Skin aging is a natural process, and its signs (wrinkles, spots, loss of skin elasticity...) can be totally or partially reversed with the help of scientifically backed active ingredients.

Retinoids are the gold standard in topical anti-aging therapy, with retinol being the best known and most used until recently.

Retinal is a newer active ingredient. Both retinol and retinal are vitamin A derivatives; however, retinal acts faster (x11) and is better tolerated than retinol.

Why?  

When we apply retinol topically, it is first transformed into retinal, and from retinal into retinoic acid. It is retinoic acid that interacts with skin cell receptors, promoting the production of collagen and elastin, thus causing the anti-aging effect:

Retinol                  Retinal                  Retinoic acid                  Collagen and elastin production

When we apply Retinal directly

Retinal                  Retinoic acid                  Collagen and elastin production

Retinal allows for a faster response (x11), meaning we will see visible results sooner than with retinol.

What are the main benefits of retinal?

-          Accelerates epidermal renewal, improving skin texture and reducing hyperpigmentation such as sun spots.

-          Reduces wrinkles and increases skin elasticity thanks to collagen and elastin production.

-          Decreases sebum production, eliminating shine, blackheads, and imperfections.

In the development of Qwadrum Powered Night Cream, we decided to use retinal combined with another active ingredient, bakuchiol (also called "vegan" retinol), which are, for us, the best way to promote skin regeneration by acting against the signs of skin aging.

Pure retinal has an intense yellow color, and due to the high concentration of retinal, Qwadrum's retinal and bakuchiol cream has an intense yellow color.