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 really enough to keep your skin looking good over 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 properly. Our position is clear. We believe retinal is the strongest renewal option available without a prescription, and that it only really comes into its own when paired 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 face products and 0.05 percent in body lotion. Since November 2025, new products of this type must carry a vitamin A warning (Regulation (EU) 2024/996, 2024).
Retinal vs. retinol? The short answer
Retinal, retinol, and tretinoin are retinoids, meaning derivatives of vitamin A. In the skin, retinoic acid is ultimately what works. 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 by prescription only. Research considers it the gold standard for sun-related skin aging, but it also causes the most irritation (Milosheska and Roškar, 2022). This puts retinal between mild retinol and potent tretinoin. In skincare, it’s the powerful middle ground: closer to retinoic acid than retinol and much gentler than tretinoin.
| Feature | Retinol | Retinal | Tretinoin as the benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | rather mild | well tolerated in studies | strongest |
| EU rule | Maximum amount since 2024 | not specified in the regulation | Medication |
What matters when comparing
What retinal does in the skin
The sun makes skin age faster, a process experts call photoaging. Typical signs include fine lines, dark spots and a thinner epidermis. Photoaged skin also loses collagen in the dermis (Mambwe et al., 2025). Retinoids target these changes. Through retinoic acid, they activate signaling pathways in skin cells that remodel the epidermis and dermis. In a long-term study, 0.05 percent retinal thickened the epidermis and improved elasticity after one year (Mambwe et al., 2025). The researchers also note that retinoids only partially reverse sun damage. The active ingredient renews the skin, but it does not replace protection.
Our assessment
An active ingredient is only as good as its formula. Retinoids are chemically sensitive, and their stability depends heavily 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 concentration. After 18 weeks, fine lines and roughness were measurably reduced in both groups, and retinal caused significantly less irritation (Creidi et al., 1998). A more recent study from 2024 tested a retinal serum on 32 women, but it had no comparison group and included an author affiliated with the brand being tested (Konisky et al., 2024). Experts say that more large-scale studies on retinoids in cosmetics are needed overall (Milosheska and Roškar, 2022).
The effects of retinol are well established. Retinal is one step closer to retinoic acid in the conversion 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 rely on marketing claims like “11 times faster”; we base our choice on the conversion chain.
How to use retinal correctly
Apply retinal to clean, dry skin in the evening. Start with two to three evenings a week, as in the 2024 study, and increase gradually. This gives your skin time to get used to the active ingredient. Redness, tightness or flaking may occur at first; these are familiar effects of all retinoids (Milosheska and Roškar, 2022). If they do, give your skin a break and care for the skin barrier with a rich moisturizer. Our article Strengthen your skin barrier in 5 steps shows you how.
Sunscreen is part of your morning routine. 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’re pregnant or breastfeeding, check with a doctor before using retinoids. Embryotox recommends 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.
The two active ingredients compared directly
Retinal: advantages and disadvantages
Retinal is the step immediately before retinoic acid. It is less common in cosmetics than retinol (Mambwe et al., 2025), but is becoming more popular (Konisky et al., 2024). Here's how the two compare.
Advantages:
- Shorter path: 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 cosmetics.
- Easy to plan: Easy to start with just a few evenings a week.
Disadvantages:
- Less studied: So far, there are fewer studies on it than on retinol.
- Needs a good formula: Stable, light-protective packaging helps keep the active ingredient potent.
- Requires a gradual start: At first, skin may become red or flaky; starting slowly can help.
Retinol: advantages and disadvantages
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 for it.
Advantages:
- 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 comparable.
Disadvantages:
- Longer path: Two conversion steps to retinoic acid.
- Limited evidence: Effectiveness studies are not required for cosmetics.
- 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 option available without a prescription
Both are used at night and introduced gradually
Always use sunscreen in the morning
Check with a doctor first during pregnancy
FAQs about retinal
What is retinal?
Retinal, also known as retinaldehyde, is a derivative of vitamin A. In the skin, it is converted 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 delivers visibly better results than retinol has barely been studied directly. For sensitive skin, retinol is often the gentler place to start.
When should you start using retinal?
There is no set age. Retinoids have mainly been studied in adults showing early signs of photoaging, 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 gradually increase.
How do I use a retinal serum correctly?
How do I use a retinal serum correctly?
How long does retinal take 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 when using retinal?
Yes, every morning. Retinal renews the skin, while sunscreen helps prevent new sun damage. A large study showed significantly less skin aging with daily protection over four and a half years.
Can I use retinal during pregnancy?
Check with your doctor beforehand. Embryotox advises stopping topical tretinoin during pregnancy, so caution also applies to retinoids in cosmetics.
The author: David J Kugler
Founder and managing director of DALUMA. Writes about nutrition, juice cleanses and holistic self-care.
