PoreWise Ingredient
Retinol
Public databaseRETINOL
Retinol is the alcohol form of vitamin A, one oxidation step from retinaldehyde and two from retinoic acid — the form that binds the retinoic acid receptors. Retinol is used in leave-on products for photoaged skin, and in the EU its concentration is capped by regulation. The strongest evidence comes from a 2024 human trial of 471 participants across six vehicle-controlled studies: Across six vehicle-controlled studies pooled together (237 on retinol, 234 on vehicle), 0.1% stabilised retinol produced greater improvements from baseline in all signs of photoaging than the vehicle from week 4 through week 12. 2024 · 471 people · participants across six vehicle-controlled studies · PMID 38564380 · Pooled analysis of six studies. 4 products contain Retinol; the highest it appears is number 4 of 8.
- Also written as:
- Vitamin A alcohol, Vitamin A
- INCI name:
- RETINOL
- CAS number:
- 68-26-8
- Source:
- PubChem
Functions
Products with this ingredient
Retinol appears on 4 product ingredient lists, most often around number 23; its highest position is number 4 of 8.
| Product | Brand | Where it sits on the list |
|---|---|---|
| Retinol 0.5% in Squalane | The Ordinary | 4 of 8 |
| CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment | Paula's Choice | 17 of 53 |
| Skin Renewing Retinol Serum | CeraVe | 23 of 37 |
| Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream (Retinol + Hyaluronic Acid) | Neutrogena | 25 of 31 |
Studies and results
- 1 Skin effectEfficacy and Tolerability of Topical 0.1% Stabilized Bioactive Retinol for Photoaging: A Vehicle-Controlled Integrated Analysis
Across six vehicle-controlled studies pooled together (237 on retinol, 234 on vehicle), 0.1% stabilised retinol produced greater improvements from baseline in all signs of photoaging than the vehicle from week 4 through week 12.
Human trial · 2024 · 471 people · participants across six vehicle-controlled studies · Women around 47 years old with mild-to-moderate photoaging, applying the product for 12 weeks. · Pooled analysis of six studies.
- 2 Skin effectImprovement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)
A 0.4% retinol lotion applied to the arm up to three times a week for 24 weeks reduced fine wrinkling significantly more than its vehicle in elderly subjects: score change −1.64 (95% CI −2.06 to −1.22) against −0.08 (−0.17 to 0.01) on a 0–9 severity scale.
Human trial · 2007 · 36 people · Elderly adults, mean age 87 · Elderly adults, arms. · Thirty-six participants in two senior-care facilities, average age 87, an unusual population for cosmetic use. The glycosaminoglycan and procollagen measurements that suggest a mechanism came from subgroups of six and four participants, far too small to stand on their own.
- 3 Skin effectImprovement of photoaged facial skin in middle-aged Japanese females by topical retinol (vitamin A alcohol): a vehicle-controlled, double-blind study
In a split-face comparison, 0.075% retinol cream used once nightly for 26 weeks improved fine wrinkling in 27 of 54 participants (50%) against 13 (24%) on the vehicle side, and deep wrinkling in 15 (28%) against 1 (2%).
Human trial · 2009 · 57 people · Middle-aged Japanese women with mild photoaging · Middle-aged Japanese women with mild photoaging, 0.075% retinol cream once nightly on the face for 26 weeks. · Single centre, 57 enrolled and 54 evaluated, mild photoaging. The 0.04% arm ran for 13 weeks.
- 4 Skin effectProspective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing
In a 12-week randomized, double-blind trial of 44 people, both 0.5% bakuchiol and 0.5% retinol significantly reduced wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation; bakuchiol caused less scaling and stinging.
Human trial · 2019 · 44 people · adults with facial photoageing · Adults with facial photoageing using bakuchiol twice daily or retinol once daily for 12 weeks. · Small sample (44).
- 5 Skin effectClassification by causes of dark circles and appropriate evaluation method of dark circles
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled split-face trial, 24 people with mixed-type dark circles used a test product containing 3% vitamin C, 0.1% vitamin A and 0.5% vitamin E for eight weeks. Brightness (L*), melanin index and image-analysis lightness improved significantly on the treated side compared with the placebo side.
Human trial · 2016 · 24 people · adults with mixed-type dark circles · Instrument-measured brightness, melanin index and skin thickness in mixed-type (pigment plus vascular) dark circles over eight weeks. · Three actives were used together. 24 people took part, all with the mixed type of dark circles; a separate 100-person study was used first to choose which measurements to trust. The abstract reports instrument readings.
What to watch for
- 1 IrritationImprovement of photoaged facial skin in middle-aged Japanese females by topical retinol (vitamin A alcohol): a vehicle-controlled, double-blind study
Nightly 0.075% retinol caused enough irritation for 3 of 57 participants to withdraw from the study; at 0.04% over 13 weeks irritation was reported as minimal, with less improvement in fine wrinkling.
Human trial · 2009 · 57 people · Middle-aged Japanese women with mild photoaging · Facial use once nightly in middle-aged Japanese women with mild photoaging, at 0.075% for 26 weeks and 0.04% for 13 weeks. · Withdrawals were counted. Both findings come from the same single-centre study.
- 2 Legal limitsCommission Regulation (EU) 2024/996 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — vitamin A (retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate), Annex III entry 376
Retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate are restricted under Annex III entry 376 of the EU Cosmetics Regulation: at most 0.05% retinol equivalent in body lotion and 0.3% in other leave-on and rinse-off products, with a mandatory label warning.
Official legal text · 2024 · Products placed on the EU market. Other jurisdictions set their own limits. · 2024 · This is a legal limit. · 2024
Skin concerns this ingredient has been studied for
The people in each study had that concern.
Common questions
- What does Retinol do in skincare?
- Retinol is the alcohol form of vitamin A, one oxidation step from retinaldehyde and two from retinoic acid — the form that binds the retinoic acid receptors. Retinol is used in leave-on products for photoaged skin, and in the EU its concentration is capped by regulation.
- Where does Retinol sit in these formulas?
- Retinol appears in 4 products; highest on the list is number 4 of 8, in Retinol 0.5% in Squalane.
- Which products contain Retinol?
- Products that contain Retinol: Retinol 0.5% in Squalane, CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment, Skin Renewing Retinol Serum, Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream (Retinol + Hyaluronic Acid).
- How strong is the evidence behind Retinol?
- 5 findings on Retinol; the strongest is a 2024 human trial of 471 participants across six vehicle-controlled studies.
- What did the study on Retinol measure?
- 2024 · 471 people · participants across six vehicle-controlled studies · PMID 38564380 · Pooled analysis of six studies.
- Is there anything to watch for with Retinol?
- Yes. 2 cautions apply to Retinol, listed above.