Why the retinol ban in the EU doesn't matter
The European Union recently decided that products containing retinol or retinol must have a concentration of less than 0.05% in body lotions and less than 0.3% in hand and face creams. This applies for products from 1 November 2025 onwards. It also applies to retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitat, which are weaker forms of retinol. [1]
However, this regulation does not apply to stronger retinoids such as retinaldehyde. If you want to replicate the effect of a cream with 1% retinol, you can use a cream with 0.1% retinaldehyde. Most brands that sell retinol products also sell retinaldehyde products. You can still use retinaldehyde without any restrictions and even without any prescription. Prescription retinoids such as tretinoin (Retin-A) and adapalene (Differin) are also not affected by the new regulation, and remain available with a prescription.
Products that will not be available anymore include Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment, Medik8 Intelligent Retinol 6TR and 10TR and The Ordinary Retinol Serum 1% in Squalane. There are alternatives containing retinaldehyde, such as Medik8 Crystal Retinal and The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion.
