Best fit for hollow-looking areas, lines, and firmness: Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème is the most directly targeted option in this group.
- Choose Medik8 Crystal Retinal for a stepwise strength ladder across a retinal family.
- Choose Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.15% for a disclosed concentration in a cream-serum product.
- Choose The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion for a stated 0.2% retinal concentration in a serum-textured formula for experienced users.
- Choose Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème for a formula whose stated appearance goals include hollow areas, wrinkles, firmness, and elasticity.
Yes, retinal can be a sensible next category after years of retinol, but the right purchase depends on what you want to change. If you want a concentration-led, whole-face retinal routine, compare Medik8, Naturium, and The Ordinary. If your priority is the look of hollow areas along with lines and firmness, Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème matches that goal more directly in its product description.
The Ordinary’s retinoid guide explains that retinol converts to retinal before becoming the bioactive form, while retinal is one conversion step away. A PubMed-indexed biochemical study also identified retinal as an intermediate in retinol conversion in deer-mouse liver preparations.
For the decision in this guide, treat a disclosed percentage as one part of a formula’s identity. Then match the stated appearance goal, area of use, and maker’s directions to your own routine. The American Academy of Dermatology advises starting with the least-intense retinoid formula available, applying it every other night at first, and building use gradually. Dermatologist advice in the AAD guidance also recommends nighttime retinoid use and daytime sun protection, including sunscreen on uncovered skin, shade, and sun-protective clothing.
1. Medik8 Crystal Retinal: choose a strength ladder
Medik8 Crystal Retinal suits a retinol veteran who wants a defined progression within one retinal family. The maker’s Crystal Retinal strength guide lays out five strengths, from CR3 for vitamin A beginners to CR20 for very experienced users. That ladder makes Medik8 the clearest pick here for someone who wants the product family itself to provide the step-up structure.
The product is a retinal serum used on the face and neck. Medik8’s application directions say to apply two pumps after evening cleansing, let the serum absorb, then use a moisturizer. For new Crystal Retinal users, the page recommends twice-weekly use for the first two weeks, every other night for the following two weeks, and then nightly use, with sunscreen the next morning. It also recommends finishing at least one tube at the current strength before moving up a rung.
For someone already comfortable with retinol, the practical advantage is the clear family progression, not an automatic reason to start at the top. Choose the strength that matches your current tolerance and use the maker’s instructions for that product.
2. Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.15%: choose a cream-serum with a stated percentage
Naturium fits shoppers who want a clearly named retinal concentration and a cream-serum product. Its official product page identifies 0.15% sustained-release retinaldehyde and describes the product as addressing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven tone and texture, brightness, and firmness. The page also names biofermented oligopeptide as an ingredient intended to refine the look of texture and enhance radiance.
Naturium’s directions cover the face, neck, and chest, with the eye area avoided. The maker says to shake the product, apply an even layer, and follow with moisturizer. It also advises patch testing, daytime sunscreen, and a maximum of two pumps daily. Those directions make it a straightforward option for a reader who wants one product to cover more than the face while keeping a defined retinal concentration in view.
Naturium’s listed appearance goals emphasize lines, tone, texture, brightness, and firmness, while Abib explicitly names hollow-looking areas as a target.
3. The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion: choose a serum-textured option for experienced users
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is the concentration-first choice for an experienced retinoid user. The official product page names a 0.2% retinal concentration, describes a serum-textured formula, and recommends it for experienced retinoid users. The maker’s retinal explainer likewise positions this high-strength product for experienced users who want to target visible signs of aging.
The Ordinary’s instructions are specific: apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry face and neck in the evening, avoid the eye contour, and follow with moisturizer. Start once weekly, then increase gradually to twice weekly on nights a few days apart as tolerated. The brand says to avoid using this formula with other retinoid products and to use sun protection during the day.
