Retinol & Retinal: Why You Should Add These Super Ingredients To Your Skincare Routine

By Shairah on 03 Mar 2023

Project Editor

When it comes to skincare, there are always a few select ingredients that experts recommend time and time again.

One, in particular, is retinol. This powerhouse ingredient boasts countless benefits for the skin – which certainly makes it deserving of the title of MVP (a.k.a Most Valuable Player) in the beauty world.

You may have also heard about retinal. While it is easy to mistake these two ingredients as the same, there are, in fact, differences between them.

Read on to find out more about these super ingredients – and how you can easily add them to your skincare routine with just one product!

Photo from Shutterstock

Retinol vs. retinal: What’s the difference?

Retinol and retinal are both Vitamin A derivatives collectively known as retinoids. The benefits of both ingredients are the same but the key difference? The speed in which each product works. Retinal is said to work up to 11 times faster than retinol, due to its accelerated conversion into retinoic acid that can then be utilised by the skin.

When paired together, retinol and retinal can tackle just about any skin problem you may be facing – be it acne, fine lines, dark spots or uneven texture.

What are the benefits of retinol and retinal?

It's rare to find skincare ingredients that can do it all – unless it’s retinoids, of course.

Lesser fine lines and wrinkles: Retinoids stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin. As a result, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles are diminished.
Smoother skin: By speeding up your skin’s cell turnover to shed dead skin cells, retinoids can help trigger generation of new cells for a smoother and more even complexion.
Less breakouts and clogged pores: Retinoids act as an exfoliant to help clear clogged pores. In addition, they also help regulate sebum production, which is good for acne control.
A more radiant complexion: In addition to shedding dead skin cells to reveal brighter skin and a more even tone, retinoids also reduce excess pigmentation by inhibiting the enzyme needed to produce melanin.

Photo from DR.WU Clinical Skincare

I want to try! How do I incorporate retinol and retinal into my skincare?

If you want to upgrade your skincare game with these star ingredients, you can – with just one product.

Taiwan’s number one cosmeceutical brand, DR.WU Clinical Skincare, has recently launched a brand new serum that harnesses the power of 3 retinoids for gentle yet effective results.

The DR.WU Tri-Retinoid Intensive Revitalising Serum 1.5% combines three retinoids: retinol, retinal, AND retinyl palmitate – the latter being the gentlest form of retinoids.

Together, this power-packed trio make up a 1.5 percent high-concentration serum that delivers the best of both worlds. Thanks to its unique tri-retinoid formulation, it delivers better anti-aging and revitalising results than traditional retinol while also being safer and milder to use.

Photo from DR.WU Clinical Skincare

In addition, the Tri-Retinoid Intensive Revitalising Serum 1.5% also contains clinically proven ingredients for added benefits:

Argireline and Q10: Argireline is a peptide touted for its wrinkle-fighting and anti-aging effects, while coenzyme Q10 has antioxidant properties that reduces the damage of free radicals while stimulating collagen and elastin production.
Hyaluronic acid and provitamin B5: Thanks to their stellar humectant properties, hyaluronic acid and provitamin B5 attract moisture to deeply hydrate and repair the skin barrier.
Niacinamide and 3 types of soothing plants: Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, as well as the ability to strengthen your skin’s barrier.

Chia Nan University of Pharmacy & Science conducted a clinical experiment in which 20 subjects used the Tri-Retinoid Intensive Revitalising Serum 1.5%. The results were impressive. In just seven days, the subjects showed a 24 percent reduction in fine lines, 8 percent reduction in large pores, and a 7 percent reduction in wrinkles.

Photo from DR.WU Clinical Skincare

How do I use it?

As with all retinoids, less is more. Due to their powerful effects, it is important to start slow and let your skin gradually acclimate to the ingredients and build up a tolerance.

The DR.WU Tri-Retinoid Intensive Revitalising Serum 1.5% should be used during your nighttime skincare routine. Apply it after your toner and before any creams and moisturisers.

For the first week, apply it once every 3 nights to allow your skin to get used to the retinoids, and then once every 2 nights during the second week. Do note that you might experience some sensitivity or peeling as your skin acclimatises to the product. If you do not experience any irritation, you can use the Tri-Retinoid Intensive Revitalising Serum 1.5% every night from the third week onwards for the best results.

Photo from DR.WU Clinical Skincare

You can supplement your skincare routine with the DR.WU Ageversal Repairing System to boost the overall anti-ageing results. This comprehensive range targets the eight common problems of skin ageing: wrinkles, sagginess, loss of firmness, enlarged pores, dullness, uneven skin tone, dryness, and roughness. With efficacious products like the Intensive Firming Essence, Extreme Repairing Cream, and Multi-Peptides Youth Serum, your skin will be visibly plumper and more radiant in as little as one week.

Photo from DR.WU Clinical Skincare

Looking for an ultra-lightweight product for that extra boost of hydration? On top of the Tri-Retinoid Intensive Revitalising Serum 1.5%, the DR.WU Squalanex Oil Serums are the perfect final step to your nighttime skincare routine. Available in two variations, these oil serums contain a fortifying combination of olive-derived squalane and essential oils to nourish, replenish, and restore your skin’s sebum levels.

Photo from DR.WU Clinical Skincare

Of course, no skincare routine is complete without UV protection. As retinoids thin the skin and make it more vulnerable to UV rays, it is imperative to protect your skin and repair its barrier with a sunscreen from DR.WU’s Suncare range. From tinted to mineral, water-resistant, and even a hydrating sunscreen formulated with hyaluronic acid, there’s sure to be one suited for your skin type.

The DR.WU Tri-Retinoid Intensive Revitalising Serum 1.5% is now available at a promo price of $91.92 (U.P. $114.90) at the official DR.WU Shopee store.