Ingredient
Retinal
Retinal is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding and trying to conceive. The concern behind the strongest flag is known teratogen and fetal development.
- Retinaldehyde
- Vitamin A Aldehyde
- Retinaldehyde
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Not Recommended
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 3 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 3 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Retinal and pregnancy
Not Recommended
- Known teratogen
- Fetal development
Retinal is a vitamin A derivative that converts to retinoic acid in the skin, the active form that provides anti-aging benefits. It's chemically related to prescription retinoids like tretinoin and isotretinoin, which are known teratogens. According to ACOG, all forms of vitamin A derivatives, including topical retinoids, should be avoided during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects. While oral isotretinoin is a known teratogen that causes severe fetal malformations, the FDA and ACOG recommend avoiding all topical retinoids as well, including retinal, as a precautionary measure. Although systemic absorption from topical retinal is significantly lower than oral forms, retinal converts directly to retinoic acid in the skin, making it more potent than retinol. Studies have documented that retinoids can affect fetal development, particularly neural tube formation and craniofacial development, when absorbed systemically. The American Academy of Dermatology and ACOG both recommend discontinuing all retinoid products, including retinal, before conception and throughout pregnancy. Most dermatologists and obstetricians advise pregnant women to avoid retinal entirely and choose pregnancy-safe alternatives for skin concerns.
Retinal and breastfeeding
Not Recommended
- Passes into breast milk
- Infant exposure
Retinal is a fat-soluble vitamin A derivative that converts to retinoic acid in the skin. Like other retinoids, it has the potential to accumulate in body tissues and transfer into breast milk, though specific data on retinal during breastfeeding is limited. The AAD notes that most dermatologists recommend avoiding retinoids during breastfeeding due to theoretical risks of vitamin A toxicity in infants. Vitamin A is fat-soluble and can pass into breast milk, and excessive vitamin A can be harmful to infants, potentially causing liver damage and other complications. While topical absorption is lower than oral forms, retinal's direct conversion to retinoic acid raises concerns. The lack of safety studies specifically on retinal use during lactation leads medical professionals to err on the side of caution. Medical consensus suggests postponing retinal use until after weaning. Given the availability of effective alternatives that don't carry these theoretical risks, most lactation consultants and dermatologists recommend avoiding retinal during breastfeeding.
Retinal and postpartum
Safe to Use
For postpartum women who are not breastfeeding, retinal can be an excellent ingredient for addressing skin concerns that developed during pregnancy, such as melasma, fine lines, and texture changes. It's more effective than retinol but gentler than prescription tretinoin. There are no restrictions on using retinal once breastfeeding has concluded or if not breastfeeding. It can help improve skin concerns like pregnancy-related pigmentation and elasticity loss. Introduce it gradually to minimize irritation, especially if skin became sensitive during pregnancy. Always use sunscreen, as retinal increases photosensitivity.
Retinal and trying to conceive
Not Recommended
- Known teratogen
- Builds up in tissue
When trying to conceive, it's recommended to discontinue retinal before attempting pregnancy. While it's not as strictly prohibited as during confirmed pregnancy, the potential for early pregnancy exposure before confirmation makes early discontinuation prudent. ACOG and fertility specialists typically recommend stopping all retinoid products, including retinal, when actively trying to conceive. Since retinal is fat-soluble and can accumulate in tissues, discontinuing it 1-3 months before attempting conception allows any accumulated vitamin A to clear. This precautionary approach protects against exposure during the critical first weeks of pregnancy when women may not yet know they're pregnant.
Retinal and PCOS
Safe to Use
Retinal is particularly beneficial for women with PCOS who experience acne and oily skin. It works by increasing cell turnover, unclogging pores, reducing oil production, and decreasing inflammation. Retinal is more effective than retinol for acne treatment. There are no hormonal concerns with using retinal for PCOS. It does not interfere with androgen levels or insulin sensitivity. In fact, retinal can be highly effective for managing PCOS-related acne and hyperpigmentation that doesn't respond to other treatments. Dermatologists frequently recommend retinal for women with PCOS-related acne. It addresses multiple skin concerns common in PCOS: excess oil, clogged pores, inflammation, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Start slowly to build tolerance and always use sunscreen during the day.
Retinal and general use
Safe to Use
- Irritant
- Increases sun sensitivity
Retinal is considered one of the most effective over-the-counter retinoids for anti-aging and acne treatment. It converts directly to retinoic acid in one step (versus retinol's two-step conversion), making it more potent and faster-acting while remaining gentler than prescription tretinoin. The primary concerns with retinal are skin irritation, dryness, peeling, and increased sun sensitivity. These effects are typically temporary and can be managed by starting with lower frequencies (2-3 times per week) and gradually increasing as skin builds tolerance. Users must apply sunscreen daily, as retinal increases photosensitivity and UV exposure can reverse its benefits. Dermatologists recommend retinal as an excellent middle-ground option for those who find retinol too weak but prescription retinoids too harsh. It's effective for fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and acne. Not suitable for sensitive skin types without careful introduction, and should be avoided if pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
Related ingredients
Ingredients suggested in place of Retinal, each one with its own page here.
Ingredients that raise the same concerns.
Where this came from
Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.
Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .
One ingredient is the easy case.
A label has thirty of them. Truva reads the whole list at once and answers for the profile you set: pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, trying to conceive, PCOS, or general use.
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