Medik8’s Crystal Retinal strength guide also lists CR20 at 0.2% twin-encapsulated retinaldehyde. The Ordinary’s official directions specify face-and-neck application, while Abib’s product description centers on hollow-looking areas.
4. Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème: choose localized hollow-area appearance care
Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème is the clearest match for a reader whose primary concern is the appearance of hollow areas, alongside lines and firmness. Abib’s product description names PDRN, Volufiline, retinal, and peptides. It lists PDRN at 15,000 ppm and Volufiline at 10,000 ppm, describing the blend as helping skin look fuller in hollow areas and supporting the look of elasticity.
The product description also names wrinkles, skin firmness, and elasticity as appearance goals. It lists forehead lines, smile lines, under-eye areas, and neck wrinkles as targeted areas for the look of fine and deeper lines. That combination gives Abib a distinct role among the four candidates: it pairs retinal with the product’s specified plumping and targeted-area positioning, rather than presenting a percentage-led whole-face retinal ladder.
The ppm figures specify PDRN and Volufiline amounts; they are not retinal percentages.
How to choose among the four
Match the product to your primary concern: Medik8 for a family progression, Naturium for a 0.15% cream-serum, The Ordinary for a 0.2% serum-textured emulsion, and Abib for hollow-area appearance with lines and firmness.
| Product | Best fit | Retinal information and format | Maker’s stated use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medik8 Crystal Retinal | A product-family progression | Retinal serum; five strength levels, from CR3 to CR20, with CR20 listed at 0.2% twin-encapsulated retinaldehyde | Two pumps on the face and neck after evening cleansing; new users phase in use before moving up a strength |
| Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.15% | A cream-serum with a disclosed concentration | 0.15% sustained-release retinaldehyde | Apply an even layer to face, neck, and chest; avoid the eye area; follow with moisturizer; maximum two pumps daily |
| The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion | A serum-textured 0.2% retinal option for experienced users | 0.2% retinal; serum-textured emulsion | Pea-sized amount on clean, dry face and neck in the evening; avoid the eye contour; start weekly and gradually move to twice weekly as tolerated |
| Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème 2.5 tube | Hollow-looking areas with lines and firmness | PDRN 15,000 ppm, Volufiline 10,000 ppm, retinal, and peptides; targeted booster crème | Product description names forehead lines, smile lines, under-eye areas, and neck wrinkles as target areas |
This is a label-and-fit comparison using each maker’s product descriptions and application directions.
When changing from retinol, introduce the new formula according to that product’s directions instead of applying it at your old retinol frequency automatically. The AAD’s advice to begin gradually is especially useful when a formula is new to you, even after years with another retinoid. Keep a single retinoid product in the routine when the product’s directions call for avoiding other retinoids, as The Ordinary’s do for its emulsion.
Use retinal products at night and make daytime sun protection part of the routine. The AAD recommends sunscreen on exposed skin, shade, and protective clothing. If your skin is sensitive, its guidance suggests a sunscreen containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. A patch test is also part of the maker’s directions for the Naturium serum and The Ordinary emulsion.
FAQ
Is retinal a reasonable next step after years of retinol?
Yes, it can be a reasonable next category if your skin already tolerates retinol and you want to compare retinal options. Choose the product according to your goal and its directions: a ladder, a disclosed percentage, or targeted hollow-area appearance care.
Does the highest retinal percentage automatically make the best choice?
No. The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion and Medik8 Crystal Retinal 20 are each listed at 0.2%; Medik8 specifies twin-encapsulated retinaldehyde, while The Ordinary describes a serum-textured retinal emulsion.
Can I use a retinal product on the under-eye area?
Follow the individual product’s directions. Abib names under-eye areas as one of its targeted appearance concerns, while Naturium says to avoid the eye area and The Ordinary says to avoid the eye contour.
Should I keep using retinol when I start retinal?
Use the directions for the retinal product you choose. The Ordinary says to avoid using its Retinal 0.2% Emulsion with other retinoid products, so its instructions call for a one-retinoid routine.