Retinal doesn’t mess around. It converts to retinoic acid in one step — retinol needs two. That’s why Theramid claims their 0.2% version works 11x faster at skin turnover.
The nerdy edge: retinal binds directly to retinoid receptors in your skin. Retinol has to wake up an enzyme first. That delay matters when you’re trying to fade a zit before a wedding.
It’s a lightweight serum, $42 for 30ml. The claim that got me: “visible results in 72 hours.” I rolled my eyes, then I tried it.
Encapsulated retinal
Stays stable longer. Doesn’t oxidize into useless orange goo by month three.
0.2% concentration
Strong enough to see change, gentle enough that I didn’t peel like a snake.
MCT oil base
Thin, no greasy film. Absorbs in about 20 seconds — faster than my morning coffee.
Photo: Viva Luna Studios / Unsplash
Retinal is the headliner, but the supporting cast actually does stuff. No filler nonsense. The formula pairs actives that usually hate each other.
- Retinal: Speeds cell turnover 11x faster than retinol
- Ceramide NP: Plugs the barrier holes retinal inevitably pokes
- Vitamin E: Stops oxidation before the pump even opens
- Bisabolol: Chamo-mile derived, calms the ‘why is my face angry’ redness
Photo: Kaeme / Unsplash
Texture is watery-thin. Drops out of the pipette fast — be ready. Smells faintly of… nothing. No perfume, no ‘clean beauty’ essential oil mask.
Week two I got a weird dry patch near my nose. Not peeling — just tight. I ignored it. By week three, my skin had leveled out and looked… smoother. Not dewy. Just less textured. That’s the win nobody talks about.
Photo: yunona uritsky / Unsplash
My fine forehead lines softened — didn’t vanish, but I stopped noticing them. Pores around my nose looked smaller. One cystic pimple I had? Gone in four days. Retinol would’ve taken a week.
Photo: Atikh Bana / Unsplash
This is the retinol upgrade you actually need. Faster, smarter, and it won’t make you look like a lizard.