Retinal and Retinol Understanding the Latest Safety Findings

Australia’s latest assessment of retinal has brought renewed attention to vitamin A ingredients in skincare and the alternatives available for those who prefer to avoid them.

In July 2026, the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme, AICIS, announced that retinal, also known as retinaldehyde, had been identified as a developmental toxicant. This means it has the potential to harm the development of an unborn baby. From 27 June 2026, importers and manufacturers must obtain an AICIS assessment certificate before introducing retinal for consumer use, including skincare. This introduces additional oversight rather than a blanket ban. [1]

What about retinol??

 

Concerns around vitamin A and pregnancy predate this announcement. Retinol has also been subject to existing Australian controls: AICIS notes that topical vitamin A preparations above 1% fall within prescription-only scheduling and in Europe Retinol can only be used at 0.3% for serums and creams.  Its separate June 2026 assessment concluded that retinol and the retinol esters assessed also warrant classification as human developmental toxicants. [2]

Pregnancy precautions extend to skincare applied to the skin. Dermatology guidance recommends avoiding retinol during pregnancy. Absorption from topical products is much lower than from oral retinoid medicines, so their risks should not be presented as equivalent. For topical retinoid medicines, European regulators recommend avoidance during pregnancy and when planning pregnancy as a precaution. [3, 4]

The science behind bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is a botanical active with a different chemical structure from retinol and retinal. Often described as a natural retinol alternative, bakuchiol itself is not a vitamin A retinoid.

A small, randomised clinical trial published in the British Journal of Dermatology compared 0.5% bakuchiol applied twice daily with 0.5% retinol applied once daily over 12 weeks. Both groups experienced improvements in wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, with no statistically significant difference between groups for those outcomes. Retinol users reported more scaling and stinging. The different application schedules and small study size matter, but the findings support bakuchiol as a promising alternative for these concerns. [5]

Results without compromise

We choose not to use Vitamin A derived Retinol and Retinal because you can get the same results with the next generation actives RetinART & Bakuchiol 

Our Bio Retinol Crème combines  RetinART®, a microalgae-derived retinol alternative, with bakuchiol. RetinART’s scientific testing shows improvements in visible wrinkles, firmness and uneven pigmentation. Together, these actives are chosen to support a smoother, firmer-looking complexion within a nourishing crème. [6]

Our Bakuchiol Cell Regenerating Serum brings bakuchiol together with carotenoid rich cacay and rosehip oils, plus 10% ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, an oil-soluble vitamin C derivative. The botanical oils nourish the skin, while the vitamin C derivative is included for collagen support and a brighter, more even-looking complexion. Vitamin C plays an essential role in collagen formation. [7, 8]

A considered combination of botanical oils and scientifically studied actives, for visible results without compromise. 

Sources

1. AICIS. Retinal introductions for consumer use now need assessment by AICIS. 14 July 2026. https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/news-and-notices/retinal-introductions-consumer-use-now-need-assessment-aicis

2. AICIS. Retinol and retinol esters. Evaluation EVA00187. 26 June 2026. https://cdnservices.industrialchemicals.gov.au/statements/EVA00187%20-%20Evaluation%20Statement%20-%2026%20June%202026.pdf

3. American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologist approved pregnancy skin care. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/pregnancy-skin-care

4. European Medicines Agency. Updated measures for pregnancy prevention during retinoid use. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/updated-measures-pregnancy-prevention-during-retinoid-use

5. Dhaliwal S et al. British Journal of Dermatology. 2019;180:289–296. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.16918

6. ALGAKTIV. RetinART ingredient information and supplier efficacy studies. Ingredient data do not establish results for the finished Wildcrafted formula. https://retinart.algaktiv.com/

7. Nikko Chemicals. NIKKOL VC IPVS. Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate ingredient information. https://in.nikkolgroup.com/products/vc-ipvs/

8. Booth BA et al. Collagen biosynthesis by human skin fibroblasts III. Laboratory research on ascorbic acid, rather than the finished serum. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6266492/