In the game of skin-care ingredient soup, it's not always so easy to remember what the gold-standard, anti-aging powerhouse of retinal (and its close friends) really does—but one tiny letter swap can make a world of difference.
What Is Retinal?
Simply put, retinal (retinaldehyde) and retinoic acid (tretinoin) are all types of retinoid, explains Dallas dermatologist Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, MD, offering this succinct cheat sheet: "Retinol is the most common over-the-counter form and, as the alcohol form of vitamin A, requires two conversion steps in the skin to become the active form (retinoic acid). Retinal is one step away from conversion to retinoic acid, making it more potent and faster-acting than retinol."
On the other hand, this makes retinal more potent and potentially more irritating for some, she warns, which is why she suggests "starting with a lower concentration and building up is key." Some studies have even shown retinaldehyde to be just as effective as tretinoin for treatment of wrinkles, says Phoenix, AZ dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal.
Derms Share Their Favorite Retinal Products—Including One That’s Under $15
1 / 5
Dr. Houshmand says this lightweight cream is her best suggestion for the sensitive-skin types. "It's formulated with retinaldehyde, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to visibly reduce wrinkles and fine lines," she adds. Dr. Lal also lists this as his all-time holy grail: "It has antioxidants and is three times stronger than retinol!"
BUY ON AMAZON - $68
BUY ON ULTA - $68
2 / 5
Categorizing this treatment as a bit "more advanced," Dr. Houshmand points to the formula's mix of retinal and botanicals to "improve signs of aging, such as sagging skin, deep wrinkles and skin elasticity."
BUY ON AMAZON - $105
BUY ON SEPHORA - $105
3 / 5
"This is a serum-like product that is very strong!" says Dr. Lal of the under-$15 fan favorite. "This is great for crow's-feet and perioral lines." Happy Sephora shoppers seem to agree: "I’ve been using this product for over a year and I must say I can’t go without it now," shares one reviewer on the site. "I have acne-free skin. I got this at first just to help with the scars and hyperpigmentations. But to my surprise, it also helped with preventing acne on my face. Nowadays, except for the occasional hormonal acne I get during my period, my skin remains acne-free as long as I use this."
BUY ON AMAZON - $15
BUY ON ULTA - $15
4 / 5
"This face cream combines glycolic acid, retinaldehyde and squalane to even tone, remove dead skin cells and boost elasticity for brighter, smoother skin," says Dr. Houshmand. "It really is a great multitasker."
BUY NOW - $84
5 / 5
Billed as a "next-generation retinal not for beginners," this just-launched serum was formulated in collaboration with New Orleans dermatologist Mamina Turegano, MD, as it promises to deliver a "skin-care triple" of Granactive retinoid, encapsulated L-Retinal and Bio-Bakuchiol.
BUY NOW - $99
