About the Course
5-Hour Retinoids
Skincare Ingredient Course
Learn the science behind retinoids,
how they work in the skin, retinization,
“retinol uglies,” & how to choose the right retinoid.
If you're looking for an in-depth retinoids course that goes beyond basic product recommendations, you are in the right place.
Retinoids are some of the most researched and effective ingredients in skincare, but they are also one of the most misunderstood and misused. Between retinol, retinaldehyde, tretinoin, adapalene, retinyl esters, retinization, purging, irritation, and skin barrier concerns, it is easy to see why this ingredient category can feel confusing.
Who This Course Is For
This course is ideal for beginners who are new to retinoids, as well as experienced skincare professionals who want a refresher or a more in-depth understanding of retinoid types, retinization, irritation, skin barrier support, client education, and product selection.
It is also helpful for non-professionals who want to better understand retinoids in their own skincare routine, including how to choose the right type, how to minimize irritation, and how to use them more consistently.
Ideal for beginners with no experience, as well as
a refresher course for those with some prior knowledge.
What Makes This Course Different
As an Aesthetic Registered Nurse and skincare educator, I created this course to include the kind of retinoid education I wish more professionals had access to from the beginning, including the deeper understanding that usually takes years of research, client questions, product comparisons, and trial-and-error to piece together on your own.
A lot of retinoid education focuses on simple product recommendations, but not always the deeper science behind how retinoids work, why irritation happens, or why one retinoid may be a better option than another depending on the skin.
This course goes into the science behind retinoids on a cellular level, including how they influence cell turnover, collagen production, acne, texture, pigmentation, and visible signs of aging.
You’ll also learn about different retinoid types, including tretinoin, retinaldehyde, retinol, retinyl esters, retinoic acid esters, adapalene, tazarotene, and trifarotene, along with how they differ in strength, irritation potential, ideal use, and availability.
My Goal for You
My goal is for you to leave this course with a stronger understanding of retinoids, so you feel more confident answering client questions, explaining retinization, choosing appropriate retinoid options, and helping clients use retinoids more safely and effectively.
Whether you are guiding clients professionally or learning how to better understand your own skincare routine, this course was created to help make retinoids feel less confusing and more approachable.
What are Retinoids?
What Are Retinoids?
Retinoids are a family of vitamin A derivatives used in skincare for acne, visible signs of aging, uneven texture, hyperpigmentation, and overall skin rejuvenation.
Retinol is one type of retinoid, but it is only one part of the larger retinoid family. Other retinoids include tretinoin, retinaldehyde, adapalene, retinyl esters, tazarotene, trifarotene, and more. Some are available over the counter, while others are prescription-only.
Retinoids are extremely popular because of how effective they can be when chosen and used correctly. They can help support smoother-looking texture, clearer-looking skin, improved tone, and healthy, glowing skin.
Common Types of Retinoids
- Tretinoin, also known as retinoic acid
- Retinaldehyde, also known as retinal
- Retinol
- Retinyl esters
- Retinoic acid esters
- Adapalene
- Tazarotene
- Trifarotene
Each retinoid can vary in strength, irritation potential, availability, ideal use, and how it works in the skin. This is one reason retinoids can feel so confusing, even for skincare professionals.
This course helps you understand the retinoid family more clearly, so you can better compare different retinoids, understand retinization and irritation, and choose the right retinoid for the right skin type & skin goals.
What’s Included in the Course
Our Retinoid Training Includes:
Lesson Plan
Course Content: What You Will Learn
This course is incredibly in-depth and covers:
Downloadable Resources
Downloadable Course Material
Meet Your Instructor
Meet Jen Copfer, RN
This course was created and is taught by Jen Copfer, RN, an Aesthetic Registered Nurse, skincare educator, and founder of The Anti-Aging Pro®.
Jen specializes in advanced corrective, anti-aging, and skin rejuvenation treatments, with experience working alongside plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills, CA.
She created The Anti-Aging Pro® to help skincare professionals build a stronger understanding of the skin, treatment safety, and the science behind advanced aesthetic treatments.
Learn more about Jen Copfer, RN →
Featured in The NYC Journal
Receive a Certificate of Completion
Upon completion of the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion that you can include on your resume, add to your professional portfolio, or showcase it to your clients and display it in your practice.
Inclusive Protocols for All Skin Tones
Includes education and protocol considerations for treating darker skin tones and higher Fitzpatrick skin types, an area that is often limited or overlooked in traditional esthetics training.
Unbiased Education
You won't be restricted to learning about only one specific brand or product line. You will learn science-backed education that you can apply to ANY product line you choose to use.
Receive a Certificate of Completion
You can include on your resume, add to your professional portfolio, or showcase it to your clients and display it in your practice.
Downloadable Resources
Including: step-by-step guides, cheat sheets, which type of retinoids are best for each skin type, tips to avoid purging and retinization side effects, incorporating into your routine, & much more.
Self-paced | Lifetime Access
Designed to fit busy schedules, our courses provide the flexibility to learn at your own pace while also allowing you to access them from anywhere at any time (as long as you have wifi).
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Instant Access | Self-paced
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Science-backed Education
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Downloadable resources & cheat sheets
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Designed for all experience levels
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Receive a Certificate of Completion