Retinal instead of retinol? Why it still isn’t enough on its own
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Time to read 6 min
Introduction
Retinal is everywhere right now, in serums, night creams, and every other skincare tip. Many people know retinol, but retinal is considered its more potent relative. Is that true? And is one good active ingredient enough to keep your skin looking good in the long term?
Here, we compare retinal and retinol honestly. You’ll learn what the active ingredient does in the skin, what studies show, and how to use it correctly. Our position is clear. We believe retinal is the strongest choice for renewal available without a prescription, and that it reaches its full potential only when combined with energy and building blocks. That’s exactly why retinal alone still isn’t enough.
New since 2024
The EU limits vitamin A in cosmetics. Retinol and two retinyl esters may contain no more than 0.3 percent retinol equivalent in facial care products and 0.05 percent in body lotions. Since November 2025, new products of this kind must carry a vitamin A warning (Regulation (EU) 2024/996, 2024).
Retinal vs. retinol? The short answer
Retinal, retinol, and tretinoin belong to the retinoids, derivatives of vitamin A. In the skin, the final active form is retinoic acid. Retinol takes two conversion steps to get there, while retinal takes just one (Mambwe et al., 2025). Tretinoin is retinoic acid itself and is available only by prescription. It is considered the gold standard in research for treating photoaging, but it irritates the skin the most (Milosheska and Roškar, 2022). This puts retinal between mild retinol and potent tretinoin. For cosmetics, it’s the powerful middle ground, closer to retinoic acid than retinol and significantly gentler than tretinoin.
| Feature | Retinol | Retinal | Tretinoin as a reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steps to retinoic acid | two | one | none |
| Available | Cosmetics | Cosmetics | prescription only |
| Research evidence | many products, few well-designed studies | fewer and smaller studies | best studied |
| irritation | mild | well tolerated in studies | strongest |
| EU rule | Maximum amount since 2024 | not specified in the regulation | Medication |
What matters when comparing them
What retinal does in the skin
The sun makes skin age faster, a process experts call photoaging. Typical signs include fine lines, age spots and a thinner outer layer of skin. Photoaged skin also loses collagen in the dermis (Mambwe et al., 2025). Retinoids target these changes directly. Through retinoic acid, they activate signaling pathways in skin cells that remodel the outer layer and dermis. In a long-term study, 0.05 percent retinal thickened the outer layer and improved elasticity after one year (Mambwe et al., 2025). However, the researchers also note that retinoids only partially reverse sun damage. The active ingredient renews the skin, but it doesn’t replace protection.
Our assessment
An active ingredient is only as good as its formula. Retinoids are chemically sensitive, and their stability depends greatly on the product (Mambwe et al., 2025). Look for packaging that protects against light and air.
What studies show about the effects of retinol and retinal
The strongest evidence for retinal comes from a study of 125 people that compared retinal with tretinoin at the same strength. After 18 weeks, fine lines and roughness were measurably reduced in both groups, and retinal caused much less irritation (Creidi et al., 1998). A more recent study from 2024 tested a retinal serum on 32 women, but had no comparison group and included an author from the brand whose product was tested (Konisky et al., 2024). Experts are calling for more large-scale studies on retinoids in cosmetics overall (Milosheska and Roškar, 2022).
The effects of retinol are well established. Retinal is one step closer to retinoic acid in the chain, making it the logical next step for us. So far, there have been few direct comparisons with retinol in everyday use. That’s why we don’t repeat marketing claims like “11 times faster”; we base our choice on the conversion pathway.
How to use retinal correctly
Apply retinal in the evening to clean, dry skin. Start with two to three evenings a week, as in the 2024 study, and gradually increase the frequency. This gives your skin time to get used to the active ingredient. Redness, tightness or flaking may occur at first; these are common with all retinoids (Milosheska and Roškar, 2022). If they do, give your skin a break and care for the skin barrier with a rich cream. Our article Strengthen your skin barrier in 5 steps shows you how.
In the morning, sunscreen is essential. In a large study, the skin of adults who used sunscreen daily aged 24 percent less over four and a half years than that of the comparison group (Hughes et al., 2013). If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a doctor before using retinoids. Embryotox advises stopping topical tretinoin treatment during pregnancy (Embryotox, 2026). If you have a skin condition such as rosacea or atopic dermatitis, talk to your dermatologist first.
Both active ingredients compared directly
Retinal: Benefits and Drawbacks
Retinal is the step just before retinoic acid. It is found less often in cosmetics than retinol (Mambwe et al., 2025), but is becoming more popular (Konisky et al., 2024). Here’s how it compares.
Benefits:
- Shorter pathway: Just one step to retinoic acid.
- Well tolerated: In a comparative study, it caused less irritation than tretinoin.
- No prescription needed: You can buy it over the counter in cosmetic products.
- Easy to plan: A good way to start is with a few evenings per week.
Drawbacks:
- Less established in research: So far, there are fewer studies than for retinol.
- Needs a good formula: Stable, light-protected packaging keeps the active ingredient potent.
- Needs an adjustment period: Skin may become red or flaky at first; starting slowly helps.
Retinol: Benefits and Drawbacks
Retinol is the classic vitamin A active ingredient in cosmetics. It is found in many creams and serums, but takes two steps to convert to retinoic acid. Since 2024, the EU has set a maximum concentration.
Benefits:
- Easy to find: Retinol is found in many products.
- Gentle: Often a mild starting point for sensitive skin.
- Clear rules: Maximum concentrations and warning labels make products easier to compare.
Drawbacks:
- Longer pathway: Two conversion steps to retinoic acid.
- Little evidence: Cosmetic products are not required to undergo efficacy studies.
- Patience required: Measurable changes only appear after weeks to months.
Retinal or Retinol at a Glance
Retinal takes one step to convert to retinoic acid; retinol takes two
For us, retinal is the strongest over-the-counter option
Use both in the evening and introduce them gradually
Always use sunscreen in the morning
Check with a doctor first during pregnancy
FAQ about retinal
What is retinal?
Retinal, also known as retinaldehyde, is a vitamin A derivative. In the skin, it converts to retinoic acid in one step, the form that acts in the cells.
Is retinal better than retinol?
Retinal is closer to retinoic acid and was well tolerated in studies. Whether it visibly delivers better results than retinol has rarely been directly studied. Retinol is often the gentler starting point for sensitive skin.
When should you start using retinal?
There is no set age. Retinoids have mainly been studied in adults with early signs of sun damage, such as fine lines and dark spots.
Can you use retinal every day?
Only once your skin tolerates it well. Start with two to three evenings a week and increase gradually.
How do I use a retinal serum correctly?
How do I use a retinal serum correctly?
How long does it take for retinal to work?
Studies showed the first measurable changes after eight to 18 weeks. So stick with it for a few months before judging.
Do I need sunscreen with retinal?
Yes, every morning. Retinal renews the skin, while sunscreen prevents new sun damage. A large study showed significantly less skin aging after four and a half years of daily protection.
Can I use retinal during pregnancy?
Check with your doctor first. Embryotox advises stopping topical tretinoin during pregnancy, so caution also applies to retinoids in cosmetics.
The author: David J Kugler
Founder and CEO of DALUMA. Writes about nutrition, juice cleanses, and holistic self-care.
