Retinal vs. Retinol - The Importance of Vitamin A in Your Skincare Routine
When it comes to achieving smooth, radiant, and youthful-looking skin, few ingredients are as iconic as Vitamin A. Often referred to as the gold standard in dermatology, Vitamin A promotes cell turnover, stimulates collagen production, and refines overall texture and tone. By encouraging the skin to shed dull, damaged cells and replace them with fresh new ones, it helps minimize breakouts, soften fine lines and wrinkles, fade discoloration, and reveal a brighter, healthier complexion.
Two of the most popular forms of Vitamin A in skincare are retinol and retinal. Retinol is the most common over-the-counter option. Once applied, it goes through a two-step conversion process before becoming retinoic acid, the active form your skin can use. Because of this, retinol works more slowly, but it’s also gentler, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Retinal, also known as retinaldehyde, is one step closer to retinoic acid. This means it converts faster, acts more quickly, and provides stronger results than retinol—without being as intense or irritating as prescription-strength tretinoin.
While Vitamin A is undeniably effective, it can also be tricky to tolerate. Retinoids are notorious for causing dryness, redness, and peeling, especially when first introduced. To make these powerful actives easier on the skin, many formulations include hydrating and soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide, or panthenol. These not only help reinforce the skin barrier but also lock in moisture and calm irritation, allowing the skin to adjust with less discomfort.
Skincare brands have also invested heavily in patented technologies to enhance the performance of their Vitamin A products. For example, encapsulation methods can deliver Vitamin A gradually, ensuring a steady release that minimizes irritation while maximizing results. Other formulations blend Vitamin A with stabilizing antioxidants, like Vitamin E, to protect the ingredient from breaking down and to provide additional defense against environmental stressors. These innovations often form the backbone of a brand’s “signature” Vitamin A complex, setting their products apart with unique claims of potency, gentleness, or stability.
Thanks to these advancements, today’s Vitamin A products deliver the same celebrated benefits, smoother texture, brighter tone, and reduced signs of aging, while being far more tolerable than the harsher, more irritating versions of the past.
Beyond retinol and retinal, other Vitamin A derivatives also appear in skincare. Prescription tretinoin is the most powerful, offering dramatic results but with a higher risk of irritation. Adapalene, now available over the counter, is a synthetic retinoid especially effective for acne. At the opposite end of the spectrum, retinyl esters (such as retinyl palmitate) are the mildest and least potent, often used in formulas marketed for sensitive skin.
No matter which form you choose, Vitamin A is always best applied at night, since sunlight can break it down and increase sensitivity. Begin slowly, just a few nights a week, and increase frequency as your skin builds tolerance. Always apply Vitamin A after cleansing and before moisturizing, and never skip sunscreen during the day. Retinoids make skin more vulnerable to UV damage, so daily SPF is non-negotiable.
Pairing Vitamin A with the right products will also help maximize results and minimize irritation. Hydrators like hyaluronic acid, nourishing moisturizers, peptides, and niacinamide work beautifully alongside retinoids to keep skin balanced and resilient. On the other hand, strong exfoliating acids (AHAs and BHAs), benzoyl peroxide, and high-strength Vitamin C can clash with Vitamin A, either increasing irritation or reducing its effectiveness. A simple rule: keep Vitamin C in your morning routine and Vitamin A for nighttime.
In the end, Vitamin A remains one of the most transformative ingredients in skincare. Whether you start with retinol for a gentle introduction or move to retinal for faster, more noticeable results, consistency is key. With the right formula and smart product pairings, Vitamin A can unlock smoother, clearer, and more youthful-looking skin.
Our top Vitamin A products are listed from least strength to most:
Over the counter:
Differin: The drugstore or off-brand of Vitamin A, known as a retinoid, or third-generation Vitamin A, its generic name is Adapalene.
Beginner:
AlphaRet Overnight Cream: Vitamin A + AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid), Glycolic Acid 10%
iS Clinical Retinol + Emulsion 0.3: Effective but gentler than retinal/tretinoin; 0.3% pure retinol, boosted with bakuchiol, antioxidants, Extremozymes® (iS Clinical patented technology).
Obagi Tretinoin 0.025% (Rx): Entry-level prescription retinoid.
Intermediate User:
AlphaRet Overnight Intensive: Vitamin A + AHA, Glycolic Acid 18%
iS Clinical Retinol + Emulsion 1.0: Effective but gentler than retinal/tretinoin; 1% pure retinol, boosted with bakuchiol, antioxidants, Extremozymes®.
Obagi Tretinoin 0.05% (Rx): Mid-strength level prescription retinoid.
Obagi Tretinoin 0.1% (Rx): Heavy strength level prescription retinoid.
Acne Prone User:
AlphaRet Clearing System: Vitamin A + Salicylic Acid + Lactic Acid
iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+: Retinol (pure form) paired with Vitamins C, E, olive leaf extract, and zinc sulfate for added healing and antioxidation.
AlphaRet Peel Pads: Vitamin A + Glycolic Acid + Salicylic Acid + Lactic Acid
Face Reality Retinal B3 Serum: Retinal (retinaldehyde) in a stabilized delivery system combined with niacinamide, glycolic acid, and botanical extracts.
Shop all these Vitamin A products and more by clicking the link below.