- Lines A
- Dark spots B+
- Firmness C
- Blemishes D
- Pores D
- Amount studies used
- 0.1–1%
- 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
70 products state the amountmedian 0.003%33% at or above the amount studies used (0.1–1%)
- under 0.01% 39
- 0.01–0.1% 8
- 0.1–1% 22
- 1% or more 1
Amounts are mostly stated by products named after the ingredient, so they may lean towards token amounts.
2 products are filed with Korea's MFDS as wrinkle care functional cosmetics, which fixes it at the notified amount (2,500 IU/g) or more.
Of the products containing it, 111 list it before the 1% line and 213 after it (usually 1% or less).
Where no amount is stated, a product listing it early reaches the study amount about 50% of the time, one listing it late about 18%.
Clinical evidence grade by skin concern
- A
- several randomised trials or a meta-analysis
- B
- one or two randomised trials
- C
- uncontrolled or multi-ingredient studies
- D
- lab work or a record only
Suggested for ages 18 and up.
Start with 2–3 evenings a week, and use sunscreen during the day. Not used during pregnancy.
Products using this ingredient
12 of 323 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 323
Cos De BAHAL3 Serum1% stated · study amount
COSRXCOSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil0.5% stated · study amount
Cos De BAHAL2 Serum0.5% stated · study amount
Paula's ChoiceCLINICAL 0.3% Retinol Treatment0.31% stated · study amount
COSRXCOSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream0.3% stated · study amount
Cos De BAHAL1 Serum0.15% stated · study amount
TOSOWOONGReal Retinol 0.1% Night Cream0.1% stated · study amount
JM solutionJM solution Skin Boost Retinol 0.1% Serum 1.0 30ml0.1% stated · study amount
CelimaxThe Vita A Retinol Shot Tightening Serum 30ml0.1% stated · study amount
CelimaxThe Vita A Retinol Shot Tightening Serum0.1% stated · study amount
ISNTREEHyper Retinol EX 1.0% Serum0.1% stated · study amount
COSRXThe Retinol 0.1 Cream 20ml0.1% stated · study amount
Definition
Retinol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula:
Cosmetic roles
Safety & regulatory references
Canada
- Maximum Concentration Permitted : 1.0% retinol equivalents; 1.15% w/w retinyl acetate; 1.83% w/w retinyl palmitate.
European Union
- Product Type, body parts : (a) Body lotion (b) other leave-on and rinse-off products
- Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation : (a) 0,05 % Retinol Equivalent (RE) (b) 0,3 % RE
- Wording of conditions of use and warnings : For any cosmetic product containing Retinol, Retinyl Acetate or Retinyl Palmitate the following, labelling is obligatory: ‘Contains Vitamin A. Consider your daily intake before use’.
Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information
Restriction III/376 · SCCS opinion: OPINION ON Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate)
Source: EU CosIng ingredient list
Reviewed by CIR: 40th Anniversary Overview and Rereview Summaries From 2011 to 2015
Reviewed by CIR: Annual Review of Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Assessments: 2005/2006
Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Retinyl Palmitate and Retinol
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name レチノール: 本品は、次の化学式で表される共役不飽和脂環式アルコールである。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 11103-57-4
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 68-26-8
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 68-26-8 / 11103-57-4
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 200-683-7
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 234-328-2
Measured properties
- Appearance
- Vitamin a appears as yellow crystals or orange solid. Practically water insoluble. (NTP, 1992) · Solid, [Merck Index] Yellow or orange solid, [NTP]
- Boiling point
- 279 to 280 °F at 1e-06 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 137-138 °C at 1X10-6 mm Hg
- Melting point
- 144 to 147 °F (NTP, 1992) · 63.5 °C
- Solubility
- Practically insoluble (NTP, 1992) · 0.671 mg/L
- Stability
- Free alcohol is sensitive to air-oxidation, but oil solutions of it are quite stable, UV light inactivates Vitamin A. · Not readily destroyed by heat but is easily oxidized and is less stable in acid than in alkaline soln.
Values measured on the substance itself, not a specification for a commercial raw material.
Source: PubChem
Related literature
- Loss of Retinol-Binding Properties for Plasll 1 a Retinol-Binding Protein in Norll 1 al HUll 1 an Epiderll 1 is * · 2010
- Contribution of encapsulation on the biodisponibility of retinol · 2004
- Boosting of retinol activity using novel lecithin: Retinol acyltransferase inhibitors · 2024
- Effect of massage on retinol skin penetration. · 2023
- Development of Retinol-loaded Polymeric Micelle: Stability of Retinol · 2021
Linked databases 19
- Australian Industrial Chemicals Inventory (AICIS)
- ChEBI
- ChEMBL
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2
- EU Cosmetics Regulation
- Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information 2 3 4
- NIST Chemistry WebBook
- PubChem
- Tlooto literature search 2 3 4 5
- UniChem cross-reference IDs
- US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) 2 3 4
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database 2
- US FDA substance registration (GSRS) 2
- Wikidata 2