I Replaced My Tretinoin With This $30 Retinal Cream
This lesser-known retinoid-light gives me the same smoothing and skin-brightening benefits but without the constant dryness and flaking.
Back in March, I met with the team from Celimax, a K-beauty brand that’s been bringing skin-care innovations at reasonable prices, and left with their new Vita-A Retinal Shot Tightening Cream, a formula that promises tighter, smoother skin with a more tolerable experience. I started testing that night.
I’m no stranger to retinal. I’ve been using it for a few years, mostly via pricey serums available only at professional offices, but in that time, more and more retinal products have been launching (even at drugstores). The ingredient may even be gaining popularity over retinol, which has been the over-the-counter gold-standard retinoid for aging skin.
Short for retinaldehyde, retinal is an over-the-counter retinoid, meaning it’s part of the vitamin-A family used to improve skin tone, texture, and signs of aging. Brands including Prequel, Avène, and Medik8 have caught on to the demand for effective ingredients without the dryness and irritation that often come with retinoids. I made the switch to retinal because tretinoin, a prescription retinoid, always left my skin dry and flaky. Over time, I’ve found retinal gives me the same smoothing and skin-brightening benefits, but without the constant flakes I experienced on tretinoin.
