REI Gentle Retinol Cream

Description

Monastery Rei Gentle Retinol Cream is a gentle retinol moisturizer designed to support smoother, brighter-looking skin while helping maintain hydration and balance. Created for skin that may be sensitive to traditional retinol products, this rich overnight cream pairs retinol with barrier-supportive botanicals in a cocooning texture that melts easily into the skin with a soft, breathable finish. By morning, skin feels replenished, supple, and more refined in texture and tone.

Reishi-derived beta-glucan helps support the skin barrier and encourage moisture retention during retinol use, while evening primrose oil and hyaluronic acid help maintain lasting hydration. Green tea provides antioxidant support, and gotu kola (centella asiatica) works alongside beta-glucan to help reinforce the skin’s protective barrier. Notes of davana flower, rosa damascena, geranium, and cedarwood create an earthy, grounding scent experience.

HOW TO USE IT

In the evening, apply 2–3 pumps to clean, dry skin and massage gently across the face and neck until fully absorbed. When introducing retinol into a routine, begin by using the cream 1–2 times per week, gradually increasing frequency as desired. Avoid the immediate eye area during application. Apply sunscreen the following morning while using this product.

INGREDIENTS

Superpower Ingredients

Full Ingredient List

ABOUT THIS BRAND

Monastery is a luxury, California-based skincare brand dedicated to supporting the skin’s natural processes through expert-crafted formulations. Produced entirely in-house at its California headquarters, Monastery emphasizes a hands-on approach to development, ensuring quality, consistency, and ingredient sourcing integrity, working in harmony with the skin. The brand’s philosophy is to craft products that respect the skin’s natural balance while offering an exquisite sensorial experience—focused on products people will truly love using.

Founded by Master Esthetician Athena Hewett, Monastery draws from over two decades of hands-on professional client experience and a lifelong connection to botanical traditions influenced by her Greek heritage. Inspired by early experiences gathering herbs and creating remedies, the brand reflects a deep commitment to craftsmanship, ingredient sourcing, and small-batch production. As a 100% independently woman-owned company, Monastery maintains a close connection to its process, with each product personally developed and tested by the founder and her team.

The Beauty Heroes Standard

Every product at Beauty Heroes meets our Healthy Beauty Standard—a rigorous set of ingredient, sourcing, performance, and sustainability requirements that goes well beyond global cosmetic regulations. This product:

• Meets or exceeds cosmetic ingredient regulations in the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Japan.
• Is cruelty-free and has not been tested on animals.
• Does not contain synthetic fragrance.
• Does not contain silicones.
• Does not contain synthetic acrylates or petrochemical-derived polymers.
• Does not contain PEGs (polyethylene glycols).
• Does not contain sulfates.
• Does not contain parabens.
• Does not contain petroleum-derived ingredients such as mineral oil, petrolatum, carbomer, nylon, vinyl polymers, or similar materials commonly used in conventional cosmetics.
• Does not contain chemical UV filters.

Our Healthy Beauty Standard extends beyond ingredients alone. We also evaluate formulation integrity, ingredient sourcing, environmental impact, packaging, brand values, and product performance before a product is accepted into our collection.

To learn more about our complete ingredient standard—including our approach to sustainability, packaging, philanthropy, and responsible sourcing—visit our full Healthy Beauty Standard.