Retinal
On 1 avoid lists
|In 22 skincare routines
Summary
Works for
- Evens skin tone
- Anti-blemish
- Anti-aging
Irritancy risk
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
Products with Retinal
Revox B77JUST Retinal 0.2% FluidSkin Functional1.5% Retinoid ComplexK-SECRETSEOUL 1988 Eye Cream : Retinal Liposome 4% + Fermented BeanBeaute PacifiqueCreme Symphonique Night-TimeBeauty of JoseonRevive Under Eye Patches for WrinklesSome By MiRetinol Bakuchiol Dual CreamPrimeraPRMR Vitatinol Serum Gel MaskKester BlackSuper Retinal Vitamin A SerumMedik8Crystal Retinal 24KSECRET - SEOUL 1988Advanced Shot : Retinal Liposome 12% + Black RiceClinical trials review
| Participants | Number | Interventions | Key finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 healthy Korean female volunteers >30 years old. The exclusion criteria were facial dermatosis, a known allergy to any cosmetic ingredient, and prior use of topical or systemic retinoids or steroids. | 40 | Either the RAL 0.1% or RAL 0.05% cream was applied twice daily. The study duration was 12 weeks and included four assessment visits: an inclusion visit in week 0 (baseline), and three further visits at 4, 8, and 12 weeks | The 3-month application improved overall photoaging in both RAL 0.1% (95%) and RAL 0.05% groups (95%). Both RAL 0.1% and RAL 0.05% afforded significant textural improvements (13.7% and 12.6%, respectively), reduced the TEWL (14.5%, 17.9%), and increased hydration (10.2%, 6.0%); however, no statistical differences were observed between two groups. Only RAL 0.1% significantly improved the melanin index (by 6.5%) |
Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used to treat photoaged skin: A randomized double-blind controlled trial
| Participants | Number | Interventions | Key finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women over 35 years of age, with moderate to severe photodamage | 40 | Patients applied either retinaldehyde 0.05% on their faces once daily for 1 year, or were left untreated (emollient only, control group). | Compared to the control group, retinaldehyde treatment induced a significant increase in epidermal thickness of the temple, as well as in cutaneous elasticity (p < 0.01). Similarly, retinaldehyde treatment tended to increase dermal thickness and reduce cutaneous stiffness, but no statistical difference could be observed between the two groups. |
Efficacy of topical 0.05% retinaldehyde in skin aging by ultrasound and rheological techniques
| Participants | Number | Interventions | Key finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjects included were female volunteers (age 35-55 years) with skin phototype I-III according to Fitzpatrick classification with at least 1 deep, long (≥1 cm) wrinkle on the flat part of the crow’s feet area, and the presence of periorbicular fine lines and wrinkles. Facial hygiene regimens had to be kept unchanged and be well tolerated for at least 4 weeks before inclusion | 55 | Participants were randomized in 2 treatment groups: (1) Daily application of the antiaging cream for 8 weeks or (2) Three sequential GA peels (20%, 50%, and 70%), 2-3 weeks apart. | : Efficacy of both treatments was similar in reducing crow’s feet wrinkles depth (STm 7.61%, P = .0007 vs 4.34%, P = .0348; P = .3049 intergroup) and volume, crow’s feet and periorbital wrinkle length, and number of fine lines and wrinkles at end of treatments. The efficacy of the cream in refining skin texture was superior to the peels (contrast: 5.61%, P = .0025 vs +3.54, P = .08; P intergroup = .0252). The 8-week treatment with the antiaging cream was well tolerated; adverse events were fewer and of milder intensity than with the peels, (12-fold lower incidence of physical signs). |
Antiaging efficacy of a retinaldehyde-based cream compared with glycolic acid peel sessions: A randomized controlled study
Scientific sources
Similar ingredients
1-TRIMETHYL-2-CYCLOHEXENYL-1-PENTEN-3-ONE
ACETYL GLUCOSAMINE
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
GLYCOLIC ACID
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
HEPTAPEPTIDE-15 PALMITATE
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PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-12
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RETINOL
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
TETRAHEXYLDECYL ASCORBATE
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective.
GLUCONOLACTONE
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
MALTOBIONIC ACID
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is genter than AHAs. In addition, it helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
LACTOBIONIC ACID
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing a smoother, more even skin. PHAs tend to be gentler on the skin compared to AHAs (for example, glycolic acid). It also has hydrating properties and helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help calm down inflammation in skin and support restoration of the barrier function. It has an anti-oxidant effect as well. It can help reduce fine line, wrinkles and improve skin elasticity
GLUCONIC ACID
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in imporved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
RETINYL PROPIONATE
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, even thought its potency is not as well established as in case of retinol or retinaldehyde
BAKUCHIOL
A plant extract that is, though different in chemical structure, acts similar to retinoids. First studies show that it can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce clogged pores and blemishes, and reduce inflammation. There is no conclusive evidence that bakuchiol is as effective as retinol however. The study that directly compared retinol with bakuchiol used bakuchiol applied twice daily compared to once per day for the retinol. According to this study, bakuchiol is less irritating than retinol. Bakuchiol is extracted from seeds of Babchi plant. Other parts of the plant contain coumarins that could cause allergic and irritant reactions. These compounds should be removed in the extraction process when bakuchiol is produced, but it is a good idea to be cautious and stay away from products that include the Babchi plant extracts other than purified bakuchiol to avoid irritation
ADAPALENE
A retinoid that is effective against acne and keratosis pilaris. It can also help reduce signs of aging (fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity) and can improve skin tone
RETINYL RETINOATE
A "hybrid" of retinol and retinoic acid. It is more stable than retinol and is likely to be more effective based on the early research data available. Is as irritating as retinol
RETINYL LINOLEATE
An ester of a retinoid and linoleic acid. Three steps removed from the bioactive form of retinoid, retinoic acid. Once converted to retinoic acid in skin, it can help reduce wrinkles, stimulate collagen production, even out skin tone and reduce blemishes. The concentrations used in cosmetic products are often not high enough to have a positive effect in skin.
PALMITOYL DIPEPTIDE-28 D-SERINE DIPEPTIDE-7 PALMITAMIDE
CIS-RETINOIC ACID
DECAPEPTIDE-22
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
OCTAPEPTIDE-2
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
ACETYL TYROSINAMIDE
An amino acid derivative. A manufacturer's study shows that it can help somewhat reduce wrinkles when used in combination with a low concentration of glycolic acid. No independent human in-vivo studies of this compound are available
Tretinoin
Bioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UK
HYDROXYPINACOLONE RETINOATE
A derivative of the most potent form of vitamin A, retinoic acid. The ingredient can be sold under name Granactive Retinoid. Note that if a skincare brand discloses the concentration of Granactive Retinoid in a product, the concentration refers to a diluted form of Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate: 1% of Granactive Retinoid corresponds to 0.1% of Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate. Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) is a unique derivative of retinoic acid because it can directly work in the skin and does not require additional conversion steps. According to studies done by the manufacturer on models of human skin (not real people), this derivative is more effective than other cosmetic versions of retinoids (such as retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinyl palmitate), and, at the same time, causes less irritation. It has been also demonstrated to be more stable than retinol which makes formulating with easier and increases the chances that a product with it will maintain its effectiveness after opening. The packaging should still ideally be air-tight. HPR is available over the counter in the EU, UK, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, but is only with a prescription in Canada.
ASCORBIC ACID
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
NIACINAMIDE
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture