Ingredient guide
Retinal (retinaldehyde)
INCI name · retinal
Who to ask
Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist is the right person for this, not a skincare rule.
Prepare notes for the appointmentA one page summary of your readings, built on your device.In short
Retinal (retinaldehyde) (also known as retinaldehyde) is a skincare active generally associated with skin texture and smoothness, tone and pigmentation and firmness and elasticity. It is often chosen for dry, combination and oily skin. MIRU describes it by what is visible on skin, never as a treatment or cure.
Skin type
Dry · Combination · Oily
Best used
Evening
What it is
Retinaldehyde is a vitamin A aldehyde one conversion step from retinoic acid. Two small controlled studies found improvements in some wrinkle or elasticity measures. Retinoic acid was more irritating in the head-to-head study, while several secondary measures did not improve.
Evidence receipt
ModerateRetinaldehyde · applied to skin
Based on 2 sources
Open the citable recordTwo small controlled studies found retinaldehyde improved fine lines or skin elasticity versus a plain cream, with less irritation than retinoic acid.
Studied as Retinaldehyde: 0.05% retinaldehyde cream, 0.05% retinoic acid cream, vehicle cream.
Both controlled studies are more than 25 years old; samples were small and several secondary measurements did not improve.
See 2 sources
Randomized vehicle-controlled trial in 125 people over 44 weeks: retinaldehyde and retinoic acid improved wrinkle and roughness measures while vehicle did not; retinoic acid was more irritating than retinaldehyde.
wrinkle profilometry, skin roughness, tolerability · 0.05% retinaldehyde cream, 0.05% retinoic acid cream, vehicle cream
J Am Acad Dermatol, 1998One-year controlled study in 40 people: retinaldehyde increased epidermal thickness and elasticity versus control, while dermal thickness and stiffness did not significantly change.
epidermal thickness, skin elasticity, dermal thickness, skin stiffness · 0.05% retinaldehyde cream
Dermatology, 1999
Affiliation note. Publication links report the study authors and their affiliations. MIRU does not infer independence from an affiliation alone.
When to use it
Evenings, like every retinoid. It is light-sensitive.
Start ~2 nights a week and build up slowly.
On the label
Usually 0.05–0.1% on labels
It is active at smaller numbers than retinol. The modest figure is not a weaker product.
Pairs well with
Give these space
The same rules the product checker and routine builder run. Friendly scheduling, not prohibitions.
Where it sits
An evening treatment step. On dry skin after cleansing, with moisturiser to follow.
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Retinal
- Moisturise
Also found as
Related
Compare products
Browse product comparisonsWhere to find it
Examples, not a ranking. A product lookup can confirm identity and background; a verdict still needs the full ingredient list.
Purito Seoul Retinol Retinal 2000 NAD+ Serum
Retinal serum. Build up slowly and keep it away from acid nights.
0.1% retinol (1,000 ppm)
0.1% retinal (1,000 ppm)
Two separately declared retinoids; MIRU never adds their percentages together.
EU · EU cosmetics limits are 0.05% retinol equivalent in body lotion and 0.3% in other leave-on or rinse-off products. New products: 1 November 2025; products already on the market: 1 May 2027. Source
Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal
Ginseng and retinal eye serum for smoothing the look of fine lines.
Product comparisonSee the verdict and closest alternatives.Open comparison
MEDITHERAPY Retinal Skin Booster Serum
Retinal serum. One active at a time reads more clearly than three stacked.
Product discovery is not efficacy proof. These examples are not ranked by commission.
Common questions
What does Retinal (retinaldehyde) do for skin?
Retinal (retinaldehyde) is associated in published research with skin texture and smoothness, tone and pigmentation and firmness and elasticity. Retinaldehyde is a vitamin A aldehyde one conversion step from retinoic acid. Two small controlled studies found improvements in some wrinkle or elasticity measures. Retinoic acid was more irritating in the head-to-head study, while several secondary measures did not improve. MIRU frames ingredients by what is visible, not by medical claims.
When should I use Retinal (retinaldehyde)?
Retinal (retinaldehyde) is typically used in the evening. Introduce any new active on its own first and add one product at a time so you can see how your skin responds.
Is Retinal (retinaldehyde) suitable for my skin type?
Retinal (retinaldehyde) is often chosen for dry, combination and oily skin. It can be used with care. If your skin is reactive, patch-test first and watch for any irritation.
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Personal guidance, not medical advice.