Quick answer for retinol veterans focused on the under-eye area
- For a clearly staged retinal ladder, choose Medik8 Crystal Retinal.
- For a cream-serum with a stated 0.15% retinal concentration, choose Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum.
- For the highest disclosed retinal percentage here, choose The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion, and keep it away from the eye contour as directed.
- For a targeted product whose description names under-eye areas and hollow-looking areas, consider Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème 2.5 tube.
Yes, retinal can be a reasonable next step after years of retinol, especially when your skin already handles retinol consistently. The choice turns on your main goal: a planned whole-face strength progression, a specific serum or cream-serum texture, or appearance care aimed at localized hollowness and lines.
Retinal is one form of vitamin A, like retinol. The Ordinary’s retinoid overview describes retinol converting to retinal before reaching the bioactive form, while Paula’s Choice’s retinol-versus-retinal comparison explains retinal as one conversion step away from retinoic acid and retinol as two. In a 1992 study indexed by PubMed, researchers identified retinal as an intermediate in retinoic-acid production in deer-mouse liver tissue, a biochemical finding rather than a topical product comparison.
Product format, labelled strength, application area and directions all affect the practical choice. This comparison uses each manufacturer’s stated formula, application zones and directions, alongside the American Academy of Dermatology’s retinoid guidance.
1. Medik8 Crystal Retinal: choose a step-by-step strength ladder
Medik8 is the clearest fit if you want the next retinal strength to come from a defined product family. Its Crystal Retinal range guide describes five strengths, from CR3 for vitamin A beginners through CR20 for very experienced users, with user levels assigned across the ladder.
Crystal Retinal is a serum used on the face and neck. Medik8’s product directions say to apply two pumps after evening cleansing, let the serum absorb, and follow with moisturizer. For people new to Crystal Retinal, the maker suggests twice-weekly use for the first two weeks, every other night for the next two weeks, then nightly use, with sunscreen the following morning.
The ladder suits a retinol veteran who wants to move through named strengths rather than select a single percentage from a different brand.
For an under-eye-first routine, read the area directions carefully: the cited application instructions name the face and neck, while Abib’s product description explicitly names under-eye areas. Choose Crystal Retinal when your priority is a graduated retinal routine across the face and neck; choose a product with a specifically named eye-area target when that is the central concern.
2. Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum: choose a cream-serum format
Naturium suits shoppers who want a cream-serum and a disclosed retinal percentage without buying into a multi-strength ladder. The manufacturer’s Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.15% page identifies a 50 ml cream serum with 0.15% sustained-release retinaldehyde.
The product page names the look of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven tone and texture, brightness, and firmness among its appearance goals. Its instructions cover the face, neck and chest, call for avoiding the eye area, and say to follow with moisturizer. The page also advises daytime sunscreen, patch testing before use, and a maximum of two pumps daily.
That makes Naturium the cream-serum pick when the texture and broad application area matter more than a formal strength ladder, while the explicit eye-area direction makes it a less direct match for someone whose main target is the under-eye zone.
3. The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion: choose the highest stated percentage
The Ordinary fits a retinol-experienced shopper who specifically wants a higher disclosed retinal percentage. Its Retinal 0.2% Emulsion product page calls the formula high strength, gives its concentration as 0.2% retinal, and recommends it for experienced retinoid users.
The formula has a serum-like texture, and the directions specify a pea-sized amount on clean, dry face and neck in the evening. The brand recommends starting once weekly, then increasing to twice a week a few days apart as tolerated, followed by moisturizer and daytime sun protection. It also directs users to keep the emulsion away from the eye contour and to use it separately from other retinoid products.
Someone whose first goal is a hollow-looking under-eye area should match the target zone before choosing based on the number on the label.
4. Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème: choose localized hollow-area appearance care
Abib is the distinct pick when the concern is the look of hollow areas alongside lines and firmness. The official PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème 2.5 tube listing describes a targeted booster crème with PDRN, Volufiline, retinal and peptides. Abib says the formula helps visibly plump hollow areas and improve the appearance of wrinkles, firmness and elasticity.
