Tazarotene vs tretinoin: similarities and differences
Retinoids like tazarotene and tretinoin are frequently used to treat acne and fight the effects of aging, learn more about differences and similarities between tazarotene and tretinoin and find out which one is better for your type of skin.
Table of Content:
Similarities & differences | Warnings and precautions | Tazarotene benefits & side effects | Tretinoin benefits & side effects | FAQ
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Tretinoin and tazarotene, (also known as Arazlo, Tazorac or Fabior foam) are topical treatments used to treat acne and prevent the signs of aging [1]. While they both reduce comedones, acne lesions, wrinkles, and improve skin texture, the manner in which they act on the skin differs greatly[2].
They also differ in their side effects profile and strengths. Here’s a look at the differences and similarities between tretinoin and tazarotene so you and your online dermatologist can decide the best acne treatment for you.
Tretinoin and tazarotene, together with Retinol, Isotretinoin and Adapalene and Trifarotene (Aklief) are vitamin A derivatives called Retinoids and they all are used to combat acne and other skin diseases. These topical medications can be accompanied by oral antibiotics such as Seysara (sarecycline) or doxycycline to increase efficacy.
Tretinoin also known as retinoic acid a first-generation retinoid that comes as a topical solution (cream, gel or lotion) used to combat mild-to-moderate acne in the face as well as anti-aging[3]. tretinoin, acts directly on the skin-boosting cell renewal and turnover[4].
The FDA has approved the topical application of tretinoin for the treatment of acne, photoaging, facial skin roughness, fine wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation[5].
Tazarotene is FDA-approved in the treatment of photodamaged skin[6], acne[7] and psoriasis[8].
Tazarotene is a third generation, synthetic, topical retinoid. It is also a prodrug for tazarotenic acid[9], which means that once it has been applied and absorbed by the skin, the body will transform this medication into the active substance it was made to be. This transformation process improves a medication’s effectiveness and avoids certain side-effects[10].
Similarities between tazarotene and tretinoin
Studies show that tretinoin and tazarotene are both topical retinoids that are effective in the treatment of acne, hyperpigmentation, skin roughness, fine wrinkles and photoaging[12] [13] [14] However, since tazarotene is a newer medication and also more potent than tretinoin, it tends to show more dramatic results, faster.
How to get a prescription for tretinoin or tazarotene?
You can have a consultation with a board certified dermatologist via Miiskin. They can prescribe tretinoin or tazarotene if they are adequate for you. Consultation price is $59 and med refills are $39 only. If you are interested in a compounded formula, choose Foothills as your preferred pharmacy. Most Foothills formulas (including tretinoin or tazarotene) cost around $48.99.
All About Tretinoin
Differences between tazarotene and tretinoin
- Tretinoin is an older drug (first-generation) Retinoid that has been around for many years, while tazarotene is a newer drug on the market (third-generation), which means they are usually developed to “improve” something in the existing medication.
- Studies show tazarotene 0.1% cream can achieve faster results in the treatment of photodamaged facial skin than tretinoin 0.05% cream.[15] [16] [17]
- A study revealed that tazarotene and tretinoin are slightly more irritating than Adapalene[18]
Warning and precautions when using tazarotene and tretinoin
Tazarotene and tretinoin are considered teratogenic, meaning they cannot be used by women who want to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding because they may cause serious harm to the fetus[19] [20].
Women of childbearing age should use effective contraception when using these medications.
According to experts, since Retinoids cause photosensitivity, they should be applied at night and people using these products should apply sunscreen with a high SPF factor every morning (even during the winter) and re-apply every two hours when outdoors.
What is tazarotene?
Tazarotene is a prescription-grade gel used to treat acne, photoaging, and psoriasis. Like any medication, however, it comes with some side effects that you should be aware of before using it on your face.
Benefits of tazarotene
- Improves the look and feel of your skin
- It reduces fine wrinkles
- Reduces pigmentation
- It decreases inflammation[21]
- Boosts collagen production to increase the thickness of the outer layers of skin[22]
Side-effects of tazarotene
What is tretinoin?
Tretinoin is a topical form of vitamin A that has been extensively researched for use in the treatment of acne and wrinkles and has been approved by the FDA in this capacity[25]. It comes in various strengths and is a prescription-only medication. Tretinoin comes as a cream or gel.
Benefits of tretinoin
- Unclogs pores and reduces acne breakouts
- It minimizes pores by getting rid of dead skin cells
- Promotes a regular flow of sebum
- It makes skin smoother and improves the appearance of fine lines
- Promotes cellular growth
- Lightens dark spots[26]
Side-effects of tretinoin
- Itching, burning, stinging, or redness of the skin
- Slight skin peeling
- Lightening or darkening of the skin
- Skin dryness
- Photosensibility
- Sensation of warmth in the skin[27]
FAQ about tretinoin and tazarotene
How to get tretinoin or tazarotene?
To get a prescription for tretinoin or tazarotene, you can have a consultation with a dermatologist via Miiskin. Consultation prices are $39 – $59. You can then order your medication right on the Miiskin platform if you have selected Foothills as your pharmacy. Most customized formulas available via Miiskin are $48.99.
What is the price of tazarotene and tretinoin?
The price of tretinoin and tazarotene can vary widely depending on your state and pharmacy. If you are interested in a compounded formula tailor-made for your skin, select Foothills as your preferred pharmacy.
Most Foothills formulas, (including tretinoin and tazarotene) cost $48.99.
Tazarotene vs tretinoin: which one is better for anti-aging?
Studies have shown that both products are effective for anti-aging; however since tazarotene is a newer medication and more potent, you can see faster results with tazarotene[28] [29] [30]
Are tazarotene and tretinoin safe for sensitive skin?
If you have sensitive skin, research shows that adapalene is better tolerated than tazarotene and tretinoin[31]. However, if you start slowly (just a few times per week in the beggining) your skin will get used to the medication.
Is tazarotene stronger than tretinoin?
Yes, tazarotene is more potent than tretinoin which means it shows results faster but it also can be more irritating to the skin[32].
Which is better for acne tretinoin or tazarotene?
It depends. If your dermatologist already prescribed tretinoin but you didn’t get the results you were hoping for after 4 to 5 months, you may want to switch to tazarotene as it is more potent.
Does tazarotene work better than tretinoin?
Tazarotene is a more potent medication so it shows results faster in regards to photoaging[33] [34].
What cannot be mixed with tazarotene?
According to Dr. Miller you should not use tazarotene in combination with any other retinoids such as retinol, tretinoin, trifarotene, or adapalene.
If you are using AHAs and BHA in your skin care routine, you should apply this product on a different day, otherwise the combination of these ingredients can irritate your skin too much.
Dr. Miller suggests not mixing tretinoin with benzoyl peroxide because it may neutralize the effect of tretinoin. If you do mix tretinoin with benzoyl peroxide, Dr. Miller suggests applying the products to the skin at different times, for example, applying the tretinoin at night (due to photosensitivity) and benzoyl peroxide in the morning[35]..
What ingredients can be mixed with tazarotene or tretinoin?
According to Dr. Miller you can combine tazarotene or any other retinoids with hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and soften your skin.
You should also use a non-oily moisturizer in combination to ensure your skin stays moisturized and to avoid irritation.
You can also combine tazarotene and vitamin C serum, but you should apply tazarotene at night and vitamin C serum in the morning followed by sunscreen with SPF 50.
Does tazarotene make acne worse?
Tazarotene may cause more acne breakouts during the first few weeks of use. This process is commonly known as skin purging and it may happen with many acne medications.
Lee este artículo en Español Tretinoína vs tazaroteno para el acné y antienvejecimiento.
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