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.
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
The brand makes a handful of retinol products, but the Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment is the one that really packs a punch. It contains 1% pure retinol, making it one of the strongest over the counter retinol options on the market.
Tazarotene. This is the most powerful retinoid, available by prescription only.
For aging skin, dermatologists like to prescribe tretinoin and retinoic acid (Retin-A, Renova, Refissa) that is "100 times" as potent as the retinol-containing products sold without prescription, Jacob says. "Tretinoin works better because it has a stronger capability of preventing the breakdown of collagen," she says.
In general, retinoids are stronger than retinol. They contain a higher concentration of the product, and the molecular structure of vitamin A in this form allows it to turn over skin cells at a faster rate than retinol.
“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,” Dr. Rogers explains. When choosing a retinol product for the first time, it's best to start with the lowest concentration before moving up.
Retinoids work best if you use them daily. Specifically, they should be used at night because some types are deactivated by light and air. It's important to start slowly and allow your skin time to adjust. Using too much too quickly can cause redness, dryness, and irritation.
Two of the most common products used to keep skin in excellent condition are hyaluronic acid and retinol. What should a person use between hyaluronic acid or retinol? Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production.
“This is different from traditional retinol because it causes less skin dryness, irritation, and flaking, which makes the product more tolerable.” This technology also creates a more stable product with a prolonged shelf-life, adds Dr. Marie V.
What it is: Shani Darden Retinol Reform is a retinol and lactic acid serum that gives you anti-aging and anti-acne benefits without the usual irritation that retinoids can cause. Created by a celebrity facialist, it contains 2.2% encapsulated retinol and 2% lactic acid, in a lightweight but moisturizing base.
Later studies evaluated Tretinoin 0.05%. While both were equally effective over a one year period, Tretinoin 0.1% was able to achieve cosmetic improvement in 6 months while 0.05% required closer to 12 months. Finally, 0.025% was compared to 0.1% and it was found that both produced similar improvements in photoaging.
While prescription-strength retinoids may have an effect in a matter of weeks, it can take up to 6 months for OTC retinols to produce the same results. You may notice a difference in conditions like acne after 12 weeks, but sun damage and signs of aging can take much, much longer to improve.
Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.
Retinol is found in numerous over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products. The difference between them is depth and speed! Retin-A penetrates immediately and into deeper layers of your skin to repair instantly. Retinol takes a while to penetrate and repair.
Retinol cream is a vitamin A metabolite in a cream form used to treat skin conditions such as acne while also acting as an anti-aging product. On the other hand, retinol serum is a water-based vitamin A metabolite in serum form used to treat skin conditions such as acne while also acting as an anti-aging product.
Serums contain higher concentrations of active ingredients, and since they're so thin and light, Dr. Van Dyke says, they penetrate skin more efficiently than creams. And since they're grease-free, serums work especially well for people with oily skin.
As a result of its effects on your skin's cellular turnover speed, tretinoin reduces the appearance of wrinkles, evens out your skin's pigmentation and also treats skin issues such as acne. The end result is smoother, younger looking skin that's much less affected by fine lines, wrinkles or other common signs of aging.
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.
If your dermatologist recommends retinol or another retinoid, request a prescription. Then, use RxSaver to look for the pharmacy with the best pricing and have your prescription filled at that location. This may help you save up to 80% on the medication.
Retinal + Retinaldehyde
“Retinal is more effective than retinol and less irritating than a prescription Rx, which makes it reliable at delivering swift results,” says Cline.
According to Dr. Zeichner, most over-the-counter retinol products don't contain more than 1% retinol, though some products have up to 2% or higher. It's also important to keep in mind that a retinol concentration below 0.25% won't be effective.