Retinol Vs. Retin-a Vs. Retinoid: Differences, Benefits, Side Effects, And Expert Recommended Products

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If you're new to the wonderful world of retinoids, you may have noticed they come in a variety of strengths and formulations. You also may have wondered: What does retinol do for my skin? Retinoids can be used to treat everything from wrinkles and sun spots to acne, says Dr. Saami Khalifian, a double board-certified dermatologist and founder of SOM Aesthetics.

"They're well-studied and known to stimulate cellular turnover, boost collagen production, and regulate oil production," Khalifian tells Business Insider.

According to Khalifian, understanding the difference between the different types of retinoids is key in determining which one best meets your needs. For example, you may have wondered whether retinol or Retin-A is right for you. While there is some crossover in terms of the benefits you can expect with all retinoids, they do vary quite a bit in strength.

With that in mind, here's everything dermatologists want you to know about the differences between Retin-A, retinol, and retinoids at large.

What are retinoids?

Retinoids are a class of chemicals derived from vitamin A. According to Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice, retinoids can help to improve:

• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Acne
• Hyperpigmentation (dark spots)
• Uneven tone or texture
• Enlarged pores

They accomplish this partly by increasing your cell's turnover rate and boosting collagen production, explains Chacon.

Retinoids come in a variety of strengths and formulations, including retinol, retinaldehyde (retinal), and retinoic acid (tretinoin) — commonly known by the brand name Retin-A. Some forms can be found over-the-counter, while other more potent forms require a prescription due to the higher concentration of active ingredients.

"All retinoids ultimately get converted into retinoic acid, the active form of the molecule," says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology.

What is retinol?

Retinol is a natural form of vitamin A that you can find over the counter in retinol creams, serums, moisturizers, under-eye products, and body lotions.

"It's pretty well tolerated by most patients and is a great starting point for people who are new to retinoids," says Khalifian.

Your skin can only utilize retinoids in the form of retinoid acid. The more steps required for that conversion to take place, the more gentle and less irritating the product is, explains Khalifian. In the case of retinol, the conversion into retinoic acid is a two-step process.

"Although retinol is a less-potent derivative of vitamin A, it can still be quite effective for improving the overall appearance of the skin with continued use," says Hartman.

Side effects

A 2024 review found that very few people experience irritation when using retinol — and for those who do, this side effect is typically mild and short-lived.

That said, Hartman says the most common side effects include:

• Dryness
• Redness
• Irritation
• Flaky or peeling skin

Additionally, Hartman notes that some people may experience an uptick in blemishes. This is known as "purging," and it happens because retinol speeds up your skin's cell turnover rate, which brings oil, impurities, and clogged pores to the surface, making them more visible. Fortunately, Hartman says this is almost always just a temporary phase — lasting only three to four weeks at most. Along with other side effects, the purging tends to fade as your skin adjusts to the retinol.

If the side effects are unbearable, though, that may be a sign that the retinol is too strong for your skin or that you're using it too frequently. In that case, experts advise either discontinuing use and consulting your dermatologist or giving your skin a break for a week and then dropping to a lower-strength retinol.

Also worth mentioning? Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, says Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. That means you're more prone to sunburns while using it.

What is Retin-A?

Retin-A, the brand name for tretinoin, is a synthetic form of vitamin A that's available by prescription only.

"This product delivers the active form of retinoic acid without your skin having to do any fancy chemical conversions," explains Khalifian. "This means the product is stronger and works faster than over the counter retinol."

However, with quicker and more dramatic benefits also comes a downside: increased risk of side effects. According to a 2022 research review, the most common side effects include peeling, itching, dryness, and irritation.

"Many people can't tolerate tretinoin, myself included," says Khalifian. "So, I advise my patients to start slowly, with a pea-sized amount every other night. If peeling or irritation occurs, you should reduce the amount and frequency of use."

Most often, Retin-A is prescribed specifically to treat acne — including comedonal acne and inflammatory acne. It works by helping to stimulate the growth of new skin cells while sloughing away old ones, regulating sebum production, and preventing clogged pores. It's not uncommon for acne to get worse within the first week or two of using this medication before it gets better.

