Tretinoin? Adapalene? How to find the Right Prescription Retinoid for Your Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis 

This was the best “explain like I’m 5” retinoid video ever! When you first started requesting video topics on your IG I was a little shy to ask, but this was exactly what I was hoping for-thank you!!

I’m so excited you started a RU-vid channel! Looking forward to all your new videos!!!

Wonderful information - very thorough, but also good, basic info rather than too high level and detailed. You really have a great gift for presenting complex information.

Wow - you did a great job explaining all of this. Wonderful graphics, too!

this video is INCREDIBLY informative. I've watched probably hundreds of retinoid videos and this one is the most complete and makes the most sense.

It's refreshing that as an MD you recognize that there are real differences between generic and brand-name medications. "Most" of the time generics work just as well but there are some meds that the brand name not only causes less side effects but is actually superior as a whole. As for Tretinoin, generic 0.05% seems to work great for me for anti-aging. I have had no peeling, redness or adjustment period: just soft, smooth skin.

So glad you’re on RU-vid! Love love love your posts on IG and now looking forward to you videos! Just wish you’re practice was in south Florida....

I wish all dermatologists were as caring and knowledgable as you

This was the best video on Retinoids I have watched - and I have watched lots! Just started on Differin OTC last week.

How did you know I was totally thinking if this exact topic lately! Thank you for sharing and the way you share your knowledge.

The best Vit A video I have watched and I have watched a TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON. thank you so much. Wishing you lots of youtube success ❤️

You are gonna blow up! Loving your videos

Your amazing!! Explained with such thorough informative language that provides sufficient information to those that are not getting the necessary treatment and information from their dermatologist in California.

You speak very clearly and throughly explain your points. Love your video!❤️

Such an amazing video. I always wanted someone to do a deep dive on the rx retinoids. I've been on every one of the common retinoids, including Claravis. I'm on tazorac 0.1% for maintenance now and I peeled like a snake at first even though I was using tretinoin 0.05% just before starting. But my skin is so glowy now. I didn't even know that tazorac was also photostable.

I love the informative and honest but approachable and way you did this video! So excited for more videos ❤️

What an amazing video, full of information and it’s just a pleasure listening to you speak!

Yay!!! I am so excited about this channel

I thought I knew a lot about retinoids already but you definitely taught me something new!

Thank you! I found so much new info on here that a lot of the other derms I follow didn't even go into.

such an informative video! ive been using retin a for two years now and still learned from this.

This was so helpful! You explained it so well, thank you! 🥰🥰

This is the best video I've seen so far on retinoids. Thank you for sharing this information and making it easy to understand and implement.

Excellent, excellent educational video! Dr. Sam you’re just a natural! So glad I found you! Xo Rachel 🥰🦋💕🎉🐈🐶

This video needs more views. Thanks

I’m glad I came across your channel! Would you do videos that focus on higher Fitzpatrick’s skincare? That would be amazing!

This is by far the best video/explanation on prescription retinoids on RU-vid I've ever seen. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I've been using Arazlo (Tazarotene 0.045%) for the last 2.5 months and it has done wonders for my acne. Was previously using Differin gel and Tretinoin 0.025% cream and it's been much more effective. Of course everyone is different, but this is what works well for me. Thanks again!

Love this, super informative! Can't believe it's only your second video, you're made for this! Curious about your thoughts on retinol potency, people say tretinoin is 20 times more potent than retinol, but that would infer that 1% retinol is going to give you same effects as 0.05% tretinoin, but surely that's not the case?

you are amazing, very good at explaining and going into detail

Hello, Dr. Ellis. I appreciate the informative video and sharing your knowledge. I am super happy you took us deeper into prescription retinoids! Like you said, this topic isn’t talked about a lot. I learned so many new things and put pieces together. I do have a few questions: 1. Can I mix tretinoin with my moisturizer? 2. Can I apply tretinoin to my under/upper eyes and lids, lip area, and neck? (I see people do this) Thank you again! ❤️

Thank you so much Dr. Sam! After 10 years on Tactupump (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide), I just asked my Doc to upgrade me to Tretinoin. I’m so excited. I appreciate you so much

What a great video . Thank you Dr. Ellis This video was very informative 👏

Love this video Dr. Ellis!

This was a wonderfully informative video! Thank you!

Hi, Dr. Ellis! Amazing video 🤩, so easy to follow and to understand how retinoids work and what are the types of retinoids and differences between them. My question is... do they also help with post-acne scars? Which one has the most potential for that?

I love your explanation about retinoids. I’m 57 and OTC Differin/Adapalene has done so much for my skin, I don’t think I’ll need to move up to Tretinoin.

Enjoying your channel! Great and useful information. Thanks!

Great information 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

These videos are so helpful! Thank you

Yay! Thank you for a video that didn't feel like 50% of it was advertising.. I mean 'recommending'.. a bunch of expensive products, rather than discussion about the ingredient, process, and expectations. Just started adapalne for photoaging, taking it gentling as I phase it in. Over 5 days have applied twice, and can feel the sensitivity at this stage, so slow and steady we shall go.

