Quick pick: choose by your goal, then compare concentration and format.
- For a defined whole-face strength ladder, consider Medik8 Crystal Retinal.
- For a cream-serum with a stated 0.15% retinal concentration, consider Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum.
- For an explicitly labeled 0.2% retinal emulsion, consider The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion.
- For hollow-looking areas plus the appearance of lines and firmness, choose Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème 2.5 tube.
Yes, retinal is a reasonable next category to consider after years of well-tolerated retinol. For whole-face use, Medik8 Crystal Retinal offers a family progression, Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum states 0.15% retinal, and The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion states 0.2%. If your main goal is the appearance of localized hollows together with lines and firmness, Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème is the closest match because Abib specifically names those concerns and areas.
The 2024 Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology review describes retinol converting to retinaldehyde, then to retinoic acid, through two steps. Retinaldehyde is the middle step, so retinal is closer to retinoic acid in this commonly described pathway. That chemistry explains why a retinol user may consider retinal as a step-up, while the percentage alone does not determine which finished formula or use area will suit them.
A study indexed by PubMed found retinal as an intermediate in retinoic-acid production in deer-mouse liver. This supports the pathway explanation, with the useful context that the study examined animal liver rather than these face products. Paula’s Choice advises that people who already tolerate retinol may switch to retinal and says there is no need to use both together; the brand’s comparison offers a practical reason to choose one vitamin A product rather than layering two.
For any retinal choice, follow that product’s own directions. In the AAD’s retinoid guidance, dermatologist Dr. Alster advises nighttime use and daytime sun protection through shade, sun-protective clothing, and sunscreen on uncovered skin. The routine recommendations below match each product to either a concentration-led whole-face step-up or localized appearance care. They use maker-listed concentrations, formats, target areas, and directions as the basis for fit judgments.
1. Medik8 Crystal Retinal: best for a step-by-step strength ladder
Choose Medik8 Crystal Retinal if you want to progress through named strengths in one product family. Medik8’s Crystal Retinal guide presents five levels, from CR3 for vitamin A beginners to CR20 for very experienced users. That makes the product family a useful fit for someone who prefers a visible progression rather than choosing a single concentration once.
The product is a serum used on the face and neck in the evening. Medik8’s product directions say to use two pumps after cleansing, let the serum absorb, and follow with moisturizer. For new Crystal Retinal users, the maker advises using it twice a week for the first two weeks, every other night for the next two weeks, and then nightly. Medik8 advises using sunscreen the morning after applying vitamin A.
Medik8 names a five-level range from CR3 to CR20, while Naturium and The Ordinary state concentrations of 0.15% and 0.2%. A retinol veteran who values gradual, clearly named product levels may prefer this format, while someone who wants the retinal percentage printed prominently on one formula may find Naturium or The Ordinary easier to compare. CR3 through CR20 identifies the family’s strength progression, so choose the individual level for your current experience rather than assuming every level is intended for every retinoid user.
2. Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum: best for a cream-serum at 0.15%
Choose Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum if you want a cream-serum texture with a clearly stated 0.15% retinaldehyde concentration. Naturium’s product page says the serum reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, smooths the appearance of uneven tone and texture, and helps brighten and firm skin.
The product directions cover face, neck, and chest, with instructions to shake the bottle, apply an even layer, avoid the eye area, and follow with moisturizer. Naturium also advises daytime sunscreen, patch testing before use, and no more than two pumps daily. Those directions make it a good fit for someone who wants one cream-serum across several facial and neck areas, with a concentration between the 0.1% and 0.2% levels named by some retinal products.
3. The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion: best for an explicitly high labeled concentration
Choose The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion if your priority is a plainly disclosed 0.2% retinal concentration in a serum-textured emulsion. The Ordinary describes it as a high-strength formula for experienced retinoid users and lists visible lines, uneven tone, texture, and dark spots among its appearance goals on the official product page. The 0.2% label gives a direct concentration-led choice, alongside Medik8’s upper family levels.
