Compound library / Topical / Skincare

Retinol (OTC)

Over-the-counter retinoid that converts to retinoic acid in the skin; milder and slower than tretinoin but with far less irritation for beginners.

CategoryTopical / Skincare
Typical routeTopical
Half-lifeN/A — topical, minimal systemic absorption
Common dose rangePea-sized amount, 2-3x/week initially, building up as tolerated (0.25-1% strength)
Typical cycle lengthOngoing — visible results typically take 8-12 weeks

BioHack Track models Retinol (OTC) at a half-life of 4 hours, so every dose you log is decayed against that curve and the app shows what is still circulating — not just what you typed.

Reconstitution

Topical cream/serum; no reconstitution needed.

Storage

Store in an opaque, airtight container away from light — retinol degrades quickly with air/light exposure.

Cautions

Can cause dryness, peeling, and increased sun sensitivity; daily SPF strongly recommended. Avoid combining with other strong actives (e.g. AHA/BHA) on the same night when starting.

Track Retinol (OTC) in BioHack Track. Half-life, dose range and route come pre-filled from this library — log a dose and the app counts your vial down, models what is in your system, and puts it on the same chart as your labs and body composition.

Others in Topical / Skincare

Look up the research

These open a search of each database for Retinol (OTC) — they are not citations, and nothing here is evidence for any particular dose. The same links are in the app.

Work it out