Understanding Retinol Percentages and Retinoid Strengths
Retinoids like retinol come in different types, percentages and strengths. To figure out which strength of retinoid to use you need to know that each retinoid has its own particularities that effect how strong they are. I’m a dermatologist and I always begin my patients on a low strength retinol and slowly increase the strength. You can use the chart in this blog to find which retinoids are strongest.
Retinol, retinal. tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, and trifarotene are all retinoids but their strengths and concentrations vary. Understanding retinoid percentages is important when beginning a retinoid. If you’re a skin care beginner, and have never used retinoids before, check out this blog to get started!
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Retinoid basics
Whether you are starting retinoids for the first time, have been on retinol and want to change to a higher retinol concentration, or you want to switch from retinol to a prescription strength retinoid, understanding retinol strength charts is important. There are many different types, percentages, concentrations, and strengths of retinoids.
Keep reading to learn how retinol percentages and formulation also contribute to retinoid strength. When you use retinoids in your skin routine also determines how effective the retinoid is.
How do you know which retinol strength to use? It depends upon which of the 16 Baumann Skin Types you are.
Which retinol is the strongest?
Retinol is a type of retinoid.
Retinoids listed in order of strength from weakest to strongest are:
Retinyl palmitate
Retinol
Retinaldehyde
Adapalene
Trifarotene
Tretinoin
Tazarotene
Retinol Strength Chart
retinol and retinoid strength chart
When comparing strengths of retinoids, it is important to understand that each Vitamin A compound is different and has different potency. Retinol 0.025%, tretinoin 0.025% and tazarotene 0.025% are not the same strength even though they are all 0.025%. The retinoid strength chart below compares retinoid potencies when compared at the same percent.
The chart shows that :
Tazarotene and trifarotene are stronger than tretinoin.
Adapalene and retinol are not as strong as tazarotene and trifarotene.
Retinal (retinaldehyde) and retinyl esters like retinyl palmitate or not very potent and are considered weak retinoids because they do not penetrate well into the skin.
What Strength Retinol Should I Use?
When beginning a retinol for the first time, choose a low strength retinol. The best percentage of retinol to use is 0.025% or 0.03%. when starting out.
We can help you shop for the best retinol for your skin type. All you need to do is take our advanced scientific skin type quiz. (It’s the same one dermatologist’s use in their offices!)
Take the Quiz
Low Strength Retinol
These are good low strength medical grade retinols that you can get started with:
Replenix Retinol 2X Regenerate Dry Serum
$71.00
Add to Cart
Revision Skincare D.E.J. Night Face Cream
$54.40
Add to Cart
SENTE Bio Complete Serum
$118.00
Out of Stock
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 Refining + Anti-Aging Night Cream
$80.00
Out of Stock
Medature Encapsulated Retinol Serum
$49.50
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Treatment Intensive
$54.99
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum
$44.99
Out of Stock
Murad Youth Renewal Retinol Trial Kit
$59.00
Add to Cart
Neocutis NOUVELLE+ Retinol Correction Cream
$158.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Retinol Treatment for Sensitive Skin
$119.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 2X Regenerate Dry Serum
$71.00
Add to Cart
Revision Skincare D.E.J. Night Face Cream
$54.40
Add to Cart
SENTE Bio Complete Serum
$118.00
Out of Stock
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 Refining + Anti-Aging Night Cream
$80.00
Out of Stock
Medature Encapsulated Retinol Serum
$49.50
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Treatment Intensive
$54.99
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum
$44.99
Out of Stock
Murad Youth Renewal Retinol Trial Kit
$59.00
Add to Cart
Neocutis NOUVELLE+ Retinol Correction Cream
$158.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Retinol Treatment for Sensitive Skin
$119.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 2X Regenerate Dry Serum
$71.00
Add to Cart
Revision Skincare D.E.J. Night Face Cream
$54.40
Add to Cart
SENTE Bio Complete Serum
$118.00
Out of Stock
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 Refining + Anti-Aging Night Cream
$80.00
Out of Stock
Medature Encapsulated Retinol Serum
$49.50
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Treatment Intensive
$54.99
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum
$44.99
Out of Stock
Murad Youth Renewal Retinol Trial Kit
$59.00
Add to Cart
Neocutis NOUVELLE+ Retinol Correction Cream
$158.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Retinol Treatment for Sensitive Skin
$119.00
Add to Cart
Medium Strength Retinol
These are the best mid strength retinols to use after finishing at least one bottle or tube of low strength retinol.
