Retinol-A - Is It Safe?

Hi i hope you can answer my question about retino a is that the same as retin a? with same substances? and is it safe to use?

Tags:

safety

Comment on this

4 Doctor Answers | Asked by Stelle23 in new york

Doctor Answers (4)
Community Comments (0)

Retinol is the Alcohol form of Retin A

Retinol is a very popular ingredient in skin care products. Since it is OTC, many companies that have hopped on the anti-aging bandwagon include it in their formulations. Like Retin A, it is a Vitamin A derivative. Basically Retinol, the alcohol, undergoes conversion to Retinoic acid( tretinoin), the acid form, popularly known as Retin A. In this transformation, there is some loss of potency. Retinol is only 1/4th the strength of Retin A. However, it is quite a bit less irritating,... more

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

5 reviews

Virginia Beach Dermatologist

Retinol-A is not Retin-A

Retin- A is the effective prescription cream for wrinkles , tretinoin is the generic. In general any derivation of the name Retin A is an otc knock off and probably not as effective but does carry some similar risks of the more effective Retin A.

Steven Hacker, MD

3 reviews

West Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon

Retinol and Retin A are both forms of vitamin A

Retinol can be converted by the body to retinoic acid. Retin A is one such retinoic acid, all-trans retinoic acid. The same precautions that apply to Retin A apply to retinol, although retinol is usually the weaker molecule when used on the skin. Retinols are available over the counter, whereas Retin A is a prescription medication. Both can make you sun sensitive, so regular use of sunscreen is a must. Both are decomposed by ultraviolet light, so it is best to... more

Retin A Safety

Anything that is a derivation of the Retin A name is generally still retin A in some form or another. Because of this, they all must be treated like Retin A and precautions must be taken. Retin A causes serious birth defects in a fetus, so anyone attempting to or currently pregnant should not use it at all. I would check with a physician before starting it since their are a host of other side effects as well. A good plastic surgeon or dermatologist can examine... more