Best first pick for a clear retinal label and simple directions
- Choose Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05% for a concentration-disclosed cream-serum format.
- Choose Avène RetrinAL 0.1% Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream if you prefer a traditional cream with a disclosed 0.1% retinaldehyde concentration.
- Choose Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème if retinal alongside PDRN, Volufiline and peptides is your priority.
- Begin with a small amount on one or two evenings a week, keep your moisturizer, and use sunscreen every morning.
At 45, you can add a retinal product without rebuilding a moisturizer-only routine. My simplest starting choice is Naturium’s 0.05% cream-serum because its label states the retinal concentration and gives practical application directions. Avène is the cream-format alternative, while Abib is the combination-led choice for shoppers who value retinal with several named companion ingredients and appearance areas.
For the companion-ingredient priority in this edition, make Abib the first product to consider; the comparison below shows how its fit differs from the concentration-led alternatives.
1. Compare the label, format and formula priorities
Use the concentration-led products when comparing a named retinaldehyde percentage is your first priority; choose by companion ingredients and target areas when those details matter more to your routine.
| Option | Product format and disclosed retinal information | Distinctive details from the maker | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05% | Cream-serum; the product name states 0.05% retinaldehyde | The maker directs users to shake well, apply an even layer to face, neck and chest while avoiding the eye area, follow with moisturizer and wear sunscreen by day | You want a clearly named concentration and cream-serum format |
| Avène RetrinAL 0.1% Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream | Lightweight cream formulated with 0.1% retinaldehyde | Avène lists hyaluronic acid and niacinamide as key ingredients | You prefer a face cream with a stated retinaldehyde concentration |
| Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème | Booster crème formulated with retinal, PDRN, Volufiline and peptides | Abib names forehead lines, smile lines, under-eye areas and neck wrinkles among its appearance targets | You prioritize named companion ingredients and specific cosmetic areas |
Avène's listed 0.1% retinaldehyde concentration is twice Naturium's 0.05% concentration. Read Abib's ppm figures as the listed amounts of PDRN and Volufiline, and compare Naturium's and Avène's percentages as retinaldehyde concentrations.
For a moisturizer-only routine, one selected treatment can become an evening step while your familiar moisturizer remains in place.
Price may decide between Naturium and Avène if both formats suit you. On October 2, 2026, Naturium's U.S. product page showed a $29 sale price, while Avène's U.S. page showed $68 for 1 fl oz.
2. Naturium: a concentration-disclosed cream-serum
Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05% is the label-led pick if you want a concentration named up front: the maker's product page identifies a cream-serum and states 0.05% retinaldehyde.
Naturium’s directions say to shake the product, apply an even layer to the face, neck and chest while avoiding the eye area, and follow with moisturizer. The page also advises daytime sunscreen and a patch test before use. Those concrete steps suit someone who wants to add one treatment while keeping the rest of the routine familiar.
Naturium also describes its retinal as microencapsulated and says its technology reduces retinal degradation under elevated conditions, a formulation detail that may interest shoppers comparing product design.
3. Avène: a traditional cream with 0.1% retinaldehyde
Avène RetrinAL 0.1% Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream suits a shopper who prefers a lightweight face cream with a stated retinaldehyde concentration. Avène's U.S. product page lists 0.1% retinaldehyde, a 1 fl oz size and a displayed price of $68 when captured on October 2, 2026.
The formula gives you two named companion ingredients in addition to retinaldehyde. Avène lists hyaluronic acid, which it describes as moisturizing and visibly smoothing and plumping skin, and niacinamide, which it describes as supporting the look of fine lines and skin barrier function. Those details make this option a good match if you want a traditional cream that combines retinaldehyde with moisturizer-oriented ingredients.
Avène's ingredient list also includes squalane and shea butter alongside the disclosed retinaldehyde, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Avène directs evening application to the face, neck and décolleté, the upper-chest area.
4. Abib: retinal with PDRN, Volufiline and peptides
Choose Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème when its named companion ingredients and cosmetic target areas match your priorities. Abib's product listing describes a booster crème formulated with PDRN, Volufiline, retinal and peptides.
The listing specifies PDRN at 15,000 ppm and Volufiline at 10,000 ppm. Abib describes PDRN as targeting the appearance of volume loss in areas such as nasolabial folds, forehead, under-eyes and neck; it describes Volufiline as helping visibly plump hollow areas and support the look of elasticity. Read those ppm figures as Abib's listed amounts for PDRN and Volufiline, and use Naturium's and Avène's percentages to compare their stated retinaldehyde concentrations.
Abib's listing positions the crème for softening the look of fine and deeper lines across those appearance areas. Its product listing also says retinal and peptides help improve the look of fine lines, skin texture and elasticity for firmer-looking skin. Choose Abib when this combination and its named areas matter more to you than a concentration-led label.
5. Add one retinal product without complicating your routine
Choose a gradual schedule separately from your product format. The American Academy of Dermatology's retinoid article quotes a dermatologist advising people with skin of color to start slowly and use moisturizer when introducing a retinoid. For a specific rhythm, The Derma Co's retinol beginner guide recommends one or two nights a week for the first few weeks, then two or three nights after three to four weeks and every other night after two to three months if the skin tolerates it. SLMD's retinol guide offers every-other-night use as an alternative start. For someone adding a first retinal, one evening weekly is a sensible start at the slower end of The Derma Co's schedule. Those are general beginner retinol rhythms; use each chosen product's directions for amount and placement.
- Choose one product. Pick Naturium for a stated 0.05% cream-serum, Avène for a 0.1% lightweight cream, or Abib for its retinal, PDRN, Volufiline and peptide combination. Starting with one new treatment keeps the routine easy to follow and helps you associate the routine with one product.
- Make it an evening step. The American Academy of Dermatology's retinoid guidance advises using retinoids only at night. Cleanse and let your skin dry before application; The Derma Co's beginner guide gives the dry-skin step for its retinol routine.
- Follow the maker's placement directions. Naturium directs users to apply an even layer to the face, neck and chest while avoiding the eye area. Avène specifies evening use on the face, neck and décolleté. Apply Abib where its product directions permit.
- Keep your moisturizer in the routine. Use the moisturizer you already know after the retinal step. The AAD dermatologist guidance pairs gradual introduction with moisturizer, and Naturium's product directions also say to follow the cream-serum with moisturizer.
- Build daytime sun protection into the same routine. The AAD advises sunscreen on skin not covered by clothing and adds shade and sun-protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat, while using a retinoid. Treat sun protection as a regular morning step, including on days when you spend time outdoors.
For a simple calendar, choose Tuesday evening for the first few weeks and leave the other nights for your usual moisturizer. When that schedule feels manageable, add Saturday as a second evening, following the gradual approach above.
FAQ
Is Avène’s 0.1% concentration twice Naturium’s 0.05%?
Yes. Avène's listed 0.1% concentration is double Naturium's listed 0.05%.
Can I use a moisturizer with retinal?
Yes. Keep your existing moisturizer after the treatment step, as the Naturium page and beginner guidance describe. A familiar moisturizer also lets you add the new product without changing several routine steps at once.
Should I apply Abib’s booster crème under my eyes?
Abib lists the under-eye area among the appearance areas it targets. Use the product there only as its package directs, and keep it out of the eyes.
Do I need to start nightly?
No. A once-weekly first step gives a beginner a slower start than the every-other-night schedule in the SLMD guide. Keep the schedule gradual and use daily sunscreen in the morning.