#83) Is Retinal Better Than Retinol? | Chemist Confessions Podcast

[@DallasNatureLover]

I know the encapsulated retinaldehyde in Avene RetrinAL does get released in my skin because today it gave me a red line of irritation on my tech neck wrinkle.

[@ChemistConfessions]

😅😅😅 that's always a sure-fire way to know "oh. my skin is retinizing (totally just made up this word) hardcore"

[@taranveersingh5926]

Hey.. Thank you so much for answering my question in such great detail. Also, I have really sensitive skin, and while I moved had moved from 0.1% Retinol to Naturium's 0.05% Retinaldehyde with relative ease, Going from 0.05% to 0.1% Retinaldehyde was a bit 'spicy' for a few days. Although within a month, I managed to start using 0.1% 6 days a week. And honestly, having been on retinoids for the last 5+ months (0.1% Retinol for a month, followed by Retinaldehyde 0.05% for 6 weeks and 0.1% Retinaldehyde for 10 weeks), my skin is unmistakably smoother, with clearer tone and it certainly has a lovely healthy glow to it. And you guys are right, I want to try 'YTTP' 0.15% Retinal product because of their seemingly more packed formula including Niacinamide, Peptides and ceramides. Definitely more potential 'oomph'. Fortunately, even the people from 'Youth to The People' responded back to my query today. Here's what they said - 'Hi Taran! The effectiveness of skincare products can depend on various factors, and the comparison between different formulations can be complex. We can only speak to the potency and formula of our own Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum, which contains amazing ingredients like Ashwagandha, Maitake, Shiitake, Reishi, Ceramides, and Niacinamide, which collectively keep the skin calm, nourished, and supported while the skin acclimates to the retinal. Based on the percentages alone, the stabilized retinal 0.15% is stronger in terms of retinaldehyde concentration compared to the 0.1%. However, we hope you will try out both formulas to see which product works best for you and your skin type as these skincare products have different delivery systems that affect their penetration and stability. We hope this information was helpful!' .

[@ChemistConfessions]

Thanks for sharing your experience! What did you end up going with?

[@taranveersingh5926]

@@ChemistConfessions I am very happy with the 0.1% Retinaldehyde by Naturium. But I had picked up a bottle of the Youth to The People Retinal during the Black Friday sale. So I do intend to try it out for sure once the current Naturium tube gets over. If the YTTP product doesn't seem worth the higher price tag, I'll stick to Naturium :)

[@lovesara310]

Thank youuuu! I just got a new retinol started last week so happy I did not get retinal 🙏 ❤.

[@ChemistConfessions]

hope your retinol journey goes well! let us know if you have any questions

[@auricia201]

I already listened to the podcast. I'm so sad 🥲 I "upgraded" my 1% retinol to a 0.05% Retinaldehyde serum. I don't even know if it's encapsulated 😭 I may even be using a product full of degraded retinal

[@ChemistConfessions]

ahh most retinal on the market SHOULD be encapsulated. Hopefully it's at least a quality 0.05% product...

[@auricia201]

@@ChemistConfessions I hope so. I reached out to geek and gorgeous to confirm that. I'll start using it on alternate days with retinol 1% ☹️

[@taranveersingh5926]

@@auricia201 If you are using the 'Geek & Gorgeous' Retinal... Their 'A-Game 5' is 0.05% strength .. and their 'A-Game 10' is 0.1% strength Retinaldehyde. So either way you are using minimum 0.05% :) I'd suggest that if you can't handle 1% Retinol on a daily basis, on the other nights you could use the A Game-10 by G&G. ☺

[@Anonymous6h4a8h5a]

Great podcast as usual! I’m wondering about competing encapsulation techniques and stability practices. For instance, copper peptides may interact with ascorbic acid via deamination or via a Fenton reaction? But what if both products are technically encapsulated and used in the same routine? Could they cause issues once the encapsulation breaks off?

[@ChemistConfessions]

absolutely a possibility. Encapsulation integrity shoullllddd be checked at the formulation phase.

[@torgal622]

what a fascinating episode! thanks for sharing the studies

[@ChemistConfessions]

🫡🫡

[@marianne6373]

I use a retinal serum for under my eyes and on my neck. Both Medik8 (the OG!) and Geek and Gorgeous gave me zero irritation. Then I tried the Beauty of Joseon one because it’s cheaper. Ouch! I’m going to use it up (just not use retinal every day anymore) but then gosh darn it, I’m going back to Medik8!

[@ChemistConfessions]

formulation as a whole is super important for sure! glad the medik8 worked out for your skin

[@understone86]

It was always suspicious... Retinol works much better for me: yes it's more irritating but more effective too. I prefer using high content retinol on my face, but i combine with retinal around my eyes mouth and neck. Maybe because of the encapsulation but i feel retinal is less effective for me...

[@ChemistConfessions]

it could be a lot of reasons. Encapsulation, incorrect dosing (especially if you're used to high level retinol). Thanks for sharing your retinol/al experience!

[@Xenia-z4y]

Great video, appreciate the details! Would you please dive into retinol use while breastfeeding?

[@DallasNatureLover]

Dr Sam Ellis, a dermatologist, said in one of her KZbin videos that she restarted her tretinoin as soon as she gave birth but that of course each breastfeeding mom needs to decide for herself.

[@ChemistConfessions]

that's a loaded question with sadly no definitive anser. We did a deep dive into pregnancy safe claims awhile ago - and even that can get a bit hazy chemistconfessions.com/blogs/pregnancy-safe-skincare-does-that-mean-anything

[@ChemistConfessions]

with breastfeeding, it can get a bit hazier still. Most would say it's fine. But still consult with your OB and pediatrician to make the best decision for you and your little one

[@Xenia-z4y]

@@ChemistConfessions thanks 🥰

[@ineedmorezzz]

Come for the skincare data, stay for the woodpecker tongue info.

[@ChemistConfessions]

You have no idea how happy this makes us.

[@vister6757]

So tretinion is still better than retinol, I guess.