Retin-A can also be prescribed to treat psoriasis, as well as address signs of aging like hyperpigmentation and dark spots, rough skin, and fine wrinkles.

Effects of retinol vs Retin-A?

While retinol and retin-A can be used to reduce the signs of aging, experts say retin-A is the more common choice for treating acne.

Because Retin-A is much stronger, Hartman says you can expect to see more dramatic results and in a shorter span of time. When used regularly, Retin-A can yield skin improvements in as little as two to three weeks — although it may take up to four to six months. On the other hand, you may not notice improvements from over-the-counter retinol products until you've been using them regularly for at least three to six months.

"That shouldn't discourage anyone from using a retinol — anyone with sensitive skin might find it easier to tolerate a retinol product over a tretinoin product," adds Hartman. "But I might prescribe a tretinoin product for patients with moderate to severe acne or scars."

Both a small 2020 study in women with moderate wrinkles and a 2015 study in women with sun-damaged skin actually found that the benefits of retinol are pretty comparable to tretinoin. When using retinol, participants experienced just as much of an improvement in wrinkles, discoloration, and pore size — and not only that, but they also experienced fewer adverse events.

Choosing the right product

Basic everyday skincare

Acne, wrinkles, and scars

Preventing side effects

Across the board, dermatologists agree the best way to reduce the potential side effects of any retinoids is to go low and slow.

"Start by using it just one to two times per week and gradually increase the frequency from there," advises Hartman.

Because retinoids can increase skin sensitivity to the sun, Hartman also recommends using them only in your evening skincare routine and applying a sunscreen moisturizer every morning.

"It can also be helpful to mix an equal amount of the retinoid with moisturizer when first starting to use it," says Camp.

This technique minimizes irritation by diluting the strength of the product.

Dermatologists also strongly recommend following up with a moisturizer any time to you use retinoids to ward off dryness, sensitivity, or flakiness.

Especially if you have dry skin, Chacon suggests seeking out retinoid products that also contain hydrating ingredients, like:

• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Squalane
• Peptides
• Ceramides

FAQs

Which is better: retinol or Retin-A?

Whether retinol or Retin-A is the better choice for you will depend on your skin type and goals.

According to Hartman and Chacon, retinol is a great option if you:

• Have super dry and/or sensitive skin
• Have never used retinoids before
• Only have mild to moderate skin concerns
• Are just looking for a general improvement in the appearance of your skin

Conversely, you might want to consider Retin-A if you:

• Have already tried over-the-counter retinol products and aren't seeing noticeable enough benefits
• Have more moderate to severe skin concerns, such as acne, scars, or psoriasis

When in doubt, Chacon advises consulting your dermatologist for more personalized guidance on the best retinoid options for you.

How much stronger is Retin-A than retinol?

Retin-A is significantly more potent than retinol.

Retinol strengths can range from 0.01% to 1.0%. According to Hartman, even a 0.1% tretinoin (Retin-A) is roughly 20 times stronger than the strongest retinol you can find over the counter.

"To put this into perspective, a 0.5% Retinol is roughly equivalent to 0.025% Retin-A," adds Khalifian.

When should you start using retinol?

There isn't necessarily a "right" or "wrong" time to add retinoids to your routine. For some, it may make sense to start using them when acne is taking a toll on their self-confidence, and other treatments haven't worked. For others, it might be a preventative measure to take in their younger years to slow signs of aging.

According to Khalifian, your skin naturally starts producing less collagen and elastin in your thirties — which is why you might start noticing an increase in fine lines and wrinkles. That's why this is a particularly popular stage of life to introduce retinol.

"I tend to recommend patients use retinol products in their mid to late 20s depending on their skin condition and goals, but it's never too late to start," says Hartman.

If you're not sure whether retinol is a good fit for you, ask your dermatologist. They can help you to figure out not only which formulation makes sense for your needs, but also which strength will maximize the benefits while minimizing the side effects.