All-trans-retinal is a retinal in which all four exocyclic double bonds have E- (trans-) geometry.
- Lines B
- Dark spots B-
- Blemishes C
- Firmness C
- Amount studies used
- 0.05–0.1%
- When
- evening
- Irritation
- high — start 2–3 times a week
- ⚠
- Avoid in pregnancy
Grades were set by reading this ingredient’s studies. They describe the ingredient, not every product that contains it.
How much products actually contain
34 products state the amountmedian 0.01%26% at or above the amount studies used (0.05–0.1%)
- under 0.01% 15
- 0.01–0.1% 11
- 0.1–1% 8
- 1% or more 0
Amounts are mostly stated by products named after the ingredient, so they may lean towards token amounts.
Of the products containing it, 40 list it before the 1% line and 78 after it (usually 1% or less).
Where no amount is stated, a product listing it early reaches the study amount about 53% of the time, one listing it late about 16%.
Clinical evidence grade by skin concern
- B
- one or two randomised trials
- C
- uncontrolled or multi-ingredient studies
Suggested for ages 18 and up.
Stronger than retinol. Start every other day. Not used during pregnancy.
Products using this ingredient
12 of 118 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 118
VTRetinal Peptide Spot Cream0.1% stated · study amount
CelimaxThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster 15ml0.1% stated · study amount
CelimaxCelimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster Spot Cream0.1% stated · study amount
Biome ActivateRetinoid Cream0.1% stated · study amount
MEDIPEELRetinal NMN Bounce Shot Booster0.1% stated · study amount
MEDIPEELRetinal NMN Bounce Shot Eye Cream0.1% stated · study amount
MEDIPEELMEDIPEEL Retinal NMN Bounce Shot Booster 30ml0.1% stated · study amount
MEDIPEELMEDIPEEL Retinal NMN Bounce Shot Eye Cream 15ml0.1% stated · study amount
CelimaxThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Dual Cream0.05% stated · study amount
SidmoolRetinol Moisture Oil53% chance of enough
VTV-Mode Gua Sha Cream53% chance of enough
RotheaRothea Double Retinol Cream53% chance of enough
Definition
All-trans-retinal is a retinal in which all four exocyclic double bonds have E- (trans-) geometry. It has a role as a gap junctional intercellular communication inhibitor, a mouse metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a vitamin A and a retinal.
Source: PubChem
US FDA substance register · UNII RR725D715M · registered name RETINAL, ALL-TRANS · single chemical substance
Cosmetic roles
Safety & regulatory references
- Restricted
- Canada
Source: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist · restricted with conditions · a) Leave-on products intended for full body application
Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer
Source: EU CosIng ingredient list
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name レチナール: 本品は、共役不飽和脂環式炭化水素であり、次の化学式で表される。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 116-31-4
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 204-135-8
- DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
- DTXSID5025998
- DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID
- DTXCID205998
- IUPAC
- Retinal
- Molecular formula
- C20H28O
- Molecular weight
- 284.443 g/mol
Measured properties
- Appearance
- Solid
- Melting point
- 63 °C
Values measured on the substance itself, not a specification for a commercial raw material.
Source: PubChem
What products actually use it for
What the 3 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.
- Softener and conditioner3
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Related literature
- A Single-Center, Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Tolerability of Retinal Encapsulated in a Novel Biomimetic Exosome in the Treatment of Mild-To-Moderate Facial Photodamage. · 2026
- Ocular Complications of Cosmetic Laser Use in Patients and Treating Doctors/Estheticians: A Systematic Review of Case Reports and Case Series. · 2026
- Efficacy and safety of a novel anhydrous 0.1% retinal and 10% azelaic acid concentrate for blemish-prone skin: An eight-week randomized prospective split-face, vehicle-controlled study. · 2026
- Comparative Evaluation of Topical Stabilized Retinaldehyde 0.1% vs. 0.05% on Skin Biophysical and Biomechanical Parameters. · 2026
- Retinal abnormalities in alopecia areata: A systematic review and meta-analysis. · 2026
Linked databases 18
- ChEBI
- ChEMBL
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2
- Europe PMC 2 3 4 5
- Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- NIST Chemistry WebBook
- PubChem 2
- UniChem cross-reference IDs
- US EPA CompTox dashboard 2
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database
- US FDA substance registration (GSRS)
- US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)
- Wikidata