Top 5 Retinaldehyde Questions and Answers
1.What is retinaldehyde?
Retinaldehyde is a revolutionary form of vitamin A. It is proven to be 11x faster-acting than the classic form of vitamin A, retinol, yet is a notoriously unstable molecule therefore potent retinaldehyde is rarely found in skincare. Medik8 is the market-leader in stabilised retinaldehyde (retinal) Vitamin A skincare innovations.
2. What does retinaldehyde do?
Proven to work up to 11 times faster than the classic form of vitamin A retinol, retinaldehyde targets the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin texture. Retinaldehyde also has unique antibacterial properties, unlike other forms of vitamin A, which mean it is able to target the appearances of blemishes and clarify the complexion.
3. What Medik8 products contain retinaldehyde?
Retinaldehyde is the star of our cult-favourite Crystal Retinal, available in a series of progressive strengths from Crystal Retinal 1 (0.01% retinal) all the way to Crystal Retinal 24 (0.24% retinal).
Retinaldehyde is also found in r-Retinoate Intense, our most powerful anti-ageing product, twinned with Medik8-exclusive vitamin A molecule retinyl retinoate for ultimate youth-renewing results.
4. When will I see results from retinaldehyde?
The ground-breaking Crystal Retinal formula works fast to deliver the clinically proven benefits that sets Medik8 above the rest.
With just one tube*
- The appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation is reduced by 20%
- Skin firmness is increased by 11%
- 100% agree skin appears brighter
- 100% agree skin appears healthier
- 100% agree Crystal Retinal is gentle
5. Which is more effective: retinaldehyde vs retinol?
In order to have an effect in the skin, any form of vitamin A must be converted along the ‘vitamin A pathway’ to reach its biologically active form called retinoic acid. So whichever form you apply, it ultimately needs to reach retinoic acid before any of the benefits can happen.
There are four steps to the conversion into retinoic acid; beginning with retinyl esters - the weakest form of vitamin A that we don’t use at Medik8, into retinol, then to retinaldehyde, and then finally retinoic acid.
Retinol is two conversion steps away from retinoic acid, retinaldehyde however requires just one conversion step to retinoic acid. The fewer conversions required, the more benefits delivered to the skin. In fact, retinal has been scientifically proven to act on the skin 11x faster than retinol, with no added irritation potential.
The retinaldehyde molecule also has unique antibacterial properties, making it the perfect vitamin A choice for blemish-prone skins.