Is tretinoin better than adapalene? Ultimate Guide to Drug Retinoids

[@Nuna_heart]

I just started working in a cosmetics retail store and I'm watching your videos to get more educated and give my customers a good advice on skincare

[@auricia201]

👏🏻👏🏻 More workers like this! 😁

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

Kudos to you! You're doing more than most retail service people.

[@caitroseco6752]

That’s awesome. I’ve met quite a few cosmetic retail workers that were telling me things I knew to be untrue. Glad you are educating yourself!

[@DallasNatureLover]

This is awesome! Too much skincare “information” being shared in retail stores is wrong because the actual science behind skincare has been limited to cosmetic chemists and dermatologists, and sometimes the dermatologists don’t get it right. Lab Muffin’s science and product nformation information has been very valuable to me and it’s great to see it getting shared.

[@Bongi344]

You're doing very well! 😊

[@mollycook1847]

"Scientists are bad at coming up with names. That is why my channel is called Lab Muffin." Love it, Michelle.

[@tf2368]

Simp

[@squirrelnibbler19]

Her deadpan delivery was chef’s kiss

[@aviadler.]

I’m a 44 year old male and I’ve been using Adapalene for 5 years.. I always get mistaken for looking in my late 20’s.. your videos have been so helpful for me immensely

[@bellenesatan]

​@@maalikserebryakovthanks for your genetic assessment, Dr.Random Online

[@SaranshV]

Bryakov stop being so bitter

[@iteaire]

@@maalikserebryakovyou’ve never used Tret and it shows…

[@SaranshV]

@@maalikserebryakov I think you don't know what that word means

[@robynalice879]

I was mistaken last month for 16, and I'm a week shy of 27. Adaptelene really is a miracle-worker. Never gonna stop lol

[@SamFerro]

If I was infinitely rich I’d pay you anything to teach chem/orgo at universities. You have the best analogies to help make complex concepts tangible (i.e. using the boba reference for the tret/bpo formula to explain why it works), and to echo everyones sentiment, you are an exceptional teacher/communicator. I feel like I would’ve remained a chem major had I discovered your channel circa 2014!!

[@rightwerk]

@@maalikserebryakov Why are all your comments on here so annoying

[@Madamchief]

She would be an awesome high school teacher. She would be discriminated against at the university level

[@PassionPno]

@@Madamchief She’s a writer of high school textbooks.

[@zerin25]

I never realised how irritating tretinoin can be for most people - while my skin will freak the hell out at the slightest change of humidity, it's tolerated tretinoin incredibly well, never reacted poorly. And it has absolutely been a game changer! I'd been suffering from acne right from puberty, and it just never went away no matter what my routine. Tretinoin has been the only thing to clear up my skin long term

[@ClaraGD]

Have you checked your hormones?

[@grofud3198]

Ou 10:15

[@kayc.5626]

It's so amazing to finally understand how these acne treatments work! I suffered with acne throughout my entire adolescence and early adulthood, so I tried everything you can imagine, except for tretinoin - where I live doctors normally use it as a last resort thanks to the amount of side effects. Oddly enough not even adapalene worked in my case (I used Epiduo), so I decided to see another dermatologist to get a second opinion and as soon as she saw my acne she prescribed me antibiotics (Tetracycline) and topic azelaic acid. I not only finally got rid of my acne, but my blemishes were pretty much gone in a matter of a couple of weeks as well, which was great since I am prone to hyperpigmentation (I have tan skin). After that, the few times I got a pimple benzoyl peroxide alone was enough to deal with it. It's crazy and fascinating how our bodies respond differently to substances. I spent loads of money on expensive retinoids throughout the years, but the antibiotics which cost me under 10 bucks per box were the only thing to actually solve my problem.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

That's so interesting! From speaking to derms who see a lot of acne like Dr Mara and Dr Anjali Mahto (I collaborated with her for my food and acne video), it's pretty common to have to try a few first-line treatments to tackle acne, and sometimes they'll work for a bit then fail and patients have to switch. Glad you found something that works so well for you!

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

@kayc . . . Curious. Did u take Tetracycline topically or orally?

[@gluckwunschwinston5618]

Where I live antibiotics are stndrd for acne. And they work very well for a lot of people. Only downside is that in most cases the acne comes back pretty much immediately when you stop taking them. Usually you can't take them for more than 3 months.

