If you’ve been exploring ways to rejuvenate your skin, chances are you’ve heard of retinol – a well-known vitamin A derivative celebrated for its anti-ageing properties. But there’s a newer player in the skincare game that’s just as exciting, if not more so: Retinal (also known as retinaldehyde). It’s potent, effective, and surprisingly gentle, and it’s gaining a lot of attention for good reason.
Let’s take a closer look at what retinal is, how it works, and how it might become your skin’s new best friend.
Retinal is part of the retinoid family, a group of compounds derived from vitamin A that help to improve skin texture, tone, and firmness. Unlike retinol, which needs two conversion steps in the skin to become active, retinal only needs one. That means it works faster and more efficiently while still being gentler than prescription-strength retinoic acid.
According to dermatologists, retinal can help stimulate cell turnover, improve skin tone, unclog pores, and support collagen production – all essential for glowing, healthy skin.
Retinol has been the go-to for many years, but retinal offers some important advantages. Because it converts more directly into the active form of vitamin A in the skin, it starts working sooner—and the results show up faster. As Good Housekeeping notes, retinal is about 10 times more potent than retinol, yet many people find it less irritating thanks to its stabilised, encapsulated form in modern formulas.
In short: If you love the results of retinol but not the slow lead-in (or the redness and flaking), retinal might be exactly what your skin has been waiting for.
Retinal has quickly earned its place as a go-to active ingredient, and here’s why:
At Gaia Day Spa, we love recommending retinal-based products that are thoughtfully formulated and designed to work with your skin, not against it. One of our current favourites? The Expert Lab Retinight Cream Serum, which combines 0.04% Retinal with HLG Nanopolymer that is a powerful blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Lysine, and Glutamic Acid that delivers results six times faster.
If you’re new to retinal, start slow. In the first week, use it once every three nights (only two times). In the second week, increase usage to every other night (one night on, one night off). If you forget to use it for a week, you need to start over with the once-every-three-nights application, and slowly build up as your skin adapts. If your skin tolerates it, you can transition to regular nightly use after a few weeks.
It’s important to wait a few minutes before you go to bed to allow the product to absorb into your skin, as it can stain your sheets with its yellow colour. You only need two to three small doses to your face and neck – avoid your eye contour and tear duct area, and wash your hands afterwards.
Always apply retinal at night when your skin naturally undergoes repair and regeneration processes without sun exposure. Make sure you’re using a broad-spectrum SPF the next day, as vitamin A derivatives can make your skin more sun-sensitive.
Retinal is a powerful, science-backed ingredient that offers fast, visible results, without the downtime often associated with stronger retinoids. Whether you’re targeting fine lines, dullness, breakouts, or all of the above, it could be the perfect addition to your evening routine.
If you’d like to know more about whether retinal is right for your skin, pop in for a chat or book a free skincare consultation. At Gaia Day Spa, we’re here to help you feel confident in your skin – at every stage, every age, and every glow-up.