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 0.5
$52.80
Add to Cart
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5
$90.00
Out of Stock
Alastin Renewal Retinol
$64.00
Add to Cart
Derma Made Retinol Bakuchiol 0.5
$56.00
Add to Cart
Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol
$89.50
Add to Cart
Obagi 360 Retinol 0.5
$79.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Intensive Age Refining Treatment: 0.5% pure retinol night
$119.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Intensive Clarity Treatment: 0.5% Pure Retinol Night
$119.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 5X Regenerate Dry Serum
$88.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol + Bakuchiol Concentrated Serum
$90.00
Add to Cart
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 0.5
$52.80
Add to Cart
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5
$90.00
Out of Stock
Alastin Renewal Retinol
$64.00
Add to Cart
Derma Made Retinol Bakuchiol 0.5
$56.00
Add to Cart
Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol
$89.50
Add to Cart
Obagi 360 Retinol 0.5
$79.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Intensive Age Refining Treatment: 0.5% pure retinol night
$119.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Intensive Clarity Treatment: 0.5% Pure Retinol Night
$119.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 5X Regenerate Dry Serum
$88.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol + Bakuchiol Concentrated Serum
$90.00
Add to Cart
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 0.5
$52.80
Add to Cart
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5
$90.00
Out of Stock
Alastin Renewal Retinol
$64.00
Add to Cart
Derma Made Retinol Bakuchiol 0.5
$56.00
Add to Cart
Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol
$89.50
Add to Cart
Obagi 360 Retinol 0.5
$79.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Intensive Age Refining Treatment: 0.5% pure retinol night
$119.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Intensive Clarity Treatment: 0.5% Pure Retinol Night
$119.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 5X Regenerate Dry Serum
$88.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol + Bakuchiol Concentrated Serum
$90.00
Add to Cart
High Strength Retinol
These high strength retinols are almost as strong as prescription. After you use these once a night without any problems, switch to a prescription strength retinoid like tretinoin.
Essopi Retinol Treatment Serum 10X
$70.00
Add to Cart
Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol PLUS MD
$105.00
Add to Cart
SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0
$96.00
Add to Cart
Derma Made Retinol + Bakuchiol Serum 1%
$56.00
Add to Cart
Obagi360 Retinol 1.0
$85.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 10x Regenerate Dry Serum
$100.00
Out of Stock
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 1.0
$107.20
Add to Cart
SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0
$102.00
Add to Cart
Essopi Retinol Treatment Serum 10X
$70.00
Add to Cart
Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol PLUS MD
$105.00
Add to Cart
SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0
$96.00
Add to Cart
Derma Made Retinol + Bakuchiol Serum 1%
$56.00
Add to Cart
Obagi360 Retinol 1.0
$85.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 10x Regenerate Dry Serum
$100.00
Out of Stock
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 1.0
$107.20
Add to Cart
SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0
$102.00
Add to Cart
Essopi Retinol Treatment Serum 10X
$70.00
Add to Cart
Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol PLUS MD
$105.00
Add to Cart
SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0
$96.00
Add to Cart
Derma Made Retinol + Bakuchiol Serum 1%
$56.00
Add to Cart
Obagi360 Retinol 1.0
$85.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 10x Regenerate Dry Serum
$100.00
Out of Stock
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 1.0
$107.20
Add to Cart
SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0
$102.00
Add to Cart
Strongest Prescription Retinol Cream
Retinol does not require a prescription. If you are looking for the highest over the counter retinol concentration- 0.1% is the strongest. However, the other ingredients the product also affect the strength.
The strongest and most effective retinol without a prescription is retinol 1% in a formulation that contains penetration enhancers like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. This is also called 10x retinol. Retinol 1% is only a little weaker than prescription tretinoin 0.025%.
High Concentration of Retinol
You cannot get retinol 2%, retinol 2.5% or retinol 3% strengths. The strongest retinol is 1%. The strongest retinols without prescription are the Skinceuticals 1% and the Jan Marini Age Intervention Plus MD.
High Strength Retinol 1%
The strongest of the 1% retinols are formulated in a way to maximize penetration and absorption. These are the 2 strongest retinols which are the closest to prescription strength.
What is Stronger than Retinol?
If you want something stronger than 1% retinol, the next strength up is tretinoin 0.025% cream which requires a prescription. Tretinoin 0.025% is stronger than retinol 1%.
Tazarotene is stronger than tretinoin, even when the percent is the same. For example, Tazarotene 0.1% is stronger than tretinoin 0.1%. Tazarotene 0.1% is the strongest retinoid available.
What retinol strength is right for me?
It is confusing to know what strength of retinol to start. The problem is retinols can be too strong for you and may not be safe in certain situations like pregnancy. When pregnant or breast feeding, consult your dermatologist.
All beginners should start with the lowest strength retinol and slowly work your way up to tretinoin and ultimately tazarotene.
It is important to use them slowly and follow your dermatologist’s advice on how to increase to the next higher strength.
Research Studies Comparing Retinoid Strengths
Tazarotene is stronger than tretinoin.
