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← Glossary

Retinol

Face Skincare

Over-the-counter vitamin A derivative. ~10-100x weaker than prescription tretinoin.

Retinol must be converted by skin enzymes to retinoic acid (the active form). Tretinoin is already retinoic acid — no conversion needed. So retinol takes longer for the same effect at lower strength. Useful for sensitive skin or as a stepping stone to tretinoin.

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