The Power of Retinaldehyde for Your Skin
- • Blog
Chances are you’ve heard that vitamin A is a key ingredient in skin care. Its remarkable ability to reverse aging, increase nutrients and encourage the production of collagen and elasticity in the skin is unmatched.
But with so many different forms of the vitamin A molecule, it can be difficult and overwhelming to figure out what is best for our skin.
In the body, we convert Beta Carotene into Retinol, Retinol into Retinaldehyde and Retinaldehyde into Retinoic Acid.
All of these vitamin A derivatives are important for your skin health, but because of the size of some of the derivative molecules, they struggle to penetrate the top layer of skin (epidermis) when applied topically. This can result in skin irritation and sun-sensitivity that some people experience with common forms of Vitamin A.
Difference Between Retinol and Retinaldehyde
You’ve probably seen the R words thrown around a lot while looking for information on Vitamin A for your skin. But what is the difference between Retinol and Retinaldehyde?
Research has shown that Retinaldehyde and Retinoic Acid are 500 times more active than their vitamin A counterparts (Beta Carotene and Retinol), meaning smaller amounts can be used and absorbed into the skin to achieve collagen stimulation and skin-smoothing results. And Retinaldehyde is gentler on your skin.
Why Retinaldehyde over Retinoic Acid? Retinoic Acid, when applied topically, can be irritating and cause over-exfoliation or shedding and can be very inflammatory.
Retinaldehyde, in addition to having its own receptor activity, is a smaller molecule than Retinol and is the immediate precursor of Retinoic Acid. The skin will convert Retinaldehyde to Retinoic Acid in the amount it needs for use and then stores the rest in adipose tissue for future use.
Retinaldehyde is not sun-sensitising so it doesn’t increase your risk of UVA/UVB damage or hyperpigmentation, unlike Retinol. Meaning you can include it in your daytime skincare program.
Retinaldehyde Benefits
There are many retinaldehyde benefits but the ones below are some of our favourites.
- Promotes cell turnover
- Brightens skin tone
- Aids skin tightening
- Thickens your dermis (inner layer of your skin)
- Restores a youthful complexion without irritation
- Gentler on your skin compared to other Vitamin A
- Safe to use while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding
- Safe to use morning and night
Osmosis Products with Retinaldehyde
Now, let’s talk product penetration. The dermal layer of the skin is where the majority of aging occurs. It is critical that active ingredients deeply penetrate for visible results.
Using a smaller percentage of Retinaldehyde does assist with its journey into your skin, but we have taken that process a step further. Our unique liposomal delivery system ensures optimal results by coating the retinaldehyde molecule in a liposome called phosphatidylcholine to increase penetration by 600%. This coating mimics the properties of the cells in your body, making it easily recognizable by the skin and body to enhance absorption and boost results.
That is why we formulate our serums with Retinaldehyde coated with phosphatidylcholine.
Now you know how amazing Retinaldehyde is for your skin, you want to get your hands on some? See which Osmosis Retinaldehyde serums are right for you and get the best vitamin A serum for your skin:
CALM Vitamin A (anti-inflammatory) serum is perfect for sensitive, over-exfoliated, aging, rosacea or inflamed skin. Gently brings your skin to life. Harnessing the benefits of vitamin A, targeting nutrients that calm and restore a youthful complexion without irritation. Can also be used as a skin tightening serum.
CORRECT Vitamin A (age- reversal) serum designed for normal skin types has twice as much retinaldehyde as Calm. With added ingredients to combat the effects of ageing. This powerful retinaldehyde serum creates the optimal environment for cell renewal and remodelling while helping to protect DNA and restore the skin barrier.
RENEW Vitamin A (age – reversal) serum is twice the strength of Correct and is the ultimate age reversal Vitamin A serum. Ideal for normal, sun-damaged and aging skin. Designed to increase nutrient delivery to the skin and offering sun-safe, barrier protecting, DNA preserving technology that is proven to stimulate collagen 1000 times more than regular retinols.
CLARIFY Vitamin A (detoxifying) target acne and congestion with this potent retinaldehyde serum. Works to normalise oil production, reduce inflammation, and promote wound repair. Can also be used as a spot treatment for blemishes.
Shop our range of natural face serums and find the best vitamin A serum for your skin.