Pure retinol is yellow.
According to experts, retinol in its purest form is distinctly yellow and cannot be bleached to lose this color. This natural hue is an inherent characteristic of the molecule. The reference states, "Retinol should be yellow and is yellow in its purest form—it cannot be bleached."
Why is the Color Significant?
The color of pure retinol is important, especially when considering skincare products. While pure retinol is yellow, many skincare creams containing retinol are white.
- Pure Retinol: Always yellow.
- Skincare Products: Often white, which can be a sign that the concentration of active retinol might be low or the formulation uses less pure forms or derivatives. As the reference points out, "Many retinol creams on the market are white, which likely means they lack enough active vitamin A to work."
Understanding the true color of pure retinol helps consumers and formulators recognize the substance's properties and potential stability challenges. Retinol is a notoriously difficult ingredient to work with in skincare because it can quickly degrade and lose its effectiveness when exposed to light, air, or heat, and the yellow color is a visual indicator of its presence in its pure form.