[@genshinF2Play]

I took antibiotics too but it's not a long term solution since you have to stop it at some point. Enjoy it while it lasts. Because it will comeback soon.

[@grannieannie1371]

This is kind of bizarre, I was part of the final clinical trial for retinol for acne 40 years ago. It rocked I would like to say. It basically peeled my skin and all the craters and scars didn;t reform. And the acne kind of magically didn't come back. Now I use retinol to"fight the signs of aging" . Good old retinol!

[@Alex-dj9qj]

I love adapalene, I use it for acne and overall skin texture and smoothness and it’s been amazing. Tretinoin was very irritating for me and caused more issues long term with post inflammatory erythema and random big breakouts. Now my skin is finally happy and glowy phew. Interesting how much of a difference changing the retinoids u use can make

[@arguchik]

I recently started using adapalene, and I'm also having good results with it. I'm older, so my problem isn't so much acne anymore, except that I get occasional pimples and a lot of closed comedones that are quite difficult to get rid of. The adapalene is taking care of them and my skin looks a lot smoother and healthier now.

[@96unique2]

I really love my adapalene +Benzoyl peroxide formula! Works super well! I use a Retinal for anti-aging on my off days

[@AuroraCarlisle]

Re: Tretionoin studies... "A lot of people in these studies are teenage boys and men" ... I wonder if this also accounts for this disconnect with doctors and female patients. Virtually all men I know have a MUCH higher threshold for irritation than women (obviously anecdotal). I was told to just push through the irritation and after 1 year of nonstop extreme breakouts with tretinoin, I stopped. I still have scarring 15 years later.

[@edmarkd]

Literally about to have an appointment with my doctor to discuss my retinoid options for my acne, so this could not have come at a more perfect time.

[@RobertJModri]

I've had the opposite experience with tazarotene 0.1% cream. I was kinda scared of it but it's not irritating at all for me and some other people I know.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

That's great! Which formula are you using?

[@Anni_ka]

Ohhh, this is right on time! My derm has been prescribing me Trifarotene, and it's been...a process. Sure there's technically no irritation, but the peeling is insane and even one year in not totally gone. I can also only use a handful of other skin care products because so much stuff makes my skin burn terribly (just as a sensation though, not actually burning happening). Before I've had an adapalene and benzoyl peroxide combo, which I hope to get back to, because I had almost zero issues with that 😅 Either way, that's the end of my rant, thank you for the video! The way you presented the advantages of the different retinoids pointing at scientific evidence/support is super helpful!

[@itsgonnabeanaurfromme]

Trifarotene is one of the new ones drug companies have been pushing, particularly that one that developed epiduo. It's far too expensive in my opinion. And they have been pushing it for the body.

[@rubysresource]

I remember seeing a few things that really annoyed me on the Differin website. They also had a table that claimed other OTC acne treatments don't effect cell differentiation, which… doesn't seem to be a claim they actually substantiated. I've seen skin biopsy data that indicated salicylic acid _does_ influence cellular differentiation, however the sample size was quite small.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

I didn't notice that! Definitely a sus claim...

[@satoonneiei5090]

In Thailand, tretinoin is available OTC! It’s also super cheap, like 3-5 usd

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Jealous!

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

@satoonneiei50 . . . . Jealous, also. $145 with Insurance!!!

[@Mellyouttaphase]

$65 for Retrieve in Australia. Still much cheaper than the Retinaldehyde serum I was using!

[@WithAshlyn04]

Can you give me the brand name for Tretinoin sold in Thailand?

[@satoonneiei5090]

@@WithAshlyn04 The ones i’ve used are Acnetin-A and DermaKlares. They typically range from 80-150 THB for a 10-gram tube with a 0.05 concentration, depending on where you get them!

[@williamk7035]

Tazarotene is the best retinoid for me. It’s less irritating than tretinion for me, cleared my acne so fast, makes my skin texture so smooth and the glow it gives me is incredible!

