MOONBEAM Retinaldehyde Age-Defying Serum

The situation: Aging.

hormonal moment · fine lines & wrinkles | active-tolerant skin · texture · hyperpigmentation

Retinaldehyde results. Without the retinol reaction.

$79.00

Free shipping on orders $75+

Most retinoid serums give you one form of vitamin A. Moonbeam uses two — Retinal and Retinol in the same formula. Cyclodextrin encapsulation releases gradually, which is what helps make this retinoid feel comfortable rather than irritating. Fine lines and texture can visibly improve with consistent use.

What it feels like

Silky, smooth, and nourishing. Feels comforting on the skin — not drying or tightening. Nothing that signals you're applying an active. The results arrive over time, not through an immediate sensation.

Top benefits

— 2.5% IconicA® encapsulated retinaldehyde: encapsulation technology designed for gradual release to help offset the dryness and irritation associated with traditional retinoids
— Helps visibly improve the appearance of dark spots and UV-induced pigmentation
—Vitex Agnus-Castus + Phospholipids: support a nourished, balanced-looking complexion as retinaldehyde works overnight

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Glycerin, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Water (Aqua) (Eau), Avena Sativa (Oat) Bran Extract, Cyclodextrin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Retinal, Vitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Extract, Retinol, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate

PM only: On clean, dry skin after Utopia Toner and Galilee, press 1–2 pumps onto face, neck, and chest. Avoid the eye area (use Owel there instead). Follow with Grand, then Caspian.

PM Routine (Moonbeam nights): Kissimmee → Tashmoo or Superior → Utopia → Galilee → Moonbeam → Owel → Grand → Caspian

When using more than one active in a routine, use caution and spot test before a full application. We do not recommend using Kosi and Moonbeam in the same routine because of the strength of the actives.

New to retinoids? Start 2–3x per week. Build to nightly as skin adjusts over 4–6 weeks. Galilee before and Grand + Caspian after are the buffers that help make this tolerable. If your skin starts to experience excessive dryness or discomfort, reduce frequency and ensure Grand and Caspian follow every use.

Pore Confession: Sunnyside is your AM active. Moonbeam is your PM active. They work the same skin renewal pathway from opposite directions — Vitamin C protecting and brightening by day, retinaldehyde renewing overnight. Use both consistently for compounded results.

Warning: PM use only. Avoid direct contact with eyes. Use SPF daily.

Building Tolerance – Skin feels nourished post-application. No dryness, tightness, or redness — if those occur, reduce frequency and ensure Galilee + Grand + Caspian follow every use.

A good skincare routine requires dedication (that's on you) – With consistent use, fine lines appear visibly reduced and complexion looks more refined.

Build Your Skin Strategy

Moonbeam is the PM counterpart to Sunnyside. Together they cover the full 24-hour renewal cycle: Sunnyside defends and brightens during the day, Moonbeam renews overnight. Galilee before and Caspian after are the two products that make Moonbeam's results better and its adjustment period shorter.

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SUNNYSIDE

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Galilee Antioxidant Dewy Drop Retail IDF
GALILEE

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Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid + Antioxidant Dewy Drop Serum

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Caspian Silk Amino Oil Retail IDF
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Fragrance Free
Cruelty Free
Nourishing
Non Drying
Non-Foaming
Moonbeam Retinaldehyde Age-Defying Serum Retail HoliFrog

Moonbeam Retinaldehyde Age-Defying Serum

$79.00

$79.00

The IconicA® Difference: Retinaldehyde

Most forms of retinol must go through a conversion process in skin which can lower its efficacy and the results you expect to receive. Traditional retinol must first be converted into retinaldehyde once absorbed into the skin, followed by a conversion to retinoic acid - the key to improving the appearance of wrinkles and uneven skin tone concerns. IconicA® doesn't just avoid this conversion, it is shown to act 25% better than retinol over an 8-week period and offsets common skin irritation associated with traditional retinol products.

Our key ingredients

  • 2.5% IconicA®

    (Encapsulated Retinaldehyde): Retinaldehyde is the form of vitamin A closest to what your skin actually uses — one conversion step away from the active form, versus the two steps required by standard retinol. IconicA® encapsulates it for gradual release, which is what makes it effective without the dryness and irritation traditional retinoids are known for.

  • Monk's Pepper Extract

    (Vitex Agnus-Castus): Helps visibly improve the appearance of dark spots and UV-induced pigmentation — adding a brightening dimension to the retinoid formula.

