Tretinoin (Retin-A) Vs. Retinol: Which Works Best For Anti-Aging?

posted in Anti-Aging on Apr 08, 2023

Some skincare users wonder about the difference between retinol and retinoids, and which one is the best to use.

“Retinoid vs retinol” is actually not a fair comparison to make because retinoids are a type of retinoid. However, other types of retinoids like tretinoin can be compared to retinol. To best choose what kind of retinoid belongs in your skincare routine, you should understand what they are, what they do, and how they are classified.

What are retinoids?


Retinoids are a class of substances that include vitamin A derivatives or molecules that are structurally similar to vitamin A (Zasada). Vitamin A is one of the most effective topical ingredients for anti-aging, so different retinoids are typically used to treat signs of aging on the skin such as wrinkles, fine lines, and textured skin. “Retinoid” is the general term that covers both over-the-counter retinol products and prescription strength retinoid products.

There are different types of retinoids, and some are more useful for addressing certain skin concerns compared to others. Tazarotene and adapalene are two different retinoids that are typically used to address acne rather than aging, although they also have anti-aging effects. Retinols and tretinoin are retinoids more often used for anti-aging.

What are retinols?

Retinols are another type of retinoid that is mainly used in over-the-counter products, often for anti-aging. Retinol is used to address skin texture, pigmentation, dryness, and fine lines, but its efficacy is limited (Zasada). Retinol must first be converted by your skin cells to retinaldehyde, and then to retinoic acid (Zasada), which unfortunately, causes the total efficacy of retinol to dwindle.

What is tretinoin?

Tretinoin, commonly known by the brand name Retin-A, is also a type of retinoid, but tretinoin is only used in prescription-strength products. While retinol vs. retinoid isn’t an appropriate comparison to make, you can compare retinol to tretinoin. Tretinoin is also used in anti-aging treatments. Similar to retinol, tretinoin also helps your skin to retain collagen, which makes your skin plumper and more elastic, and speeds up the rate at which you produce new skin cells (Mukherjee). However, as previously mentioned, retinol must be converted into retinoic acid in order to have any anti-aging effects on the skin. Tretinoin, on the other hand, is retinoic acid. So naturally, tretinoin is considered a “stronger” retinoid and more capable of a significant biological effect on your skin, especially when compared to retinol. (Zasada).

This process of replacing skin cells is known as the skin cell cycle. A quicker skin cell cycle prevents old and damaged skin cells from accumulating on the surface of your face. 80% of skin diseases and signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines, come from sun exposure, so protecting the skin from sun damage is essential in fighting the effects of aging. (Shanbhag)

By speeding up the skin cell cycle and helping the skin retain collagen, tretinoin helps to treat wrinkles, fine lines, and overall skin texture. It is the most biologically active form of the retinoids and is only available via a prescription from a doctor (Zasada).

Tretinoin (Retin-A) vs Retinol

There might be some confusion surrounding Retin-A versus retinol because they are often used to try to achieve similar results. As vitamin A derivatives, retinol and Retin-A are applied to reverse the effects of aging by smoothing out fine lines and rejuvenating the skin.

But what is the difference between retinol and Retin-A? There’s a good reason why retinol can be bought over the counter whereas tretinoin is a prescription-only ingredient. Tretinoin is 20 times stronger than retinol because its molecular form is more potent (Mukherjee). Tretinoin is pure retinoic acid and is more fast-acting because where retinol needs to be broken down by your skin cells, tretinoin as a pure acid does not. Retinol and Retin A accomplish the same goal, but Retin A is a stronger ingredient.

So, Retin A vs retinol: they have very similar functions, but the structure of Retin A is more effective. Tretinoin is the only FDA approved ingredient that can fight aging by speeding up skin cell turnover and stopping the degradation of collagen in your skin.

Note: The term “acid” might lead you to think of harmful chemicals, but don’t panic: retinoic acid is actually a nutrient that your body needs (National Cancer Institute)! Your body makes retinoic acid from vitamin A to help it’s cells to develop. Retinoic acid is even being studied as potential treatment or prevention aid for cancer.

Prescription skincare like tretinoin is guaranteed to be more potent than over-the-counter solutions like retinol. Retinol versus Retin-A is a no brainer. To erase wrinkles, improve skin texture, and replace dull-looking skin with the best results, tretinoin is highly recommended by every dermatologist!

Want to know how to use tretinoin, and where to get it?

At Musely, tretinoin is the main active ingredient in The Anti-Aging Night Cream. This is a prescription anti-aging treatment formulated to treat wrinkles, fine lines, skin texture, and other signs of aging.

The Anti-Aging Night Cream is also formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to brighten the skin, shrink pores, and help the skin retain moisture. The treatment is also available in multiple formulas, each with varying strengths of tretinoin, so that your treatment is personalized based on your skincare needs.

The Anti-Aging Night Cream is a must-have for any anti-aging skincare routine. The amazing before and after photos that Musely patients share is proof. Get smooth, wrinkle-free skin today with FaceRx from Musely!

Behind The Scenes: The FaceRx Story

Musely CEO’s wife Cherry, struggled with melasma for years with no solution. She spent thousands of dollars on lasers and OTC treatments, all to no avail. One day, Musely got a tip from dermatologist Dr. Marie Jhin, who shared her secret of prescription skin care. After seeing Dr. Jhin, Cherry’s dark spots were gone and her wrinkles were significantly reduced. Her skin was completely transformed in just a matter of two months! The treatment? It included a prescription for tretinoin, hydroquinone, among others that can only be obtained through doctor visits and pharmacies. Musely CEO Jack Jia was so blown away by Cherry’s results that he wanted to share her amazing transformation with the entire Musely community and make prescription skin care treatments accessible to everyone.

9 months later, FaceRx was born! Musely engineers built an online telemedicine platform. A dozen of the country’s top board-certified dermatologists joined Dr. Jhin to form what is now known as The Musely Medical Board. They developed special formulas that can be customized for each individual. A patient would receive a treatment prescribed and dispensed by their dermatologist and pharmacist just for them! Musely also developed eNurse, an extension to the existing Musely tips app, to allow the same doctor and pharmacist to support the patient during the 60-day treatment period.

Thanks to FaceRx, dermatologists can now oversee treatment for multiple patients at the same time from anywhere. Users can finish their doctor visit within minutes from the comfort of their home and receive their treatments at their doorstep within days.

With prescription skin care treatments that are affordable and accessible to everyone, FaceRx is the number one choice for treating dark spots, aging, and more—with results that actually last!

About Musely

Musely provides prescription skin care treatments through technology. Musely enables talented dermatologists and pharmacists to deliver and administer medical treatments for skin conditions and skincare, online. With its revolutionary approach, Musely enables the science of youth quickly and inexpensively from the convenience of your home. Founded by successful Silicon Valley serial entrepreneurs, Musely is on a mission to deliver health and healthy living to every person in the world.

Sources:
Mukherjee, Siddharth, et al. "Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety." Clinical interventions in aging 1.4 (2006): 327.

“NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.” National Cancer Institute.

Zasada, Malwina et al. "Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments." Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii, vol. 36, no. 4, 2019, pp. 392-397. doi:10.5114/ada.2019.87443.