INCI name

RETINOL

Vitamin A

Skin conditioning – miscellaneousreviewed

A form of vitamin A subject to concentration limits in the EU.

What it is

Retinol is a form of vitamin A. It is used in skin care products, often for mature skin. Vitamin A and its esters are subject to maximum concentration limits in EU cosmetics.

Where it is used

Night creams, serums and eye creams.

Limits of interpretation

The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.

See the EU regulation section for the applicable limits and their dates of application.

Functions

Skin conditioning – miscellaneous: Enhancing the appearance of dry and/or damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring suppleness.

EU regulation

EU · Annex III, entry 376(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-ol; [(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] acetate; [(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] hexadecanoate

Product type: (a) Body lotion (b) other leave-on and rinse-off products
Maximum concentration: (a) 0,05 % Retinol Equivalent (RE) (b) 0,3 % RE
Conditions and warnings: For any cosmetic product containing Retinol, Retinyl Acetate or Retinyl Palmitate the following, labelling is obligatory: ‘Contains Vitamin A. Consider your daily intake before use’.
As of: 3 November 2026 · (EU) 2024/996

Scientific opinions (SCCS)

Opinions of the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety that mention this ingredient. They assess specific uses and concentrations; read the opinion for its scope.

Products with this ingredient (129)

Check a full ingredient list