PoreWise Ingredient
Retinal
Public databaseRETINAL
Retinal is a vitamin A derivative (retinaldehyde) that the skin converts toward retinoic acid; used for fine lines and tone. The strongest evidence comes from a 2026 human trial: In an 8-week randomized, vehicle-controlled split-face study of 23 people with blemish-prone skin, an anhydrous 0.1% retinal / 10% azelaic acid concentrate improved the pore parameter by 22.3% versus vehicle (p=0.015) and skin texture by 5.6% versus vehicle (p=0.0016), and reduced surface irregularities by 12.7% versus vehicle (p=0.0053). 2026 · 23 people · participants aged 16-49 (mean 28), Fitzpatrick I-IV, blemish-prone skin · PMID 42572367 · The pore improvement versus baseline was borderline (15.9%, p=0.051); the small sample completed 23 participants; the product is a six-ingredient concentrate; 10% azelaic acid is regulated as an OTC drug in some markets. 1 product contains Retinal, at number 28 of 36 on its ingredient list.
- Also written as:
- Retinaldehyde
- INCI name:
- RETINAL
- Source:
- PubChem
Functions
Products with this ingredient
Retinal appears on 1 product ingredient lists, most often around number 28; its highest position is number 28 of 36.
| Product | Brand | Where it sits on the list |
|---|---|---|
| Revive Eye Serum : Ginseng + Retinal | Beauty of Joseon | 28 of 36 |
Studies and results
- 1 Skin effectEfficacy and safety of a novel anhydrous 0.1% retinal and 10% azelaic acid concentrate for blemish-prone skin: an eight-week randomized prospective split-face, vehicle-controlled study
In an 8-week randomized, vehicle-controlled split-face study of 23 people with blemish-prone skin, an anhydrous 0.1% retinal / 10% azelaic acid concentrate improved the pore parameter by 22.3% versus vehicle (p=0.015) and skin texture by 5.6% versus vehicle (p=0.0016), and reduced surface irregularities by 12.7% versus vehicle (p=0.0053).
Human trial · 2026 · 23 people · participants aged 16-49 (mean 28), Fitzpatrick I-IV, blemish-prone skin · Pore appearance, skin texture and surface irregularities on the face over 8 weeks. · The pore improvement versus baseline was borderline (15.9%, p=0.051); the small sample completed 23 participants; the product is a six-ingredient concentrate; 10% azelaic acid is regulated as an OTC drug in some markets.
Skin concerns this ingredient has been studied for
The people in each study had that concern.
Common questions
- What does Retinal do in skincare?
- Retinal is a vitamin A derivative (retinaldehyde) that the skin converts toward retinoic acid; used for fine lines and tone.
- Where does Retinal sit in these formulas?
- Retinal appears in 1 product, Revive Eye Serum : Ginseng + Retinal, at number 28 of 36 on its ingredient list.
- Which products contain Retinal?
- Products that contain Retinal: Revive Eye Serum : Ginseng + Retinal.
- How strong is the evidence behind Retinal?
- Retinal has one study behind it: a 2026 human trial of 23 participants aged 16-49 (mean 28), Fitzpatrick I-IV, blemish-prone skin.
- What did the study on Retinal measure?
- 2026 · 23 people · participants aged 16-49 (mean 28), Fitzpatrick I-IV, blemish-prone skin · PMID 42572367 · The pore improvement versus baseline was borderline (15.9%, p=0.051); the small sample completed 23 participants; the product is a six-ingredient concentrate; 10% azelaic acid is regulated as an OTC drug in some markets.