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.

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?

78 Member Comments

morrisbecky59 24 Jan 2021 4:49 PM

How you live your life is a testimony of what you believe about God. Getting back together with your ex is a very tough challenge and I failed it many times after my fiance broke-up with me. Not until I read about The Great Dr. Lee Psychic Solution Center is the #1 Online Accurate Psychic Doctor and Free Consultation online. Which can help you out. He Specializes in: Love Binding, Physical Healing Energy, and any type of spell you are interested in. [dr.leepsychic[at]gmail[dot]com]. Whatsapp Number: +1 5 1 2 5 3 7 7 1 2 8. Is the best online psychic that can help you and his result is 100% guarantee.

Log in or register to commentReply to comment
Likes 0

Pressy 20 Jan 2021 10:29 PM

De hecho, quiero usar este medio para agradecer al Dr. Obudu por sus grandes hazañas en mi vida y mi familia, estuve casado por más de 6 años, después de estos años las cosas comenzaron a ponerse feas y tuvimos peleas y discusiones casi todo el tiempo, empeoró. en un momento en que solicitó el divorcio. Hice todo lo posible para que cambiara de opinión y se quedara conmigo. Pero se mudó de la casa y aún así solicitó el divorcio. Supliqué e intenté todo, pero nada funcionó. Cuando se mudó, comencé a extrañarlo a él y a los niños también. El gran avance se produjo cuando un amigo me presentó a este maravilloso y gran lanzador de hechizos llamado Dr. Obudu (obuduyang@gmail.com) que finalmente me ayudó. Nunca he sido fanático o creo en cosas como esta, pero decidí intentarlo porque estaba desesperado y no tenía otra opción. Hizo oraciones especiales y usó raíces y hierbas. Dentro de las 24 horas posteriores a la finalización del hechizo mi Esposo que me dejó me llamó y lamentó todo el trauma emocional que me había costado, se mudó de regreso a la casa, lo lindo es que la discusión y el odio innecesario ha desaparecido. Por primera vez hemos vivido juntos durante 2 meses sin pelear ni discutir. Qué maravilloso milagro hizo el Dr. Obudu por mí y mi familia. Les estoy diciendo a todos las buenas noticias porque no me avergüenza luchar por mi familia lo que sea necesario .... Puede enviarle un correo electrónico o WhatsApp ... (obuduyang@gmail.com +1 503-773-9114) Gracias, Dr. Obudu, por todo lo que hace para hacer del mundo un lugar mejor para vivir.

Sootyhere 1 Jan 2021 3:44 PM

Thanks. Good to know

LISASANDRA085 22 Aug 2020 9:10 AM

CONTACT A GREAT SPELL CASTER DR IFADE TO BRING YOUR EX LOVER BACK VIA EMAIL ifadesolutionspell31@gmail com WHATSAPP NUMBER +234906012049

Susmat 15 Aug 2020 3:05 PM

What a lot of different names there are for VitA

Moretti82 16 Jul 2020 6:42 PM

Thank you for this article! Very informative :)

amy126 15 Jul 2020 8:25 AM

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!

amy126 14 Jul 2020 6:00 PM

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!

Fortheloveofgoodskin_ 11 Jul 2020 11:38 PM

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!

anna_m_3447 7 Jul 2020 9:56 PM

Great article thanks for sharing.

Am1851 4 Jul 2020 9:34 AM

Informative article, now I am even more confused. What should a more mature lady use then as they all have one goal?

PrettyPrincess 1 Jul 2020 9:35 AM

I've been using retinaldehyde (medik8) with good results.

Rachwho 30 Jun 2020 4:15 PM

Thank you for the clarification

Petal 29 Jun 2020 2:59 PM

I've used a few products with the more gentle forms of vitamin A, but I can't remember which ones they were.

organicmusic 27 Jun 2020 3:31 PM

Good to know the differences but a bit concerned about Retinaldehyde anything ending in ...aldehyde sounds toxic to me.

clearcrystalwater 26 Jun 2020 10:46 AM

After reading this again, now I'm not confused anymore. Thanks bh. Will keep it as a fave for a resource article.

Chicklet 25 Jun 2020 5:34 PM

Good to know. It can get confusing!

Kim1989 24 Jun 2020 9:48 AM

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.

Petal 29 Jun 2020 2:47 PM

You might be referring to a botanical ingredient called bakuchiol.

Angage 22 Jun 2020 11:28 AM

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.

Log in or register to commentReply to comment
Likes 1

Ellyloves 22 Jun 2020 10:44 AM

I still don't get it

Jodes71 21 Jun 2020 9:35 PM

Thanks for the information

aoperez 21 Jun 2020 3:25 PM

I'm starting to get these creams as gifts so I need this information...one has to accept these things....:(

sootyblack_14 21 Jun 2020 10:55 AM

Interesting and good to know...

Susmat 21 Jun 2020 10:54 AM

I should try retinaldehyde for sun damage

Pages

You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.

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