Dermatologists’ Approved Best Retinaldehyde Serums in 2025

Retinaldehyde is a comparatively recently discovered vitamin A derivative that is quite popular to help with, but is not limited to, anti-ageing benefits. It can support the skin's cell regeneration to provide younger-looking skin, and can reduce congestion to prevent blemishes and post-acne hyperpigmentation. Retinaldehyde, commonly called retinal, can function as an oxidant to counteract free radicals, to provide you with anti-ageing benefits for photodamaged skin and help with fine lines, wrinkles, and smile lines.

These days, more and more people are turning to retinaldehyde serums, and they’re a great way to incorporate retinaldehyde into your skincare routine. Serums are convenient to carry, come with a non-oily texture, and get absorbed quickly into the skin. But are all retinaldehyde serums the same? The answer is no. So, which retinal serums can you trust? That’s exactly what we’ll discuss in this blog.

1. Starter Vitamin A Serum By DRSQ

Starter Vitamin A is a level 1 vitamin A serum, dermatologically tested to reverse topical signs of ageing. It is specifically formulated for the vitamin A beginner, so if you have not tried vitamin A in your life, this is your go-to product to start with. It has 0.25% retinaldehyde, which is non-irritating, boosts the natural cell renewal process, and is able to create volume in dermal tissues. 

Retinal is infused with niacinamide to help with sensitivity and hyperpigmentation, tetrapeptide-30 to aid acne lesions and relieve melasma, and ultra-low-weight hyaluronic acid to provide your skin with intense moisture. 

Individuals looking for an age-defying serum to fight breakouts, even skin tone, and brighten dull skin can apply two to three drops of the Starter Vitamin A serum on a cleansed face at night and follow with a moisturiser. 

2. Miracle ProVitamin Serum By DRSQ

When your skin becomes accustomed to the beginner vitamin A, you can move on to a more potent retinoid. One can rely on Miracle ProVitamin serum after using Starter Vitamin A for a few weeks. It has 0.5% retinaldehyde, which can restore the skin's firmness and elasticity. Miracle ProVitamin serum has niacinamide, tetrapeptide-30, and hyaluronic acid for anti-ageing benefits, along with aiding in hyperpigmentation and rosacea. 

It regulates the skin, deals with sensitive skin and fine lines and wrinkles. This strength is ideal to enhance the skin's natural defence and restore a luminous and healthy glow. This will be used just like a Starter Vitamin A serum.

3. Advanced Vitamin A Serum By DRSQ

If your skin can handle 1% retinaldehyde after getting used to gentler retinoids, Advanced Vitamin A is the serum to switch to. It is backed by the strongest anti-ageing benefits. This serum has a superior formula powered by liposomal retinaldehyde and a completely active biomimetic system to help reduce scar tissue, plump the skin's deeper layers, and fight uneven skin tone. 

It can target your ageing symptoms like wrinkles to fine lines more efficiently and deeply. Once your skin builds its tolerance for lower vitamin A strengths, this strength can deliver more lasting results in elasticity. 

4. Crystal Retinal 6 By Medik8

Crystal Retinal 6 serum has fast wrinkle-reducing power and delivers improvements in pigmentation, texture, and dullness. Along with retinaldehyde, this serum is formulated with hyaluronic acid to draw and retain moisture to the upper layers of the skin, vitamin E to guard against radical damage, and glycerin to keep your skin nourished and replenished from within. Use this in your evening skincare routine and don’t forget to apply sunscreen the next morning. 

5. Very Amazing Retinal By Go-To Skincare

Very Amazing Retinal has 0.25% retinaldehyde combined with niacinamide to even out the skin tone and fortifies your skin's barrier, peptides to lift the skin around the mouth, nose, and brows, orobanche extract for keeping your skin healthy and hydrated, and mushroom extract and centella to protect the skin. 

Apply one to two pumps on dry skin after cleansing it with a mild cleanser, extending to the neck and chest. Let the serum fully absorb before layering other products.

6. Retinal 0.2% Emulsion By The Ordinary

For individuals looking for a high-strength retinaldehyde formula, Retinal 0.2% Emulsion helps in advanced age support. It can fix your textural irregularities and uneven skin tone. Suitable for all skin types, another beneficial ingredient in this emulsion is synthetic oat analogues. 

How to Choose the Right Retinal Serum?

Choosing the perfect retinaldehyde serum for your skin is a complex task, but there are a few aspects that you must pay attention to. 

You should know your skin type, whether it is too sensitive, very dry or oily, to pick the appropriate formulation. Reactive skin may require going with niacinamide and ceramides to soothe it. 

For oily and acne-prone skin, you can look for oil-free or non-comedogenic formulas that are made to specifically target blemishes, breakouts and give a refined texture. 

If your skin is mature or wrinkled, and you have already used lower-strength retinoid formulations, you can look for higher-concentration formulas with retinaldehyde. 

Moreover, look for tight, airless packaging to ensure the product is well protected and maintains its potency over time.

How to Use Retinal Serum?

If you are new to retinaldehyde, don't use the high-strength formula out of excitement or desperation to get rid of your concerns. This can even worsen your skin condition. Calmness is the key. You can ask your doctor to help you with the recommendation, or you can rely on a good beginner's formula by DRSQ. 

Do a patch test and go slow. Apply retinaldehyde lower-strength serum one to two times a week in the nighttime routine and apply the sunscreen the next morning. Once your skin adapts to this new ingredient, you can slowly increase the application frequency. 

The Endnote

Retinaldehyde is one step closer to the active vitamin A form, that is retinoic acid, so it tends to deliver faster results. Furthermore, retinaldehyde can be suitable for sensitive or reactive skin. It is gentle and mild, may cause less irritation and dryness. Whenever you’re searching for a suitable retinaldehyde serum, you can consider our tips and recommendations in mind, or you can also consult a doctor for the perfect advice.

References:

• Olivier Sorg, Stéphane Kuenzli, Gürkan Kaya, Jean-Hilaire Saurat, "Proposed mechanisms of action for retinoid derivatives in the treatment of skin aging", 2005 Dec
• Aanand N Geria 1, Christina N Lawson, Rebat M Halder, "Topical retinoids for pigmented skin", 2011 May
• Andres Cordero, Gladys Leon-Dorantes, Annick Pons-Guiraud, Anonio Di Pietro, Santiago Vidal Asensi, Barbara Walkiewicz-Cyraska, Radek Litvik, Virginie Turlier, Sophie Mery, Christelle Merial-Kieny, "Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic association for the management of skin aging", 2011 June