Retinol is widely regarded as the gold standard of anti-aging ingredients, but for those who really know their vitamin A the best retinal serums can be an even more coveted part of a preventive or anti-aging skin-care routine. What’s the difference between the two ingredients—apart from a mere vowel?
“Retinal is the most potent vitamin A you can get without a prescription,” says Whitney Bowe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “It’s 10 times more bioavailable than retinol, so it works faster—and a lot less is needed to drive impactful results.” Scientifically, retinol must first convert to retinal, then to retinoic acid, before it works on the skin. Retinal, however, only needs to be converted once. In short, this means that “your skin has to do less gymnastics if you choose retinal to address tone, texture, smoothing lines and wrinkles, and firming skin over time,” Dr. Bowe explains.
Vogue’s Favorite Retinal Serums
That said, not all retinal is created equal. Because retinal is so potent, formulation is key: “If it’s not formulated properly,” it can be irritating, Dr. Bowe says. “But when you stabilize it and pair it with the right supporting ingredients, you can get powerful results while still maintaining skin comfort.” Which formulas hit the mark? Ahead, find the retinal creams and serums that dermatologists consider the (vitamin) A-list of the category; plus, insights on how to properly incorporate them.
Best Overall: Medik8 Crystal Retinal
- Why We Love It: “Medik8 Crystal Retinal is one of the most well-known retinal products because it uses a stabilized retinaldehyde system available in multiple strengths, which makes it easy for patients to gradually increase potency over time,” says Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon based in Austin. Available in six concentrations starting at 0.01% and progressing to 0.24%, “this is a great option for someone who wants visible improvements in fine lines, texture, and uneven tone while still having the flexibility to build tolerance as their skin adapts,” Dr. Collins says.
- Editor’s Experience: “I like my retinals non-irritating and customizable, which is why I’ve been relying on Medik8’s Crystal Retinal 3 Serum. Encapsulated retinaldehyde leads the formula, working in tandem with glycerin and hyaluronic acid to improve fine lines, skin tone, and texture.” —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
- Key Ingredients: Retinal, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, glycerin
- Retinal Strength: Available in six concentrations ranging from 0.01% (Crystal Retinal 1) to 0.24% (Crystal Retinal 24)
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles, uneven texture and tone, dark spots and discoloration, loss of firmness
- Size: 1.0 fl oz
Best Korean: Celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Why We Love It: K-beauty brand Celimax gained traction on TikTok with its Celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster. The bright-yellow formula blends 0.1% retinal with A-Shot, an exclusive technology that helps the ingredients penetrate pores and target wrinkles. “This serum uses liposomized retinal, which helps stabilize the ingredient and improve penetration into the skin,” Dr. Collins explains. “The addition of peptides such as Matrixyl makes it particularly appealing for patients focused on improving skin firmness and elasticity while still targeting fine lines and texture.”
- Key Ingredients: Retinal, Matrixyl (peptide complex), panthenol, liposome delivery system
- Retinal Strength: 0.1%
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, uneven texture, loss of elasticity
- Size: 0.5 fl oz
Best Eye Serum: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum
- Why We Love It: “This formula is a good example of the K-beauty approach to retinal,” Dr. Collins says. “It combines a gentle retinal concentration with ginseng and other nourishing ingredients, which makes it well-suited for the delicate eye area.” She adds that the K-beauty gem is a solid choice for patients who want to address fine lines and early signs of aging around the eyes while still prioritizing hydration and skin barrier support. Jimmy Sung, MD, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and K-beauty expert, says: “I am a fan of the Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum because it contains retinal liposome, an encapsulated form of retinol. This formulation increases the retinal stability and decreases irritation. This is important because the skin around the eyes is the thinnest and most sensitive part of our body, and it is very prone to irritation.” He adds that the formula also contains niacinamide, which helps brighten, and adenosine to stimulate collagen growth.
- Key Ingredients: Retinal liposomes, ginseng root extract, niacinamide, ceramide NP, sodium hyaluronate, peptides
- Retinal Strength: 2% retinal liposome complex
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, dark circles, loss of elasticity, dehydration, sensitive skin
- Size: 1.0 fl oz
Best French Pharmacy: Avène Retrinal Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream
- Why We Love It: French-pharmacy classic Avène “has long been known for retinaldehyde, and this formula is a solid choice for sensitive or redness-prone skin types,” says Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in La Jolla, California. “It combines retinal with soothing thermal spring water, which is very thoughtfully designed because it helps offset irritation.” She often recommends the product to patients who want age-defying benefits but are wary of traditional retinoids. Infused with barrier-supporting ingredients such as squalane and shea butter, “it’s a more gentle, dermatologically tested approach,” she explains.
