Can topical retinaldehyde improve the signs of photoaged skin?
Dermatology · 1999 · PMID 10473961 · DOI 10.1159/000051379
Topical retinaldehyde is an effective and safe treatment for photoaged skin.
The question
Can topical retinaldehyde improve the signs of photoaged skin?
What they tested
Retinaldehyde, as a precursor to retinoic acid, should have similar beneficial effects on photoaged skin.
How they did it
The study used open and controlled clinical studies. Efficacy was assessed through image analysis of silicone skin replicas.
What they found
Topical retinaldehyde was found to be both efficient and safe.
What it means
Retinaldehyde is an efficient and well-tolerated treatment for improving the signs of photoaging.
Limitations
The abstract does not specify any limitations of the study.
The paper at a glance
| Magellan’s evidence label | retinoic-acid precursor boosts collagen (our label for this citation — see PubMed for the paper’s own title and authors) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Dermatology |
| Year | 1999 |
| PMID | 10473961 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1159/000051379 ↗ |
| 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.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
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). Can topical retinaldehyde improve the signs of photoaged skin? [Plain-English summary of Dermatology 1999, PMID 10473961, DOI 10.1159/000051379]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s178.html@misc{magellan_s178,
title = {Can topical retinaldehyde improve the signs of photoaged skin?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s178.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 10473961; DOI 10.1159/000051379; Dermatology 1999. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
}https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s178.htmlRelated studies in the Magellan library
- Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic association for the management of skin…J Cosmet Dermatol · 2011 · PMID 21649816
- Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used to treat photoaged skinJ Cosmet Dermatol · 2018 · PMID 29663701
- Can topical application of a 5% vitamin C cream improve photoaged skin and is it well-tolerated?Exp Dermatol · 2003 · PMID 12823436
- In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu…J Clin Invest · 1993 · PMID 8227353
- The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodelingJ Biomater Sci Polym Ed · 2008 · PMID 18644225
- Collagen supplementation in skin and orthopedic diseases: A review of the literatureHeliyon · 2023 · PMID 37064452
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