The skincare industry is in constant evolution, and one of the ingredients that has been gaining popularity is retinal, a more stable and less irritating derivative of retinol. Retinal delivers results more quickly than retinol and is the strongest version of over-the-counter vitamin A you can purchase without a prescription. Before we go into further detail about the advantages and benefits of retinal for your skin, let's start with a brief history of retinol and its uses.

Retinol was first discovered in the early 20th century but wasn’t actually made until the middle of the century in 1847. As a treatment for vitamin A deficiency, it is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines and has been incorporated into people’s facial care routines ever since. Due to its anti-aging properties, it improves blemishes, boosts collagen production and actually improves pore size and texture of the skin.

Fast forward to present day, retinal is also known as retinaldehyde, is about 10 times more potent than retinol. A more advanced form of vitamin A, retinal has entered the market as an effective alternative to traditional retinol.  It helps stimulate collagen production, contributing to firmer and more elastic skin and has been known to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and improve skin texture.

Like all retinoids – which are any group of compounds having effects in the body like those of vitamin A – retinal helps to increase the natural skin cell turnover. While the benefits are similar, it can actually work up to 11 times faster to improve your fine lines and wrinkles and is actually more stable than retinol. That is great news for the end user as this means that you are less prone to breaking down and losing effectiveness over time as well as less irritation. Great for those with sensitive skin who have adverse reactions to retinol.

Now to the use of retinal. Before getting excited and lathering your whole face with the product, it is recommended to perform a patch test before using products with retinal on your entire face. Apply at night, as it can make the skin more sun sensitive, start with less frequent application and gradually increase to allow your skin to adapt.

For those looking to prevent signs of aging or to simply give their face a natural and healthy face lift, currently on the market there is a diverse amount of products with retinal out there. There are serums, creams, and lotions containing retinal that cater to different skincare preferences, but most importantly make sure to consult with a dermatologist to determine which retinal product is suitable for your skin type and specific concerns.

While this new advancement in skincare is quite exciting, the best is that there is more to come. The future of skincare is bright as there is ongoing research on retinal and other advanced ingredients with a greater focus on gentle yet effective ingredients for the skin.