Tazarotene 0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1% cream were compared to tretinoin 0.05% emollient cream in a study that looked at effectiveness on aged mature wrinkled skin.
The fastest and best results were seen with tazarotene 0.1% which produced significantly higher improvement of wrinkles than tretinoin 0.05% emollient cream at week 12 and week 20.
Both tazarotene and tretinoin showed improvement of wrinkles, but tazarotene 0.1% showed the most improvement the fastest.
At week 24 in this study, treatment success rates based on global responses were:
67% with 0.1% tazarotene
52% with 0.05% tazarotene
36% with 0.025% tazarotene
41% with 0.01% tazarotene
55% with 0.05% tretinoin
22% with placebo vehicle
Retinoid side effects were more frequent with the higher concentrations and were generally mild to moderate.
Retinol 0.4% is effective on wrinkles
The best data we have on retinol effectiveness on wrinkles is a study that showed that 0.4% retinol was effective at improving wrinkles under the arms in elderly people.
Retinol was applied under the arm in a non sun exposed area. Wrinkled underarm skin skin improved after 24 weeks of 3 times a week use.4
This study showed that retinol improves aged skin even if the skin does not have sun damage.
Retinoid Cream vs Gel vs Lotion- Which Is Strongest?
How a retinoid is formulated affects the strength by increasing or decreasing absorption. This is why there is a difference in strength between a tretinoin cream, gel or a lotion.
Strength of retinoids in order of lowest to highest based on formulation:
Cream
Lotion
Gel
Ointment
Gel and serums are more potent than creams because they absorb better into the skin. Ointments are the strongest because of occlusion.
Formulation Affects Retinoid Strength
When the formulation has glycerin, hyaluronic acid, certain oils, and other penetration enhancers added, more will be absorbed. These are often called emollient creams.
The strength of the retinoid depends upon whether it is a cream, lotion, or gel but also if it has hyaluronic acid in it.
The strength of the retinoid also depends when you use it in your skin care routine.
Retinoids are stronger when used before a moisturizer or when an oil is used after the retinoid to slug it into the skin.
Tretinoin Strength
The weakest tretinoin is 0.025%. However, the strength depends on wat other ingredients are in the product as well as the percentage. Here is an example:
There are many brands of tretinoin 0.05% on the market including Retin A and many generic forms. The 0.05% strength comes in creams, gels and lotions. In most cases, gel tretinoin is the strongest- but it depends on if there are any penetration enhancing ingredients in the retinoid formulation.
Altreno is a brand of tretinoin in a lotion formulation that is 0.05% tretinoin and has glycerin. The fact that it has glycerin and sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) means that Altreno 0.05% is slightly stronger than the tretinoin 0.05% cream version because of increased penetration.
Retinol percentages
Retinol usually comes in the following percentages:
0.025%- low strength
0.05%- mid strength
0.1%- high strength
It usually does not come in 1%, 2% or 2.5%, or 5% strengths.
What percentage is prescription strength retinol?
There is not a prescription strength retinol. Retinol 1% is the strongest retinol and it is available without a prescription. The strongest prescription strength retinoid is tazarotene 0.1% gel.
What is the highest over the counter retinol concentration?
The highest over the counter retinol concentration is 3% but only 1% retinol is currently available.
There is much more to the story about retinol strength than just the concentration or retinol percentage listed on the label.2
Retinol strength is determined by:
Type of retinol (retinol vs retinyl ester vs retinal all of which can be called “retinol”)
Strength (percent) of retinol
How retinol is manufactured (was it exposed to air or light that inactivated it)
Packaging: airless pump, jar or bottle
What other products ingredients are in the formulation (Bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, oils, glycerin)
when the retinol product is used in the skin care routine
Many products that say they have retinol, actually have an ester such as retinyl palmitate or retinal which are not effective. Often the retinol percentage on the product label does not match how much retinol is actually in the product.3
If retinol is not formulated, manufactured, bottled, and stored properly (which is often the case!!!) then the efficacy of the product is questionable.
Most common Retinol Strengths
These are the different strengths of retinol creams and serums:
Low strength retinol = 0.25% or 2X and 0.3% or 3X
Mid strength retinol= .5% or 5x
High strength retinol = 1% or 10x
Some products claim to be retinol 2.5% or retinol 3%, however most of these products are not formulated correctly and therefore are actually not very potent.
We recommend sticking with 0.25%- 1% retinol products and avoiding retinal or retinyl palmitate containing products.
What percentage of retinol is effective?