The Ordinary directs users to apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry face and neck in the evening, avoid the eye contour, and apply moisturizer afterward. Its directions say to begin once weekly and gradually increase to twice weekly, with applications a few days apart as tolerated. The brand also recommends sun protection during the day and says not to use this emulsion with another retinoid product.
This is the most straightforward pick for an experienced user who values the specific 0.2% number and plans to apply it to the face and neck. It is less suited to a beginner seeking a gentle first retinoid, since The Ordinary positions it for experienced users and directs new retinoid users toward lower-strength options. The Ordinary’s retinal guide also advises against combining the emulsion with direct acids, direct vitamin C, copper peptides, or other retinoids, which helps keep the routine around this high-concentration option simple.
4. Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème: best for targeted hollow-area appearance care
Choose Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème 2.5 tube when the goal is the appearance of localized hollows along with lines, firmness, or elasticity. Abib’s product catalogue describes the booster crème as formulated with PDRN, Volufiline, retinal, and peptides. It lists PDRN at 15,000 ppm and Volufiline at 10,000 ppm, and positions the formula to visibly plump hollow-looking areas and improve the appearance of wrinkles, firmness, and elasticity.
The documented target areas include forehead lines, smile lines, under-eye areas, and neck wrinkles.
The American Academy of Dermatology’s filler overview describes injectable fillers as restoring fullness to cheeks and hollow areas under the eyes. That is a different category from an at-home appearance-care crème. The Academy’s guidance on filler results also emphasizes choosing a board-certified dermatologist trained in proper filler use when considering injections. For product selection, the distinction is useful: Abib fits someone seeking topical care for fuller-looking skin and the appearance of lines, while filler is the AAD-described route for injected fullness.
The Ordinary’s peptide guide discusses topical peptides in relation to visible fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity, and texture.
Compare the four by your first priority
| Product | Retinal information | Format and stated use area | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medik8 Crystal Retinal | Five named family levels, from CR3 to CR20 | Serum; face and neck, evening use | A retinol veteran who wants a defined progression through one family |
| Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum | 0.15% retinaldehyde | Cream-serum; face, neck, and chest | Someone who wants a stated middle concentration and cream-serum format |
| The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion | 0.2% retinal | Serum-textured emulsion; pea-sized amount to face and neck at night | An experienced user who prioritizes a clearly labeled high concentration |
| Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème 2.5 tube | Retinal with PDRN at 15,000 ppm and Volufiline at 10,000 ppm | Booster crème positioned for hollow-looking areas, forehead lines, smile lines, under-eye areas, and neck wrinkles | Someone prioritizing localized hollow-area appearance along with lines and firmness |
For a concentration-led whole-face step-up, choose Medik8 for its named family ladder, Naturium for its 0.15% cream-serum, or The Ordinary for its 0.2% emulsion; for hollow-looking areas with lines and firmness, choose Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème 2.5 tube.
FAQ
Is retinal the next step after years of retinol?
Yes, it is a reasonable next category if your skin already tolerates retinol and you want to compare a retinal product. The chemistry pathway places retinal one conversion step closer to retinoic acid than retinol, while formula, strength, and use directions still shape which individual product fits.
Which of these options has the highest disclosed retinal concentration?
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion states 0.2% retinal, and Medik8’s Crystal Retinal family includes an upper level identified as CR20. Choose The Ordinary when the explicit percentage on one formula is your main criterion; choose Medik8 when you prefer a family ladder.
Can I use retinal products around my eyes?
Follow each product’s stated application area. The Ordinary says to avoid the eye contour, and Naturium says to avoid the eye area; Abib lists under-eye areas among its appearance targets. Those directions make the product choice depend on whether you want an eye-area target or a face-and-neck retinal routine.
Should I layer retinal with my current retinol?
No, choose one retinoid product for your routine. Paula’s Choice says there is no need to use retinol and retinal together, and The Ordinary specifically says not to combine its Retinal 0.2% Emulsion with other retinoid products.