The ESK blog
How to Introduce Retinal into Your Skincare Routine
02 May 2025
Vitamin A skincare has enjoyed decades as the undisputed king of anti-aging and anti-acne ingredients, with studies showing that people using it have fewer fine lines and wrinkles, thicker, more elastic skin, increase in skin thickness, less pigmentation, better skin hydration and less break-outs. One major drawback though are the side-effects, with redness, dryness, burning and even flaking being common concerns that mean many people, such as those with sensitive skin, simply can’t use it and are missing out on its many benefits.
Until now that is! Retinal, aka retinaldehyde, has been making waves in the Vitamin A skincare world as the best of the cosmeceutical retinoids. Thanks to its more efficient conversion in the skin to retinoic acid, retinal is 20 times as potent as its old school cousin retinol, works 11 times faster, with results that are comparable to prescription-only tretinoin without the side-effects. Yes, you read that right – without the side-effects! – making it suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
Retinal works by boosting the skin’s collagen, speeding up cell turnover, controlling pigment and oil production, keeping bad bacteria in check and repairing damage done by UV radiation and oxidation. It’s a must for anti-aging, acne, pigmentation issues and even rosacea. And it’s suitable for all skin types and ages, teens and up. No wonder it’s causing a stir!
So how do you incorporate retinal into your skincare routine? Read on for our evidence-based, simple step-by-step guide to retinal skincare.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Retinal Skincare
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Use retinal serum or cream at night.
Retinal, like all retinoids, breaks down in the presence of UV light. Pop it on at night to let it work its magic while you sleep.
- No need to start slow.
If you’ve used Vitamin A skincare before, you might have been told to start with two or three times a week, gradually increasing as your skin builds tolerance. Unless your skin is super-sensitive, you can start using retinal every night.
- Use sunscreen everyday.
Vitamin A skincare can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so daily sunscreen is a must. Nothing will undo the benefits of your retinal night cream faster than UV damage! Choose a broad-spectrum, non-comedogenic sunscreen containing zinc oxide.
Zinc Shade is a lightweight matte day cream and primer. Its non-greasy, matte finish allows for smooth application and works well under makeup. We spent countless iterations perfecting this lightweight, non-greasy formula to avoid the typical white cast and thick feel of zinc products. The results? A matte finish that works beautifully under makeup. With well tolerated matte finish, it's also well suited to irritable and blemish and bump prone skin. With SPF 15 it also provides broad-spectrum sun protection against UVA and UVB rays. Key features: Lightweight, matte formula suitable for daily use Smooth application with minimal white cast Broad-spectrum UV protection Tested SPF 15 with enhanced UVA coverage Usage: Apply evenly to all exposed areas of skin before sun exposure. Reapply as needed throughout the day.
Zinc Shade
- Make sure you’re not doubling up on retinoids.
Check you’re not already using another retinoid, such as retinol or retinyl, you only need one!
- Choose the right concentration.
The concentration of retinal in your retinal night cream matters: studies show you want 0.05% for anti-aging benefits for sensitive or dry skin, and 0.1% for normal or oily skin, acne control and pigmentation issues.
Building on the proven performance of Ultimate A, Ultimate A+ Night Cream is designed for those looking to refine texture and tone or support skin prone to congestion. With 0.1% Retinal (the next-generation form of Vitamin A), Niacinamide, and 2% Glycolic Acid, this formula delivers visible improvements while remaining gentle and well tolerated. This unique combination supports smoother-looking skin, helps refine the appearance of pores and uneven tone, and promotes a more hydrated, balanced complexion. Featuring: Potent yet gentle formulation suitable for daily use Helps improve the appearance of uneven tone and texture Supports firmer, more supple-looking skin Formulated with evidence-based ingredients known to enhance skin clarity Note: Retinal is not suitable for use during pregnancy.
Ultimate A+
- Don’t use Vitamin A skincare whilst pregnant or breastfeeding.
