Tretinoin

• The best-known topical retinoid
• Marketed as Retin-A, Avita, and Renova
• Also available as a generic
• Available as a cream (0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%), gel (0.01% and 0.025%), and a liquid (0.05%)
• Creams are less potent than gels, which are less potent than the liquid
• Breaks down chemically in the presence of benzoyl peroxide, therefore cannot be applied at the same time of the day
• High incidence of skin irritation and precautions must be taken when starting
• Increases risk of sunburn
• A new formulation Retin-A Micro 0.1% releases tretinoin over a longer period of time and is less irritating.

Adapalene

• Newer topical retinoid
• Marketed as Differin
• Available as a gel or cream at 0.1% strength
• Major benefit is that it causes less skin irritation than tretinoin
• Stable in the presence of benzoyl peroxide, therefore they can be applied at the same time
• Treats acne as well as tretinoin

Tazarotene

• Newer topical retinoid
• Marketed as Tazorac
• Available as a gel at 0.05% and 0.1% strengths
• More expensive than the other retinoids
• May be more irritating to the skin than the other retinoids
• Treats acne as well as tretinoin