--- title: "Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic…" description: "A combination of retinaldehyde and hyaluronic acid fragments effectively reduces signs of skin photoaging like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and loss of…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d21649816.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d21649816.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d21649816.html" type: "study" study_key: "d21649816" journal: "J Cosmet Dermatol" year: 2011 pmid: "21649816" doi: "10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00552.x" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic association for the management of skin aging [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d21649816.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d21649816 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | J Cosmet Dermatol | | Year | 2011 | | PMID | [21649816](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21649816/) | | DOI | [10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00552.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00552.x) | | Study key | d21649816 | ## Takeaway A combination of retinaldehyde and hyaluronic acid fragments effectively reduces signs of skin photoaging like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity. ## The question What is the efficacy of combining retinaldehyde (RAL) and intermediate-size hyaluronate fragments (HAFi) in correcting skin photoaging? ## Hypothesis The combination of retinaldehyde and intermediate-size hyaluronate fragments will be effective in managing skin photoaging. ## Methods This open, multicentric, international study involved 1462 subjects who applied either RAL 0.05%-HAFi 0.5% (group 1), RAL 0.05%-HAFi 1% (group 2), or both products (group 3) daily for 90 days. Overall photoaging severity was assessed by dermatologists using Larnier's scale at D0, D30, and D90. Wrinkles, furrows, and clinical signs of aging were evaluated using a 4-point scale, and skin microrelief of crow's feet was measured by optical profilometry in group 3. ## Results After 3 months, overall photoaging significantly improved in all three groups. At D90, significant improvements in wrinkles were observed in groups 2 and 3, including forehead wrinkles (-19% and -10%), nasolabial folds (-20% and -16%), crow's feet (-27% in both groups), and perioral wrinkles (-34% and -23%). Clinical signs of photoaging, such as elasticity (-32% and -33%), hyperpigmentation (-34% and -31%), and ptosis (-18% and -22%), significantly improved in groups 1 and 3. Optical profilometry confirmed these results, and the products were well tolerated. ## Conclusion The combination of retinaldehyde and intermediate-size hyaluronate fragments is effective in managing aging skin, as demonstrated in a large patient cohort. ## Limitations The study was open-label, which means participants and researchers knew which treatment was being administered, potentially introducing bias. ## Verbatim from the abstract > the 3-month application significantly improved overall photoaging ## Improvement in Wrinkles and Clinical Signs of Photoaging at Day 90 | Measure | Percentage Improvement (%) | | --- | --- | | Forehead Wrinkles (Group 2) | -19 | | Forehead Wrinkles (Group 3) | -10 | | Nasolabial Folds (Group 2) | -20 | | Nasolabial Folds (Group 3) | -16 | | Crow's Feet (Group 2) | -27 | | Crow's Feet (Group 3) | -27 | | Perioral Wrinkles (Group 2) | -34 | | Perioral Wrinkles (Group 3) | -23 | | Elasticity (Group 1) | -32 | | Elasticity (Group 3) | -33 | | Hyperpigmentation (Group 1) | -34 | | Hyperpigmentation (Group 3) | -31 | | Ptosis (Group 1) | -18 | | Ptosis (Group 3) | -22 | *Percentage improvement in various signs of photoaging at Day 90 across different treatment groups. Group 1 used RAL 0.05%-HAFi 0.5%, Group 2 used RAL 0.05%-HAFi 1%, and Group 3 used both products.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Retinaldehyde Night Serum | Moderate evidence | [Retinaldehyde Night Serum](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/178.md) | ## Reference 1. **Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic association for the management of skin aging** J Cosmet Dermatol 2011 · [PMID 21649816](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21649816/) · [DOI 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00552.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00552.x) > the 3-month application significantly improved overall photoaging ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d21649816.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d21649816.html","name":"Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic association for the management of skin aging","description":"A combination of retinaldehyde and hyaluronic acid fragments effectively reduces signs of skin photoaging like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and loss of…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d21649816.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d21649816.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d21649816.html#study","name":"Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic association for the management of skin aging","headline":"Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic association for the management of skin aging","datePublished":"2011","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Cosmet Dermatol"},"identifier":"PMID:21649816","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21649816/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00552.x","abstract":"A combination of retinaldehyde and hyaluronic acid fragments effectively reduces signs of skin photoaging like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Retinaldehyde Night Serum](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/178.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Evidence: retinoic-acid precursor boosts collagen](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s178.md) - [Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used to treat photoaged skin:…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).