Tretinoin vs Retinol
What’s the difference?
We want to keep our skin glowing and looking youthful or take years off our look. While others might be wanting to get rid of acne and or acne scarring.
While there’s a selection of anti-aging products out there —Whether it's brightening, repairing damage from sun exposure, or reducing wrinkles and fine lines — In order address anti-aging, we heard about or decided to use retinoids - retinol or tretinoin (brand name retin-a).
Retinoids for skincare usage is all the rage right now, be it retinol or tretinoin. So how do you know what is what? Retinol or Tretinoin?
Retinol is a Retinoid, but Retin-a is not Retinol, and Tretinoin is Retin-a.
Confused yet?
We are here to help decode the terms and get you on your way to knowing which skin-beautifying product you really want!
Tretinoin and Retinol are Retinoids.
What are Retinoids
Retinoid(s) are chemical compounds related to vitamin A - including Retinol, and Tretinoin (the chemical found in Retin-a). Retinoids are the most effective ingredient for improving the signs of aging. A great addition for anyone wanting a smoother, brighter, and clearer looking complexion.
While tretinoin and retinol are alike, they are not quite the same.
When it comes to skincare the difference between tretinoin and retinol is the prescription strength.
Think prescription vs over the counter (OTC) pain medication. Both serve the same purpose, but we can all agree that prescription pain medication are the concentrated and powerful version of otc pain medication. Prescription pain medication are intended to lessen severe intense pain.
Same way tretinoin can be thought of as the intense, concentrated version of retinol. This means that tretinoin is stronger than retinol.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin is a powerful and potent prescription-strength retinoid that has been scientifically proven to reverse skin aging, to reduce hyperpigmentation, fight wrinkles, and boost collagen.
Tretinoin also exfoliates the surface of the skin sweeps away dead skin cells while promoting cellular turnover thereby unclogging pores. Another reason it’s used for acne treatment.
Tretinoin improves and penetrates faster than retinol.
Retinol
Retinol is also an effective anti-aging ingredient but much gentler than tretinoin. It is beneficial to individuals with sensitive skin. First time retinoid users should use retinol first, so your skin is accustomed to it.
What to use, Tretinoin or Retinol? Which is better?
Individuals that simply want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles should stick with a retinol cream.
Tretinoin is ideal for individuals with severe skin concerns such as acne, fine lines or severe hyperpigmentation.
The bottom line for tretinoin vs retinol: retinol is perfectly fine to use in the long-term as an anti-aging treatment, while tretinoin is the only proven solution for more severe concerns such as acne and hyperpigmentation / scarring, in addition to photoaging.
Retinoids can be drying, and their use in combination with AHAs gives strong hydration. Thus the combination of a retinoid with an AHA allows for optimum results and minimum discomfort to the client. After using a skin care product with retinoids, especially retinol, it is convenient to follow up with a good moisturizer for best effect, to prevent skin dryness and reduce potential irritation.
Sunscreen should be a staple in your skin care routine, whether you’re using tretinoin or retinol.