1 These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'minimalist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
In the most basic terms, retinol is the whole vitamin A molecule, which is one of the best vitamins for your skin. Vitamin A is a potent antioxidant, and works to protect your skin from free radicals, generates cell growth, and repairs damaged cells.
The two are often believed to be interchangeable, but the main difference is that retinol is eventually converted into retinoic acid. Retinol is a natural form of vitamin A, while Retin-A is derived from retinoic acid, a synthetic derivative of vitamin A, and considered pharmaceutical.