From an anti-aging perspective, tretinoin is the better choice for most people, with a great track record of reducing wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and other signs of skin aging.
In clinical trials comparing adapalene and Tretinoin, both ingredients have been equally effective at fighting acne. Patients find adapalene gel less irritating, but one study found more rapid acne improvement with Tretinoin gel.
“Differin is a fantastic anti-aging product as it stimulates collagen production by cells in our dermis (the deeper layer of the skin),” she explained. "This is what helps with fine lines and overall skin thickness."
1% tretinoin. Most anti-aging studies show that the best results usually come from moderate strength tretinoin creams, such as those that contain . 05% tretinoin.
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.
Does Retin-A (tretinoin) help reverse skin aging? Yes. Retin-A, whose active ingredient is tretinoin, has been shown to have positive effects on both the deeper collagen layers of your skin as well as the upper most layer that is comprised of skin cells.
Overall, tretinoin has become something of an “industry standard” retinoid for good reason — it's affordable, effective and safe. It works quickly and well, with studies showing reductions in acne lesions, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation (dark spots) for some people in as few as three months of use.
Differin 0.1% Adapalene Gel, for example, can help treat acne. Studies have found evidence to suggest adapalene is just as effective as stronger retinoids, but the skin tends to tolerate it better.
In conclusion, tretinoin and adapalene contributed to the wound healing process resulting in an enhancement of collagen production, angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation.
Conclusions: Adapalene offers comparable efficacy to tretinoin, but is less irritating. It represents a good alternative for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris in Chinese patients.
They also help with anti-aging by stimulating the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin circulation and vibrancy. It can take up to 12 months before the improvement in wrinkles is visibly noticed (average 6-12 months and sometimes as early as 3 months).
In addition, several over-the-counter products containing retinoids, such as retinol, are available. Because they're not as strong (and thus less irritating), they are not as effective in reducing wrinkles as tretinoin; but they do improve the appearance of photo-aged skin.
Accordingly, numerous clinical trials have compared adapalene and tretinoin in the management of acne vulgaris and concluded that tretinoin 0.05% gel exhibits a greater anti-acne efficacy than adapalene 0.1% gel, but has higher skin irritation potential.
Tretinoin and Retinol Have Different Strengths
As the stronger substance, tretinoin is a more effective substance when treating conditions such as acne and is an ideal choice for those with oily or highly-tolerant skin. It also has substantial anti-wrinkle properties.
Though it's not yet understood exactly how these treatments reduce acne symptoms, testing has suggested a fairly simple account of how they differ: adapalene is less likely to cause further irritation, but tretinoin is more potent.
Tretinoin strength studies
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.
“Topical retinoids such as tretinoin cream and topical benzoyl peroxide will deactivate each other,” says Dr. Mraz Robinson. “You can mix other forms of topical retinoids such as adapalene [now OTC] with benzoyl peroxide, but this can increase the risk for irritation and inability to tolerate the topicals.”
In simple terms, tretinoin not only produces an improvement in skin quality and a reduction in wrinkles in short-term studies -- it's also highly effective at reducing wrinkles, discoloration and other signs of aging when used over the long term.
After 6 months. At 6 months, your skin continues to improve with new collagen in place and fresh blood vessels to bring in skin nutrients. Looking at your skin, it would appear more smooth and firm.
Adults younger than 50 years of age—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin once a day, at bedtime. Adults 50 years of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
The only skin care product that can truly provide a slight tightening effect with regular use is Retin A, or Tretinoin. This is because Vitamin A helps speed up skin cell turnover, helping to boost collagen production.
Background: The efficacious acne treatment adapalene gel 0.1% is significantly less irritating than tretinoin of various concentrations and formulations, according to several clinical studies conducted predominantly in Caucasian patients.
Since this is a long-term treatment, be prepared to use tretinoin for at least four months before you see the full benefits (Leyden, 2017). Lastly, be sure to use tretinoin consistently and as prescribed by your healthcare provider. The improvements in fine wrinkles disappear after you discontinue the drug.
As for the claim that a cream or lotion can lift sagging skin, dermatologists say that's not possible. A cream or lotion cannot penetrate the skin deeply enough to do this. Still, you may see a small change if a product contains a retinoid, such as retinol, which can help your body make more collagen.
Engelman agrees: "Retinol is the most potent ingredient that helps build collagen and elastin, which leads to tighter, smoother skin."This mixture has the added bonus of hyaluronic acid, which "can smooth, firm, and tighten the appearance of the skin," Dr. Bowe says.