Tretinoin is an anti-aging powerhouse, meaning it should have no problem dispatching fine lines and wrinkles. It does not work for deeper wrinkles. Hydroquinone doesn't work at all against fine lines and wrinkles, so stick to the collagen-boosting power of tretinoin.
Tazarotene may get you results much faster than tretinoin, especially if you have a lot of very visible sun damage on your face, and in one study tazarotene worked more effectively for photodamage, fine wrinkling, mottled hyperpigmentation, and coarse wrinkling.
Tretinoin and hydroquinone can be used together, particularly in cases of moderate to severe melasma or darkening of the skin. Using tretinoin and hydroquinone has been clinically shown to significantly improve hyperpigmentation, skin texture, sallowness, wrinkling, and skin clarity.
Arbutin has been found to be the most effective active ingredient in our study, even more so than hydroquinone, despite being a naturally occurring derivative.
Tretinoin is a popular prescription retinoid that can reduce acne, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles.
Tretinoin is mainly used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or acne, while hydroquinone is best for lightening dark spots and melasma. Tretinoin is a synthetic derivative of vitamin A. You may also hear it called retinoic acid or Retin-A. It's extremely potent — up to 20 times stronger than other retinoids like retinol.
The skin will be more prone to sunburn, dryness, or irritation, especially during the first 2 or 3 weeks. However, you should not stop using this medicine unless the skin irritation becomes too severe.
Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a depigmentation agent that is present in many skin bleaching products. A person can buy a 2% solution over the counter or seek a prescription for a stronger 4% solution.
Alternative lightening agents including mequinol, arbutin, kojic acid, and others have shown comparable efficacy to hydroquinone in treating hyperpigmentation with less concerning side effects.
Should I apply hydroquinone or tretinoin first? According to Dr. Mohta, if you are using two separate medications, you should apply hydroquinone in the evening after applying tretinoin.
Best for Dark Spots: Wisp Firm Up!
The pre-made formula pairs 0.04% tretinoin (a middle-of-the-road concentration) with azelaic acid and niacinamide, both of which work to fade discoloration and even out skin tone.
“Tretinoin is widely used for anti-aging because it increases cell turnover and stimulates collagen production, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots,” says Dr. Chacon.
By stimulating the rapid turnover of skin cells, tretinoin can aid in lightening hyperpigmentation over time. Longitudinal studies have demonstrated tretinoin's efficacy in treating hyperpigmentation, particularly when used in combination with other lightening agents.
The strongest tretinoin available is 0.1%—that's 10 times stronger than the lowest percentage. But no matter the strength, all percentages of tretinoin require a healthcare provider's prescription (FDA, n.d.). To figure out which product or strength you need, consult a healthcare provider.
Most commonly, celebrities resort to chemical peels or laser therapy to get rid of hyperpigmentation fast. Others opt for vitamin C supplements, retinol, or serums to lighten their skin.
Deoxyarbutin. Deoxyarbutin (Chemical structure 22, Figure 4) was shown to be an effective inhibitor of mushroom TYR in vitro more potent than hydroquinone and arbutin [100,101].
Second, the finding that azelaic acid has a better safety profile than hydroquinone suggests that it may be especially suitable for individuals susceptible to skin irritation or concerned about hydroquinone's potential adverse effects.
In South Korea, OTC hydroquinone has been banned by federal regulations; however, imported and online cosmetic products containing hydroquinone, mercury, and steroid agents are available.
In China, Korea, and Japan, washing one's face with rice water was also practiced, as it was believed to naturally whiten skin. Historians also noted that as East Asian women immigrated to the United States, immigrant women engaged in skin lightening more frequently than women who did not immigrate.
Some people may experience side effects when using tretinoin, especially as their skin adjusts. Also, it's possible for irritation from tretinoin to make skin darker, especially if you have more melanated skin.
Dr. Mohta says that tretinoin can be used long term, even your entire life, as tretinoin is commonly used for the treatment of acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Dr. Mohta, also says that it may be necessary to use tretinoin for a few weeks before you can notice changes in your skin.
Tretinoin must not be taken by patients who are pregnant or who may become pregnant. There is a high risk that tretinoin will cause the baby to be born with birth defects (physical problems that are present at birth). If you can become pregnant, you will need to avoid pregnancy during your treatment with tretinoin.