Retinal vs retinol: which should you actually use?

One is faster acting. One is gentler. Neither is right for everyone.

Noui Collective · · 5 min read

Retinal vs retinol: which should you actually use? — Noui Collective editorial

Retinaldehyde sits one conversion step from retinoic acid, so it tends to work faster than retinol at comparable strengths. That speed can also mean more irritation early on.\n\nIf you have never used vitamin A, start low, use it twice a week, and build up. Wear SPF every morning regardless of which you choose.

From the Noui catalogue

Products worth comparing

Prices come from our live retailer comparison, not from this article. Some pricing is still placeholder data while retailer feeds are connected.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6

Medik8

Crystal Retinal 6

30ml · 4.7★ (5,400)

Visible smoothing · Supports firmness

Coming soon

We're onboarding retail partners for this product.

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

The Ordinary

Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

30ml · 4.3★ (19,000)

Gentle introduction to vitamin A · Smooths texture

Coming soon

We're onboarding retail partners for this product.

Related reading

Lymphatic Drainage Massage: Does It Actually Work?
wellbeing

Lymphatic Drainage Massage: Does It Actually Work?

Lymphatic drainage massage is everywhere — from celebrity facials to at-home tools. Here is what the technique is actually for, what the evidence supports, and which claims to ignore.

· 8 min read

Make it personal

Find what actually suits your skin

Answer a few questions and we will build a routine around your skin, then compare prices across retailers so you are not paying more than you need to.