Skin care rituals stretch back thousands of years, but pharmaceutical developments have opened up a whole new realm of products.
And while swathes of dermatologists now use social media to flog the latest innovations, some ingredients have remained at the top of their list for decades. One of them being tretinoin.
Put simply, tretinoin is a potent, prescription-only derivative of vitamin A used to treat acne, fine lines, and sun-damaged skin by speeding up cell turnover and collagen production.
It recently featured in a TikTok clip by Dr Doireann O’Leary, who claimed it’s “the gold standard when it comes to anti-ageing skin care”.
Dr O’Leary swears by using tretinoin for a youthful glow
|TIKTOK / GETTY
Dr O’Leary, who has been a medical practitioner for more than 14 years and holds a diploma in dermatology, says she would “never be without” the product.
“Nothing else has this level of long-term data behind it,” she told her viewers.
“It stimulates collagen and elastin as well as increasing skin cell turnover, so over time, skin will have a more youthful appearance with reduced appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles.”
The product is typically used to treat superficial skin concerns such as acne, pigmentation, and melasma, as well as keratosis pilaris - often described as “chicken skin” on the backs of the arms.
“It can be useful for molluscum contagiosum,” Dr O’Leary continued.
“It can also reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.
“You can use it in your hairline as well, it can help to enhance the results of your hair loss products, regaine in particular."
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Azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and is equally effective in treating acne and rosacea.
Dr O’Leary particularly lauds the product's anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, which make it suitable for treating post-acne dark marks and pigmentation.
What's more, it's safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
'Tretinoin and azelaic acid complement each other really nicely'
|GETTY
“Tretinoin and azelaic acid complement each other really nicely, so if you can incorporate both into your routine, you can get really nice results,” the doctor noted.
While tretinoin and azelaic acid can work synergistically, introducing them gradually into a skincare routine is essential to minimise irritation.
Using azelaic acid in the morning and tretinoin at night is often recommended as a simple way to avoid potential sensitivity.
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