The words “retinol” and “retinoid” are often thrown around interchangeably. But as is often the case, there are some subtle—but crucial—differences between the two. Think of retinol and retinoids as cousins, not clones; they’re related but different.
To learn a bit more about this dynamic, wrinkle-fighting duo, we tapped board-certified dermatologists Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, FAAD, and Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD. They broke down what these ingredients are, how and when to use them, and which other products in our routines may make them less effective. Keep reading to learn the need-to-knows about retinol vs. retinoids.
Retinoid vs. Retinol: How They Differ
“‘Retinoid’ is essentially a basic umbrella term for both over-the-counter retinol and prescription retinoids,” Levin explains.
The big difference between retinol and retinoid—specifically, prescription retinoid—is strength. “Retinols contain a lower concentration of the active retinoic acid ingredient,” Levin says. “Prescription retinoids have a much higher concentration of the active ingredient.” OTC retinol products are less intense than prescription products and “work more gradually,” she says.
What Is a Retinoid?
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives converted into retinoic acid for use in skincare. They are sold just about anywhere you can buy beauty products—drugstores, pharmacies, grocery stores, and beauty boutiques—and can cost as little as $5 or hundreds of bucks. They’re also skincare powerhouses that have been used and rigorously studied for decades. Many retinoids are applied topically, but some—such as isotretinoin (Accutane)—are oral meds.
Retinoids are antioxidants and have a stellar rep as wrinkle-fighters; they promote collagen growth beneath the skin, diminishing wrinkles over time.1 But smoothing wrinkles only scratches the surface of what retinoids can do: They have been proven to improve skin’s texture and tone by increasing cell turnover and lightening dark spots.2 Some retinoids, like Retin-A Micro (tretinoin), help abolish acne by unclogging pores. The retinoids Fabior and Avage (tazarotene) treat psoriasis by calming inflammation and regulating skin cell growth.
The most powerful retinoids are available by prescription only, with one exception: Differin (adapalene). Differin is an amazingly potent but well-tolerated acne treatment and the only prescription-strength retinoid to be sold over the counter.
What Is Retinol?
Retinol is a type of retinoid used mainly in over-the-counter products instead of prescription medications. Although retinol is super effective, according to our experts, it’s different from prescription retinoids on a molecular level. “Over-the-counter retinols are in ester forms,” Levin explains; you may have seen retinol on ingredient labels under the names retinyl palmitate, retinyl linoleate, retinaldehyde, propionic acid, or retinyl acetate. “It takes more steps for these ester forms to be converted to active retinoic acid,” she says. “The more conversions, the weaker the product.”
In OTC retinol products, retinol is often combined with other ingredients meant to hydrate and brighten the skin. Although these products are gentler on the skin than prescription retinoids, they may contain teeny-tiny amounts of the active ingredient.
Who Should Avoid Retinoids?
“Most skin types can tolerate a retinol or retinoid,” says Levin. “You have to make sure to choose the right retinol/retinoid product and that you are using a non-irritating, gentle skincare regimen.”
If you’re new to retinoids, Ciraldo recommends starting with an over-the-counter gel, serum, or lotion instead of a prescription-strength product. Levin concurs: “If you have more sensitive or dry skin, I recommend starting with over-the-counter retinol or Differin gel, which is more tolerable than other prescription retinoids. If you have oily skin or have tried retinoids in the past, then prescription-strength retinoids can be tolerated.”
If you’re not sure which one is best for you, have a chat with your dermatologist. And if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid using retinoids altogether since they might cause birth defects.3
How to Use Retinoids
The most common side effect of retinoids? Irritation. “Retinoids and retinol can initially cause a process called retinization, which leads to redness, dryness, and flaking, especially when you first start,” Levin says. “It’s important to realize you should slowly ease into using a retinoid.”
If Your Skin Is Fair to Light
If you have light skin, Levin says to kick off your retinoid regimen by applying the product every third night. “If your skin isn’t irritated after two weeks, increase to every other night for another two weeks,” she advises. “If your skin is still tolerating the retinoid, go for every night.”
If Your Skin Is Medium to Deep
Have medium or dark skin? Start using your chosen retinoid just once a week, Ciraldo suggests. “If you have more hyperpigmented skin, this redness and irritation can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” she says. “You also run the risk of getting an ashy appearance to your skin, which reflects dryness from the retinoid.”
If your skin tolerates the stuff, you can increase the application to two nights a week in week two, three nights a week in week three, and so forth. “If all is fine, after a month, you can go to nightly since typically skin builds a tolerance to retinoids with continued use,” Ciraldo explains.
When to Use Retinoids
Levin recommends that you use retinoids in your nighttime skincare routine. (Sunlight degrades retinoic acid). However, Ciraldo adds that “you can use a retinoid product, like low-concentration retinol or retinoic ester, in the daytime if you are faithful to SPF use in the morning.”
If you have a multi-step skincare routine, when should retinoids be applied? According to Ciraldo, it all comes down to the formulation. “If you are using a retinoid serum, it goes under the moisturizer,” she instructs. “If it is a moisturizer, it is usually directed to go on after a serum or toner.”
If you’re using a prescription-strength cream like tretinoin, apply it 20 minutes after you’ve washed your face and before any other products “to minimize irritation,” according to Ciraldo.
What Products Can’t Be Used With Retinoids?
Before you add a retinoid to your regimen, take a look at your existing skincare routine; some ingredients might make retinoids less effective and way more irritating. “Benzoyl peroxide and alpha-hydroxy acids can deactivate certain retinoids such as tretinoin,” Levin says. “Be careful with layering products, and make sure to discuss your routine with your dermatologist.”
“I highly recommend reading ingredient labels and avoiding using products that contain ethyl alcohol or witch hazel, both of which cause redness and irritation and will exaggerate these responses from the retinoid,” adds Ciraldo.
The Final Takeaway
Retinoids and retinol are forms of vitamin A that provide a host of benefits to your skin. Where they differ comes down to strength, with over-the-counter retinols providing less active ingredient than prescription retinoids.
According to our experts, for most adults, retinoids are safe, amazingly effective ingredients to add to a skincare routine—and the benefits only increase the longer you use them. “The younger you start, the more preventative it will be in reducing the formation of lines and wrinkles,” Ciraldo says. Pick a gentle retinol product to start, or talk to your dermatologist to see if you’re a candidate for the stronger stuff; then, slowly work up to using it as part of a gentle skincare regimen.