Learn how to decode these anti-aging ingredients.
What’s the difference between retinal vs. retinol, and which is better for your skin?
Read on to see how to use these products as a path to beautiful skin.
Credit:Luxy / Getty Images
What Is Retinal?
Retinal the closest thing you could get to prescription-strength vitamin A, which in its mildest form is tretinoin.
It’s best to know that your skin tolerates retinol before venturing into using a retinal.
What Is The Difference Between Retinal And Retinol?
One of the primary differences between retinal vs. retinol is the time it takes to make an impact.
Retinal, on the other hand, needs one conversion before hitting the big time.
Who Should Use Retinal?
Start with a low strength and gradually increase use if your skin can tolerate it.
Start Slow
Be patient.
Apply retinal or retinol twice a week at first until your skin is able to tolerate the product nightly.
Using a low strength and gradually increasing it will also help reduce adverse reactions.
You should also apply retinoids at night to help avoid sun exposure.
Don’t forget toapply sunscreenevery day to protect your skin from UV rays while using.
Hyaluronic acid can be used with retinal and retinol for skin hydration, and niacinamide can help calm skin.
it’s possible for you to also use aface moisturizerto combat dryness.
Szymanski , Skopek R, Palusinska M, et al.Retinoic acid and its derivatives in skin.Cells.
2020;10(2).
39(12):5351-5375 (2022).
doi:10.1007/s12325-022-02319-7
Harvard Health Publishing.Do retinoids really reduce wrinkles?
U.S. Dermatology Partners.Best Ingredients to Pair and Avoid With Retinol.
