Harsh on fine lines but gentle on sensitive skin, Retinal is up to 11 times more effective than Retinol.
Are you just starting out with retinoids or considering moving from Retinol to Retinal and wondering which is gentler?
Don’t guess! Get the facts from the formulators. Discover why Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, rates Retinal over Retinal as we ask Charlotte to explain why Retinal is the only vitamin A skin care ingredient she’ll recommend to her customers.
At a glance:
- Retinal and Retinol are part of the same retinoid skin care family
- Retinol relies on potent concentrations to perform effectively and may irritate some skin types
- Retinal is more effective at a lower concentration and is usually the best retinoid for sensitive skin.
- We recommend Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum, which is dermatologically tested and clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin
Why use Retinal over Retinol?
As Charlotte explains, Retinol and Retinal have a lot in common. They sound alike and are part of the same Retinoid skin care family, but these cosmetic cousins work in two very different ways.
“Retinal works up to 11 times faster and is more effective than Retinol,” says Charlotte Vøhtz.
Here’s the science:
To be effective, both Retinal and Retinol need to convert into Retinoic Acid once they’re applied to the skin.
Retinol takes 2 steps:
- First, it's converted to Retinal, then Retinal is converted to Retinoic Acid
- This process relies on a co-enzyme called NAD+ which is naturally present in the skin but drastically declines with age
- This means that higher concentrations of Retinol are needed to achieve the desired anti-ageing benefits
- Higher concentrations = and increased irritation risk, making Retinol an unsuitable choice for sensitive and easily irritated skin
Retinal converts in 1 step:
- Using the process of oxidation, Retinal converts to its active form with just one step
- It’s not at all dependent on NAD+ so it achieves results at lower concentrations
- This simplified process makes Retinal the safer, more effective choice
Who can use Retinal?
While Retinol can be unsuitable for ultra-sensitive skin, Retinal’s gentle touch makes it the perfect choice for all skin types.
- Retinal benefits for spot-prone skin: Retinal is rich in antibacterial properties
- Retinal benefits for mature and menopausal skin: Retinal is one of the best anti -ageing actives for targeting the signs of ageing (deep wrinkles, sagging skin and uneven tone)
- Retinal benefits for sensitive skin: Our Retinal is dermatologically tested and clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin. However, it contains essential oils. If you are sensitive to these, build up your use starting with every other night. Follow with our instantly soothing Scent Free Truffle Night Cream.
Can Retinol keep up with Retinal?
11 times more effective than Retinol and kinder to skin, here’s what you can expect when you make Retinal part of your natural anti-ageing routine:
- Fine lines - softer skin is expected within 2–4 weeks of consistent use
- Improvements in firmness and elasticity within 6–12 of consistent use
- Noticeable results on hyperpigmentation within 6 - 12 weeks of consistent use
But don’t just take our word for it, see what our tester panel thought after using Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum for just three weeks:
- 77% of testers said their skin looked brighter & more radiant
- 71% of testers said pigmentation was reduced
"I'd found other retinol serums too harsh for my skin. This Retinal serum is much better tolerated & whilst too early to see impact, it feels lovely!" Claire, verified buyer of Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum
Is it time to move on from Retinol?
Discover Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum
Harsh on fine lines but gentle on skin, we combined Retinal with Hyaluronic Acid and pure Aloe Vera for intense soothing skin hydration, making this serum so much more than Retinal.
“I’m so excited to introduce our new Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum, the most advanced Retinal formula ever created.
We use 0.05% Retinal, the optimum level for maximum results and minimal irritation risk. We call this the sweet spot!” Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People.
Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum 10ml
Renew, protect and hydrate with this skin care revolution294,00 kr
Are you ready to make the switch to Retinal? For help building the best routine for you, contact our friendly UK customer care team on 01403 740350 or @GreenPeopleUK.
REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to 'Retinol vs Retinal: make the best choice for your skin type.' Please do not use an affiliate link.