[@nadab4750]

Hi Michelle, Thank you for recently mentioning the L'Oreal Bond Repair range... which I have now switched to. I purchased the shampoo, conditioner and the serum. I was previously using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, which made my all-over blonded hair clean, soft & silky...but it also made it lank and "stringy" not too long afterwards. Because my hair is naturally oily, I was just thinking that this happened to my hair whenever I had more than 1mm of regrowth... when it was the shampoo & conditioner all along! So now I don't have to squirm every time I look at photos when I am wearing my (past shoulder length) hair down. In fact, on the weekend I met up with a cousin (from Europe) that I had not seen in 40 years and wanted to look my best. Thanks to you, Mo (moskinlab) and Dr Dray, I actually went out socially for the first time in a million years without foundation or powder and just washed and dried my hair with hardly any styling. I felt more relaxed and looked better & younger than I usually do...both in real life and in photos. My boyfriend said that he has never seen me look more beautiful. I've always been a glam full-face make-up girl, but now realise that I don't have to cover the pimples or freckles/pigmentation that I used to have. It's OK for my skin to look like skin. I still wore eye makeup; but no eyeshadow (except a subtle champagne liquid glitter on my lids) and petal pink lips. I admit I did have a trial run the previous day, just going to Bunnings, Chemist Warehouse & Aldi! 👱🏻‍♀️❤️

[@pajamamama5965]

This is fascinating. Thank you! I have super oily, sensitive and acne prone skin with melasma. I began my retinoid journey at the age of 42 with many over-the-counter gentle retinoids. My skin was always irritated for at least a year. So I tried differin, and that was less irritating than retinol. It also worked better for my acne. I used it for 2 years but I still had a small amount of acne, although it did help a little bit with fine lines. Finally got Tretinoin gel .025 percent. Hallelujah! Finally all my acne is gone. So is pigment! And my fine lines. In fact I look younger than I did 5 years ago. I'm blown away. I didn't believe the hype and I didn't think my sensitive skin could handle tret. But I do use the moisturizer sandwich method with niacinamide and centella toner first. Now my skin can't handle ascorbic acid any longer but I do use THD instead and I like it.

[@jameslozano6913]

Can confirm that receptor selectivity does not necessarily translate to fewer side effects. I managed to get a prescription for trifarotene and my skin never adapted to it. I spent 6 weeks with my whole face stinging for no real benefit 😭

[@jordan8276]

Thank you! Been waiting (patiently) for this video. I’ve been on Tazarotene for the past 10 years. It’s always worked quite well for me (aside from some irritation when I’m less diligent about skincare), but have always wondered about the differences to other retinoids!

[@hrhsophiathefirst4060]

My first introduction to retinoids was tazarotene and it was awful, I stopped using it after 3 months and stopped using anything for my cystic acne. A year later I saw another derm who prescribed Epi-duo and that was a game changer. Three years later I am on tretinoin .05% and my skin is clear and healthy with minimal breakouts. Why a derm would start with that I do not know but your video is anecdotally accurate.

[@juliabinford6500]

Thank you so much for this comparison! I don’t want to fall for myths. I can’t use tretanoin directly to bare skin without irritation. I used adapalene for years to treat acne, and I didn’t even know it was a retinoid.

[@VioletFem]

I really like the Superman analogy! It makes perfect sense to explain how a prodrug can be just as strong (or stronger!) than a drug.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Thanks! I spend a lot of my writing time thinking up nice analogies, I'm glad it's appreciated 😀

[@ViktorDi]

As always, thank you for your work! Your channel is like a holy grail of skincare for me! So informative and well-explained, and science backed, simply amazing.

[@leonelavaldez4228]

I’ve used both. Tretinoin has worked the best for me. I did have to apply it last after moisturizer to get results. But my skin has not been this clear since before adolescence.

[@eggboi4564]

The delivery of the lab muffin joke got me

[@Venturahighwayride]

Been using Trentinoin 0.1, first time using and I know that’s a high starting point. I wanted fast results. I noticed a lot of peeling at first but now that I’ve been using it three times a week with an amazing moisturizer I’ve noticed the peeling is about gone, my skin texture is much better, and my break outs are not as long lasting. Though they still happen.

[@Jessica-rp6yu]

which moisturizer do you use?

[@zvezdoblyat]

​@@Jessica-rp6yuasking the real questions

[@jenniferkeating3989]

Thank you so much for this information, Michelle! I'm 57, but brand new to Tretinoin, so need to learn more. And I love your sweater. The color looks great on you! Did you crochet that yourself? Super cute.

[@Cocoanutty0]

I will watch this later, but I just want to say you’ve taught me enough to feel more confident about my recent choice to switch from prescription tretinoin to adapalene (differin). I haven’t tried the differin yet, but I will say after about a month of my prescription, I have been left with some (sudden onset) chemical burns. I now know that otc retinoids aren’t useless (thanks to you) and found that research shows adapolene may be better for sensitive skin. Of course, I’m currently healing from the burns so won’t be starting differin for a while.

