The most prevalent skin care problem for both men and women is acne. Acne affects one in every five people, which is more common than you may imagine.
Acne is a skin disorder that appears when sebum, or skin oil, and dead skin cells clog hair follicles.
Tretinoin and adapalene are two active ingredients that help acne heal.In fact, there has been an increase in the number of people talking about and buying tretinoin online and on other places, like Reddit.
Both are two distinct forms of therapy. Let’s start by going over everything.
However, it is frequently debatable which of the two provides a greater acne-fighting impact.
What is acne?
Acne is a kind of disorder where the hair follicles or the oil glands known as sebaceous glands get clogged and lead to pimples or cysts.
The oil glands produce sebum to keep the skin moist which typically moves from the glands to the skin via the hair follicles. The follicles get often blocked by skin cells. blocking the sebum. Skin microorganisms start to proliferate inside clogged follicles as a result of plugging. Pimples then start to swell and become inflamed. Few of the most common types of acne are:
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Papules
- Pustules
- Nodules
- Cysts
What is the treatment for acne?
There are several ways to treat acne, including using prescription drugs, aesthetic procedures, lotions, gels, and washes. However, many people still struggle with stubborn acne despite these several options, treatment often fails and makes patients tired. This is because every skin type is unique, and before selecting the best course of action, it is crucial to take into account the severity of the acne. You must get treatment from a reputed skin clinic in Kuala Lumpur to get the desired results.
What are the most frequently used over the counter treatments for acne?
It is always advised to begin with over-the-counter remedies for minor acne as they don’t require a prescription. Regular cleansing of the wash is important to wash all dirt and oil but it is also important to choose a gentle cleanser which is not very harsh on the skin.
OTC products such as Salicylic acid is a common name for acne face cleansers which clears your pores and eliminates oil. People with sensitive skin must opt for products that are labelled as mild or specially designed for sensitive skin.
Few Common OTC products are:
Benzoyl peroxide: This component helps to reduce excessive oil production on the skin, eliminates dead skin cells that can block pores, and kills acne-causing bacteria. You can purchase benzoyl peroxide products with strengths ranging from 2.5% to 10% without a prescription.
Adapalene: It is a type of retinoid that helps to unclog pores and prevent fresh breakouts. Adapalene gel (Differin) is available for purchase without a prescription at a strength of 0.1%.
Salicylic Acid: This component might aid in clearing clogged pores and avoiding fresh outbreaks.Solutions containing salicylic acid are available over-the-counter in concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 2% as both leave-on and wash-off products. Mild stinging, skin discolouration, and moderate skin irritation are potential adverse effects.
Azelaic Acid: This moderately antimicrobial component aids in preventing clogged pores. 10% strength azelaic acid products are over-the-counter. Additionally, azelaic acid helps lighten dark spots that may remain after acne has cleared up (postinflammatory hyperpigmentation).
Alpha hydroxy acids: The acids found in fruits high in sugar, sugar cane, or milk are transformed into synthetic alpha hydroxy acids. Glycolic acid and lactic acid are two kinds of alpha hydroxy acids included in over-the-counter acne treatments.
What are the common prescription treatments for acne?
While the majority of people’s acne eventually goes away on its own or with use of some OTC products, many people deal with chronic, severe acne that can last for years at a time. Prescription acne treatment is only the practical solution in such cases.Some people even have the painful, red acne eruptions known as cystic acne, which are brought on by infected and irritated pores. Let’s check out the most common prescription treatments for acne.
- Tretinoin
- Isotretinoin
- Tetracycline
- Trimethoprim
- Erythromycin
So, now that we’ve covered the fundamentals, let’s discuss the differences between the two most popular acne treatments, adapalene and tretinoin, of which one is an over-the-counter (OTC) product and the other a prescription drug.
What is Tretinoin exactly?
Tretinoin Cream is a prescription-only topical vitamin A. It is mostly used to treat fine wrinkles, UV damage, and acne.
It may seem strange, but tretinoin works by irritating the skin. Tretinoin has the power to quicken the skin cells’ natural growth cycle. Fresher, healthier cells might replace the old ones by causing the skin cells to divide and die more quickly. Some ointments for treating acne that contain Tretinoin include Ret Gel, Melalite cream, and Retino AC Gel. Even though it is a Rx one can get tretinoin online without a prescription. Let’s check out what tretinoin does to the skin.
- It works on the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- It helps to treat acne
- It improves the condition of sun-damaged skin.
- Improves skin texture and tone.
- It helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots.
More about Adapalene
As discussed in the earlier sections the primary indication for the use of adapalene, a topical retinoid of third generation, is the management of mild to severe acne and it is available without a prescription. The treatment of ageing and other skin conditions is occasionally done outside of the prescribed usage. It helps cure acne with papules and pustules that are mild to moderate. The primary ingredient in Adaferin Gel is adapalene. Adapalene is known to treat acne by reducing papules and has also been seen to work on improving skin texture.
Which is more effective among tretinoin and adapalene?
Adapalene and tretinoin differ primarily in two ways: their ability to irritate skin and their anti-aging properties.Tretinoin can minimise fine lines and accelerate the formation of collagen, which can both help alleviate the indications of ageing as was already indicated.
On the other hand, adapalene does not mention these advantages (though it does have some anti-photoaging effects). It has statistically demonstrated efficacy when tretinoin is deemed to be too strong or when tretinoin causes discomfort.
Given that tretinoin is known to result in more serious irritation and other issues, that alone should be viewed as a big advantage of adapalene.
Conclusion
Which is a better option will depend upon the skin type and condition that it is being used for. Adapalene is mostly used to treat acne, but tretinoin has anti-aging and/or acne-related uses. (Tretinoin is thus more successful in treating wrinkles, sagging skin, and other ageing indicators.) Tretinoin might be a better option if you really want anti-aging advantages. It might not be worth it if you have sensitive skin because it can irritate you and make you more sensitive to the sun. Adapalene, which is the milder of the two, can be your best option if you need to treat acne but have more sensitive skin.