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Skincare trends and new ingredients come and go, often promising faster or easier results. Yet when it comes to anti-ageing and long-term skin health, retinoids remain the gold standard, supported by decades of clinical research and use in medical-grade, science-backed skincare.

At , we take an evidence-led approach to skin health, guided by clinical expertise and years of experience working with results-driven skincare. Through thousands of personalised consultations, we see firsthand that there is no single “best” retinoid for everyone. Your skin type, sensitivity, lifestyle, and previous experience all influence whether retinal or retinol is the right choice for you.

At Face Dr, we take an evidence-led approach to skin health, guided by doctor-led expertise and years of experience working with results-driven skincare such as ZO Skin Health, Obagi Medical, SkinCeuticals, Medik8, and many more. Through thousands of personalised consultations, we see firsthand that there is no single “best” retinoid for everyone.

In this article, we explain how retinal and retinol work in the skin, how they compare in strength and tolerance, and how to choose the option that best supports your skin and long-term goals.

This guide covers:

• What Are Retinoids?
• What Are The Benefits Of Retinoids For Your Skin?
• How Retinal Works in the Skin
• How Retinol Works in the Skin
• Retinal vs Retinol: Key Differences at a Glance
• Is Retinal Really Better Than Retinol?
• Choosing the Right Retinoid for Your Skin
• The Best Retinal And Retinol Serums We Recommend
• Final Thoughts: Choosing Between Retinal And Retinol

What Are Retinoids?

Retinoids are a large family of skincare ingredients derived from vitamin A. Retinol and retinal (retinaldehyde) are two of the most well-known members, but they sit within a much broader group of related forms, each behaving a little differently on the skin.

While these forms can vary in strength, speed, and how easily the skin tolerates them, they all work towards the same goal. Once applied, retinoids go through a natural conversion process in the skin to become retinoic acid, the form of vitamin A that skin cells can actually use. Some retinoids require more conversion steps than others, which helps explain why certain forms feel gentler, while others act more quickly.

Thinking of retinoids as a family rather than separate ingredients makes the difference between retinol and retinal easier to understand. They ultimately work in the same way, but are positioned at different points along the vitamin A pathway, which is why choosing between them depends on your skin and experience, not strength alone.

For more detailed guidance on vitamin A, including how to introduce it safely and use it alongside other active ingredients, see our dedicated Vitamin A guide.

What Are The Benefits Of Retinoids For Your Skin?

Retinoids support the skin by influencing how skin cells behave and renew themselves. As this natural renewal process slows over time, the skin can start to look dull, uneven, or congested. Retinoids help regulate skin cell turnover, encouraging the upper layers of the skin to renew more efficiently, which is a key reason they are used for concerns such as pigmentation, breakouts, and uneven texture.

They are also valued for their long-term impact on skin structure. Retinoids help stimulate the skin’s own collagen production while supporting the preservation of existing collagen through their antioxidant activity. This combination plays an important role in maintaining smoother, firmer-looking skin with consistent use.

Retinoids may be particularly helpful if you are concerned about:

• Fine lines, loss of firmness, or early signs of skin ageing
• Uneven skin texture or roughness
• Pigmentation, sun damage, or post-acne marks
• Breakouts, congestion, or blocked pores
• Overall skin quality and long-term skin health

Is retinal better than retinol?

Retinal is often described as “stronger” than retinol because it converts to active vitamin A in fewer steps. However, this does not automatically make it better for everyone. The best option depends on your skin type, sensitivity, and goals.

Many brands will claim retinal is superior, but this oversimplifies how vitamin A works in real skin. At Face Dr, we take a personalised approach — recommending retinol or retinal based on what your skin can tolerate long term, rather than offering a quick fix that may compromise skin health.

This is why professional guidance matters. Our doctor-led team considers your skin history, current concerns, and routine before recommending a vitamin A product that will deliver results safely and sustainably.