[@matheuswerly5320]

As a pharmacist, I'm very happy with this video. It is very complete and understandable ❤

[@traepalmer]

Watched early over on Nebula - excellent work, as usual 😁 I like that adapalene 0.1% went OTC here because I use it off-label for keratosis pilaris, and I can get a generic 45g tube for not too much. I was able to try trifarotene gel, and it honestly just reminded me of adapalene. Tret is what I normally use on my face, but my neck doesn't tolerate it, so I just use a mild retinaldehyde product there. I'll also swap my tret for retinaldehyde one evening if I have anything important the next day and don't want to risk looking ruddy.

[@themikeroberts]

I've found that the store brand adapalene at CVS and Walgreens is sometimes really cheap cause they'll have like a buy one get one half of sale.

[@traepalmer]

@@themikeroberts that's an awesome deal! I haven't seen it on BOGO in my area, but it's usually around $10 cheaper than the 45 g name-brand tubes, so around $23 to $26. As far as I can tell, the formula is exactly the same: even the inactive ingredients seem to be identical across all of the 0.1 % adapalene products I've come across.

[@lesleyegbert4807]

Thanks for the tip on using adapalene for KP. How long have you been using it for that purpose and how much has the KP reduced, if any? I tried a retinol body cream on my KP for almost a year and saw no improvement, but we all know how ineffective retinol is compared to adapalene...

[@traepalmer]

@@lesleyegbert4807 I've been using it for KP for 2 or 3 years now. I usually alternate nights between it and a glycolic acid body lotion. There was a bit of flaking at first, but that subsided after about a month, I'd say. If I'm being consistent with it, it knocks it down by maybe 90 %. The bumpiness is definitely smoothed out and it's mostly just the redness that remains.

[@lesleyegbert4807]

Good to hear, thanks.

[@ceresida]

Please do a video about mica controversy, and how ti choose, and synthetic mica alternatives

[@ceresida]

Is the child labour controversy specific to mica, or is it a problem with all inorganic components of makeup?

[@belezacomdu]

Thank you so much Michelle! I've been on Adapalene 0.3 since the beginning of the year and I love it. Practically zero irritation on every day use. Might try to come back to tretinoin next year but in BR we only have two options. One with fragrance ;( and the other causes zero irritation in many of my followers. Not sure if it's really effective. Thanks again for the informative video!

[@Amandaalmeida673]

Oi Edu! Quais são as opções que temos aqui no br de adapaleno ?

[@belezacomdu]

@@Amandaalmeida673 Oi! Temos Differin, Belpele e Deriva Micro.

[@Amandaalmeida673]

@@belezacomdu Edu você sabe dizer se o adapaleno também promove efeito anti aging assim como a tretinoina?

[@belezacomdu]

​@@Amandaalmeida673não promove tanto. Não tem tanta evidência ainda. É mais para acne, textura e poros.

[@farihasifat]

So much information!!! But i like it ❤

[@pedrokass2973]

And the Oscar goes to.... Dr. Michelle Wong for Retinoids and beyond. You're the best! Thanks for every video.

[@TaLuLuDAY]

Thanks for the info! I guess I’ll stick with my 0.025% tretinoin! Been using it for 2 years and I’ve been seeing good result. It was irritating a first few months (using once every 3 days) as I have dry and sensitive skin, I even used sandwich moisturizing layering method.

[@xtosssxts1032]

Thank you for new great video Michelle ❤ I love learning more about retinoids, started tretinoid year ago and after adjusting and finding good stable skin routine it really did wonders for me.

[@grf123]

For those who can't tolerate tretinoin cream or gel, give try to micro retin A it's so good, absolutely no irritation whatsoever no stinging at all, peeling still occurs though. I use tretinoin with benzoyl peroxide in wash form, i feel micro retina A can be used with wash off benzoyl peroxide as there isn't much irritation or dryness as with typical tretinoin, 'thats just my opinion not a fact though'.

[@Deborah-so8mv]

That was the first one I used and it made my face fall off. I don’t have 20 years to waste on Tret. I use lesser retinols and now trying Differin. Cautiously.

