Ingredient Encyclopedia

Welcome to the Ingredient Encyclopedia

Discover what’s inside your skincare — from retinol to aloe vera — with clear guides on benefits, uses, and safety.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Retinal (Retinaldehyde) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Retinal, also known as Retinaldehyde, is a powerhouse member of the vitamin A family. In the world of skincare, it occupies a high-efficiency middle ground. While standard Retinol must undergo two conversion steps inside your skin to become active, Retinal is only one step away from becoming Retinoic Acid (the active form your skin actually uses). Think of it like a relay race: Retinol has to pass the baton twice, while Retinal only has to pass it once to reach the finish line. Because it bypasses that first slow step, Retinal is estimated to act up to 11 times faster than traditional retinol. It specifically targets the cellular turnover rate, making it the ideal "next step" for those who want visible results for texture and fine lines without the intensity of a prescription.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Retinal (Retinaldehyde) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Retinal (1$C_{20}H_{28}O$), also known as Retinaldehyde, is a polyene chromophore and a member of the retinoid family.2 In the hierarchy of Vitamin A derivatives, it occupies a unique position. While Retinol must undergo a two-step oxidation process to become active, Retinal is only one metabolic step away from Retinoic Acid (the form the skin actually uses). it bypasses the first rate-limiting step, Retinal is estimated to be up to 11 times faster in its activity than traditional Retinol, yet it maintains a surprisingly high safety profile.3 It specifically targets the cellular turnover rate in the basal layer of the epidermis, making it the "powerhouse" choice for those who have plateaued with standard over-the-counter retinoids.