retinol

noun

ret·​i·​nol ˈre-tə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: the chief and typical vitamin A C₂₀H₂₉OH that is a highly unsaturated alicyclic alcohol used in various forms in medicine and nutrition

Examples of retinol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bottom line is that retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is the single most important active for aging skin. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 1 July 2026

This seals in hydration rather than letting product sit on top of dry skin, which matters most for body serums, retinol lotions and KP treatments. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026

This seals in hydration instead of letting product sit on top of dry skin, and the timing matters most for body serums, retinol lotions and keratosis pilaris treatments. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026

CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Retinol Serum smoothes and hydrates with a retinol formula that’s gentle on sensitive skin. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 26 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

retin- + -ol entry 1; from its being the source of retinal

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for retinol

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol

Kids Definition

retinol

noun

ret·​i·​nol ˈret-ᵊn-ˌȯl 

-ˌōl

: the most common form of vitamin A

Medical Definition

retinol

noun

ret·​i·​nol ˈret-ᵊn-ˌȯl  -ˌōl 

: vitamin a sense a