Retinal vs retinol: the difference, and which to choose
Retinal is one step from retinoic acid; retinol is two. How they compare with each other and with tretinoin for results and irritation, and how to start.
The short answer
Retinal is one conversion step from active retinoic acid; retinol is two, so retinal is stronger at the same strength. Retinal sits between retinol and prescription tretinoin for both results and irritation. In a 125-person trial, 0.05% retinaldehyde reduced wrinkles over 18 weeks with less irritation than retinoic acid.
- Start low, two or three nights a week, wear sunscreen daily, and avoid retinoids in pregnancy.
Retinal vs retinol comes down to steps. Your skin has to convert every over-the-counter retinoid into retinoic acid before it does anything. Retinal (retinaldehyde) is one conversion away from retinoic acid; retinol is two. That makes retinal stronger and usually faster at the same strength, with irritation that sits between retinol and prescription tretinoin. Retinol is the gentler, better-studied place to start. Here is how they compare, and how to choose.
The retinoid family, from gentlest to strongest
All retinoids are forms of vitamin A. In the skin they follow a chain: retinyl esters become retinol, retinol becomes retinal, and retinal becomes retinoic acid, the form that acts on skin cells. A 1994 study in human skin cells found that retinol's effects depend on this conversion to retinoic acid. Each step loses some strength, which is why the further down the chain a product starts, the gentler and slower it is.
| Retinol | Retinal (retinaldehyde) | Tretinoin (retinoic acid) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steps to retinoic acid | Two | One | None: already active |
| Strength | Gentle to moderate | Moderate to strong | Strongest |
| Irritation | Lowest of the three | In between | Most common |
| How you get it | Over the counter | Over the counter | Prescription in the US |
| Typical strengths | 0.1% to 1% | 0.05% to 0.1% | 0.025% to 0.1% |
| Best for | First retinoid, sensitive skin | Retinol users who want more, or slower-to-respond skin | Acne, stronger photo-ageing, under a doctor |
Retinyl esters, such as retinyl palmitate, sit one step before retinol and are the mildest of all.
Is retinal more effective than retinol?
At the same concentration, generally yes, because it is one step closer to retinoic acid. The most-cited trial is a 1998 study of 125 people with sun-damaged skin: after 18 weeks, both 0.05% retinaldehyde and 0.05% retinoic acid significantly reduced wrinkles and roughness, while retinoic acid caused more irritation, enough to affect whether people kept using it. A 1999 tolerance study likewise found retinol and retinaldehyde better tolerated than retinoic acid.
Retinol is not weak, though. In a 1995 study, 1.6% retinol thickened the outer layer of skin about as much as 0.025% retinoic acid, with almost no redness. The practical difference is that retinol needs a higher strength, more time, or both, to reach the same place.
Is retinal gentler than retinol?
Usually not. Marketing often calls retinal "gentler", but because it is stronger, most people find it a little more irritating than the same percentage of retinol, and gentler than prescription tretinoin. What makes either one comfortable is the strength you choose and how slowly you build up.
Retinol vs tretinoin
Tretinoin is retinoic acid itself, so it needs no conversion and is the strongest of the three. It has the deepest evidence for wrinkles, sun damage and acne, and it is a prescription medicine in the US. It is also the most likely to cause redness, peeling and dryness in the first weeks. Retinol and retinal are the over-the-counter route: slower, gentler and easier to stick with. If you have acne or significant sun damage, a dermatologist can tell you whether tretinoin is worth the adjustment period.
Which should you choose?
- Never used a retinoid, or sensitive skin: start with a low-strength retinol, about 0.1% to 0.3%.
- Used retinol for a few months with no irritation: move to a higher retinol, or try retinal at 0.05%.
- Acne or marked sun damage: ask a dermatologist about tretinoin.
- Want something gentler still, or a morning step: see our guide to peptides for skin.
How to start a retinoid without irritation
- Start two or three nights a week, and increase only when your skin is calm.
- Use a pea-sized amount for the whole face, on dry skin after cleansing.
- Moisturise afterwards, or apply moisturiser first if you are sensitive.
- Avoid the corners of your nose, mouth and eyes at first.
- Wear sunscreen every morning. Retinoids make skin more sun-sensitive.
- Give it 12 weeks before judging results. Early dryness or flaking is common and usually settles.
Retinoids also appear in our guides to turkey neck and jowls, where they are one of the few creams with real evidence for texture and fine lines.
Retinoids, pregnancy and breastfeeding
Oral retinoids cause birth defects and must not be used in pregnancy. For creams, the risk is thought to be very low, but most doctors advise avoiding topical retinoids during pregnancy as a precaution, including retinol and retinal. Breastfeeding advice varies; ask your doctor, and do not apply retinoids to the chest.
General information, not medical advice. A dermatologist can advise on prescription retinoids, sensitive skin or skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema.
Read next: Gel Manicure Kit at Home: What to Buy First · How to Remove Gel Polish at Home Without Damage
Questions people ask about this
Is retinal better than retinol?
Retinal is stronger and usually faster at the same strength, because skin converts it to retinoic acid in one step instead of two. Retinol is gentler and a better first retinoid.
Is retinal gentler than retinol?
Usually not. Because it is stronger, retinal tends to be slightly more irritating than the same percentage of retinol, though gentler than prescription tretinoin.
What is the difference between retinol and tretinoin?
Tretinoin is retinoic acid, the active form, so it works directly and is the strongest. Retinol must be converted twice first. Tretinoin is prescription-only in the US and more irritating.
How long does retinal take to work?
Most people need about 8 to 12 weeks of regular use to see smoother texture and finer lines. A 1998 trial measured clear results at 18 weeks.
Can you use retinol while pregnant?
Most doctors advise avoiding topical retinoids, including retinol and retinal, during pregnancy as a precaution. Oral retinoids must not be used.