[@IllonoD-nz7wk]

Thanks for this! I've always been wondering what the difference is. This is such a nice and clear explanation 😊

[@RowanJacobs]

My favorite retinoid, palovarotene, isn't here-probably because it isn't even a skin drug. It's a new treatment for FOP, the rare disease that turns people's soft tissue into bone, but its efficacy is extremely controversial. Still pretty cool any time a rare disease gets a new drug though. It's also a very selective RAR-gamma agonist, so it probably does work on skin, and some of its side effects are the same as the side effects from topical retinoids. I love the explanations of what the different moieties are doing in the pharmacology of each retinoid, as someone who reads SAR papers for fun lol.

[@kieraniles688]

This video is great. I loved all of the chemistry and the way you show the chemical formulas, explain the functional groups and highlight why the molecules look different or similar.

[@Lafantia]

Love your series on retinoids as I myself starting to introduce it into my skincare routine. And THANK you for explaining about compromised skin barrier because now i know what to use and it saves me a lot of pain and itching. Your channel is such a gem in general and endless source of useful info. Happy New Year!

[@theskincarenerd]

Thank you for this! As someone who has been on tazarotene since September, I’ve been dying to see more in depth videos on tazarotene!

[@AlexDahl]

Hi michelle, I've been using NIOD products (think of it like The Ordinary's older brother with a PhD) for some time now and I really like their products, particularly CAIS3, FECC, and LVCE. Would really appreciate it if you would consider reviewing them, they have very clinical-sounding descriptions of all their products online.

[@helenap3822]

I eagerly await the video on cosmetic retinoids! I'm not using them on my face any time soon (too ADHD to use sunscreen consistently), but I'm interested in potentially using them on my body.

[@AC-dz9yq]

I’ve been trying to figure out if I should stick with differin or start on a retinol instead. This is helpful, tyvm !

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

@AC-dz9yq How about Adapalene. 3% Rx before going to Tret

[@noofh9618]

I have been on tretinoin for 3 years and it has done wonder for my skin. But I do need to be careful with my routine to prevent irritation. So was thinking about the new formulas as I've heard the claims of them being less irritating but now thx to you I will just continue my routine as it is. Tret is widely available and affordable where I am whereas the newer formulas not easy to find and double or triple the price. So tret it is until You make a video telling me there are evidence that says I would benefit from another formula. On a side note, adapalene irritated my skin more than tret did. And for a long time I thought I wouldn't be able to handle tret but I'm doing just fine as long that I'm hydrating and looking after my skin barrier!

[@tanesha3946]

Adapalene irritated my skin too and i want to start tret. Do you use the gel or cream tret?

[@aninterestinusername]

My dermatologist when I was a teen literally prescribed benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin, with no mention of the BP interfering with the retinoid. Thanks doc 🤦‍♂️

[@augustevarkalaite321]

Great video, but sadly a lot of these products are not available in EU. Could you do a video about retinoids available in Europe?

[@lavayuki]

I have only used the over the counter stuff and then Differin cream, and now am using the Geek and Gorgeous A Game 10. After this I am thinking of using Dermatica. I found the cream form of differin good, i have dry skin so the cream was much better for my skin and it never irritated my skin

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

@lavayuki Didn't know Differen came in a cream. Cool

[@avasiriel8293]

Hi! You mentioned that adapalene does not work on post-acne marks and scars as well as tretinoin and tizarotene, but does it still work on them despite not being that good? I'm thinking of buying adapalene, and i really want to get rid of my deep acne scars. Love the video!

[@Hara877]

Do you mean like pitted scars? I can’t speak to that but I can say that I had very severe post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and discoloration as well as acne and adapalene helped tremendously and within 6 months my skin looked even and perfect.

[@nandiniinfinity]

Michelle, thank you for your wonderful work over the years. If you take video ideas from readers/ viewers, please consider these: - The current state of innovation in the hair colour market. My particular interest is in why there are so few deposit only options, especially formulas based on dye precursors in henna and indigo; after all many people colour their hair for grey coverage and not fun/ fashion and these types of formulas could theoretically achieve that with limited colour options. - How companies (especially big ones) develop the fragrances they use in products, both the chemistry side of things and the sensorial side (how do they test if people like a new fragrance etc.) - As end users, what rules of thumb can stand us in good stead when choosing products and brands for maximum scientific soundness in formulation? I feel sometimes one can't just rely on the brands being big and international. Dove, for example, has stupidly gone "paraben-free" and many of their hair products in my country now contain MI. Thank you again.

