Retinol
Pronunciation /REH-tin-ohl/
What it is — A pure form of vitamin A.
What it does — Speeds up skin cell turnover, smooths fine lines, evens out skin tone.
What is it?
Retinol; vitamin A
What does it do?
Retinol is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:
-
Skin conditioning
improves the appearance, feel, and condition of skin
-
Skin conditioning - miscellaneous
improves skin condition through mechanisms not classified under the more specific emollient or humectant subcategories
Often found in
- serums
- anti-aging creams
- eye creams
- night creams
Good to know
Start slow — twice a week at night. Always use sunscreen the next day. Pregnant or breastfeeding? Skip retinol entirely.
EU regulatory status
Retinol is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the European Union under Regulation 1223/2009. It is not subject to a specific Annex restriction at the time of writing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Retinol?
Retinol is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Retinol; vitamin A
Is Retinol allowed in cosmetics in the EU?
Yes. Retinol is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the EU under Regulation 1223/2009.
What does Retinol do in cosmetic products?
Retinol is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: skin conditioning, skin conditioning - miscellaneous.
What is the CAS number of Retinol?
The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Retinol is 68-26-8 / 11103-57-4.
Related ingredients
Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 28/07/2020