That's the naturally-occurring color of the most effective and gentle retinol on Earth! All retinoids are derived from Vitamin A––which is a cousin of beta-Carotene, the bright orange molecule that gives carrots and other vegetables their color. Protocol uses retinol in its bioactive (or as we call it "enzyme-active") state, called retinal. This is the form that is naturally created by your skin when you apply regular Vitamin A retinol to it. This form is naturally bright, powdery yellow!