retinol

American  

[ret-n-awl, -ol] / ˈrɛt nˌɔl, -ˌɒl /

noun

1. vitamin A.

2. Chemistry. a yellowish oil, C 3 2 H 1 6 , obtained by the distillation of resin, used as a solvent and as an antiseptic.

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retinol British  

/ ˈrɛtɪˌnɒl /

noun

1. another name for vitamin A2

2. another name for rosin oil

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retinol Scientific  

/ rĕt′n-ôl′ /

1. See vitamin A

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Etymology

Origin of retinol

First recorded in 1830–40; from Greek rhētī́n(e) “resin” ( see resin) + -ol ¹

Example Sentences

Rather than try one of the many remedies being promoted online, she slathered her neck with a retinol face cream and wrapped it in plastic wrap from her kitchen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

She recommends focusing on how high up the active ingredient - the one that triggers the effect, like retinol or vitamin C - is in the ingredients list.

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2025

Beauty-store barbarian Sephora tweens stampeding through skin-care aisles and slathering their baby faces in retinol?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2024

Ingredients like retinol or skin care routines that involve multiple steps may not be suitable for people in their teens, they note.

From New York Times • Mar. 16, 2024

Another key ingredient in topical products geared toward hyperpigmentation is retinol, which is a derivative of vitamin A. Both salicylic acid and retinol help with hyperpigmentation by limiting additional pigment production, explains Anolik.

From Slate • Nov. 5, 2022