Perfect pairings: other active ingredients that work well with retinal
Anti-aging
Studies show that glycolic acids (aka alpha-hydroxy acids, or AHAs) help boost the absorption and effects of retinal. If you have sensitive skin, you can try AHA’s gentler but still effective cousins, the polyhydroxy acids (PHAs). Retinal also fits right in with its anti-aging friends like niacinamide (Vitamin B3), hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides.
Acne
Dermatologists agree that Vitamin A skincare is the mainstay of topical acne treatment. Retinal works in tandem with a host of other acne-busting ingredients, like alpha- and polyhydroxy acids, salicylic acid and niacinamide. Retinal has been shown to have unique actions against acne-causing bacteria and retinal plus AHAs have even been shown to improve acne scars.
Pigmentation
Issues like melasma, post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation and “age-spots” are a common skin concern and notoriously difficult to treat. Retinal has been shown to help control pigment and is a welcome addition to other, proven pigment-busting ingredients such as 4NB, niacinamide, L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and hydroxy acids.
Hydration
All skin types, even acne-prone ones, benefit from active ingredients that hydrate and repair or maintain a healthy skin barrier. Retinal itself supports skin barrier function (unlike retinol which can disrupt it). Retinal works well with hydrating actives like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid (in a mix of molecular weights), ceramides, panthenol and squalane.
So where does retinal fit into your routine?
Once you’ve taken all of the above into account, it’s simply a matter of applying your retinal serum or cream as the final step in your nightly routine:
- Cleanse with a gentle, soap-free cleanser.
Our Calming Cleanser is a non-foaming, coconut sugar-based formula with a gentle pH of 4.5-5, making it ideal for sensitive skin types, including those with eczema and rosacea. This creamy cleanser effectively removes impurities while preserving the skin’s natural hydration and pH balance. Its non-soap formula minimises irritation and dryness, providing a soothing cleanse without disrupting the skin barrier. Designed for sensitive skin, Calming Cleanser avoids harsh ingredients like astringents, camphor, and menthol, which can trigger irritation. Gentle yet thorough, it supports a healthy microbiome and barrier, leaving skin calm, soft, and ready for the next step in your routine. Featuring; A creamy soap-free cleanser for skin that needs a gentle, silky wash.
Calming Cleanse
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Gently exfoliate with an AHA or PHA serum. You might skip this step if you have super-sensitive skin.
Smooth Serum is a night treatment formulated with 3% Glycolic acid, 1% Lactic acid, and 1% Gluconolactone. This gentle AHA blend supports the appearance of skin texture and surface renewal, helping maintain the look of even skin tone. Caution: Not recommended for very sensitive skin or skin prone to rosacea.
Smooth Serum
Key features:
- Apply your retinal night serum or cream.
Ultimate A
Ultimate A Night Cream contains 0.06% Retinal, the most gentle and effective form of Vitamin A, paired with Niacinamide to help maintain skin barrier function and support brighter, firmer and more even looking skin tone and texture. Well suited even for the most irritable skin.
Key features:
- 0.06% Retinal to support a brighter, smoother and firmer skin texture
- Niacinamide to support skin barrier function and a more even looking skin tone
- Gentle formulation suitable for nightly use
Usage: Apply at night after cleansing (and serum if being used) as part of your evening skincare routine.
- You can finish here or lock it in with a moisturising cream containing hydrating and soothing actives like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
B Calm
B Calm is formulated to support irritable and blemish prone skin while maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Ceramides strengthen resilience, Salicylic Acid exfoliates and calms the skin, and Niacinamide helps regulate oil and reduce the appearance of blemished skin.
Featuring:
- Ingredients to support an improved skin barrier
- Helps manage excess oil production
- Supports a clearer-looking skin
And there’s no need to wait between products when layering, you don’t have all day (or night)! Simple, quick, effective: the perfect recipe for healthy, glowing skin.
