin/retinol to the side—after using it for many, many years—and I switched to a bakuchiol-based formula. The difference for my skin has been huge: no more redness, dryness, or flakiness, and I don’t have to worry about accidentally getting it on my eyelids (because if you’ve ever done that with tretinoin, you know it’s not fun). Retinoic acid absolutely can deliver amazing results, but it does it by breaking the skin barrier and pushing the skin into a healing/repair mode, and a lot of people simply don’t tolerate that process. In this video I explain why bakuchiol is the all-natural ingredient I’m using now to target the same big goals—supporting collagen, strengthening elastin, improving texture, and helping with visible aging—without that barrier trauma. I also share why finding the right formula matters, because not all bakuchiol products are strong enough or well-built. The one I’ve made part of my daily routine morning and night is First Row Deep Renewal Serum, and I use it everywhere I want anti-aging support: face, neck, chest, ears (yes, earlobes age fast), and even hands and arms. It absorbs well, feels non-greasy, doesn’t require an “acclimation period,” and unlike retinoic acid, it isn’t limited to nighttime use because it doesn’t break down in sunlight.