Crystal Retinal 20

The summit strength

0.2% retinaldehyde, cyclodextrin sits third in the ingredient list, the encapsulation now carrying as much of the formula's engineering as the retinal itself. One conversion step from retinoic acid, released gradually through the night: this is as much vitamin A as an over-the-counter serum responsibly delivers.

Everything the ladder taught, needed here

Squalane, glycerin and hyaluronic acid cushion; two vitamin C esters stabilise; carrot seed and cloudberry oils support; the vanilla-tonka scent carries declared coumarin. The architecture is unchanged from level 1, only the payload has quintupled twice over.

The ladder’s last rung

For skin that has climbed through 6 and 10 and still has headroom. Beyond this strength lies prescription vitamin A, a decision made with a clinician, not a shelf.

Veterans of Crystal Retinal 10 whose skin has fully adapted, the most committed over-the-counter retinoid users, and no one else.

Worth knowing

Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Even adapted skin should expect an adjustment fortnight at this strength: alternate nights, generous moisturiser, and patience. Contains vanilla and tonka extracts with coumarin declared; patch test with a fragrance allergy. If you are here and wanting more, prescription vitamin A is our clinicians’ conversation, and often the better answer.

Evenings on clean, dry skin: a pea-sized amount over face, avoiding eyes and lips. Alternate nights for at least a fortnight when stepping up from 10, then nightly as tolerated, with moisturiser over the top as standard practice.

High SPF every morning, without exception.

Use alongside

The strongest night anchor on our shelves: any C-Tetra by day, all acids resting on retinal nights, Total Moisture or a rich cream closing. Nothing else in the routine should be fighting for attention, at this strength the retinal is the routine, and everything around it is support.