[@marvinicampos]

I love your videos on retinoids! I would love to hear your points on newer ingredients like phytoretinols, granactive etc

[@BlahBlahPoop617]

There is our girl, in all her beauty.

[@LoneGunman90]

Now we just need more muffin science. Not enough muffin science on this channel.

[@lucassavioli1031]

I used adapalene and tretinoin. For me both were equal in irritation, mild in my case. Tazarotene discontinuation was approved by ANVISA (i dont know why) thus not avaliable for me to use. I still use tretinoin (mostly because is cheaper) and worked great for my acne

[@chamorrojen1905]

Another great video- thanks, Michelle! I love how informative you are and how well you break down complicated topics, but when you randomly plug in your deadpan humor your content crosses over into epic territory for me lmao. "Scientists suck at naming things which is why my channel is named lab muffin"🤣💀

[@metoo3342]

Anecdotal but Tazarotene is actually less irritating for me than tretinoin. I couldn't put it on more than once everyday 5 days without severe irritation even with moisturizing. I can put on Tazarotene every other day with little issue besides dry skin and occasional slight redness. Maybe it was the formulation but no idea.

[@alichishti579]

Wow...this was just amazing. Fantastic info!

[@myselfme7945]

Thank you so much for your science based content, I'm pretty sure I learn something new every time I watch your videos :))

[@destinyegu1572]

Tazarotene is also available in a pump and 0.05% cream. Tazarotene has shown to be the most gentle and effective retinoid for my African American skin out of all the ones I've tried. Tazarotene 0.45%, 0.5%, and even 0.1% cream truly does my skin justice as addition to Accutane! On MY skin, it actually irritates less than tret.

[@declanw1136]

Another banger of a video, love u always

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Thank you!

[@BruzdiPatrycja]

Thank you for this video. I hoped there will be more data about trifaroten. I'm using this retinoid and tried to find something about how it works for wrinkles and aging at all comparing to tretinoin, but I haven't found anything. :/

[@thea5513]

It’s so cool to find professors like you on KZbin! Fellow Pharmacologist here! Did you abandon academia? I would consider moving to Australia if you were to supervise me! I’m a big fan of yours! Thanks for your insight!

[@danlesak00]

I've been using an encapsulated .1 tretinoin and 3% benzoyl peroxide from Galderma and it has been very effective.

[@danlesak00]

Twyneo

[@kafkakinder]

I've been using retinal for more than 3 years, recently I started 0.025% tretinoin and didn´t experience any sort of irritation.

[@lucydyamond3658]

I use a retinoid of some kind every day, and have fewer signs of aging than my peers, I still have acne. Done Acutane, lasers, tret, micro needling, and cortisone injections. Still have no fewer than 2/3 big cysts on my face at any given time. But I look real young, so… lol

[@Queenofcats36]

Adapalene is really good, and I can buy it OTC here in NZ.

[@hackitmaster1505]

FINALLY, you have no idea how long i have waited for a video like this. When I originally watched your first videos on retinoids, I became so curious about how tretinoin works because its kinda vague just saying it goes on your skin and voila. I am still curious how the retinoic acid receptor being bound actually changes biological processes but from what I have researched, there just isn't much knowledge on it. Still this video really helped explain the papers I read on these forms of retinoids in simpler terms!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

I really don't enjoy biochem so I generally blank out everything between receptor binding and biomarker/macroscopic impacts, but a very rough outline is: the RAR joins up with another type of receptor (RXR) and they mess around with the DNA of the cell, which then changes how the cell works. Maybe try asking Dr Dray? I believe her PhD was on molecular biology, which is this kind of thing...

[@JenniferNoelle]

I used gel Adapalene and had wayyyyyy more irritation than Tretinoin in a cream base.

[@pruneswithbutter]

You are a godsend. Was just about to change my curology formula.

[@briskwinterair]

i also use curology. what formula changes are you planning to make after this video if you don’t mind me asking?

[@jellyfishes-png]

queeeennnn 💪🏼 have a happy new year!

[@sine40]

michelle you beautiful angel what a useful and wonderful present-video! happy holidays ❤

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

@sine40 She is an angel 😇 💖

[@user-pr7cz1uj8t]

i've been waiting for this video for my whole life

[@Cristina_Dhyan-S.]