  • Phospholipids

    Non-occlusive, skin-identical lipids that help attract moisture and deeply hydrate. Support a healthy-looking skin feel as retinaldehyde works overnight.

  • Dermcom

    (Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract): Botanical extract that helps support the visible appearance of skin firmness and a more even-looking complexion.

"Lovely! Finally a retinol product I can use. My skin loves it. I like to apply it over the Utopia Microflora Toner and then top it off with Grand Amino Cushion cream. Very luxurious.

— Chery M.  Verified Purchase

The HoliFrog Difference

Holistic Functional

Holistic Functional

Every ingredient matters.

Percentages Matter

Percentages Matter

Quality needs quantities.

Skin Strategy Over Skin Type®

Skin Strategy Over Skin Type®

Skin type is a starting point, not a sentence.

Holistic Functional

Holistic Functional

Every ingredient matters.

Percentages Matter

Percentages Matter

Quality needs quantities.

Skin Strategy Over Skin Type®

Skin Strategy Over Skin Type®

Skin type is a starting point, not a sentence.

Build your skin strategy

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Overall rating: 4.875 / 5 from 8 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

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Review highlights

Reviews

The Best (Re)Introduction to Retinol

"This was the first retinol-based product I added back into my skincare routine postpartum, and I fully expected the usual cycle of irritation I’ve experienced with other retinol serums. But it never happened. It was the exact opposite, actually. My skin felt nourished, hydrated, and comfortable from the start. I've been using this serum for months and my 11 lines and forehead wrinkles appear softer and smoother."

— Chelsie (5/5)

retinol

"this is a really effective, clean retinal product, more effective and without the irritation of most retinols. Also in a nourishing base and cute presentation."

— christine (5/5)

Lovely!

"Finally a retinol product I can use. My skin loves it. I like to apply it over the Utopia Microflora Toner and then top it off with Grand Amino Cushion cream. Very luxurious. Thanks Holifrog!"

— Cheri M. (5/5)

Really good!

"Love this serum and I mix it with their Galilee serum to help make sure it doesn’t dry my super dry skin out"

— Crissy S. (5/5)

"This is the one product I’ve tried from Holifrog that I might repurchase. Inoffensive scent, thick texture (a bit hard to spread), and it doesn’t layer super well- if you apply anything on top it will pill. It is a very effective retinoid and I love me a good retinoid. It’s also not crazy expensive, and I love the cute packaging."

— Ally (4/5)

Fantastic retinaldehyde serum

"I gave up on tretinoin because it was too harsh and drying on my skin no matter what I tried to mitigate those effects. It actually made my skin look worse. I started using a retinaldehyde serum from another brand a few months ago and it was much more gentle while still being effective, however I found my skin didn’t always absorb it very well. This serum sinks right into my skin and doesn’t leave it feeling dry so I will be using this from now on. I highly recommend this serum if you want to go with retinaldehyde."

— Tiffany (5/5)

Finally a life changing skin product.

"This was my first time using retinol and I have dry/sensitive skin and am prone to hormonal acne. I have never had any irritation issues using this even if I applied it almost every night right off the bat. After a month the acne I tend to get around my time of the month was severly diminished and by month two and three its basically nothing. I paired this with the Utopia toner and my skin has never been better!"

— Kayleigh (5/5)

"So far so good"

— Carol (5/5)

Q&A

Does this product contain retinol or retinaldehyde ? Retinol is listed in the ingredient list, but retinaldehyde is included in the product name and marketing claims. This seems like a major labeling error.
Thank you for reaching out. We understand how this could look confusing at first glance. The product does contain retinaldehyde. On the ingredient list, retinaldehyde appears as Retinal. The formula also includes Retinol, a separate vitamin A ingredient. So this is not a labeling error — the product contains both Retinal and Retinol, and the retinaldehyde claim is accurate. Please let us know if you have any other questions. We’re happy to help.
For which age group is this serum recommended?
Moonbeam is suitable for all skin types and tones, and we'd frame it less by age and more by skin situation. If you're dealing with fine lines, loss of firmness, or uneven texture (whether that's in your late 20s or your 60s) this is formulated for that. The encapsulated retinaldehyde is also gentler than traditional retinol, making it a good entry point for anyone newer to actives. That said, retinol is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. We'd also suggest holding off if your skin is currently compromised, think active breakouts, a damaged barrier, or significant sensitivity, and introducing it once your skin is in a more stable place.
Where is the squalane sourced from? Is it considered vegan/sustainable?
Our Squalane is derived from plants