Retinol is as close as it gets to a do-it-all topical skin care ingredient; dermatologists love its ability to boost skin cell turnover and spur the production of collagen (collagen being the fiber in skin that keeps it firm and smooth). Plus, it has ample data to back up its efficacy. But retinal, which belongs to a group of ingredients called retinoids (that also includes retinol), might be able to surpass it. Short for retinaldehyde, retinal is even more powerful than retinol, with the similar ability to smooth skin texture, clear breakouts, even out skin tone and soften fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that you can use for acne, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, says Dr. Gloria Lin, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York City. Some are only available by prescription (often bucketed under the term “retinoids”), while you can find other over-the-counter options at a lower strength, with retinal being the most potent of these, she says.
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The right retinal product depends on your experience with retinoids, as well as your skin type. Below, we compiled expert-recommended face serums and creams that help improve wrinkles, fine lines, breakouts and more. All of the products listed are balanced with moisturizing ingredients, and many are fragrance-free to minimize the potential for irritation.
Both Jacobs and Lin consider this fragrance-free serum to be a good option for most skin types. Not only is it both vegan and cruelty-free, but “it contains 0.15% retinal along with niacinamide and ceramides to help nourish the skin,” says Lin. Together, these ingredients can improve fine lines and even out skin tone, according to the brand.
Intended for overnight use, this face serum contains two retinoids: 1% granactive retinoid and 0.06% retinal. Dr. Michael Jacobs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor of dermatology at Weill-Cornell Medical College, likes this fragrance-free formula since it’s infused with hyaluronic acid for hydration, he says. It also has antioxidants to further help brighten skin, according to the brand.
Since this serum has a relatively low concentration of 0.05% retinal, it’s beginner-friendly, says Lin. Plus, because of its unique cream serum texture, it is easy to apply, she says. The retinal is encapsulated to ensure it doesn’t break down (and thus lose efficacy) while en route to skin’s deeper layers, according to the brand. The fragrance-free formula also contains vitamin E and apricot kernel oil to moisturize skin.
This fragrance-free night cream uses a patented and encapsulated form of retinal (at 0.05% concentration) alongside antioxidants, peptides and botanical oils. Jacobs likes this particular combination of ingredients since “it hydrates, protects and renews the skin all at once,” he says. Lin is also a fan of the product, saying “it is both gentle and goes on smoothly.”
This product, which comes expert recommended in our guide to dermatologists’ skin care routines, pairs retinaldehyde with alpha hydroxy acids for a two-pronged approach to treating fine lines and dark spots, according to Dr. Julie Russak, board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “It offers the benefits of both exfoliation and retinal, making it a standout choice for addressing multiple skin concerns in one formula,” she says. I’ve also personally found it to help control my hormonal breakouts while smoothing the texture of my skin, making it a must-have in my own routine.
Russak recommends this night serum as a great option for those who want to target fine lines and wrinkles. “When introduced gradually into your evening routine, it aims to reveal smoother and revitalized skin,” she says. It also has a proprietary soothing complex, which includes niacinamide, to keep skin calm and hydrated, according to the brand.
Lin likes this Korean skin care brand, which she says focuses on gentle ingredients and preventative care. What makes this serum especially great, according to Lin, is the 0.1% retinal as well as ceramides and ectoin, which research has found to prevent inflammation caused by retinoids.
Beauty of Joseon makes some of our favorite K-beauty products, and this eye cream includes retinal for reduced fine lines and wrinkles around your eye area, according to the brand. The formula also has ginseng extract to firm the skin, along with niacinamide to help brighten dark under eyes.
Lin likes this cream not only because it comes in two strengths (0.05% and 0.1%), allowing users to graduate to a higher percentage as their skin adjusts, but also because it’s fragrance-free, which she says may be better for sensitive skin types. Plus, it is formulated with thermal spring water to help reduce the irritation, along with vitamin E and peptides to soothe and brighten skin, she says.
Designed to target sagging and deep wrinkles, this serum uses an encapsulated form of retinal as well as oat lipids and alpha glucan (to moisturize) and botanical ingredients, including kangaroo paw flower and olive leaf extract (to improve saggy skin). It can also be used on the neck to help lift and smooth sagging skin, according to the brand. It has a 4.9-star average rating from over 650 reviews on Sephora.
