Ask any dermatologist to name their skin-care must-have, and there’s a good chance they’ll be gushing about the benefits of using a topical retinoid—which combats both acne and aging by way of increasing cell turnover—before you can finish your question. <\/p>
That said, the term retinoid<\/em> doesn’t refer to just one product but a class of vitamin A–derived actives, including the ingredients adapalene and tretinoin. The former is the basis of Differin, while the latter is synonymous with Retin-A<\/a>. (Tretinoin is also the active ingredient in a number of other brand name retinoids, such as ReFissa and Renova.) <\/p> Differin and Retin-A perform the same basic function, but there are key differences between the two that every retinoid user should know. We asked New York City board-certified dermatologists Dr. Jessica Krant<\/a> and Dr. Sapna Palep<\/a> to compare and contrast so you can choose the most appropriate option for your skin health.<\/p> Like all retinoids, both adapalene (Differin) and tretinoin (Retin-A) bind to retinoic acid receptors (RARs) on keratinocyte cells in the skin. “This binding controls keratinocyte differentiation, maturation, and behavior, which encourages turnover,” says Dr. Krant. But “different retinoids bind to different [types of RARs], which explains their slight differences in action,” she says.<\/p> While both Differin and Retin-A increase cell turnover via the same binding process, Differin does so more gently, since it binds to just one type of receptor. Retin-A, however, binds to all three subtypes of receptors, making it a more potent option with a deeper exfoliation of the skin.<\/p> This more intensive cell turnover allows Retin-A to effectively smooth wrinkles<\/a> and diminish brown spots<\/a>, which is why it’s so frequently praised for its anti-aging abilities. Differin, on the other hand, is intended for the treatment of acne rather than wrinkles and skin aging. <\/p> Though it’s not FDA-approved for doing so, Differin gel can also be used to treat early signs of aging, says Dr. Palep. While more research needs to be done on the anti-aging effects of Differin, one study<\/a> did find significant improvement in wrinkles after long-term use.<\/p> Until recently, the answer was yes, on both counts. But due to its milder nature, Differin was granted FDA approval as an over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatment. The adapalene gel is available in two different concentrations: 0.1% or 0.3% (only the former is available without a doctor’s appointment). <\/p> Retin-A is available in concentrations ranging from 0.025% to 0.1% and is a prescription-only topical acne medication. While the brand Retin-A is FDA-approved only to treat acne, the products Renova and ReFissa—which are based on the same tretinoin molecule as Retin-A—are approved for the treatment of fine lines, irregular discoloration (hyperpigmentation and dark spots), and rough texture caused by photoaging.<\/p> Related: 9 Moisturizers Dermatologists Recommend Using While On Retin-A<\/a><\/em><\/p>Adapalene vs. Tretinoin: What do they do?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>
Do I need a prescription for Differin or Retin-A?<\/strong><\/h2>