Doctors explain the difference between retinol and retinal, suggest care and usage methods

After years as the main ingredient in anti-aging skincare routines, retinol has started to share the spotlight with a "sibling" derivative: retinal. This molecule, also derived from vitamin A, gained prominence among k-beauty enthusiasts and, boosted by products that went viral on social media, began competing for the title of the darling ingredient in dermatological protocols. Dermatologist Paula Bellotti clarifies that the main difference between the two lies in the number of steps needed to transform into retinoic acid, the biologically active form of vitamin A. She explains that tretinoin, as retinoic acid is also called, is the gold standard for treating photoaging, but leaves the skin very sensitive, which motivated the creation of more well-tolerated derivative molecules. According to Bellotti, retinol needs to go through two conversion phases: first it becomes retinal, and then it transforms into retinoic acid. Retinal, on the other hand, requires only one step for this conversion, making it more potent than retinol. The specialist also suggests care and usage methods for these active ingredients in skincare routines.