What are the efficacy and safety of new anti-aging creams containing retinaldehyde (RAL) at 0.1% and 0.05% for treating photoaged skin?
Retinaldehyde Night Serum, a randomized trial — after 3 months, both RAL 0.1% and RAL 0.05% groups showed 95% overall improvement in photoaging. Scope: over 3 months, and the abstract states no limitations. Source: J Cosmet Dermatol 2018, PMID 29663701.
Source: J Cosmet Dermatol 2018, PMID 29663701 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: medium
J Cosmet Dermatol · 2018 · PMID 29663701 · DOI 10.1111/jocd.12551
Retinaldehyde creams at 0.1% and 0.05% improve skin hydration and texture, but only the 0.1% concentration also improves the melanin index.
The question
What are the efficacy and safety of new anti-aging creams containing retinaldehyde (RAL) at 0.1% and 0.05% for treating photoaged skin?
What they tested
Retinaldehyde (RAL) creams at 0.1% and 0.05% will be effective and safe in treating photoaged skin, similar to retinoic acid but with a better safety profile.
How they did it
Forty female Korean volunteers applied either RAL 0.1% or RAL 0.05% creams twice daily for 3 months. Quantitative assessments of wrinkles and skin texture on crow's feet were performed using the Antera 3D system. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, melanin index, and skin brightness were also evaluated. Overall improvement was assessed by patients and dermatologists using a five-point scale.
What they found
After 3 months, both RAL 0.1% and RAL 0.05% groups showed 95% overall improvement in photoaging. Both concentrations significantly improved skin texture (13.7% for RAL 0.1%, 12.6% for RAL 0.05%), reduced TEWL (14.5% for RAL 0.1%, 17.9% for RAL 0.05%), and increased hydration (10.2% for RAL 0.1%, 6.0% for RAL 0.05%). No statistical differences were observed between the two groups for these parameters. Only RAL 0.1% significantly improved the melanin index by 6.5%. Both creams were well tolerated.
| RAL 0.1% Overall Improvement | 95 | |
|---|---|---|
| RAL 0.05% Overall Improvement | 95 | |
| RAL 0.1% Textural Improvement | 13.7 | |
| RAL 0.05% Textural Improvement | 12.6 | |
| RAL 0.1% TEWL Reduction | 14.5 | |
| RAL 0.05% TEWL Reduction | 17.9 | |
| RAL 0.1% Hydration Increase | 10.2 | |
| RAL 0.05% Hydration Increase | 6 | |
| RAL 0.1% Melanin Index Improvement | 6.5 | |
| RAL 0.05% Melanin Index Improvement | 0 |
Both RAL 0.1% and 0.05% creams showed 95% overall improvement. RAL 0.1% led to a 13.7% textural improvement, 14.5% TEWL reduction, 10.2% hydration increase, and 6.5% melanin index improvement. RAL 0.05% led to a 12.6% textural improvement, 17.9% TEWL reduction, and 6.0% hydration increase, with no significant melanin index improvement.
What it means
Both RAL 0.1% and RAL 0.05% creams are well tolerated and improve skin hydration and texture. However, only the RAL 0.1% cream significantly improved the melanin index.
Limitations
The study was conducted on a specific population (40 female Korean volunteers), which may limit generalizability. The abstract does not mention a placebo control group, which could affect the interpretation of the results.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used to treat photoaged skin: a randomized double-blind controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Journal | J Cosmet Dermatol |
| Year | 2018 |
| PMID | 29663701 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1111/jocd.12551 ↗ |
| Topic | Skin, hair & photoaging |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
This citation sits behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are set from the research and are independent of affiliate commissions.
Retinaldehyde Night Serum
Randomized controlled trials of topical retinaldehyde report improvements in fine lines, skin texture and hydration and other signs of photoaging, with tolerability better than prescription retinoic acid;
Retinaldehyde (also called retinal or RAL) is a naturally occurring metabolite of vitamin A and the…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). What are the efficacy and safety of new anti-aging creams containing retinaldehyde (RAL) at 0.1% and 0.05% for treating photoaged skin? [Plain-English summary of J Cosmet Dermatol 2018, PMID 29663701, DOI 10.1111/jocd.12551]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.html@misc{magellan_d29663701,
title = {What are the efficacy and safety of new anti-aging creams containing retinaldehyde (RAL) at 0.1% and 0.05% for treating photoaged skin?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 29663701; DOI 10.1111/jocd.12551; J Cosmet Dermatol 2018. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
}https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.htmlRelated studies in the Magellan library
- Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic association for the management of skin…J Cosmet Dermatol · 2011 · PMID 21649816
- Can topical retinaldehyde improve the signs of photoaged skin?Dermatology · 1999 · PMID 10473961
- Daily oral supplementation with collagen peptides combined with vitamins improves skin…Nutrition Research · 2018 · PMID 30122200
- Can bakuchiol provide similar anti-aging benefits to retinol with fewer side effects?Br J Dermatol · 2018 · PMID 29947134
- A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and DensityNutrients · 2019 · PMID 31627309
- Efficacy of a Serum Combining Bakuchiol and Vanilla Tahitensis Extract to Prevent Skin…Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol · 2020 · PMID 32494181
Prefer the interactive version? Open this summary in the Magellan app → · Browse all 314 study summaries →