The difference between retinoids, retinol, retinal and retin-A

Retinol, retinal, same-same... right? Not so much.
There's a few differences between retinoids, retinol, retinal and retinoic acid (retin-A), and because we know how easy it is to get overwhelmed with skin care jargon and 'magic' ingredients, we've looked to an expert to help us make sense of it all.
Below, Dr. Ginni Mansberg, founder of ESK – Evidence Skincare, helps decode the difference between these forms of vitamin A, so you can know exactly what it is you're looking at on the label.
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Retinoids
Think of retinoids as the head of the vitamin A family. According to Mansberg, "Retinoids are a class of chemical compounds that are vitamers of vitamin A – an ingredient strongly linked to a myriad of skin repairing benefits, including anti-ageing."
This includes the strongest, prescription only form, Retin-A or over-the-counter varieties which are your retinol or retinyl palmitate’s, the weaker forms.
Other types of retinoids you may have heard of could include retinaldehyde and tretinoin.
Retinol
Under the retinoid umbrella, sits retinol. Retinol is the most scientifically proven anti-ageing ingredient and easily the most popular form. As Mansberg says, "[it's] widely accessible to consumers in a range of over the counter creams, serums and lotions".
This specific type of retinoid is on the recommended list of almost every skin expert, and with decades of research behind it, there's no question to why. It converts into an active vitamin A in two steps, while significantly reducing fine lines and wrinkles, fading pigmentation and improving skin elasticity.
bh recommends: Dermalogica Age Smart Overnight Retinol Repair, Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Retinol esters
Sometimes sensitive or reactive skin can become irritated by the retinol. Or if you're new to retinoids, you may want to start out on a more gentle form. This is where we look to Retinol esters, a slightly weaker form of retinoids, as they convert to an active vitamin A in three steps.
These can include:
Retinyl propionate:
The most effective retinol ester, in high doses can be beneficial in reducing wrinkles and pigmentation
bh recommends: Olay Retinol 24 Night Moisturiser Cream Fragrance Free
Retinyl palmitate:
A weak retinol ester, which has shown benefits in sun damage.
bh recommends: L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Day Cream, Swissline Cell Shock Age Intelligence™ Youth Booster – Retinol + Retinyl Palmitate
Retinaldehyde
Also known as retinal. Just to confuse you.
This form converts into an active vitamin A in just one step, which makes it one of the more potent varieties. In fact, according to Mansberg, 20 times more potent than retinol.
This particular form works faster than retinol, and can be more effective in clearing acne, treating sun damage, and reducing wrinkles.
bh recommends: E.S.K's Ultimate A+, $115 at eskcare.com
Retin-A
These are your prescription only forms of retinoids as they can hold some serious side effects.
As they are pure retinoic acid and there is no conversion process required, they are the strongest form of retinoids.
These forms are commonly prescribed for severe acne treatment. Tretinoin (the most widely prescribed retinoid), tazarotene (the strongest topical retinoid), and isotretinoin (which is the active ingredient in common acne medication Roaccutane).
Main image credit: @advancedskintechnology
Have you been confused by all the different vitamin A related products? Which form do you use? Have you tried different types?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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78 Member Comments
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Thanks. Good to know
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What a lot of different names there are for VitA
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Thank you for this article! Very informative :)
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I have been using the Ordinary Granactive 2% emulsion for the last few weeks and have noticed a reduction in some of the hyper-pigmentation on my skin. This article was great as the naming is very confusing!
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I have been using the Ordinary Granactive 2% emulsion for the last few weeks and have noticed a reduction in some of the hyper-pigmentation. This article was great as the naming is very confusing!
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I’m currently trying The Ordinary’s Granactive Retinoid Serum, and it stings a little as a newbie even though it’s supposed to be the milder version. Will let you know how I go!
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Great article thanks for sharing.
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Informative article, now I am even more confused. What should a more mature lady use then as they all have one goal?
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I've been using retinaldehyde (medik8) with good results.
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Thank you for the clarification
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I've used a few products with the more gentle forms of vitamin A, but I can't remember which ones they were.
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Good to know the differences but a bit concerned about Retinaldehyde anything ending in ...aldehyde sounds toxic to me.
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After reading this again, now I'm not confused anymore. Thanks bh. Will keep it as a fave for a resource article.
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Good to know. It can get confusing!
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Great information and product recommendations. Gives me a bit of direction as to what products to consider. I was using Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair cream - I liked it. It worked but the benefits disappeared quite quickly once I ran out of cream. I remember reading about a natural anti aging ingredient that repairs the skin inside out. It was apparently the new 'Retinol' but the benefits lasted significantly longer (As it repaired the skin) if you stopped using the cream. Did I just dream about this? Haha or has anyone else heard about it? I can't find it on google.
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You might be referring to a botanical ingredient called bakuchiol.
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Actually i like the simple words of the skin benefits on the packaging rather than magic ingredients list.I am so lazy to read them.
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I still don't get it
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Thanks for the information
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I'm starting to get these creams as gifts so I need this information...one has to accept these things....:(
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Interesting and good to know...
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I should try retinaldehyde for sun damage
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