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Retinoids: Retinol & Tretinoin | My Beauty Protocol

Retinoids: Retinol & Tretinoin

Topical Vitamin A Derivatives

Plain-English name: Vitamin A Creams

Also known asTretinoin (e.g., Retin-A, Altreno)Retinol (e.g., SkinCeuticals, generic OTC)Adapalene (e.g., Differin Gel 0.1%)

Educational info only, not medical advice. Ask a qualified provider. Disclaimer · Terms

Derived from Vitamin A, retinoids signal skin cells to increase turnover and collagen production.

Downtime: Same day
Sessions: Ongoing
Pain: None
Cost: Price level 2 of 5
Results start: In 2–4 months
Results last: Ongoing with consistent use

Vitamin A creams, like retinol and tretinoin, used on the skin.

Check first: Pregnancy or trying to conceive for prescription retinoids unless physician-approved.

Will it work for me?

Skin tone

Often used on tones I–VI.

IVery Light

IILight

IIIMedium

IVTan

VBrown

VIDeep

Often usedAsk first

General info, not a check of your own skin.

What people use it for

Tap one to see how it helps.

Skin types

Often a fit for all of these. Tap one for details.

Skin types to ask about first

Dry or FlakyAsk first

Can dry and peel the skin, mostly at the start. Ask your provider how to start slowly.

Sensitive or Redness-proneAsk first

Needs a gentle, barrier-safe plan and careful screening.

How do the brands differ?

In no special order. Ask which one they use, and why.

3 brands

Ask your provider

Which one do you use, and why that one for me?
What is the total price, and what does it include?
What side effects do you see most with it, and what do you do about them?

How to start, and what to expect

Plan it around your lifeMakeup, sun, workouts — see what fits around your treatment.

How often

Duration: Daily
Total course: Ongoing
Session interval: Nightly

What to expect, and what to avoid

Recovery

No time off; dryness and peeling for 3–4 weeks at first

Avoid sun

24 hours

No sweat or heat

None

Other aftercare

No direct sun
Wear sunscreen every day

Day by day

Before each use
- Start with a lower concentration
- Apply a small amount
- Gradually increase frequency (e.g., every other night)
- Start with clean, dry skin
After each use
- Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer
- Wear sunscreen every day
- No retinoids, acids or scrubs
- Don't pick, peel or scratch
- Initial 'retinization' phase involves redness, dryness, and peeling for 3-4 weeks as skin adapts. This subsides with continued use, revealing improved skin. Results start to show in 2–4 months.

Side effects, and who should wait

Who may want to think twice

Pregnancy or trying to conceive for prescription retinoids unless physician-approved
Severely impaired barrier or active dermatitis flare
Recent waxing, peel, or ablative procedure
Use caution with rosacea-prone skin

Possible side effects

Common

Redness
Dryness
Peeling
Flaking
Itching
Tight sensation
Retinol purge (temporary worsening of acne)

Less common

Severe irritation
Allergic reaction

Your own risks may differ. Ask a qualified provider.

How it works, and common myths

Retinoids modulate gene expression within skin cells, accelerating cell turnover and stimulating collagen synthesis.

A little more technical

Topical retinoids, derived from vitamin A, work by signaling skin cells to accelerate turnover and increase collagen production, leading to improved skin texture, reduced wrinkles, and clearer pores.

Retinoids, specifically retinoic acid, interact with nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs) to regulate gene transcription. This leads to increased cellular proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular matrix production (e.g., collagen I and III), while simultaneously inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and normalizing follicular keratinization, thereby reducing comedogenesis and inflammation.

Material: Vitamin A Derivative; A potent, cellular-communicating ingredient that instructs damaged or sluggish skin cells to function like healthy, youthful cells.
Mechanism category: Cellular Turnover; Forces the skin to shed dead cells faster and bring fresh, new skin to the surface, resulting in a constant, healthy glow.
Mechanism category: Collagen Activation; Binds directly to specific receptors in your skin cells, preventing collagen breakdown while forcing the production of new structural proteins.
Common device / product names: Tretinoin (e.g., Retin-A, Altreno) · Retinol (e.g., SkinCeuticals, generic OTC) · Adapalene (e.g., Differin Gel 0.1%)
Clinical descriptor: Topical Vitamin A Derivatives