A
skin care composition includes a plurality of agents that include at least one
retinol derivative and at least one
bark extract, the plurality of agents providing reduced
retinol associated
inflammation as compared with a composition that includes the at least one
retinol and lacks the at least one
bark extract. The plurality of agents may include at least one retinol derivative comprising hydroxypinacolone retinoate and at least one
bark extract which may include at least one bark extract comprising Eperua falcata bark extract. The plurality of agents may also include at least one hydroxy acid, for example, comprising
lactic acid. The composition confers one or more of increased
skin cell proliferation, improved cellular migration, improved
cellular differentiation, or a combination thereof. Application the plurality of agents confers to
skin cells and tissues an anti-inflammatory retinol
genetic signature as demonstrated by via bulk-
RNA sequencing of human keratinocytes and restores epidermal disruption and reduce IL-1A and IL-23 inflammatory cytokines in human ex-vivo skin models of chronic
inflammation.