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What is the Difference Between Tretinoin and Retin-A?

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Retin-A is a brand name for the active ingredient tretinoin. Sometimes, when you have a prescription for Retin-A, your pharmacy may fill it with generic tretinoin cream, which has the same active ingredient – tretinoin.

Both Retin-A and tretinoin work similarly by increasing cell turnover and can be beneficial for acne, wrinkles, dark spots, and melasma.

Differences between tretinoin and retin-A.
Table of Contents
  1. Tretinoin
  2. Retin-A
  3. Which is better?
  4. Tretinoin formulations
  5. Related terms
  6. Benefits
  7. Side effects
  8. How to use

Tretinoin

Tretinoin is the active ingredient that produces various effects on our skin leading to improvement in acne, photoaging, dark spots, and other benefits. It is also known as all-trans-retinoic acid.

This is the star ingredient and most retinoids get converted to tretinoin once absorbed into our skin cells. So, tretinoin is a strong medication and is available only by prescription. 

Sometimes your doctor may prescribe tretinoin and you get the generic form from your pharmacy. 

Retin-A

Retin-A is a specific brand name of a medication that has tretinoin as the active ingredient. So basically, you’re getting the same active molecule “tretinoin” from both Retin-A or generic or other brand tretinoin. 

Most of the time, generic tretinoin is cheaper than Retin-A.

The inactive ingredients that form the rest of the formulation may differ among different brands.

However, they will act similarly on the skin since the active is the same. The concentration will depend on what your doctor prescribes for you.

Retin-A comes in two different formulations:

  • Gel – This comes in two strengths 0.01% and 0.025%.
  • Cream – This comes in three strengths 0.25%, 0.05%, and 0.1%.

Which is better?

Since both contain the same active ingredient, we cannot say that one is better than the other. The formulation can be different depending on the inactive ingredients. 

The gel forms may feel lighter on the skin while the cream form may feel more moisturizing.

Medications with tretinoin

There are several other brands that use tretinoin as well. Some of these use a unique delivery system which makes tretinoin more photostable. 

1. Renova

This has tretinoin at 0.02% concentration. It can be used for managing fine facial wrinkles along with proper skin care and avoidance of the sun.

2. Avita

This has a 0.025% concentration of tretinoin.

3. Retin-A Micro

This comes in different strengths from 0.04% to 0.1%. This uses a micro sponge technology which protects the tretinoin from the effects of light. It makes it more stable.

Also, the active tretinoin is released slowly, decreasing the chances of skin irritation.

4. Atralin

This is a gel form with 0.05% tretinoin. It uses micronized tretinoin which is more stable and tolerated better.

5. Altreno

This is tretinoin in lotion base at 0.05% concentration. It also uses micronized tretinoin and is tolerated better.

6. Combination medications with tretinoin

Tretinoin may also come in combination with other medications like Twyneo is a combination of tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide and Ziana is a combination of clindamycin and tretinoin.

1. Retinoids

Retinoid is a big broad term that includes various vitamin A derivatives. These are the ingredients with a lot of data supporting their benefits for acne, hyperpigmentation, and photoaging.

It includes both prescription strength and over-the-counter available vitamin A derivatives.

  • Over-the-counter retinoids are retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters, adapalene 0.1%, and some other derivatives.
  • Prescription-strength retinoids include tretinoin (brand name Retin-A, Atralin, Alterno, etc.), adapalene 0.3%, tazarotene, and trifarotene.

2. Retinol

Retinol is the most commonly available over-the-counter retinoid. This needs to get converted to the active form – tretinoin once it’s absorbed by our skin cells. So, this is not as strong as tretinoin.

It takes longer to produce results that tretinoin can give in a shorter time. However, this is much better tolerated so it can be a better choice for sensitive skin. 

It can benefit our skin similarly and can improve acne, fine lines and wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.

3. Isotretinoin

This is the oral form of Vitamin A which is sometimes prescribed for severe acne. This form of vitamin A can lead to various adverse effects on developing babies, so it is contraindicated for use in pregnant women.

Before prescribing this medication, doctors make sure that the female is not pregnant and is also required to use at least 2 methods of contraception.

In comparison, tretinoin is a form of Vitamin A that is used topically. Since we don’t have a lot of data on the safety of topical forms of Vitamin A in pregnant women, it is best not to use any form of retinoid during pregnancy. 

If you get pregnant while using tretinoin or any retinoid, stop using it and consult your doctor immediately.

Benefits

Tretinoin and Retin-A act in the same way as the active ingredient is the same. Once absorbed into our skin cells they can bind to certain receptors and affect our genes.

This leads to changes in the way our skin cells differentiate. It ultimately results in an increase in the turnover of our skin cells.

1. Acne

Tretinoin by increasing the turnover of skin cells, can be beneficial in preventing the plugging of our pores with dead skin cells which is one of the main causes of acne. This can decrease acne breakouts.

It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can decrease inflammation related to acne.

2. Fine lines and wrinkles

Collagen gives support and strength to our skin. Tretinoin can protect this collagen, preventing its degradation and stimulating its formation. This can improve fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Dark spots

It can improve melasma, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots by decreasing the formation of the enzyme tyrosinase. This is the enzyme that makes melanin pigment.

In addition, by increasing the turnover of our skin cells, it can fade dark spots.

4. Skin texture

It can stimulate the formation of new blood vessels in the dermis, giving a pink glowing complexion.

In addition, it can improve the texture of the skin and refine the appearance of pores.

Side effects

Tretinoin is a wonderful ingredient but it is very intense. It can lead to various side effects when you first start using it. This includes:

  • Dryness
  • Redness
  • Burning
  • Peeling skin
  • Flakiness
  • Stinging
  • Purging – increase in acne breakouts

How to use

Every form of tretinoin is available only by prescription. Your treating physician may give you specific instructions on how to use it.

Below are some general tips for using tretinoin or Retin-A:

  • Less is more with tretinoin, so do not use more than required. In most cases, you just need to use a pea-size medication to cover the whole face.
  • Use a gentle pH-balanced cleanser to avoid stripping your skin barrier.
  • Make sure you moisturize your face when using tretinoin to decrease its side effects like dryness and peeling skin.
  • Use tretinoin at night as some formulations can get deactivated by exposure to light. 
  • Do not combine tretinoin with strong exfoliants in the same skincare routine as that can lead to irritation.
  • Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day to get the most benefit from using retinoids.
  • Your skin may start purging in the first 4-6 weeks. This is due to acne breakouts pushed to the surface of the skin which were present deep in the skin. This subsides as your skin adjusts to the medication.
  • If you get extreme irritation or your purging doesn’t improve, make sure to see your doctor. They can review your medication and adjust it as needed.

Summary

Tretinoin is an active ingredient that is part of many formulations. You may be prescribed a generic form or a certain brand name. 

Retin-A is a brand name for a medication with tretinoin. All tretinoin formulations will act similarly on the skin. The vehicle or inactive ingredients may affect the formulation – whether it’s gel, lotion, or cream.

A doctor may prescribe a formulation depending on your skin type. You may get a generic tretinoin or tretinoin with a brand name like Retin-A. It will depend on your prescription, availability in your pharmacy, or what you prefer.

Read more articles on retinoids:

References

Disclaimer: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.

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