Skin Files · Retinoids
Retinal (retinaldehyde) vs retinol: how each converts to retinoic acid, which is stronger, how irritating they are, and how they compare with tretinoin.
Retinal shows up among the top searches next to retinol. The names are almost identical, and products using retinal often claim to be faster and stronger.
Skin uses retinoic acid. The cosmetic forms have to be converted to it first.
Because it is one step closer, retinal is generally considered more potent than retinol at the same concentration. Early human studies found 0.05% retinal produced changes similar to retinoic acid with better tolerance. Head-to-head trials with retinol are limited.
Start two or three nights a week, use a pea-sized amount, moisturize and wear sunscreen. Retinoids are generally avoided in pregnancy.
Retinoids bind retinoic acid receptors, influencing cell turnover and collagen. Each conversion step loses some potency, which is why retinol is gentler and slower than retinal, and retinal gentler than tretinoin.
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