The product description identifies PDRN at 15,000 ppm and Volufiline at 10,000 ppm. It also names forehead lines, smile lines, under-eye areas and neck wrinkles as target zones, so the formula’s stated purpose reaches beyond a face-wide retinal step-up. For a reader whose priority is the appearance of under-eye hollowness or lines in selected areas, that named target is the most relevant differentiator in this comparison.
Abib’s language is about visible appearance: fuller-looking areas, the look of lines, firmness and elasticity. The formula still contains retinal, but its listed distinction is the combination of targeted zones and PDRN, Volufiline and peptides, rather than a disclosed retinal percentage or an explicit strength ladder. Choose it for the localized appearance goal; choose one of the other three when your main decision is a whole-face retinal format or stated retinal concentration.
Compare the four by goal, strength and application area
The fastest way to choose is to match your routine decision to the feature each product actually names. Medik8 documents a strength ladder and face-and-neck schedule; Naturium supplies a 0.15% cream-serum; The Ordinary discloses 0.2% and gives a gradual schedule; Abib names localized hollow areas and under-eye zones.
| Product | Best fit | Stated formula or strength | Application area and directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medik8 Crystal Retinal | A planned move through retinal strengths | Five-step family from CR3 to CR20 | Serum: two pumps to face and neck in the evening; phase in use, moisturize, and use sunscreen the next morning |
| Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum | Cream-serum texture and a stated concentration | 0.15% sustained-release retinaldehyde, 50 ml | Face, neck and chest; avoid eye area, follow with moisturizer, use daytime sunscreen; maximum two pumps daily |
| The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion | A concentration-led retinal step-up for experienced users | 0.2% retinal | Pea-sized amount on clean, dry face and neck at night; begin weekly and build to twice weekly as tolerated; avoid eye contour |
| Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème 2.5 tube | Hollow-looking areas, lines and localized firmness concerns | PDRN 15,000 ppm and Volufiline 10,000 ppm, with retinal and peptides | Names forehead lines, smile lines, under-eye areas and neck wrinkles as target zones |
The Ordinary’s 0.2% and Naturium’s 0.15% figures describe retinal concentrations; Abib’s 15,000 ppm PDRN and 10,000 ppm Volufiline figures describe those ingredients. Use the ingredient and format labels to identify a product that fits your goal, then follow its maker’s application schedule.
The American Academy of Dermatology’s guidance quotes dermatologist Dr. Alster recommending the least-intense retinoid formula every other night to start, with a slow increase in frequency. It also advises night use and daytime sun protection because retinoids can increase sun sensitivity. For a product-specific schedule, follow the instructions for the formula you choose, since the makers’ plans here range from weekly starts to a strength ladder.
How to make the final pick
Choose Medik8 if you value a gradual, labelled progression more than the highest single percentage. Choose Naturium if you prefer the stated cream-serum format and want to apply a retinal product across face, neck and chest while keeping it away from the eye area.
Choose The Ordinary if the disclosed retinal percentage is your leading filter and its face-and-neck schedule suits your routine. Choose Abib if you want a targeted product whose description specifically joins hollow-area appearance, lines and firmness with under-eye and other localized target zones.
FAQ
Is retinal a reasonable next step after years of retinol?
Yes, if you have used retinol consistently and want to try a retinal formula. Retinal sits one conversion step closer to retinoic acid in the cited ingredient comparisons; introduce the selected product according to its own schedule and pair retinoid use with daytime sun protection.
Which of these four names the under-eye area as a target?
Abib PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème names under-eye areas among its target zones. Abib’s PDRN Volume fill-it Booster crème 2.5 tube listing names under-eye areas as a target, while Naturium’s directions say to avoid the eye area, The Ordinary’s directions say to avoid the eye contour, and Medik8’s directions specify the face and neck.
Does the highest percentage automatically make The Ordinary the best choice?
No. The Ordinary’s 0.2% is the largest disclosed retinal percentage here, while product fit also depends on format, application zone and directions. That percentage points to a concentration-led option, while Abib’s distinguishing role is its stated localized hollow-area and line-care focus.
Can I use a retinal product with my existing retinol?
Use one retinoid product at a time when following The Ordinary’s directions: its maker says not to use the emulsion with other retinoid products. When changing from retinol to retinal, start the new formula on its own schedule and keep the rest of the routine simple enough to follow consistently.