Beautiful video, very clear and very well explained .. thank you Michelle 👍

[@lillypieisme]

I used Tazarotene (Arazlo) for 2 years for my acne and it honestly didn’t do much for my hormonal acne. I had to get on Accutane to finally stop my life struggle with acne. Now I use Tretinoin and Clindanycin Phosphate to control my skin from any further breakouts and it has been helping a ton now that the Accutane is out of my system.

[@simomis4]

I’m 19. Before starting isotretinoin, I used trifarotene for 3 months (before that, I was using retinaldehyde). Didn’t work for acne (that’s why I’m on isotret) but it was amazing for skin smoothness and it wasn’t that irritating.

[@fooloo993]

Tretinoin (have only tried low dose creams) and adapalene (have only tried otc gel) give me an immediate rash on contact so I can't use them. I've just started using a 0.1% tazarotene cream over the last week and while my skin is definitely irritated, it's NOWHERE near my tretinoin/adapalene rash. The ordinary's granactive retinoid doesn't irritate me at all, but I also can't tell that it does much for my skin

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

That's interesting - immediate rash sounds like it could be a reaction to another ingredient?

[@fooloo993]

@LabMuffinBeautyScience definitely could be (immediate might be an exaggeration. More like within 24 hours)! Also interestingly, I could tolerate the same kinds of adapalene and tretinoin creams 5 years ago (to the point where I hardly even noticed a change) but no more. Coincidentally, I do also now have allergies I didn't used to. The body is a beautiful thing 😅 Thank you for your awesome videos!

[@Iwona886]

I used trifarotene for quite a long time and didn't get good results neither for acne nor for anti aging (but in fact since it's the newest retinoid, there are no studies for anti aging benefits of it)... It should be the most gentle retinoid but my skin peeled like crazy. And of course I didn't use it every day. I got absolutely best results by using isotretinoine orally, it changed my skin for so much better. I just wish I started the therapy earlier instead of hoping that topical creams can solve my skin problems...

[@katerutherford2985]

Delighted to find you through Glam Girl Gabi’s referral! So good to hear actual science-based evaluations, comparisons and recommendations! 👏❤️ I’ve liked and subscribed and looking forward to cruising the backlog to catch up.

[@hkjbdolphins]

As someone who has tried tret and tazarotene, I am definitely having more success with tazarotene but I also feel like derms are misleading when they tell you that you have to work up to using it daily. I have had the most success using it every second or third day because I have damaged my skin barrier before with tret and now I am treading lightly.

[@livics610]

I have some topics of interest, if you think they are helpful to expend on: - are Estradiol/ Estrogen creams safe to use on the skin? What if you take the pill? Is there an age related recommendation? Frequency? Etc. - what do you think of Phenol peel? Is it the only way to penetrate deep into the skin to boost Collagen, or what other ways are there? Etc. - what do you think about Ectoin? Combination of Ectoin with other ingredients? What products would you recommend? Etc.

[@lodixe5947]

Rosacea sufferer here! I can handle adapalene once a week no problem (other nights i alternate soolantra or finacea), my skin is less inflamed and i get less and less rosacea "pimples" i love it! ❤

[@svetlananana9609]

Folks from Germany! Formel Skin ist der Hit für mich, weil das online Hautärzte sind, die dir Tretinoin verschreiben. Bei mir ist grad ein Jahr Wartezeit zum Hautarzt und da konnte ich ein Set kaufen mit dem verschreibungspflichtigen Tretinoin in einer Formelflassche in Kombi mit Niacinamid, ohne Wartezeit. Ist auch eine Pumpflasche, was für mich extrem wichtig ist, weil ich mega pendatisch ängstlich bin und schlecht im Schätzen wie viel Creme ich jetzt genommen habe. Und da ist halt alles drin Cleanser, Feuchtigkeitsdings und die Formel mit Tretinoin für den Abend und wenn du magst noch Sonnencreme dazu. Wobei ich nur die Sonnencreme da jetzt nicht mehr dazukaufe, nach einmal probieren. Da nehme ich lieber was leicht einziehendes wie Beauty of joseon Relief sun rice+probiotics für die Tage, wenn ich kein Sport mache oder ins Wasser geh. (aber Achtung net kaufen bei dunkler Haut weil einer der chemischen Filter weißelt+net kaufen wenn Augen schnell gereizt sind, weil manche Leute reizt es vom Geruch)Mir ist halt wichtig das schnell einzieht und nicht glänzt Ich finds prima, weil ich außer Sonnencreme und Benton Pha peeling nix kaufe mehr. Und weil ich immer bei Dermatologen fragen kann und da meine Bilder von der Haut regelmäßig einsenden. Die nehmen sich Zeit und antworten relativ schnell. Halt an Werktagen natürlich

