retinal + niacinamide

Retinal + niacinamide is a topical combination therapy primarily utilized in dermatological and cosmetic applications for the treatment of photoaging, acne, and skin texture irregularities. **Retinal** (retinaldehyde) is a direct precursor to retinoic acid; upon topical application, it undergoes a single-step enzymatic conversion within keratinocytes to its active form, which subsequently binds to retinoic acid receptors (RARs) to modulate gene expression, promote cellular turnover, and stimulate collagen synthesis. **Niacinamide** (nicotinamide) is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 that serves as a precursor to the coenzymes NAD+ and NADP+. In the skin, niacinamide functions as an anti-inflammatory agent, enhances the synthesis of barrier-forming lipids (such as ceramides), and inhibits the transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to keratinocytes. The combination is strategically formulated to leverage the potent anti-aging effects of retinal while utilizing niacinamide to mitigate the localized irritation, erythema, and dryness typically associated with retinoid therapy.

Brand names

Youth to the People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth SerumNaturium Retinaldehyde Cream SerumMaelove Moonlight Retinal Super SerumGeek & Gorgeous A-Game

Other names

retinaldehyde + niacinamideretinaldehyde + nicotinamidevitamin A aldehyde + vitamin B3