When the women of the original Real Housewives of New York cast reunite, you can expect a little chaos—in fact, it’s wholly welcome. That was precisely my mindset when I logged onto a Zoom with none other than Bethenny Frankel, Sonja Morgan and Ramona Singer. The trio reunited for the first time in nearly a decade for a new partnership with RoC Skincare—one that brought them to Paris to film a campaign around the brand’s newly released Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Rich Cream ($35)—and wine, obviously.
According to the brand, the face cream can reduce the appearance of skin age by up to 10 years—fitting for a decade-later reunion. At the center of the formula is RoC’s patented retinol, which sits mid-ingredient list (read: effective, but not too strong), alongside hydrators including glycerin, ceramides and squalene.
Naturally, their chaotic energy carried right into our conversation about skin care, aging and what actually works. Ahead, I’m pulling out the key moments from our conversation that will brighten your day—and, pending you try the cream, your skin.
Congratulations on this partnership with RoC! It’s been years since we’ve seen the three of you together like this. What did it feel like stepping back into that dynamic?
Ramona: “Magical. Magical. We've been together forever. We're just, I don't know, it's just amazingly fantastic.”
Sonja: “I would say it was very 'Ramotional.’” [Editor’s note: A fan-favorite Bravo-ism combining Ramona and “emotional,” fitting her signature mix of heartfelt and over-the-top energy.]
Did it feel like no time had passed?
Bethenny: “It did feel like no time had passed…”
Ramona: “We picked up right where we left off, but even in a better way.”
Bethenny: “Yeah, I was gonna say, we left the garbage behind. None of the garbage, only the good—like you edited all the crap—and we were just enjoying each other. Women, mothers, just like, a little more grateful, in a different environment.”
The campaign must have been so fun to film. It’s awesome. Any favorite parts from it?
Sonja: “Paris!”
Ramona: “The TikToks!”
Bethenny: “The humor, like the way that they play off of me, and the way we play off each other is…”
Ramona: “…Magical.”
You’re all reuniting for the big reveal of RoC’s Retinol Correxion Cream. What do your respective skin-care routines look like right now?
Ramona: “I’m a big believer in retinol. It’s one of the number one products to create new collagen and [supporting] cell renewal. What I like about it is if you buy pharmaceutical retinol, it can be too strong for your face…I’ve tried it before, and it burns my face and I get a rash. This is just the perfect, perfect amount of retinol…I use it every night, and then I use sunblock every morning.”
Sonja: “And it just feels so great—the texture—and it’s luxurious. When you put it on, you feel good. I don’t like to exfoliate too much because I have very sensitive skin…so to have the retinol daily is great. I also love to take a daily bath with my salts and essential oils.”
Bethenny: “I use a foamy, like a cream-to-foamy cleanser—I think the foam brings out the dirt. If I have makeup on, I’ll use like a wipe because I want to really get the makeup out. I don’t wear a lot of makeup at all. Always vitamin C serum. SPF—now I’m in Florida—you’re really supposed to do it every two hours. I like to sheet mask during the week, and once in a rare while, like a clay mask. I do think this product [the Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Rich Cream] is excellent because it’s balancing the retinol with the hydration and I think people need that.”
Since adding retinol to your routines, have you noticed a difference?
Bethenny: “Over time, it reduces brown spots and evens skin tone. People are like, ‘Why is your skin so glowy?’ I think some people are doing too much.’”
Sonja: “That is my big fear. I see these women in their 80s and 90s and they’re absolutely beautiful and doing great, except the skin is so thin—you can see everything. I just don’t want that. That’s why Bethenny was pointing out that if you overdo all of these things, that’s what happens. You can’t do too much.”
What’s your take on retinol for people who may be nervous to try it?
Ramona: “Well this product doesn’t have like two percent, one percent, 0.05, which I was trying to tell you before, because I knew about retinol and I started using the prescription and it’s just too severe. This just has a slight amount, which works with a mixture of other ingredients, so it’s all everything in one container.”
Bethenny: “It’s like what she’s describing is doing a marathon without training and then never wanting to do it again. So the thing is, it’s a gradual use of the product over time, like anything else. Nothing’s happening in one day. You’re not going to try the product today—it’s going to feel great, it’s a great product—you’re not going to have a result in an hour, except that your skin will be hydrated and look nice. You have to be consistent.”
How has your relationship with aging changed over time?
Ramona “I’m approaching my seventh decade and I just know I feel better than ever.”
Bethenny: “By the way, even just being able to say that is a beautiful thing—owning it, versus before you’d be like, ‘Don’t!’”
Sonja: “When I first started filming, I wasn’t used to seeing myself on camera and I became very self-conscious. I never wore makeup before; in my private life, we just don’t wear makeup. So I started to say, ‘Wow, Ramona’s wearing sparkles and she has lip liner on,’ so I’d try to do that.
And then I said, you know, my daughter was telling me over and over again, ‘Mom, you’re just a mom, you’re not a model, you’re not acting, so just be yourself.’ And I felt more comfortable with my age as well.”
Ramona: “I was scared to be old. Now I say, this is my age. I tell my daughter, ‘You cannot remind me of my age because then I'll think I'm old and I won't ski and I won't hike and I won't do all these things I do.’ So age really is just a number—it’s mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
Bethenny: “It’s a number, but it’s also a fact because it keeps us talking about the things we’re doing and how our bodies are changing.”
What do you wish more people understood about aging and beauty?
Ramona: "Stay out of the sun. These girls—young girls—they don't wear a hat. They don't wear sunscreen…”
Sonja: “And sleeps—sleep is number one. Sleeping well…with a good conscience.”
