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The topical cream Retin-A, also known by its generic name tretinoin, is used for a variety of skin conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, Retin-A is manufactured by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals and prescribed as a treatment for severe acne, skin discoloration and as a wrinkle reducer. Its active ingredient, vitamin A, draws dead skin cells to the surface and stimulates the growth of new skin cells. This improves the texture and firmness of skin while preventing pore-clogging acne. People with sensitive skin find Retin-A's side effects--peeling, extreme dryness, painful skin--too much. As a result, a market for alternatives to the cream has flourished.
Refissa
Made by Spear Pharmaceuticals, Refissa is a Retin-A alternative made with tretinoin 1. Its chemical construction stimulates the body's production of the connective tissues in the facial area, tightening and firming the skin. As a result, pores push dead skins to the surface and the skin's finer lines disappear. Refissa also has a emollient-based moisturizer that absorbs water from the air to minimize skin dryness 1.
Renova
Maxi Peel Ingredients
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Renova was created by the same company that manufactures Retin-A. Clinically, it has the same chemical constitution as its competitor Refissa, according to Spear Pharmaceuticals 1. Tretinoin firms skin, reducing lines and acne. The emollient moisturizes and reduces redness.
- Renova was created by the same company that manufactures Retin-A.
- Clinically, it has the same chemical constitution as its competitor Refissa, according to Spear Pharmaceuticals 1.
- Tretinoin firms skin, reducing lines and acne.
Atralin
Valeant Pharmaceuticals' Atralin gel works much like Refissa and Renova, in that it delivers a dosage of tretinoin with a moisturizer to reduce dryness 1. Although the others use an emollient, Atralin's moisturizer is a glycerine-based humectant. Humectant moisturizers act as a sealant, preventing moisture from escaping the skin.
Avita
How to Use Moisturizer With Retin-A
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The Avita cream, made by Mylan Bertek Pharmaceuticals, is less potent than its competitors. Atralin, Refissa, Renova and Retin-A each deliver a 0.05 percent dose of tretinoin; Avita has a 0.025 percent concentration 1. The topical cream is approved for the treatment of mild to moderate acne and, as a result of its potency, causes less of the dryness and peeling associated with tretinoin use.
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References
- Refissa product website
- NIH Fact Sheet: Avita
- Leyden J, Stein-gold L, Weiss J. Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Retin-A [labeling]. Updated June 10, 2002.
- Knor T. Flattening of atrophic acne scars by using tretinoin by iontophoresis. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2004;12(2):84-91.
- Davis EC, Callender VD. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(7):20-31.
- Mukherjee S, Date A, Patravale V, Korting HC, Roeder A, Weindl G. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(4):327-48.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. RETIN-A MICRO® [labeling]. Revised January 2014.
- Chen K, White TJ, Juzba M, Chang E. Oral isotretinoin: an analysis of its utilization in a managed care organization. J Manag Care Pharm. 2002;8(4):272-7. doi:10.18553/jmcp.2002.8.4.272
- "Tretinoin Topical." MedlinePlus. 03 April 2000. U.S. National Library of Medicine & National Institutes of Health.
- Kircik LH. "Evaluating tretinoin formulations in the Treatment of Acne." Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2014 Apr;13(4):466-70.
- Yeh L, Bonati LM, Silverberg NB. "Topical Retinoids for Acne."Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2016 Jun;35(2):50-6.
- Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, Alikhan A, Baldwin HE, et. al. "Guidelines of Care for the Management of Acne Vulgaris." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 74.5 (2016): 945-73.
Writer Bio
Jared Paventi is the communications director for a disease-related nonprofit in the Northeast. He holds a master's degree from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication and a bachelor's degree from St. Bonaventure University. He also writes a food appreciation blog: Al Dente.