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Retinol Vs. Tretinoin: What’s The Difference And Which Is Best For You?
Whether you are a skincare novice or an expert, you must have heard of retinol. After all, retinol is considered among the best anti-aging ingredients. Still, people often use the terms retinol and retinoids interchangeably, but they are not the same. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that can help your skin get firmer, smoother, and brighter by increasing collagen production (via Verywell Health). Retinoids can also help “prevent and reverse signs of aging,” such as fine lines and wrinkles.
On this, New York-based dermatologist Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin told Byrdie, “‘Retinoid’ is essentially a basic umbrella term for both over-the-counter retinol and prescription retinoids,” and retinoids have to change to retinoid acid for them to work. Retinol is a type of retinoid that is available over-the-counter and converts to retinoic acid when it comes in contact with the skin. According to Healthline, tretinoin is already a retinoic acid, so it works faster and gives quicker and more dramatic results than retinol. Unlike retinol, which you can buy at the store, tretinoin is only available with a prescription.
