Tretinoin for Sun Damage (Photoaging)

The prescription-strength version of retinol. Same goals (smoother, more even skin), but works faster and is more irritating. Needs a doctor.

Why it works for Sun Damage (Photoaging)

The most proven prescription retinoid for sun damage. It tells the skin to build new collagen, blocks the enzymes that UV light uses to break collagen down, evens out how skin cells grow, and spreads out the pigment that makes dark spots. Griffiths et al. (NEJM 1993, PMID:8336752) showed real collagen rebuilding in sun-damaged skin at 0.1 percent over 10 to 12 months. Fisher et al. (NEJM 1997) showed it reverses UV-driven collagen breakdown. Start at 0.025 to 0.05 percent. Use at night only, and wear sunscreen every day. Prescription required.

How Tretinoin works

Active form of vitamin A that binds retinoid receptors directly to normalize keratinization and boost collagen.

Evidence

4 citations from our ingredient database. Full citation list on the Tretinoin ingredient page.

regulatory safety2022

SCCS Revision of the Scientific Opinion on Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate), SCCS/1639/21 (tretinoin is a prescription drug not regulated as cosmetic in EU; vitamin A opinion is the closest regulatory document)

review2010

Darlenski R et al., Topical retinoids in the management of photodamaged skin: from theory to evidence-based practical approach, British Journal of Dermatology 2010 — concludes tretinoin remains the best-evidenced topical retinoid for photodamage management

review2009

Bellemère G et al., Antiaging action of retinol: from molecular to clinical, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology 2009 — mechanism + clinical review linking retinol/tretinoin to collagen induction and clinical antiaging effects

review2006

Mukherjee S et al., Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging, Clinical Interventions in Aging 2006;1(4):327-48

Full Tretinoin guide →Sun Damage (Photoaging) overview →