Retinoids (the family): uses, strength, evidence, and side effects

At a glance

U.S. status

Prescription or cosmetic (U.S.)

Jobs

Acne · Photoaging and fine lines · Texture and tone · Post-acne marks

Watch for

Dryness, peeling, and irritation in the first weeks; sun sensitivity; avoid in pregnancy. Strength on the label does not equal potency across molecules.

Access

Tretinoin and adapalene are inexpensive generics; adapalene 0.1% is OTC. Tazarotene has generics. Retinol pricing tracks the brand, not the evidence.

Forms and strengths

Cosmetic: retinol 0.1–1%, retinaldehyde 0.05–0.1%, retinyl esters
OTC drug: adapalene 0.1% gel
Prescription: tretinoin, adapalene 0.3%, tazarotene, trifarotene

How to use it

Pea-sized amount at night on dry skin, starting 2–3 nights a week and building to nightly as tolerated. Moisturize and use sunscreen daily. Expect 8–12 weeks for acne and 3–6 months for photoaging.

Side effects and cautions

Dryness, redness, and peeling (retinization)
Stinging with other actives
Increased sun sensitivity

Get advice first if

Avoid in pregnancy and while trying to conceive as a precaution; do not combine with benzoyl peroxide in the same application unless the product is formulated for it; separate from strong acids while adjusting.

Regulatory status

Prescription retinoids are FDA-approved drugs for acne (and some for photodamage); adapalene 0.1% moved OTC in 2016. Retinol and retinal are cosmetic ingredients with no premarket review. In the E.U., cosmetic retinol is being capped at 0.3% face / 0.05% body under a phased rule.

In the trends

Retinol sandwiching, skin cycling, and bakuchiol-as-retinol all live in the trends desk.

In our files

Guide 09: The retinoid ladder: strength, evidence, and tolerance

Sources on file

These links support the claims above. Reviewed September 1, 2026. Drug labels link to DailyMed searches so the current label is always one click away.