Are you confused about Retinal, Retinol, Retinyl, and Retinoic Acid? Don't worry, you're not alone! These four are part of the Retinoid family, which is a derivative of Vitamin A. But they differ in efficacy, strength, and side effects.
Retinyl: The Weakest Retinoid
Retinyl is the weakest of the four and is found in most cosmetic products. It's less irritative, but it's also the least effective as compared to its other three counterparts. That's because it requires your skin to convert it three times before it becomes Retinoic Acid, which does most of the work.
Retinoic Acid: The Strongest Retinoid
Retinoic Acid is the gold standard for Retinoids and is the most potent, but it also has the most side effects. That's why it's only available as a prescription drug that requires you to see a doctor.
The Effectiveness of Retinol
Retinol is a possible substitute for Retinoic Acid and is commonly found in skincare products. It's more tolerable than Retinoic Acid, but it's also twenty times less effective.
Retinal: The Best Alternative to Retinoic Acid
The most effective option without needing a prescription is Retinal, which is just one step before Retinoic Acid. It's the least irritating and most effective option for boosting hydration, getting rid of wrinkles, and increasing the elasticity of the skin.
The Challenges of Using Retinal
However, Retinal is difficult to stabilize, making it costly for manufacturers. The shelf life is also shorter than a typical Retinol/Retinyl-containing product.
Case Studies
Koreans even did a study where they applied Retinol on half the face and Retinal on the other half and compared both halves with photographs and concluded that the half with Retinal was significantly more effective in boosting hydration, getting rid of wrinkles and increasing the elasticity of the skin.
Another study compared 0.05% of Retinoic Acid and 0.05% Retinal and showed both to be equally effective at reducing fine line and wrinkles and improving skin texture. However, Retinoic Acid had significantly more side effects.
Introducing Our Retinal Neon Serum
If you're looking for a good Retinal product, try our Retinal Neon Serum, which is clean, simple, and effective. It fights fine lines, pigmentation, tightens pores, boosts collagen, and reduces inflammation.
The Differences Between Retinol, Retinyl, Retinal, and Retinoic Acid
Retinal, Retinol, Retinyl, and Retinoic Acid are not the same things. Retinal is the most effective option without needing a prescription, but it's also difficult to stabilize, making it costly for manufacturers.