30/03/2026
Retinol vs Tretinoin
they’re NOT the same thing 🤞🏽
Think of it like a theatre production: retinol is the understudy that needs time to prep before the spotlight, while tretinoin steps on stage already in character, active and ready from day one.
Retinoids are often spoken about as interchangeable, but each one behaves very differently on the skin. In this article, Dr Vanessa Lapiner breaks down the science behind retinol, tretinoin and newer-generation retinoids in a way that’s clear, clinically grounded and easy to understand.
It’s a practical guide to choosing what works for your skin, your tolerance and your long-term goals, because results take consistency (and sometimes a little peeling 👋)
Read more on ###X to understand the full retinoid ladder and how to choose the right one for you 🔬