What does retinol do? Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger explains

In this video, Dr. Joel Schlessinger breaks down the key differences between retinol, retinal and tretinoin, focusing on how each one activates in the skin. He also includes some of his top product picks so you can learn more about which type of retinoid is right for you.

What does retinol do?

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that works by converting into retinoic acid in the skin, signaling cells to turn over faster and stimulate collagen production. But not all retinoids follow the same activation pathway: retinal converts in just one step, while retinol requires two, making it gentler, but slower-acting. Tretinoin, on the other hand, is already in its active form, which is why it's the most potent option of the three (and only available by prescription).

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