What is the difference between differin and tretinoin

It possesses the biological properties of tretinoin, but has a distinct physiochemical profile, including high lipophilicity and increased chemical and photostability. It exhibits selective affinity for nuclear retinoic acid receptors and does not bind to cytosolic retinoic acid binding proteins. Board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.

Tretinoin is by no means new to skin care. In fact, it was the first FDA-approved retinoid to help treat and prevent acne. Unlike adapalene, you can't buy tretinoin over the counter. This retinoid is only available by prescription. One of the downsides of tretinoin is the timeline it takes to see results and the possibility of pesky side effects. For example, if you have sensitive skin , this may not be the retinoid for you.

Tretinoin works by irritating further to activate cell turnover; you may experience redness, irritation, blisters, and even a change in skin pigmentation. So it's important to only use this product under the supervision of a doctor. And even with the undesirable side effects, research shows that tretinoin helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles , correct skin texture and tone, and even reduce hyperpigmentation. According to King, tretinoin is generally considered stronger.

And people still may find it irritating, even if it is less so than prescription-strength options, so just be careful. Libby agrees and says, "Adapalene is perceived to be less efficacious, but in reality, studies suggest that it has similar efficacy to tretinoin, just with better tolerability.

In short, King and Libby each agree the answer is both. Again, King and Libby agree that both tretinoin and adapalene are great options for treating acne. Although it's worth noting that adapalene is better tolerated by most skin types, so Libby says if a patient experiences irritation to tretinoin, she will either suggest mixing tretinoin with a moisturizer or switch the patient to using adapalene. As with all new skin care products, it's best to consult your local dermatologist before beginning a new regimen.

But it's important to note that neither adapalene or tretinoin should be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Because retinoids are affected by sun exposure, it's best to apply these products at night. Nighttime is also when skin cell renewal and repair is at its peak. In a review of tretinoin and adapalene , researchers found that tretinoin. This means that if you have severe or persistent acne, you may get better results from tretinoin than by using a.

Studies of the two drugs also show that tretinoin typically produces slightly higher levels of skin irritation than adapalene. Because of this, if you have sensitive skin that gets irritated, itchy or uncomfortable easily, you may be better suited for the less irritating nature of adapalene over tretinoin. Long term, both drugs are effective and safe. A week study of adapalene 0. The researchers concluded that adapalene 0. Long-term studies of tretinoin show similar results, with a low rate of side effects, most of which occur during the first few weeks of treatment and improve over time.

While tretinoin and adapalene have numerous similarities when it comes to treating acne, the two drugs are very different as anti-aging treatments. Despite both drugs being retinoids, only tretinoin has an established record of working as an anti-aging treatment, with countless studies showing a reduction in wrinkles, skin discoloration and other signs of photoaging over the long term.

Adapalene, on the other hand, is not as well-studied as an anti-aging treatment and is usually not prescribed frequently as tretinoin to treat the signs of aging. Because of this, it may not be recommended first if your goal is to reduce the visibility of wrinkles, creases or pigmented spots. Tretinoin and adapalene both offer a range of benefits. Overall, both tretinoin and adapalene work well to remove and prevent acne.

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. For most people, the best choice is to talk to your healthcare provider about the two medications and work together to choose the best option for your specific needs.

This approach can help you get the best results while limiting your risk of experiencing side effects from topical skin medication. Both can have temporary side effects, such as irritation, peeling, and purging as your skin gets used to your new skincare routine. So no matter which active ingredient you choose, ramp up slowly to decrease the intensity of these side effects.

While adapalene and tretinoin treat acne successfully, adapalene has not been studied enough for other potential skin benefits. If you want to go beyond acne treatment, tretinoin is FDA-approved for both acne and photoaging aka skin damage due to sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancer.

Tretinoin has been proved to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, minimize pores, make skin smoother, and improve pigmentation distribution. By accelerating the production of collagen, tretinoin minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen provides a flexible, supple support network to the skin. Tretinoin makes pores look smaller by clearing the oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that build up in enlarged pores.

When you clear pore buildup and increase cell turnover with tretinoin, the pores become less visible. To reduce buildup in the first place, also check your skincare and makeup products for comedogenic ingredients.

These are pore-blocking ingredients that can cause blackheads and enlarged pores. Some common comedogenic ingredients include oils like almond oil, coconut oil, and palm oil , beeswax, and alcohols like cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol , among dozens more.

Tretinoin makes skin smoother by reducing the layer of dead skin cells — the same thing you get from exfoliation — and increasing glycosaminoglycans GAGs. GAGs attract water molecules, keeping connective tissue hydrated. They play a key role in skin-cell health, preventing dry skin and making it firmer and more elastic, so it looks and feels smoother. Melanin is a natural pigment that determines your skin, hair, and eye color.