Topical re tinoids inhibit mat r ix metallopro teinases and acce ler ate co llagen synthesis, thereby triggering antiaging effects in theskin. Howe ver, topical re tinoids can cause se vere skin reactions, including scaling , erythema, papules, and inflammation. The present study demonst rates that the ethanolic bark extract of Al stonia scholar is R. Br. can sig nificantly inhibit all-t rans retinoic acid-induced inflammation in human HaCat ker atinocy te ce lls. Further more, two representative retinoid-induced proinflammatory cytokines, monocy techemoatt ractant protein-1 and interleukin-8, were sig nificantly suppressed by A. scholar is extract(by 82.1% and 26.3% at 100 ppm, and dose-dep endently across the tested concent rations) invitro .In a cumulative irritation patch test , A. scholar is extract decreased re tinol-induced skin ir r i tation, w hile s t rengthening the ability of retinoids to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression, which is strongly associated with aging effects. T hese results suggest that A. scholaris is a promising compound that may increase the antiaging function of retinoids while reducing their abilit y to cause skin irritation