Retinal: what it does for your skin
Retinal is one of the most effective anti-ageing ingredients you can put on your skin — and one of the most versatile. Here's why it works so well, and everything it can do for you.
Why retinal is so good for your skin
Retinal (retinaldehyde) is a form of vitamin A — and vitamin A is one of the few ingredients proven, again and again, to genuinely change how skin ages. It works like a messenger: it tells your skin cells to renew faster, ramp up collagen, and behave like younger, healthier skin.
What makes retinal special is how efficiently it does this. Of all the vitamin-A forms you'll find in skincare, retinal is the closest to the active form your skin actually uses — so the message gets through quickly, and you see results sooner.
What retinal does
The natural retinal we use has been studied in independent trials. Measured against baseline, it delivered:
Measured after regular use · vs. baseline
In plain terms: firmer, smoother, plumper skin, with softened fine lines and a more even, hydrated complexion. And retinal doesn't stop there. It also helps calm redness — easing the vascular side of sensitivity and mild rosacea — and has a natural antibacterial action that benefits blemish-prone skin. One ingredient, a whole range of benefits.
Powerful, but kind to your skin
Retinoids have a reputation for being harsh. Retinal turns that around. Because it's so effective, we can use it at a lower dose and pair it with soothing ingredients like bisabolol — less active needed, more comfort built in.
There's a biological reason too: retinal is converted to its active form gradually and in a controlled way by your skin cells, which means fewer of the harsh side effects linked to stronger prescription retinoids. You get the results without the classic sting, flaking or redness. Our retinal is also naturally derived, vegan and non-GMO — effective skincare with a lighter footprint.
And how does it compare to retinol?
You've probably heard more about retinol. The difference is simple: before any retinoid can work, your skin has to convert it into retinoic acid, the active form. Retinol needs two conversion steps to get there; retinal needs just one. That single step is why retinal is up to 11× more effective than retinol — the same benefits, reached faster.
Ready to put it to work? Retinal sits at the heart of our Honestly Aging serum, alongside peptides, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
Complete your routine
Honestly Aging trio
Retinal serum, day & night cream and eye cream — the complete peptide- and retinal-powered routine, in one set.
€105 €114,50
Add to cart View detailsFrequently asked questions
What does retinal do for your skin?
Retinal is a form of vitamin A that tells your skin cells to renew and build collagen. It firms and smooths skin, softens fine lines and wrinkles, improves hydration and evens tone, while also helping to calm redness and blemishes.
Is retinal gentle enough for sensitive skin?
For most people, yes. Because retinal is so effective, it can be used at a low dose and blended with soothing ingredients like bisabolol, and it converts to its active form gradually — so it tends to cause far less irritation than stronger retinoids.
How do I start using retinal?
Start with 2–3 evenings a week, apply at night, and always wear SPF the next morning. Build up the frequency as your skin adjusts.
Is retinal stronger than retinol?
Yes — up to 11× more effective, because your skin converts it into active retinoic acid in one step instead of two.
Which CÎME product contains retinal?
Our Honestly Aging retinal serum, which is also part of the Honestly Aging trio.
