Questions about using Retinal (Retinaldehyde) in a cream formulation

Subject: Concerns about using Retinal (Retinaldehyde)

Thank you for your detailed questions regarding your homemade cream containing Retinal. It's good that you are being cautious with this active ingredient. Based on your questions and the staff's response, here is the information:

1. Daytime use, photosensitivity, and skin thinning: It is true that using high concentrations of Retinal can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight and lead to skin thinning. This is why manufacturers recommend a maximum concentration of 0.1% for cosmetic use. While 0.1% is generally well-tolerated and less irritating than stronger retinoids like Tretinoin, it is still highly recommended to use products containing Retinal at night and always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day to protect your skin.

2. Skin dryness: Dryness can occur if the skin becomes irritated or peels, which is a potential side effect of using Retinal at concentrations that are too high for your skin or applying it too frequently, especially when first starting. At the recommended 0.1% concentration, dryness is less common unless you have very sensitive skin or combine it with other irritating ingredients.

3. Using with AHA/BHA or other exfoliants: It is generally advised to avoid using Retinal at the same time as AHA, BHA, or other strong exfoliants, even if applied at different times of the day. Combining these ingredients can increase the risk of excessive irritation, redness, and dryness. It's best to choose one type of exfoliant/cell turnover enhancer or alternate their use carefully if your skin can tolerate it.

4. Liver effects: Concerns about liver effects are typically associated with oral retinoids (like Isotretinoin), which are prescribed medications with significant systemic absorption. Topical retinoids like Retinal have very low systemic absorption when used as directed in cosmetic formulations (up to 0.1%). Therefore, topical Retinal is generally not associated with liver problems.

5. Acne/Scars vs. Anti-aging: While Retinal is indeed a powerful anti-aging ingredient, it is also effective for treating clogged pores (acne) and improving skin texture, which can help reduce the appearance of acne scars. Retinoids work by promoting healthy cell turnover and preventing pores from becoming blocked, which is beneficial for both anti-aging and acne concerns.

6. Lack of irritation at 0.1% / Effectiveness / Increasing concentration: It is normal and often desirable not to experience significant burning, redness, or peeling when using Retinal at a 0.1% concentration. Unlike stronger, prescription-only retinoids like Tretinoin, cosmetic-grade Retinal at 0.1% is formulated to be effective with minimal to no irritation. The absence of irritation does not mean the product is ineffective. 0.1% Retinal is considered an effective concentration for its benefits. Increasing the concentration above the manufacturer's recommended 0.1% is generally not advised as it significantly increases the risk of irritation and side effects without necessarily providing proportionally greater benefits for cosmetic purposes. It's best to stick to the recommended concentration.

7. Comedogenicity of ingredients: Based on the staff's response, the ingredients in your formulation are generally not considered comedogenic. However, individual skin reactions can vary, and sometimes ingredients that are not typically pore-clogging can cause issues for certain individuals.

8. LipidSoft Dry restock: According to the staff, LipidSoft Dry is expected to be back in stock around the middle to end of next month.

It's great that you are using Retinal to address your keratosis pilaris. Retinoids are a good option for this condition as they help normalize skin cell growth within the hair follicles. The stickiness you experienced is likely due to the absence of LipidSoft Dry, which would have improved the texture.

I hope this clarifies your concerns!