Retinal for Lifted Skin

Retinal, or retinaldehyde, is a form of vitamin A and one of the most effective over-the-counter retinoids available. It sits one step closer to retinoic acid than retinol, so your skin can put it to work quickly to renew its surface, smooth texture, and support firmer-looking skin.

Retinal supports your skin's natural renewal process to visibly smooth wrinkles, firm and lift, and improve tone and texture. In Murad's encapsulated retinal formulas, it's clinically shown to lift the look of neck and jowl sagging and smooth deep-set wrinkles in as little as two weeks, with increased elasticity by four weeks.

As a vitamin A derivative, retinal supports cell turnover and helps keep pores clear, which is why retinoids are widely used in acne care. When starting any retinoid, some people notice a short adjustment period as skin renews more quickly, but this is temporary. Murad's retinal collection is formulated for firming and anti-aging rather than acne; if breakouts are your main concern, our salicylic acid and Biome-Balancing acne treatments are designed for clearer skin.

Retinal pairs well with hydrating and soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, and ceramides, which support your barrier and offset dryness. When combining it with other actives such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or azelaic acid, introduce them gradually or alternate nights to avoid irritation. Vitamin C is best applied in the morning, with your retinal reserved for nighttime.

Retinal is a retinoid, and retinoids are not recommended for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Because every pregnancy is unique, we recommend consulting your healthcare provider about which products are right for you during this time.

Start with your concern and your experience with retinoids. To firm the face and smooth deep-set wrinkles, choose a retinal serum like Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment or a richer retinal night cream like Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Cream; for the delicate eye area, use a dedicated retinal eye cream like Retinal ReSculpt Eye Lift Treatment. If you're new to retinoids or have sensitive skin, ease in slowly or begin with a gentler retinol before progressing to retinal.

Apply retinal at night, two to three times a week to start, then gradually increase to nightly as your skin builds tolerance. Always follow with SPF 30 or higher in the morning, since retinal can increase sun sensitivity.

There's no set age to begin. It comes down to your skin goals rather than a number. Many people start a retinoid in their late twenties or thirties as the first fine lines and loss of firmness appear, but retinal can benefit anyone looking to smooth, firm, and renew the look of their skin.