For your skin
Works like retinol but converts faster on your skin, so results come sooner with less irritation.
Want the science? Keep reading ↓Mechanism of action
One step from retinoic acid; converts faster than retinol with comparable cell-turnover effect.
Why we tier this moderate
5 cited papers across 2 countries. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.
Layering matrix
Cited research
Kwon HS et al., Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used to treat photoaged skin: A randomized double-blind controlled trial, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2018 — both retinaldehyde concentrations improved texture/hydration; 0.1% additionally reduced melanin
Rouvrais C et al., Antiaging efficacy of a retinaldehyde-based cream compared with glycolic acid peel sessions: a randomized controlled study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2018 — 0.1% retinaldehyde cream matched 3 glycolic acid peels for photoaging with better tolerance
Dreno B, Jean-Decoster C, Georgescu V, Profile of patients with mild-to-moderate acne in Europe: a survey, European Journal of Dermatology 2016;26(2):177-184 — CHU Nantes + Pierre Fabre Lavaur phase IV observational study (n=2,926) of retinaldehyde + glycolic acid + rhamnose cream for mild-to-moderate acne
Babamiri K, Nassab R, Cosmeceuticals: the evidence behind the retinoids, Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2010;30(1):74-7 — concluded retinaldehyde-based cosmeceuticals showed "the most beneficial effect on aging skin" across large RCTs
Creidi P, Humbert P, Clinical use of topical retinaldehyde on photoaged skin, Dermatology 1999;199 Suppl 1:49-52 — concluded retinaldehyde is efficient and well tolerated for improvement of photoaging signs
Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.