--- title: "Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used…" description: "Retinaldehyde creams at 0.1% and 0.05% improve skin hydration and texture, but only the 0.1% concentration also improves the melanin index." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.html" type: "study" study_key: "d29663701" journal: "J Cosmet Dermatol" year: 2018 pmid: "29663701" doi: "10.1111/jocd.12551" 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" --- # Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used to treat photoaged skin: a randomized double-blind controlled trial [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d29663701 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | J Cosmet Dermatol | | Year | 2018 | | PMID | [29663701](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29663701/) | | DOI | [10.1111/jocd.12551](https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12551) | | Study key | d29663701 | ## Takeaway 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? ## Hypothesis 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. ## Methods 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. ## Results 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. ## Conclusion 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. ## Verbatim from the abstract > both retinaldehyde creams afforded significant textural improvements, reduced water loss, increased hydration ## Improvements in Skin Parameters After 3 Months of Retinaldehyde Cream Application | Measure | Percentage Change (%) | | --- | --- | | 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.* ## 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. **Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used to treat photoaged skin: a randomized double-blind controlled trial** J Cosmet Dermatol 2018 · [PMID 29663701](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29663701/) · [DOI 10.1111/jocd.12551](https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12551) > both retinaldehyde creams afforded significant textural improvements, reduced water loss, increased hydration ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.html","name":"Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used to treat photoaged skin: a randomized…","description":"Retinaldehyde creams at 0.1% and 0.05% improve skin hydration and texture, but only the 0.1% concentration also improves the melanin index.","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/d29663701.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":"Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29663701.html#study","name":"Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used to treat photoaged skin: a randomized double-blind controlled trial","headline":"Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used to treat photoaged skin: a randomized…","datePublished":"2018","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Cosmet Dermatol"},"identifier":"PMID:29663701","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29663701/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12551","abstract":"Retinaldehyde creams at 0.1% and 0.05% improve skin hydration and texture, but only the 0.1% concentration also improves the melanin index."}]} ``` ## 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) - [Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic association for the management of…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d21649816.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).