- Key Ingredients: Retinal, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, Avène thermal spring water, squalane, shea butter, tocopherol (vitamin E)
- Retinal Strength: 0.1%
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin texture, dullness, loss of firmness, sensitive or reactive skin
- Size: 1.0 fl oz
Best for Experienced Retinoid Users: The Inkey List Advanced Retinal
- Why We Love It: “I like this for patients who want an accessible but effective entry into retinal,” says Dr. Shirazi. “It offers a higher-strength retinal at a more approachable price point, which makes advanced results more attainable.” However, she stresses, the formula is only ideal for someone who already tolerates retinol and is ready to step up their retinoid concentration. “I still recommend buffering with moisturizer or a product like Aquaphor or Vaseline if you’re prone to dryness,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Retinal, Sirtalice (firming peptide complex), glycerin, squalane, hyaluronic acid
- Retinal Strength: 0.2% encapsulated retinal
- Best For: Deep wrinkles, dark spots, uneven texture, dullness, loss of firmness, experienced retinoid users
- Size: 0.5 fl oz
Best for Sensitive Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Retinal Advanced Retinaldehyde
- Why We Love It: “Isdin formulates with a strong science-backed approach, and I’ve found that this retinal is designed for both efficacy and tolerability, which is rare,” Dr. Shirazi says. “It uses encapsulated retinaldehyde and supportive ingredients to improve tone and firmness with less irritation.” She notes that the formula is especially helpful for patients who are struggling with hyperpigmentation or photoaging—and that the silky feel of the dual-chambered serum is an added plus. “The texture is also very elegant; it incorporates well into a calming night routine,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Retinal, melatonin, bakuchiol, niacinamide, glycerin
- Retinal Strength: Not publicly disclosed by the brand
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, uneven texture, loss of firmness, sensitive or retinoid-beginner skin
- Size: 1.7 fl oz
Best for Retinoid Rookies: Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty RetinalNight Advanced 0.1% Retinal Firming Treatment
- Why We Love It: According to Dr. Bowe, Retinal Night Advanced 0.1% Retinal Firming Treatment is designed for anyone looking to address visible signs of aging—such as wrinkles, loss of firmness, or dullness—without experiencing the traditional dryness or flakiness that can be associated with using a powerful retinoid. “What makes this formula unique is its proprietary dermal delivery system that helps stabilize the retinal and deliver it effectively into the skin,” Dr. Bowe says. “The formula also includes two types of peptides and five barrier-supporting lipids, which provide hydration and help support the skin barrier.” The result, she says, is a cutting-edge retinal formula that is well-tolerated on all skin types.
- Key Ingredients: 0.1% retinal, peptide complex, penta-lipid matrix
- Retinal Strength: 0.1%
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness or elasticity, dullness
- Size: 0.95 fl oz
Everything You Need to Know
Is retinal really better than retinol?
“Retinal (retinaldehyde) and retinol are both vitamin A derivatives used to improve skin texture, tone, and signs of aging, but they differ in how efficiently the skin can convert them into the active form, retinoic acid,” Dr. Collins says. She reiterates that retinol requires two conversion steps in the skin—first to retinal and then to retinoic acid—while retinal only requires one step. “This means it can work more quickly and often more effectively,” she says. “Because of this shorter conversion pathway, retinal tends to deliver faster visible improvements in fine lines, uneven texture, and pigmentation compared to retinol.” At the same time, she notes, the best retinal products are formulated to maintain good tolerability, so patients can see stronger results without necessarily increasing irritation.
“In the end, both ingredients are effective,” she says. “Retinol can be a great starting point for beginners, while retinal can be an excellent next step for patients who want stronger results but are not ready for prescription retinoids.”
What do Koreans use instead of retinol?
“Korean skin care tends to focus on restoring and protecting the skin barrier, so peptides are more popular than retinol,” says Sung. “That said, retinol is increasingly relevant in newer K-beauty formulations.”
According to Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, retinal is also being used in more K-beauty formulas. “Especially in the last few years, retinal has been positioned as more effective than retinol, faster-acting, and still compatible with a barrier-focused routine,” King says. “K-beauty formulations typically use lower concentrations paired with soothing ingredients, emphasizing nightly tolerance and glow rather than peeling.”
Sue Greene and Herra Namhie, cofounders of online Korean skin-care shop Ohlolly, add that Koreans are now adding rejuvenating ingredients such as PDRN, bakuchiol, and vitamin C to formulas so that skin can reap the reparative benefits of retinoids with less risk of irritation.
What to look for in a retinal serum
First, it’s important to keep strength in mind, as retinal is 10 times more potent and faster-acting than retinol. Dr. King advises her patients to use this general strength guide:
- 0.025-0.05% retinal: best for beginner or sensitive skin
- 0.05-0.1%: best for intermediate retinoid users
- 0.1%+: best for experienced users
Encapsulation: Additionally, “retinal is light-sensitive, oxygen-sensitive, and less stable than retinol,” King says. “Therefore, look for encapsulation—such as liposomes, polymer systems, time-release technology, microencapsulation—as this improves stability and reduces irritation.”
Opaque Packaging: Since retinal degrades quickly with air and light, Dr. King says to look for opaque bottles, preferably with an airless pump, and no clear droppers.
Soothing Ingredients: Finally, Dr. King suggests looking for retinal formulations that combine the potent ingredient with barrier-supporting ones, including ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, panthenol, niacinamide, centella asiatica, ectoin, and glycerin.
How we tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to retinal creams and serums, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: retinal concentration, ingredients, texture, packaging, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the experts
- Whitney Bowe, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and the founder of Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty.
- Kristina Collins, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon based in Austin.
- Jimmy Sung, MD, is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and K-beauty expert based in New York.
- Hadley King, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
- Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in La Jolla, California.
- Sue Greene and Herra Namhie are the cofounders of Ohlolly, a Los Angeles–based online destination for curated Korean skin care.
