A retinoid topical skin care product is the best multi-tasking product that you can use at home to combat aging skin.
Extensive studies have shown that consistent use of a retinoid can reduce the appearance of sun damage, dull skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and large pores. This happens because the retinoid cream prompts rapid skin cell turnover which encourages the growth of new, healthy skin cells. Retinoid also hampers the breakdown of collagen so your skin remains firmer (and less wrinkles / fine lines show).
Today there are retinoid or retinol products all over the market. A quick, simple explanation between the difference of the two: retinol is a lower concentration (found in many over-the-counter products) while retinoid is a higher concentration product (usually used in medical-grade products that can only be purchased through a physician’s office or that require a prescription).
With all the retinoid/retinol products available, how do you know which is safe and, most importantly, effective? A retinol product that is available to a mass market and is carried in drugstores will have a very low percentage of active ingredients (and your results may be little or even none). We recommend purchasing a product that has been made by a reputable manufacturer with clinical studies to back up the product.
At our San Jose MedSpa the retinol/retinoid products we carry are listed below. We have chosen them based on their results and reputation. Here is a comparison:
Tretinoin Cream by Obagi
- Skin issue: Acne; Anti-aging (if your skin has become resistant to Retinol)
- Expected result: Clearer skin and less future acne breakouts; Skin appears healthy and bright
- Ideal for: Teen through adult skin
- Prescription needed: Yes
- Strengths available: 0.05% and 0.1%
Retinol Complex (0.5 or 1.0) by SkinMedica
- Skin issues: Fine lines and coarse wrinkles; Dull and/or uneven skin texture; Fight premature aging
- Expected result: Fine lines and wrinkles are diminished; Skin tone and texture are improved; Skin appears healthy and bright
- Ideal for: Adult skin
- Prescription needed: No
Emollient Tretinoin by ReFissa
The emollient base of this cream helps to minimize redness and overdrying often caused by acne retinoids.
- Skin issue: Fine lines and wrinkles on skin that is normal to dry
- Expected result: Fine lines and wrinkles are diminished; Skin tone and texture are improved; Skin appears healthy and bright
- Ideal for: Adult skin that tends to be on the drier side
- Prescription needed: Yes
- Strengths available: 0.05%
Any of the above products will get the job done for you. Choosing the right one just depends on your skin type and skin issues.
What you need to know if you are just starting on a retinoid:
- Ease into it. Use every 3rd night or every other night until you can work your way up to 4 to 6 nights per week.
- Your skin may experience redness, peeling or flaking but this will subside as your skin gets used to it.
- Use sunscreen and sun protection daily. Retinoids make your skin much more sensitive to the sun.
If you have further questions, call us (408.295.2580) or come in to discuss how retinoids can change your skin for the better.