Retinol Vs. Retinal: Our Dermatologist Breaks Down The Difference

While most of us already know about retinol and its miraculous effects on skin, some might not be aware that other similar skincare ingredients exist, too. One of them is retinal, a different form of vitamin A that has recently gained in popularity. To learn more about retinal and what sets it apart from retinol, we turned to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose. "While they are structurally similar, their slight differences lead to variations in their potency and effectiveness," she exclusively explains to Glam. Depending on your skin type as well as your skincare preferences, one might suit you better than the other.

"Retinol requires more steps to be converted into its active form in the skin (retinoic acid), making retinal a stronger or more potent vitamin A derivative," Dr. Murphy-Rose adds. "Since retinal requires just one conversion step to becoming retinoic acid, it is more efficiently converted to the active form compared to retinol. Retinol requires two steps. This shorter conversion pathway enables retinal to deliver retinoic acid to the skin more quickly and in higher concentrations, making it more potent than retinol." Of course, just because retinal is more potent doesn't mean that it will give you better results, as it can also cause more irritation. Luckily, Dr. Murphy-Rose clarified for us just what you need to pay attention to when choosing between the two skincare products.

Figuring out whether or not it's necessary for you to use a vitamin A derivative like retinol or retina can be difficult — which is why we asked Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose for further clarification on what skin concerns the two can help with. "Vitamin A derivatives, including retinol and retinal, offer many skin benefits, such as reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and laxity, while also improving skin texture and dullness," she exclusively tells Glam. If you suffer from any of these skin issues, then it might be time to add a retinol or retinal to your skincare routine. 

But how do you decide which product is better for you? "If faster or more noticeable results are desired, a prescription retinoid, which is stronger, may be necessary," Dr. Murphy-Rose adds. "However, it's crucial to choose a product that your skin tolerates well," she says. "Depending on individual skin needs, one may be preferable to the other." Regardless of which you opt for, if you notice irritation due to a vitamin A derivative, make sure you switch to a less harsh one — or skip retinol and retinal entirely, as there are other skincare products that might be more suitable for sensitive skin.

While some might think that retinol and retinal are the same and can be used in place of each other, the truth is that these two skincare ingredients are different. "Due to their differences in potency, retinol and retinal aren't necessarily interchangeable," Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose explains exclusively to Glam. "Retinol is generally milder and may be better suited for those with sensitive skin," she adds. 

And while both can target the same issues, it's difficult to find a retinol and a retinal that will work the exact same way. "The concentration of the active ingredient in a formulation can vary, so a product with a higher concentration of retinol might be stronger than one with retinal," Dr. Murphy-Rose says. "This makes direct comparisons challenging." Instead of using them interchangeably, it's best to commit to one or the other and give yourself enough time to truly see results.

With so many skincare products on the market, it's certainly hard to figure out where to add vitamin A derivatives — and which products you can and can't mix them. "Both retinol and retinal work well with other anti-aging ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, and SPF," Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose exclusively tells us. "However, when first incorporating them into your routine, it's wise to avoid exfoliants and potential skin irritants until your skin builds up tolerance." The initial period of using products with retinol or retinal can also cause a purge — a period during which redness, dryness, and acne can get worse before your skin begins to clear up. Because of this, it's crucial to avoid any other irritants.

‌One thing that isn't negotiable when using retinol or retinal is sunscreen. "The same caution [when using retinol] applies to retinal," Dr. Murphy-Rose explains. "It increases photosensitivity, heightening the risk of sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and long-term skin damage when used without adequate sun protection."