Retinoid vs tretinoin: What's the difference?

How do retinoid, retinol and tretinoin compare?

Topical retinoids come as creams, lotions and gels. The category name does not identify a particular strength or texture, so compare the actual medicine and formulation rather than treating every retinoid as interchangeable. Tretinoin also exists as an oral capsule used for leukemia; that is a different treatment from the topical skincare medicine.34

Which should you choose?

For mild uneven tone, texture or fine lines, retinol is a nonprescription option. Start with the least intense formula rather than jumping straight to tretinoin. For acne, tretinoin and adapalene are treatment options that reduce inflammation and oiliness and help prevent spots.25

How do you start a topical retinoid?

1. 1Use a gentle cleanser. For acne, wash twice daily and avoid scrubbing, which can irritate skin and worsen acne.
2. 2Use the retinoid at night. Follow the prescribed product directions; some acne formulations combine a retinoid with another medicine.
3. 3Start slowly. General acne guidance suggests once or twice weekly initially, increasing towards daily use only as tolerated. Do not increase frequency while your skin is struggling with irritation.
4. 4For acne, apply the topical retinoid across the affected skin, rather than only to individual spots.
5. 5Use an oil free moisturizer if your skin is sensitive. During the day, use sunscreen, seek shade and cover exposed skin with protective clothing.

How long does it take to work?

For acne, improvement takes weeks rather than days. Acne treatments can take up to eight weeks to start working, with a review at 12 weeks. A treatment course commonly lasts at least three to four months. These are acne treatment timelines, not a promised deadline for retinol or wrinkle improvement. At review, discuss whether to continue, change treatment or address irritation rather than increasing use automatically.6

Who should be careful?

Dryness, skin allergies or substantial redness make retinoids a less suitable starting choice. Irritation can trigger dark marks in darker skin. Do not use topical retinoids during pregnancy or while planning pregnancy. Avoid them while breastfeeding, and stop treatment if you become pregnant.267

See a doctor if acne is not improving with self treatment, includes deep or painful spots, causes scars or affects your mental health. Hot, swollen or red skin can indicate infection and also needs medical assessment. These are reasons to get treatment help, not simply to buy a stronger retinoid.5

Is tretinoin a retinoid?

Yes. Retinol is another type of retinoid, so switching from retinol to tretinoin means changing which retinoid you use, not entering a separate ingredient category. The practical decision is the specific treatment, formulation and directions that fit your skin concern.1