Retinal Renew 0.1% Retinaldehyde Gel — Reddit Reviews
by Prequel
Updated November 10, 2026
0.1% retinal smooths and brightens with ectoin-backed comfort; slower results.
What the community says
A 0.1% retinaldehyde gel with ectoin, glycerin, and emollients gives retinoid beginners a more cushioned night treatment than harsher prescription starts. It fits sensitive or dry skin, but expect gradual payoff and a careful every-other-night ramp.
What this means for you
What people love
- 0.1% retinaldehyde — beginner-friendly OTC strength
- Ectoin plus a moisturizing, soothing base
- Comfortable enough for sensitive skin and tret-intolerant necks
Product details
Concerns
Skin Type
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says
Retinal has some evidence for helping with signs of aging, with most of the 9 studies reporting smoother skin and fewer wrinkles 1. Some studies also found firmer, thicker skin with better elasticity, and one found a stronger strength improved skin tone 1. Across these studies, side effects were generally mild and the ingredient was described as safe 1.
- Retinal for anti-aging Some evidence · 9 studies
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
How we grade researchFull ingredient list · 34
Prequel Retinal Renew 0.1% Retinaldehyde Gel ingredients
Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Hydroxyapatite, Retinal, Ectoin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Tocopherol, Boron Nitride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, C9-12 Alkane, Castor Oil/IPDI Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Carbomer, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.
Real Reddit threads — 34 mentions across 27 threads
Prequel Retinal Renew 0.1% Retinaldehyde Gel on Reddit, in one place — 27 threads from r/AsianBeauty, r/40plusskincare and 5 more, summarized.
“Prequel retinal”
Positive
“Prequel retinal (which i let absorb on my dry skin for 10-15 mins)”
Positive
“*two days a week I sub in Prequels milky peel for the retinal”
Positive
“Tretinoin/Retinaldehyde (Prequel .1%).”
Positive
“What I’m actually using:”
Positive
“I have tons of sun damage”
Positive
“You need spf and moisturizer in the daytime and either a retinal (Prequel has a good one)”
Mentioned
“For now start with those steps!”
Mentioned
“Spf is a must!!”
Mentioned
“A retinal serum ( Prequel seems to have good ones)”
Mentioned
“follow the instructions to build the use of it”
Mentioned
“do not just start using every night”
Mentioned
“Prequel Retinal comes in two strengths”
Mentioned
“and is formulated with ectoin, etc.”
Mentioned
“even a cosmetic retinal with soothing ingredients”
Mentioned
“or Prequel's retinal, for example.”
Mentioned
“You could try some gentler otc retinoids, like a gentle ROC retinol or Prequel's retinal”
Mentioned
“the otc products take a bit longer to work”
Mentioned