If you are unsure whether retinoids are right for your skin, our Skin Experts at Face Dr can guide you through a free online consultation, tailored to your skin and goals.

Book your free video skincare consultation now

How Retinal Works in the Skin

Once applied to the skin, retinal converts directly into retinoic acid, the biologically active form of vitamin A. Because this requires only a single conversion step, retinal reaches its active form through a shorter pathway than retinol.

This closer position to retinoic acid explains why retinal is commonly used at lower concentrations and is often described as a more direct form of vitamin A.

How Retinol Works in the Skin

Retinol follows a longer activation pathway in the skin. After application, it must first convert into retinal and then convert again into retinoic acid before becoming active.

This additional conversion step means retinol reaches its active form more gradually, reflecting its position further along the vitamin A pathway.

Retinal vs Retinol: Key Differences at a Glance

Retinal vs Retinol: Key Differences at a Glance

Choosing the Right Retinoid for Your Skin

Taken together, these differences and perceptions mean that choosing between retinol and retinal is less about which one is considered stronger and more about how your skin behaves, what it can tolerate, and what you are aiming to achieve over time. The guidance below can help you decide which approach may suit you best.

• If You Are New To Vitamin A

If you are introducing vitamin A for the first time, a gradual approach is often easier for the skin to adapt to. Retinol allows activity to build steadily, supporting long-term results without overwhelming the skin.

• If You Have Sensitive Or Reactive Skin

For reactive or barrier-compromised skin, formulation and introduction matter as much as the ingredient itself. Some people respond better to retinol, while others tolerate retinal well when it is carefully formulated and introduced slowly.

• If You Already Tolerate Retinoids Well

If your skin is already comfortable with vitamin A, retinal may suit you. Its more direct pathway can help optimise results without increasing frequency or layering stronger actives.

• If You Are Managing Acne Or Ageing Concerns

Both retinol and retinal can support concerns such as breakouts, texture, pigmentation, and visible signs of ageing. The most effective choice is often the one your skin can use consistently over time.

Our Skin Experts at Face Dr are available to provide personalised guidance on selecting the most appropriate form and strength of vitamin A, as well as how to introduce it thoughtfully into your routine.

The Best Retinal And Retinol Serums We Recommend at Face Dr

At Face Dr, we work with clinically proven skincare brands including ZO Skin Health, Obagi Medical, SkinCeuticals and Medik8. Our recommendations are based on formulation quality, stability, and long-term skin outcomes — not just ingredient strength alone.

Here are some of our expert-approved retinal and retinol picks.

1. Medik8 Intelligent Retinol (3TR, 6TR, 10TR)

A well-formulated retinol serum range designed to support overnight skin renewal while prioritising skin tolerance, making vitamin A use more comfortable and sustainable over time.

Key features:

•  Available in three strengths: 0.3% (3TR), 0.6% (6TR), and 1% (10TR) retinol
• Time Release technology for gradual overnight delivery
• Enhanced with climbazole to support retinol efficacy
•  Lightweight serum texture with squalane and vitamin E for barrier support

Best for: First-time retinol users, sensitive or reactive skin, and those targeting early fine lines, uneven skin texture, or overall skin renewal with a gentle, step-up approach.

This serum range is available at Face Dr, priced from £34 to £55.

 

10. Obagi Retinol 1.0 Cream

A high-strength retinol cream formulated to improve visible signs of ageing, skin texture, and discolouration through consistent night-time use.

Key features:

1.0% pure retinol concentration
Stabilised formulation for consistent activity
Designed to improve fine lines, tone, and texture
Night-time cream format

Best for:
Experienced retinol users targeting more advanced signs of ageing, uneven texture, and pigmentation with a structured step-up in strength.

Available at Face Dr, priced at £90.

 

2. Medik8 Crystal Retinal (1, 3, 6, 10, 20, 24)

A retinal night serum range designed to deliver vitamin A results through a structured strength ladder, allowing skin to build tolerance progressively while optimising efficacy over time.

