No significant difference in reduction of total acne lesions was detected between the benzoyl peroxide gels and tretinoin cream. However, benzoyl peroxide was significantly better (P less than . 02) in reduction of papules and as good as tretinoin in reduction of comedones.
While benzoyl peroxide can help treat oil and dead skill cells that clog your pores, this may not be the best treatment option available for blackheads and whiteheads. While benzoyl peroxide does help treat certain types of acne, topical retinoids are considered the first line of treatment.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is especially important to avoid using the following skin products on the same area as tretinoin: Any other topical acne product or skin product containing a peeling agent (eg, benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulfur).
Tretinoin is one of the strongest and most effective topical retinoids used to treat acne and skin aging.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, benzoyl peroxide is the most effective acne-fighting ingredient available without a prescription. It works best on traditional red, pus-filled pimples (pustules).
During the first 3 weeks of using tretinoin, your skin might get irritated, worsening the appearance of your acne, but this should only last a short while. After 12 weeks of continuous use, you should see your acne improve. Rarely does it take more than 12 weeks to show results.
Concurrent use of benzoyl peroxide will inactivate generic tretinoin.
Only wash with benzoyl peroxide in the morning if you are using a tretinoin topical at night. Benzoyl peroxide can deactivate your tretinoin and should never be used at the same time.
As for benzoyl peroxide and retinol, they cancel each other out. "It is not recommended to use benzoyl peroxide and retinoids together as they can literally cancel each other out rendering them less effective," explains Dr.
Both medications, however, were effective in reducing the numbers of both inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions. The benzoyl peroxide gel appeared to produce a more rapid effect on inflammatory lesions than did retinoic acid, and produced significantly less peeling.
Retinol and tretinoin are both retinoids, which means they are compounds that come from vitamin A. They're both commonly used in topical creams to treat a number of skin conditions. Though they're similar, tretinoin is more concentrated than retinol.
"It decreases inflammation in skin, promotes skin cell turnover, and keeps pores from becoming clogged while reducing over-production of sebum to prevent and treat acne breakouts." While tretinoin cream is a potent acne treatment, don't expect to see results overnight.
Absolutely. The skin should always be protected during the day and restored at night. Since retinol is reparative, you should apply at night.
If you stop using the medication or are inconsistent with your treatment, any improvements you see may disappear over time. Always use the product as prescribed by your healthcare provider (Rodan, 2016).
It is recommended that you use benzoyl peroxide products once or twice each day. If you have sensitive skin or you experience excessive skin redness or peeling, just use the product once each day at night time.
These serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people. Stop using benzoyl peroxide if: the skin that you're treating becomes swollen. you get blisters on your skin.
Tretinoin Does Not “Bleach” Your Skin
Contrary to popular belief, tretinoin is not a “bleaching agent” or medicine designed specifically to lighten your skin tone. While tretinoin can even out patches of hyperpigmentation and cause a mild change in your skin tone, it doesn't affect melanin synthesis.
People can find benzoyl peroxide in over-the-counter (OTC) topical treatments or in lower concentrations in supermarket products, such as face and body washes. Benzoyl peroxide also has bleaching qualities.
Skin Discoloration
Tretinoin can fade spots on the face, evening out your skin tone and helping to hide the blotchy coloration that can affect many people's facial skin. In some cases, however, tretinoin can also cause small patches of skin to darken, producing noticeable skin discoloration.
"You can use tretinoin or [over-the-counter] retinols forever."
Generally, it is fine to use tretinoin every night, but you may not want to because of the initial side effects, especially when you first start. You should only use tretinoin as prescribed to avoid significant skin irritation, redness, and other side effects.
Given that they both are designed to create peeling in the skin, retinol is usually the better option for those with very dry and/or sensitive skin. Those with serious cases of acne that require more substantial interventions may want to opt for tretinoin.
Fortunately, it's safe to mix niacinamide and retinol. In fact, the combination is considered to have numerous benefits.