Is Retin-a the Most Effective Wrinkle Cream?

Do anti-wrinkle creams that promise instant smoothing and noticeable reduction in fine lines really work?

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Topical Retinoids are clinically effective

The topical retinoids are by far the most clinically effective wrinkles creams available. They can work long term and results are often immediate after several weeks of use. The strength of the retinoid plays a major role in the short and long term effectiveness of the retinoid.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Retin-A effectiveness

I cannot answer if it is the "most" effective cream for wrinkles because every cream reacts differently for each individual and results vary. However, Retin A is one of the most effective topical creams for photoaging, i.e. aging as a result of sun damage. The reason why most dermatologists recommend Retin A is because it has 20 years of good science behind it to show it does actually make a difference whereas so many other creams and potions on the market have no comparable peer... more

Steven Hacker, MD

West Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon

Retin-A products are good for fighting superficial...

Retin-A products are good for fighting superficial rhytides, or wrinkles, and are applied topically as prescribed by your physician. The downside is they often cause redness and superficial peeling of the skin, and often take weeks to months to show any changes. Antioxidant products like Prevage are nice and not as aggressive on the skin as Retin-A creams.

Jennifer Walden, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Retin-A cream has proven efficacy

Retin-A cream falls in the category of retinoids. Retin-A (retinoids, vitamin A derivatives) cream has been used for years by dermatologists for the treatment of acne, photodamage and anti-aging. There is scientific evidence to show that it stimulates underlying collagen, thereby improving overlying fine lines and wrinkles. There are thousands of other products out there claiming to get rid of wrinkles and lines, and I think they are all bascially the same and do not give results.... more

Channing R. Barnett, MD

New York Dermatologist

Retin A works

Absolutely, tretinoin is the generic name and its Vit A companions such as tazarotene have been shown to help smooth fine lines, decrease pigmentation issues and build collagen by turning on the RNA that makes collagen. So the answer to your question is that tretinoin is the best studied to improve the skin, but results are slow so be patient and watch for skin irritation.

Shawn Allen, MD

Boulder Dermatologist

Anti-wrinkle creams that promise instant smoothing do work but only last 4-6 hours

Many anti-wrinkle creams are available now and do work but work by irritating the skin to cause edema or swelling to smooth out the lines temporarily and last 4-6 hrs. This is exactly how the lip plumper lipsticks work and last about 2 hours. Retin A or other vit A creams do offer more long term improvement and are always worth using.

David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Retin-A (Tretinoin) is THE Most Effective Wrinkle Cream

Retin-A (tretinoin) is a prescription-only medication that works both in the epidermis and dermis to reverse the aging process in the skin. It stimulates the formation of new collagen, helping to restore thicker, healthier skin. Tretinoin cream decreases pigmentation and exfoliates and compacts the outermost layers of the skin. Tretinoin cream also increases circulation in the skin which causes the “rosy glow” that is associated with its use. No other cream has been as... more

Mitchell Schwartz, MD

South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

Retin-A works, if you can tolerate it.

If your skin can handle retina-A, it is your best option. It is better than any over the counter cream ever advertised in my opinion. The problem with Retin-A is that it causes redness, peeling and flaking in many people, especially those with sensitive skin. For those people other approaches like very gentle microdermabrasion or superficial chemical peels with salicylic or glycol acid. Give retin-A a try, but there are other ways to build collagen. The trick is to find the one that... more

Daniel J. Ladd Jr., DO

Austin Dermatologist

Retinoids still the best cream for wrinkles

Tretinoin, of which one brand name is Retin-A, is still the best wrinkle cream available. With evidence dating back to the 1970s, it's still king of the hill with regard to fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, and improved skin texture, not to mention acne and hyperpigmentation. It really does affect most aspects of sun damage and cosmetic appearance. Most other creams that promise instant smoothing are temporary surface fillers, more like makeup than permanent change. Stick with Retin-A... more

Chad L. Prather, MD

Baton Rouge Dermatologist

Retinoids work for wrinkles

Retinoids like retin-a, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, etc., have been used for decades and have the most scientific data for their effectiveness against wrinkles through their stimulation of underlying collagen. They also help give the skin a nice glow and lustre, and gently & slowly help fade some brown discolorations of the skin associated with aging. Other agents are also important & useful, including: vitamin C, glycolic acid, lactic acid, coffeeberry extract, matrixyl,... more

Benjamin Barankin, MD

Toronto Dermatologist

No instant wrinkle cream, pick Retin A or similar instead

There is no instant fix for wrinkles. Most any facial cream can serve to rehydrate the skin and any hydration will help minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Just as if you place a raisin in water, it will rehydrate to some degree and be less wrinkly, but not completely and not instantly AND the result is temporary. To truly make a change in your skin, you need to use a product that takes action on a cellular level. Retin A and similar Vitamin A creams work by speeding up the... more

Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD

Los Angeles Dermatologist

Retin-A isn't the most effective wrinkle cream

Watching an infomercial late at night, I saw a group of men and women hovered around a stylish lady oohing and ahhing (?sp.) like archaeologists who had just discovered Noah's ark. The object of their astonishment was a cream that instantly made wrinkles subside. Too bad it did not really work. This was no more than a magician's trick. The ingredients in this product irritate the skin causing edema. The swelling eliminates the wrinkle, but only temporarily. I remember learning this as a... more

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist

Topical retinoid has best science to support its anti-wrinkle efficacy

No over-the-counter cream has the kind of clinical evidence to back up its anti-wrinkle claims as much as topical retinoid such Retin-A, Renova, Atralin, Avage/Tazorac. You will see reduction of fine lines, more even skin tone, and even less risk of skin cancer. There have been countless studies confirming stimulation of collagen production and increasing evidence to support its chemopreventive benefits.

William Ting, MD

Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon

Retinoids a good choice for anti-aging

In every anti-aging regimen, I will recommend a retinoid of some kind (Avage, Retin-a, tretinoin, retinol). Retinoids not only make changes in the surface of the skin but also work below the skin to protect your skin from damage induced by exposure to the sun. I also always recommend an anti-oxidant topically (vitamin C, E, ferulic acid, coffeeberry, green tea and more) and a broad spectrum daily sun block.

Elizabeth F. Rostan, MD

Charlotte Dermatologist

Maybe Retin-A is the most effective wrinkle cream

Hello, Retin-A is the cream with which we have the longest history and the most information. It is available as a generic and is therefore less expensive. It works well on mild wrinkles and improves skin tone and pigment.