[@tasfia5769]

You read my mind. This video popped up at the right time. I am turning 23 this month and am thinking about starting to use retinol products from now on. I always look up your recommendations before buying anything. I have dry skin without any skin problems. Can you please recommend some products for me or make a video about it. Tnx.

[@alext6582]

Hi Michelle, thank you for the informative video, I just have one question : Is 0.1% adapalene gel different from the cream or lotion type in terms of efficacy? Is there a reason why the gel is otc whereas the cream and lotion is prescription ❤❤❤

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

I think it's just the whole thing with drug regulation of formulas that I talked about in the last video - different formulas are considered different drugs, so there would've needed to be a separate set of data submitted for those to be made OTC.

[@rics1883]

I have switched from Tretinoin to Tazarotene for last 3 months. Damm, I'm never going back to Tretnoin, Taz is less irritating than Tret as it does not bind to all RARs. Tazarotene helped me get that glass skin everyone talks about. What matters is going slow and steady.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Receptor selectivity doesn't seem to have much to do with irritation - see 4:19 onwards

[@MyLoVeLyMaN]

What formula/strength are you on for Taz?

[@dedmatters]

Had a good chuckle on the team work hit.

[@popcornpretzel6720]

Ooh can you talk about Urea? I’m confused at whether it’s moisturizing or an exfoliant and how it depends on concentrations. It’s an NMF, but is it good for a damaged skin barrier?

[@SchlichteToven]

I'm still not clear on some points - does 0.1% adapalene work on photoaging (primarily wrinkles)? Does it work better on wrinkles than over the counter products with retinol or retinal? I've been using Peter Thomas Roth's retinol fusion PM for several years, and the last year or two I've been using Beauty of Joseon's retinal cream, but recently I've been trying Differin 0.1% (shipped from America). If I'm mostly using it to prevent wrinkles and reduce the fine forehead lines I have, does it work for that purpose at 0.1%? Even if it doesn't work as well as Tretinoin, I'm fine with that as long as it works better than retinol/retinal.

[@maebhryan3040]

I live in a country where adapalene is prescription only as an acne treatment and my GP has refused to prescribe it for me. I have to buy OTC when travelling or ask family abroad to do it for me. Thanks for the clear info on the different types.

[@luizgustavoarantes]

I've been using adapalene for more than 5 months now and it gives almost no irratation (corner of left eye only for some reason 😅) and i combine with a glycolic acid serum and my skin looks so good now! no acne, beautiful, bright, glowy, healthy

[@morkoshenen]

Thanks for the nice video. What do you think about the tretinoin microsphere? Is it true that it gets deactivated by moisturizers, and one shouldn't buffer? Is it proven for aging like the standard cream or gel formula? Thanks

[@jonasdivalt]

Love this video🥰 Thank you💖

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

You're very welcome!

[@loridemontigny2340]

I'd really like to hear which cosmetic retinoids you think are best as well. It can be hard to navigate.

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

Yes!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

That'll be the next one in this series! But it might take a little while because it's definitely harder to navigate 😅

[@_Stav_]

This is exactly the video I needed

[@Creestle]

I've read that retinoids can potentially cause dry eye via meibomian gland dysfunction (that anecdotally may not be reversible). Are there studies supporting potentially irreversible mgd from topical retinoids?

[@elettramia6380]

Please Review the brand naturium retinaldehyde

[@gwhitcom]

So helpful! I’m happy with Tret but it’s good to know there are other options!

[@Vickytori22]

Thank you so much for this video! Just wanted to ask, how does Granactive retinoid compare? Many thanks

[@SashaMarieStone]

I was using tretinoin for about a year with no issues. A couple months ago I developed a strange tingling sensation in my cheekbone area. It felt like I had smeared peppermint oil on my face (I hadn’t). Through process of elimination, I discovered that it was the tretinoin and after some research, I found med articles that it can cause neurological hypersensitivity.