This serum-like retinal combats fine lines and the loss of firmness and elasticity, according to the brand. Reviewers say, their skin has a brighter appearance, smoother texture and a more even tone (including the fading of dark spots) after consistent nightly use. Plus, they appreciate that the serum doesn’t cause any dryness, discomfort or tightness in their skin.
This creamy overnight treatment is excellent for those looking to decrease fine lines, enlarged pores, dark spots, uneven tone and texture, according to the brand. Besides retinaldehyde, it also has jojoba seed oil and adapinoid (an oil-soluble retinoid) to soothe the skin and combat acne triggers. You can use this with your nighttime moisturizer or apply it before your moisturizer to minimize potential dryness and irritation, according to Paula’s Choice.
Retinal products can treat a variety of skin concerns like uneven texture and clogged pores, and can address discoloration, acne and wrinkles, according to our experts. When shopping for retinal products, they recommended considering the following factors:
Retinal, or retinaldehyde, is a derivative of vitamin A and delivers results more quickly than retinol (as well as other over-the-counter retinoids). It “is considered the most effective retinoid in over-the-counter [skin care products],” says Jacobs.
Because it’s weaker than prescription-level retinoids, “retinal is a good option though for those who cannot tolerate the prescription tretinoin, but want to see more benefits than with just plain retinol,” says Lin. (Tretinoin is a form of retinoic acid, which makes it more powerful and therefore only available with a prescription.) Additionally, it’s easier to access, as it doesn’t require a trip to the dermatologist.
Finally, retinal also offers a middle ground for those looking to amplify the benefits of their retinoid. “Some people may want to work their way up from retinol to retinal and then to a prescription tretinoin depending on their skin type,” says Lin. It can be a way to step up your skin care regimen over time.
Like all retinoids, retinal offers a multitude of benefits for skin. “Retinoids help increase the natural skin cell turnover to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” Lin says. They’ve also been found to treat acne and even out skin tone, thus reducing hyperpigmentation.
As a result, “products containing retinal can benefit a wide range of individuals, particularly those who are concerned with aging skin, acne, uneven skin tone and texture irregularities,” says Russak. The below groups would benefit most from using a retinal product in their routine, she says.
When shopping for retinal products of your own, experts advise staying on the lookout for products with a concentration that’s suitable for your skin type and tolerance levels.
Retinol and retinal are both types of retinoids, but they’re not the same thing. “The main difference lies in their chemical structures and how they interact with the skin,” Russak says. In your skin, retinol needs to convert into retinal before it can further convert into retinoic acid, which is the active form that delivers benefits. Retinal, on the other hand, only needs to convert once to become retinoic acid.
The extra conversion needed by retinol ultimately weakens it, according to Jacobs. As a result, it takes longer to work. Meanwhile, “retinal can potentially deliver quicker and more noticeable results in terms of improving skin texture, reducing wrinkles and addressing other skin concerns,” says Russak.
According to recent research, retinal is actually better tolerated by skin compared to retinol, says Russak. While it may seem reasonable that the more potent ingredient, retinal, would have a higher risk of irritation, that’s not actually the case. Since it requires fewer conversions in skin, that “results in potentially fewer side effects such as irritation and dryness,” she says.
That said, individual tolerance can vary, so it’s possible to still experience sensitivity when using a retinal product. For that reason, some people with facial eczema or rosacea may find that retinoids worsen their condition; in that case, you should avoid using them, y says Lin.
When using retinal in your routine you should typically start with a lower concentration of retinal, with the option of gradually increasing it as your skin adjusts. “Retinal may require an acclimation period when first incorporating it into your skincare routine,” Russak says.
Retinal, as with all retinoids, have some contraindications; for instance, they’re not safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. And for those who already have an extensive skin care routine — for example, one that includes exfoliating acids like alpha hydroxy acid, beta hydroxy acid and poly hydroxy acid — retinoids, including retinal, might be hard to tolerate, says Lin. Consider using those once weekly and taking a break from the retinoid that night if you want to incorporate both into your regimen, she says.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am a freelance beauty writer and editor who has been covering beauty and health for more than a decade, including topics like skin care ingredients and sun protection. For this article, I spoke to three dermatologists to narrow down the retinal products to shop this year, and highlighted their recommendations for the best options to consider.
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