Tretinoin has long been touted as the ultimate anti-aging skincare product. With years of research behind it and a growing popularity on social media, you may be wondering: do I need tretinoin? Or is a retinol enough?
If you’ve been contemplating whether or not tretinoin should be a part of your skincare routine, you’re not alone. To answer the question, we consulted board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sheila Farhang.
All About Tretinoin and Retinol
“Tretinoin is one of the most studied and effective ingredients we have in dermatology,” says Dr. Farhang.
Simply put, “Tretinoin is prescription-strength retinoic acid—it is potent and other than anti-aging, we use it to treat acne.” It stimulates collagen production and promotes cellular turnover.
On the other hand, retinol is a weaker, over-the-counter version that takes longer to deliver results, but is far more tolerable for those with sensitive skin.
The one big myth that deters many people from using tretinoin is that it “thins your skin.” Dr. Farhang says that’s likely because of the infamous “purge” phase brought on by accelerated cell turnover. However, Dr. Farhang says this phase is temporary and should only last a few weeks. She recommends starting with a low strength tretinoin a few times a week, avoiding other active or exfoliating ingredients, and doubling up on moisturizer.
