A vitamin A derivative used in products targeting photoaging and uneven skin texture.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Retinaldehyde, All-trans-retinal
Avoid during pregnancy
Avoid during pregnancy as a topical-retinoid class precaution, not because of a retinaldehyde pregnancy trial. ACOG advises avoiding topical retinoids; breastfeeding use needs separate product-specific clinical advice.
Sources: 3Limited evidence
Retinal
What it does
Specific retinaldehyde creams have improved measured texture and hydration in a small human trial. That does not establish identical results for every retinal product.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Good for
- Photoaging-related texture
- Fine-line appearance
How to use it
Follow the actual product's introduction and application instructions, commonly an evening routine. Introduce cautiously, moisturize as needed and use daytime sun protection. Do not copy a trial's twice-daily schedule onto another product.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Who should be careful
Avoid during pregnancy as a retinoid class precaution. Reactive or already irritated skin may tolerate it poorly; seek product-specific advice during breastfeeding or when using prescription treatments.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Keep apart from
- Additional retinoids or irritating exfoliation steps
Adding multiple potentially irritating treatments can make a routine harder to tolerate.
A tolerance precaution, not a universal chemical incompatibility. Follow the finished product label and clinician's plan.
Expert opinionSources: 2
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Retinaldehyde can be converted in skin to retinoic acid, which influences retinoid-responsive cell signaling. Conversion and delivery depend on the preparation.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Potential adverse effects
Irritation, dryness and peeling can occur; evidence from a combination formula cannot establish the isolated ingredient's tolerance.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Formulation considerations
Protect against oxidation and light and verify finished-product stability. Encapsulation claims alone do not prove delivery, tolerance or efficacy.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Avoid during pregnancy
Avoid during pregnancy as a topical-retinoid class precaution, not because of a retinaldehyde pregnancy trial. ACOG advises avoiding topical retinoids; breastfeeding use needs separate product-specific clinical advice.
Sources: 3Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research (1 studies)
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitLimited evidence
A cited study is entered below. Its formulation, exposure and limitations must be considered before applying the results to another product.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams: randomized photoaging trial
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind comparison of two retinaldehyde creams
- Population
- 40 female Korean volunteers
- Studied concentration
- 0.1% versus 0.05% retinaldehyde
- Duration
- 3 months
Both tested creams improved measured texture and hydration. The study did not show a general advantage of one strength for every outcome.
Limitations: Small strength-comparison study without a vehicle-only arm; twice-daily study use is not a recommendation for another product.
Randomised clinical trialSources: 1Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
retinal
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 638015 | PubChem compound 638015: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C20H28O | PubChem compound 638015: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 284.4 g/mol | PubChem compound 638015: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (5)
Scientific sources
- Retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams: randomized photoaging trialrandomized human trial · 2018
- AAD: Retinoid or retinol use and skin toleranceclinical guidance
- AAD: Pregnancy skincare and ingredients to avoidclinical guidance
- ACOG: Skin conditions during pregnancyclinical guidance
- PubChem compound 638015: chemical identitychemical identity
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