Retinyl Acetate
Reviewed by Emma · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: Retinol, Retinyl Propionate, Retinal, Retinyl Palmitate, Tretinoin
Synthetic derivative of vitamin A, made from retinol and acetic acid | Converts to retinoic acid more slowly in skin
Addresses
EWG Safety Score
What Is Retinyl Acetate?
Retinyl acetate is a synthetic vitamin A derivative (chemically known as an ester) made from retinol and acetic acid. It is considered more stable than retinol; however, it also requires more conversion steps within skin to become retinoic acid. As such, retinyl acetate is not considered as effective as other retinoids such as retinyl propionate and retinal (also known as retinaldehyde).
When encapsulated in a nanoparticle polymer delivery system, retinyl acetate’s delivery to skin was slower and showed better retainment after 24 hours (as measured on mouse skin). Given its slower conversion and taking a delivery system into account, in theory retinyl acetate may be less likely to provoke irritation in those sensitive to retinol.
One study showed a product that contains the retinoids retinol, retinyl acetate, and retinyl palmitate at a combined concentration of 1.1% showed comparable improvements in signs of sun damage as 0.02% tretinoin, a prescription retinoid. Results were most notable on subjects with deep wrinkles after daily use for a period of 24 weeks. At the time of this writing, no published studies have looked at what results retinyl acetate on its own can provide.
Usage levels of retinyl acetate in skin care range from 0.1–1%.
Benefits for Your Skin
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Advances in Therapy, October 2022, pages 5,351–5,375 [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12325-022-02319-7]
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Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, August 2019, pages 392–397 [https://www.termedia.pl/Retinoids-active-molecules-influencing-skin-structure-formation-in-cosmetic-and-dermatological-treatments,7,37473,0,1.html]
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Regulatory Pharmacology and Toxicology, March 2017, pages 102–104 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273230016302859]
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International Journal of Pharmaceutics, February 2011, pages 281–288 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378517310008689]
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Aesthetic Surgery Journal, August 2009, pages 74–77 [https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/30/1/74/199813]
Frequently Asked Questions
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Hydrogenated Retinol
A stabilised form of vitamin A that converts to active retinoids within the skin
Retinal
One conversion step from active vitamin A
Retinol
The gold standard anti-ageing ingredient
Retinyl Dimethylglycylprolinate
A stabilised retinoid derivative designed to support skin resilience and address visible signs of photoaging
Retinyl Formyl Aspartamate
A stabilised retinol derivative designed for photodamaged skin with improved stability
Retinyl Glycolyl Shikimate
A retinoid derivative that conditions and softens the skin
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