Vellum Retinaldehyde 0.3% amber pump bottle — three-quarter studio shot

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Actives · Retinoid Serum

Vellum Retinaldehyde 0.3%

0.3% encapsulated retinaldehyde + 0.2% HPR — buffered to pH 5.5

Retinaldehyde is one chemical step away from Rx tretinoin and converts faster than retinol — with a measurably lower irritation profile. We use it at 0.3%, encapsulated for shelf stability and slow release.

BestsellerDerm-reviewedFragrance-freeVegan

Size15 mLStarter — $5830 mLFull size — $9230 mL · RefillRefill pouch — $74 (save $18)

$92

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Free US shipping over $50 · 60-day risk-free returns · Ships same-day if ordered by 2pm PT

Derm-reviewed
UCSF advisory panel
Cruelty-free
Leaping Bunny certified
1,800-ingredient
Screened & excluded

Why retinaldehyde

Retinoic acid (the molecule in Rx tretinoin) is the form that actually does the work on your skin. Most over-the- counter retinoids — retinol, retinyl palmitate — have to convert two or three steps before they reach retinoic acid. Each conversion loses potency.

Retinaldehyde sits one step away. It converts to retinoic acid faster, at a higher conversion rate, with measurably lower irritation than retinol at equivalent strength. The formulation literature has been consistent on this point since the 1990s.

We use it at 0.3% — the upper end of the published clinical range — encapsulated in a hydroxypinacolone matrix that keeps the molecule stable in the bottle and releases it slowly into the skin.

How to use

Week 1–2: Apply 2–3 pumps to clean, dry skin three evenings a week. Follow with the Cushion Cream Light or Ceramide Recovery Balm.

Week 3–4: Build to four evenings a week.

Week 5+: Nightly, as tolerated. Always finish with SPF 30+ in the morning.

Pairs well on alternate evenings with Tranexamic Brightening Serum (pigmentation work) and Peptide Repair Concentrate (collagen support).

Full ingredients

Aqua, Squalane, Glycerin, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinaldehyde, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.

Specifications

Actives: 0.3% retinaldehyde + 0.2% HPR
Vehicle base: Squalane / glycerin emulsion
pH: 5.4 – 5.6
Fragrance: Fragrance-free, essential-oil-free
Vegan: Yes
Sensitive skin: Yes — clinically tested
Cruelty-free: Leaping Bunny certified
Packaging: Amber UV-protective glass · airless pump

Shipping & returns

Free US shipping on orders over $50. Standard delivery 3–5 business days. Expedited 2-day and overnight at checkout. Every package carbon-offset through the Climate Neutral program.

Try Vellum risk-free for 60 days. If your skin doesn’t love it, email hello@vellumbeauty.co for a full refund — even if the bottle is empty. No return shipping needed.

Clean-Tested1,800+ ingredient screen

Dermatologist-ReviewedBoard-certified panel

Cruelty-FreeLeaping Bunny certified

Carbon-NeutralClimate Neutral Certified

Listed on the bottle

Four actives, four reasons they’re in here.

Every Vellum bottle lists the percentage of every active on the front. If a molecule is below the studied threshold, it doesn’t go in.

0.3%

Retinaldehyde

Encapsulated in HPR matrix; closest off-the-shelf molecule to Rx tretinoin.

0.2%

Hydroxypinacolone retinoate

Ester-stable retinoid; supports the aldehyde without stacking irritation.

0.5%

Bisabolol

Chamomile-derived; calms visible redness from the active.

Vehicle

Squalane (olive-derived)

Bioidentical lipid; restores barrier disturbed by retinoid conversion.

Start slow, build up

The first six weeks, step by step.

The retinoid your skin actually tolerates is the one you stay on. Build slowly. We’ll be in your inbox at weeks 2, 4, and 8 with check-ins.

Week 1–2 · Three nights a week
After cleansing, press two pumps into damp skin. Follow with Cushion Cream Light. Skip nights where skin feels reactive — this isn’t a race.
Week 3–4 · Four nights a week
Skin should feel calm by now. Move to four nights and introduce the Glass Skin Mask one Sunday for a barrier reset.
Week 5–8 · Build to nightly
As tolerated. Most users land on five to six nights a week and stay there. The bottle lasts roughly 90 days at nightly use.
Every morning · SPF 30+
Non-negotiable. Retinaldehyde works at the dermal layer — unprotected sun exposure undoes the work. Morning Veil SPF 50 is formulated specifically to layer with this routine.

Independent clinical, 12 weeks

80 participants. Dermatologist-graded. Measured, not promised.

91%
measurable improvement in fine lines at 12 weeks
78%
reduction in visible hyperpigmentation at 12 weeks
94%
said they would repurchase at 12 weeks
0%
discontinued for irritation (clinical-grade tolerability)

Independent third-party study, 80 participants ages 28–62, all skin types and Fitzpatrick I–VI. Graded by board-certified dermatologists at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Full study summary available on request.

218 verified reviews

4.9

96% would recommend to a friend

Write a review

★★★★★

The first retinoid my skin tolerated

I’ve tried tretinoin, adapalene, three brands of retinol — and every single one gave me a six-week flare. This one didn’t. Three nights a week for two months, then nightly, and the lines around my eyes are visibly softer. The amber pump is also a small luxury every evening.

Mira L.

Verified buyer · 30 mL · 14 weeks of use

★★★★★

Genuinely earns the price tag

I bought this because the dermatologist I see at UCSF mentioned 0.3% retinaldehyde is the dose the formulation literature supports. I was skeptical at $92. After eight weeks: fewer breakouts, brighter cheeks, no peeling. I will be repurchasing.

Jordan M.

Verified buyer · 30 mL · 8 weeks of use

★★★★★

Sensitive-skin safe, finally

Rosacea-adjacent reactive skin. I patch-tested on my jawline for a week, then went all-in. Zero stinging, zero flushing. The Cushion Cream Light on top makes the whole routine wearable. Wish I’d found this two years ago.

Priya R.

Verified buyer · 30 mL · 10 weeks of use

From our derm advisory panel

“0.3% retinaldehyde, encapsulated, buffered to pH 5.5 — this is the formulation I describe to patients when they ask what they can buy off the shelf that’s honest about its dose. The literature on retinaldehyde tolerability versus retinol is consistent, and Vellum has built around that.”

Dr. Anna Reyes, MD, FAADBoard-Certified Dermatologist · Vellum Clinical Panel

The Vellum Circle

Join us for early access and $10 off your first order.

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Free US shipping over $5060-day risk-free returnsTwo free samples with every order

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Vellum Retinaldehyde 0.3%

Four actives, four reasons they’re in here.

Retinaldehyde

Hydroxypinacolone retinoate

Bisabolol

Squalane (olive-derived)

The first six weeks, step by step.

Week 1–2 · Three nights a week

Week 3–4 · Four nights a week

Week 5–8 · Build to nightly

Every morning · SPF 30+

80 participants. Dermatologist-graded. Measured, not promised.

4.9★★★★★

The first retinoid my skin tolerated

Genuinely earns the price tag

Sensitive-skin safe, finally

The full evening routine, in order.

Tranexamic Brightening Serum

Slow Resurface AHA Pad

Ceramide Recovery Balm

Niacinamide Daily 10%

Join us for early access and $10 off your first order.

4.9