Retinol vs. Tretinoin

With so many skincare products on the market, it can be tricky narrowing down which ones you should be using. Join us as we do a deep dive in comparing two similar retinoids (vitamin A byproducts that promote cell turnover and collagen production) with outstanding differences: retinol and tretinoin.

What is retinol? What does it treat?

Retinol is a retinoid with the main focus of combating the signs of aging. It improves skin firmness and replaces damaged and dull skin through cell turnover; this is a more gentle option compared to tretinoin and does not require a prescription. 

Topical retinol is available in cream and serum forms, and is safe for all skin types.

What is tretinoin? What does it treat?

Unlike retinol, tretinoin (also known as retinoid acid or Retin-A) is a prescription-only topical element used to treat acne and anti-aging skin.

It is more potent and can be up to 20 times as strong as retinol, ultimately making your skin more dry and sensitive. This is why tretinoin should not be used more than five months without guidance from your medical provider, and may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin.

Which should you choose?

The answer is simple. If you want both anti-aging and acne-combating effects (and your skin isn’t too sensitive), you might want to give tretinoin a try. 

Wanting to prevent fine lines and wrinkles due to aging? Plenty of easily-available skincare retinol products are on the market––no prescription required.

While you can technically use both at once, it’s likely that they would dry out your skin, causing redness and itchiness. Choose the one that’s best for you!

Here at Wellness Revolution, we recommend the Zo® Skin Health Wrinkle + Texture Repair retinol, “a high-potency retinol that restores natural hydration, visibly improving the appearance of wrinkles and refining skin texture.” We have it in stock, along with many skincare products from dermatologist-founded Zo Skin Health!

Stephanie is happy to curate a personalized skincare routine for you! Contact her at 540-812-2263 to find the best products for your skin.