Key features:

• Available in six strengths, from 0.01% (Sensitive 1) up to 0.24% (Expert 24) retinal
• According to brand data, it works up to 11 times faster than conventional retinol
• Patented stability system to maintain potency and skin safety
• Clear ladder system to support gradual progression between strengths

Best for: Those who already tolerate vitamin A or want to progress beyond retinol, as well as users targeting fine lines, uneven texture, dullness, and loss of firmness through a controlled, step-up retinal approach.

Available at Face Dr, priced from £45 to £109.

 

3. SkinCeuticals Retinol Cream (0.3, 0.5, 1.0)

A concentrated retinol cream range designed to support skin renewal while targeting visible signs of ageing, pores, and blemish-prone skin through a structured increase in strength.

Key features:

•  Available in three strengths: 0.3%, 0.5%, and 1.0% pure retinol
•  Cream texture designed for night-time use
• Stabilised retinol with controlled delivery for consistent activity
• Formulated with soothing bisabolol to support skin comfort

Best for: Individuals new to retinol starting at lower strengths, as well as experienced users looking to address fine lines, uneven texture, enlarged pores, discolouration, or blemish-prone skin through a progressive increase in retinol concentration.

Available at https://www.skinceuticals.com/, priced from £90.

 

5. ZO Skin Health Retinol Skin Brightener (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%)

A targeted retinol treatment designed to improve uneven skin tone, texture, and visible signs of ageing while supporting skin tolerance through a gradual strength ladder.

Key features:

• Available in three strengths: 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% retinol
• Encapsulated retinol delivery system for controlled release
• Formulated with antioxidants to support skin barrier health
• Lightweight cream texture for night-time use

Best for:
Those new to medical-grade retinol or progressing in strength, as well as users targeting pigmentation, uneven texture, and early signs of ageing through a structured step-up approach.

Available at Face Dr, priced from £126 to £130.

 

4. The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion

A high-strength retinal serum formulated for experienced retinoid users looking to address advanced signs of skin ageing and texture concerns through a potent but streamlined formulation.

Key features:

• 0.2% retinal in a serum–emulsion format
• High-strength retinal concentration aimed at advanced use
• Formulated with synthetic oat analogues to support skin comfort
•  Airless pump packaging to protect formula stability

Best for: Experienced retinoid users targeting advanced signs of ageing, uneven skin tone, textural irregularities, and loss of firmness, particularly when tolerance to vitamin A is already well established.

This product is available at https://theordinary.com/ for £15.20.

 

5. Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum

A daily-strength retinol serum formulated to deliver visible skin renewal while minimising common signs of irritation, making vitamin A use easier to maintain over time.

Key features:

• 0.1% pure retinol in a daily micro-dose format
• Lightweight serum texture designed for regular use
• Formulated with ceramides and peptides to support the skin barrier
• Fragrance-free and paraben-free formulation

Best for: Those new to retinol, sensitive skin types, or anyone looking to address fine lines, uneven texture, and early firmness concerns through a gentle, daily vitamin A approach.

This serum is available at https://www.kiehls.co.uk/ for £72.00.

 

Final Thoughts: Choosing Between Retinal And Retinol

Retinal and retinol are both effective, well-studied options, but the best choice is ultimately the one your skin can tolerate and use consistently over time. Factors such as skin sensitivity, routine complexity, and long-term comfort matter just as much as strength on paper.

Taking a considered, personalised approach to vitamin A allows you to see results without unnecessary disruption to the skin barrier. Understanding how different forms behave, and choosing accordingly, helps ensure vitamin A remains a supportive part of your routine rather than a short-term experiment.

If you’d like personalised guidance, we offer free online consultations at Face Dr to help you choose the right form, strength, and introduction approach for your skin.

 

Book your free video skincare consultation now