If retinol is absorbed, even low strength retinol can be effective. As long as you use a good brand that is made properly, a low strength retinol has skin benefits. The higher the strength a retinoid is- the more effective it is, but the more side effects it has
Replenix Retinol 2X Regenerate Dry Serum
$71.00
Add to Cart
Revision Skincare D.E.J. Night Face Cream
$54.40
Add to Cart
SENTE Bio Complete Serum
$118.00
Out of Stock
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 Refining + Anti-Aging Night Cream
$80.00
Out of Stock
Medature Encapsulated Retinol Serum
$49.50
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Treatment Intensive
$54.99
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum
$44.99
Out of Stock
Murad Youth Renewal Retinol Trial Kit
$59.00
Add to Cart
Neocutis NOUVELLE+ Retinol Correction Cream
$158.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Retinol Treatment for Sensitive Skin
$119.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 2X Regenerate Dry Serum
$71.00
Add to Cart
Revision Skincare D.E.J. Night Face Cream
$54.40
Add to Cart
SENTE Bio Complete Serum
$118.00
Out of Stock
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 Refining + Anti-Aging Night Cream
$80.00
Out of Stock
Medature Encapsulated Retinol Serum
$49.50
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Treatment Intensive
$54.99
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum
$44.99
Out of Stock
Murad Youth Renewal Retinol Trial Kit
$59.00
Add to Cart
Neocutis NOUVELLE+ Retinol Correction Cream
$158.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Retinol Treatment for Sensitive Skin
$119.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 2X Regenerate Dry Serum
$71.00
Add to Cart
Revision Skincare D.E.J. Night Face Cream
$54.40
Add to Cart
SENTE Bio Complete Serum
$118.00
Out of Stock
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 Refining + Anti-Aging Night Cream
$80.00
Out of Stock
Medature Encapsulated Retinol Serum
$49.50
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Treatment Intensive
$54.99
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum
$44.99
Out of Stock
Murad Youth Renewal Retinol Trial Kit
$59.00
Add to Cart
Neocutis NOUVELLE+ Retinol Correction Cream
$158.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Retinol Treatment for Sensitive Skin
$119.00
Add to Cart
Which Is The Strongest Retinol Prescription?
Retinol is not prescription. The strongest prescription retinoid is tazarotene 0.1% gel.
Tazarotene comes in 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1%.
Although trifarotene is also a very strong retinoid, there is less data comparing it to the others.
To learn more about the basics of retinoids and the retinoid family of compounds click here.
Strongest Retinol
The strongest retinol without a prescription is retinol 2.5%, however that is not available right now. Retinol 1% is the strongest.
One of the strongest retinol night creams is SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0.
There are many high strength retinols that are very effective that are 1% strength (these are also often called retinol 10x).
Here is a list of the strongest retinol skin care products:
Essopi Retinol Treatment Serum 10 x
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete
SkinCeuticals 1.0%
SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0
You can shop for the strongest retinols here:
Essopi Retinol Treatment Serum 10X
$70.00
Add to Cart
Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol PLUS MD
$105.00
Add to Cart
SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0
$96.00
Add to Cart
Derma Made Retinol + Bakuchiol Serum 1%
$56.00
Add to Cart
Obagi360 Retinol 1.0
$85.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 10x Regenerate Dry Serum
$100.00
Out of Stock
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 1.0
$107.20
Add to Cart
SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0
$102.00
Add to Cart
Essopi Retinol Treatment Serum 10X
$70.00
Add to Cart
Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol PLUS MD
$105.00
Add to Cart
SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0
$96.00
Add to Cart
Derma Made Retinol + Bakuchiol Serum 1%
$56.00
Add to Cart
Obagi360 Retinol 1.0
$85.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 10x Regenerate Dry Serum
$100.00
Out of Stock
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 1.0
$107.20
Add to Cart
SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0
$102.00
Add to Cart
Essopi Retinol Treatment Serum 10X
$70.00
Add to Cart
Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol PLUS MD
$105.00
Add to Cart
SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0
$96.00
Add to Cart
Derma Made Retinol + Bakuchiol Serum 1%
$56.00
Add to Cart
Obagi360 Retinol 1.0
$85.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Retinol 10x Regenerate Dry Serum
$100.00
Out of Stock
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 1.0
$107.20
Add to Cart
SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0
$102.00
Add to Cart
Retinal and Retinaldehyde
Retinal is another name for retinaldehyde. Many people get confused and think retinal is the same as retinol but it is not. Retinaldehyde, positioned within the vitamin A metabolic pathway between retinol and retinoic acid, serves as a direct precursor to retinoic acid, the active form that binds to retinoic acid receptors (RARs). This makes retinaldehyde one step closer to influencing gene expression and cellular functions compared to retinol. Upon topical application, skin enzymes oxidize retinaldehyde to retinoic acid, facilitating a more immediate interaction with RARs to regulate skin cell behavior, thereby enhancing skin renewal, reducing wrinkles, and improving skin texture with potentially less irritation than retinoic acid.
Let us help you find the correct strength of retinoid for your skin type and build a skin care routine from many brands.
