retinol

2 synonyms for retinol, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A form of vitamin A used in skincare products, belonging to the family of compounds called retinoids, which act on skin cells and are commonly included in creams and serums sold without a prescription.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

vitamin A retinoid

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A form of vitamin A used in skincare products, belonging to the family of compounds called retinoids, which act on skin cells and are commonly included in creams and serums sold without a prescription.

“The label said the night cream contained retinol, so she started with it twice a week.”

vitamin A retinoid

2. noun

In nutrition and biochemistry, the alcohol form of vitamin A itself, a nutrient the body needs for vision and for maintaining skin and other tissues.

“Liver is unusually high in retinol compared with most foods.”

vitamin A

How to use retinol

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

retinol serum retinol cream pure retinol retinol percentage encapsulated retinol

Everyday word in cosmetics marketing and consumer press; also a precise term in biochemistry, where it refers to the vitamin itself rather than a product ingredient.

Etymology

From retina plus the chemical suffix -ol, used for alcohols.

Full origin of retinol →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between retinol and tretinoin?

Both are retinoids, meaning both are derived from vitamin A, but they are different compounds. Retinol is the milder form found in products sold over the counter, while tretinoin is a stronger prescription-only compound. They are not interchangeable and are not the same ingredient under two names.

Is retinol the same as a retinoid?

Not quite. Retinoid is the umbrella term for the whole family of vitamin A derivatives; retinol is one specific member of that family. So every retinol is a retinoid, but not every retinoid is retinol.

Why is retinol usually used at night?

Retinol degrades when exposed to light and air, which is why it is typically packaged in opaque containers and included in night-time formulations. This is a fact about the ingredient's stability rather than a rule about how anyone ought to use it.

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