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Retinol vs Retinal (retinaldehyde)
The short answer
Retinol and retinal are vitamin A derivatives that skin converts into retinoic acid, the active form. Retinal is one step closer, because retinol must first become retinal. Reviews find retinol gentle but modest and rate retinal more effective while still fairly well tolerated. Both are milder than prescription tretinoin.
At a glance
Retinol vs Retinal (Retinaldehyde), side by side
| Compared | Retinol | Retinal (retinaldehyde) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Vitamin A alcohol | Vitamin A aldehyde, one oxidation step further on |
| Steps to retinoic acid | Two: retinol to retinal (a reversible step), then retinal to retinoic acid | One: retinal to retinoic acid (an irreversible step) |
| Strength | Estimated at about 20 times less potent than tretinoin | In one trial, 0.05% retinal and 0.05% retinoic acid improved wrinkles and roughness about equally |
| Irritation | Described in reviews as non-irritant or minimally irritating | Fairly well tolerated, and less irritating than retinoic acid |
| Reported effects | Modest clinical effect on signs of photoageing | Rated the most efficient cosmetic retinoid in a 2006 review, with effects also reported on skin bacteria and oxidative stress |
| Quality of evidence | A 2022 review found too few well-designed trials of cosmetic retinoids | The same caveat applies |
| Pregnancy | Avoid: the AAD says retinoids should not be used during pregnancy | Avoid: the same advice applies |
How do retinol and retinal work in the skin?
Neither is the active form as applied. Skin cells convert both into retinoic acid, which acts on retinoid receptors to switch genes on in skin cells. A 2019 review in Advances in Dermatology and Allergology sets out the route: enzymes oxidise retinol to retinal in a step that can run in reverse, then oxidise retinal to retinoic acid in a step that cannot.
That extra step is why the two cannot be compared by percentage alone. A 2006 review in Clinical Interventions in Aging estimates retinol is about 20 times less potent than tretinoin, the prescription form of retinoic acid, and cites a trial in which 0.05% retinal and 0.05% retinoic acid were about equally effective on wrinkles and roughness. Our retinoids ingredient guide covers how to use both.
Is retinal stronger than retinol, and is it more irritating?
Reviews rank retinal above retinol for effect. A 2006 review in Dermatologic Therapy by a Geneva University Hospital team found retinol and retinyl esters non-irritant but only modestly effective, and called retinal, which was fairly well tolerated, the most efficient cosmetic retinoid. The same group found topical retinal less irritating than retinoic acid.
Neither is free of side effects. DermNet lists redness, peeling and dry skin, known as retinoid dermatitis, as common effects of topical retinoids. A 2022 review in Advances in Therapy warned that properly designed trials of cosmetic retinoids are lacking, so treat strength claims on labels with caution.
Which should you start with, retinol or retinal?
Whichever you choose, the dermatology advice is to start gently: the American Academy of Dermatology suggests the lowest strength you can find, every other night at first, building up slowly, with moisturiser and sun protection by day. The reviews we read cite no large head-to-head trial of retinol against retinal, so neither is proven better for everyone. Check with a dermatologist if your skin is sensitive or reactive.
The AAD says retinoids should not be used during pregnancy. If you also use vitamin C, see can you use retinol and vitamin C together?
Verdict
Which should you choose?
Choose Retinol if
Retinol is the gentler starting point: reviews find it rarely irritates, though its effect is modest, so it suits first-time users who build up slowly.
Choose Retinal (retinaldehyde) if
Retinal is one conversion step closer to retinoic acid and is rated the more effective cosmetic retinoid, while still fairly well tolerated; it suits people who want more strength and can introduce it carefully.
Read next
More on this on The Cast Index
Quick answers
Related questions
Is retinal better than retinol?
- It is closer to the active form. Retinal needs one conversion step to become retinoic acid and retinol needs two, and a 2006 dermatology review rated retinal the most efficient cosmetic retinoid. Better trials are still needed, and tolerance varies, so start with a low strength.
Is retinal more irritating than retinol?
- Reviews describe retinol as non-irritant or minimally irritating and retinal as fairly well tolerated, and both as milder than prescription tretinoin. Any retinoid can cause redness, peeling and dryness at first, so introduce it slowly and ask a dermatologist if your skin reacts.
Do I need sunscreen with retinol or retinal?
- Yes. The American Academy of Dermatology says retinoids can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so use them at night and protect your skin by day; for sensitive skin it suggests a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. See mineral vs chemical sunscreen.
Can I use retinol or retinal when pregnant?
- The American Academy of Dermatology says retinoids should not be used during pregnancy. Speak to a doctor, midwife or pharmacist about any skincare you use while pregnant or trying to conceive.
Sources
Where these facts come from
- Mukherjee S et al., “Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety”, Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2006 checked 22 October 2026
- Sorg O et al., “Retinoids in cosmeceuticals”, Dermatologic Therapy, 2006 checked 22 October 2026
- Didierjean L et al., “Biological activities of topical retinaldehyde”, Dermatology, 1999 checked 22 October 2026
- Zasada M, Budzisz E, “Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments”, Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii, 2019 checked 22 October 2026
- Milosheska D, Roškar R, “Use of retinoids in topical antiaging treatments”, Advances in Therapy, 2022 checked 22 October 2026
- DermNet — Topical retinoids checked 22 October 2026
- American Academy of Dermatology — Retinoid or retinol? checked 22 October 2026
Spotted something out of date? Send a correction with a link to the record. This page summarises public sources and is not legal, medical or financial advice.
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