These two anti-aging ingredients aren't entirely different. In fact, retinol is a type of retinoid. However, retinoid most often describes more powerful prescription products, while retinol generally refers to weaker over-the-counter (OTC) formulas. As board certified dermatologist Dr.
Retinoic Acid. As mentioned earlier, retinoic acid is the most potent form of retinoids. “This is the end point molecule that is biologically active on skin, and is therefore the strongest,” says Dr. Rabach.
Technically, retinol and Retin-A do the same thing. But retinol is much weaker than Retin-A because it first has to be converted into retinoic acid in order to be used by the skin. Retin-A is retinoic acid, so it can be used directly by the skin as soon as it's applied.
Unlike retinol, Retin-A is already in retinoic acid form so the skin does not need to convert it. As such, Retin-A is effective immediately upon application. This means Retin-A is not only more powerful than retinol, but it works faster.
So, should I use vitamin C or retinol for wrinkles? Well, when it comes right down to it, the choice is really in what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is incredible for the skin because of its ability to help brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, the best active ingredient for wrinkles is retinol.
Differin became available over the counter three years ago and is now widely available at drugstores. “It uses the weakest form of a retinoid, but it's still stronger than any over-the-counter retinols,” Saedi says.
It may seem surprising, but even small percentages of retinol can benefit your skin. Percentages of 0.01% retinol or greater are proven to be effective at improving multiple signs of ageing, reducing pore size and improving the overall health of your skin.
For the purposes of skin care, tretinoin can be thought of as a more concentrated version of retinol. This means that tretinoin is stronger than retinol. This difference in strength can help guide your decision-making when it comes to choosing a skin care product. Your skin is affected by more than what you put on it.
With that said, pro-retinol is not the same as retinol. For one, it is much milder and more stable than retinol, which degrades easily when exposed to sunlight. This comes with pros and cons. On the plus side, pro-retinol products are less likely to irritate as retinol and other strong vitamin A derivatives can.
“Studies suggest you need to use at least 0.25% retinol or 0.025% tretinoin to be effective, so I recommend using a product that specifies the percentage.” When choosing a retinol product, Dr. Rogers says it's best to start with the lowest concentration before moving up.
0.3% – a relatively low but effective dose of retinol. "0.3% retinol is enough to give a good effect but also enough not to put the skin at risk or irritate the skin," continued Abi. "There are creams out there formulated at 1% and 2% but in my experience consumers don't always use retinol properly.
This is a low but effective dose which is enough to provide skin with all the benefits of retinol without the irritation. The 1.5% on the packaging refers to the formula it sits in, which includes ingredients such as matrixyl 3000, a protein thought to increase collagen production and promote plump skin.
First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.
The Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream formula contains a strong 1% concentration of retinol, which is one of the highest concentrations you can get over-the-counter.
It's 0.3% retinol (a percentage specifically chosen because No7's trials showed it produced effective results with little irritation) mixed with other milder retinoids and active ingredients.
The cream is No7's first clinically-proven advanced retinol concentration and promises to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, along with a slew of anti-ageing benefits. It also says it can refine pores, increase elasticity, reduce hyperpigmentation and improve collagen levels, too.
No7's age-defying Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate combines No7's unique retinol complex with Matrixyl 3000+, to reboot and renew skin. Lines look smoother, pores & texture look refined and skin tone more even, while skin appears firmer, lifted and more radiant.
Moderate-strength retinol – 0.03% to 0.3%
If you experience skin concerns like uneven skin tone or texture and a visible loss of firmness, try adding a stronger retinol product to your routine such as 0.03% to 0.2% retinol products. Start by using 2-3 nights a week and build usage to see how your skin responds.
Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.
Both Differin Gel and CeraVe retinol serum are retinoid products. Their retinol percentage is at 0.1%, which dermatologists recommend for all skin types.
The results showed that, after eight weeks, the retinol moisturizer was significantly more efficacious than the vehicle in improving lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness and overall photodamage. Many of these differences were significant at week 4, with a progressive improvement to week 8.
Retin- A (Tretinoin)
Retin-A is referenced as being 100 times stronger than retinol. It also has a more immediate effect because it is formulated as retinoic acid; unlike retinols, no conversion by the body is required. As such, many users of Retin-A experience notable improvements in as little as 4-8 weeks.
According to Dr. Heather D. Rogers, a board-certified dermatologist in Seattle, Wash., retinol comes in multiple strengths; the most common are 1%, 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.25%. If your product doesn't specify the percentage of retinol on the label, it usually means the concentration is weaker than 0.25%.
Pro-retinol is milder than retinol and doesn't degrade when exposed to the sun's rays. The gentler formula of pro-retinol means it is less likely to irritate your skin and cause redness than other retinoids, making it the better choice for anyone with sensitive skin, acne or rosacea.