Ingredient decoder

Retinyl retinoate: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Retinyl Retinoate

Acne verdict Acne helper

Helps acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Hybrid retinoid built from retinol and retinoic acid.

  • Cell-communicating
  • Skin conditioning

Retinyl retinoate in plain English

Retinyl retinoate is a hybrid molecule made by joining retinol with retinoic acid. It was designed to be more stable and less irritating than retinol while still encouraging cell turnover. A few small studies suggest it may help acne and texture, but the evidence is limited. Sunscreen is still a good idea when using it.

Is retinyl retinoate bad for acne?

No. Retinyl retinoate is on the helpful side for acne-prone skin and is not known to clog pores. Our checker groups it with the cell-communicating ingredients. Like most acne actives, it can cause dryness or irritation at first, so start slowly.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Retinyl Retinoate
  • Retinol retinoate

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Frequently asked questions

Is retinyl retinoate comedogenic?

There is no published comedogenic rating for retinyl retinoate, and it is not known to clog pores. It is used in products made for acne-prone skin.

What does retinyl retinoate do in skincare?

In short: hybrid retinoid built from retinol and retinoic acid. In formulas it is used for skin conditioning.

What else is retinyl retinoate called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, retinyl retinoate can also appear as Retinol retinoate.

Sources