Great info. You explain it all so well. Thank you!

Good information presented in an understandable way; thank you!

I tried so many generic tretinoin formulas and all were terrible. My skin just couldn't adapt. I switched to Arazlo (tazarotene), and its been incredible. It was far less irritating than any of the other tretinoin products I tried. Thank you for making this video!! 💜

Wow can you be my dermatologist! My doctor never explained this to me but it makes so much sense. My acne never cleared up with retin a, tazorac was the only thing that worked.

Hi Dr Ellis I’m a new subscriber from Canada , a mature woman very interested in these types of videos. Your very pretty and so nice. Sending you lots of love and positive energy.🤗

This was such a great video! Thank you!

Hi Dr. Ellis! This was one of the most informative videos I’ve watched on retinoids! I just had a question. How long can you stay on Biacna for since it contains an antibiotic? I went to a walk in clinic and that’s what they prescribed but didn’t tell me how long to stay on it for! Thanks!

I'm a 28 year old male, about to start my tretinoin journey!

Thank you for this thorough breakdown of Retinoids/ retinoic acids. Is it worth using differin for anti aging purposes? From what I’m hearing, it is most suitable for acne. Is it worth using over non prescription retinols for s as not aging?

Love that! So informative

Thank you this was so helpful. I’m 30 and i’ve been using prescription tretinoine 0.025% for 2.5 years and I was wondering if I needed to get a higher strength. Happy to know that having a higher strength doesn’t give you more antiaging benefits. Thank you 😊

best tretinoin instructions video on RU-vid👍👍

One of my favorite skincare videos of all time!❤️

Excellent info!

Thank you! This was so helpful. Your skin is 😍.

Hey Sam, I just found you 💙 you have a new sub! Thanks for the info regarding the strength for melasma/wrinkles purpose, I wanted to go back to 0.5 because there are so much pilling and patches with the 0.1 strength ☹️ so now I can confidently use the 0.5 Thanks !!

Great video. Very helpful. Would love if you could do a video showing application - ie, is it best to apply with small dots and on which parts of your face do you recommend?

The timing of this video is magical. I just started a low tretinoin percent yesterday. I was doubtful that it would help with anti-aging since it isn't 0.05% like I've seen many people on RU-vid using. Though since I am solely using it for the anti-aging benefits, I definitely feel reassured!.

Love this Video. So informative

Differin triggers my perioral dermatitis. Switch to Tretinoin 0.025%, no problems. Started doing some research. Apparently Differin can be known to trigger PD. Wish I knew that before trying it. Suffered through a PD flare for a few months, even with antibiotics.

Thank you for such an informative video--was awesome! I have heard that retinol stays in the skin for two days and it's not necessary to use it every day. Your thoughts? And also: if only we could have you over on the east coast, even for a day... :)

Thank You Dr. Ellis, this was really informative and useful! Tretinoin is such a diva queen, we really need to know how to handle her correctly :-D Prevoiusly I have used Differin for 2 whole years every night for anti ageing, pigmentation and photo ageing and I had no results with it, except for the fact that I did not have 1 breakout at all. Switching to a tretionoin, ohhh woow what a difference my god! It took me a full year to have my skin adapt to it, and I still get irritation, but the difference is sooo worth it!

Thank you for this video! I have a clarifying question- I've been using tazarotene 1% (originally for acne) for years. I don't really have any side effects from it at all, my skin tolerates it very well. But now I'm more interested in photo aging benefits - should I switch to tretinoin since you mentioned the science is there. Or are you saying they work the same for photo aging

Thank you for this informative video!

Great videos! Can you do a video on Hyperpigmentation/Melasma (pregnancy related) treatment options?

I have used Tretinoin for the past 24 years every night! It’s truly a God send and my skin does look younger and I am so happy I started years ago! Great video!!!!

LOVED! this video so much good information thank you

I don’t know if you’ll see this, Doctor, but I want some advice/assurance on this: I suddenly have oily skin that I’ve never had before. The dermatologist I went to prescribed me the Arazlo lotion to stop the oiliness, but I am a bit wary to start applying it to my skin nightly as directed for the five months. Do you recommend a certain moisturizer to combat the irritation as I will say my skin is sensitive? Edit: my skin barrier may be damaged and that’s probably why it’s oily? So I’ll stick to a simple routine and explain myself to the derm when I see her in five months.

I’ve been using OFC Retinol for a few years now, I don’t have any major skin concerns it’s more for preventative. My question is should I stick with OFC options like Alsatian or Shani Darden. OR go for prescription strength. Love your content 💘

this was so informative! thank u!

Trifaroten seems to be the prescription that finally helps my acne and skin. I am 25 already and have tried sooo many Formulas but my acne kept coming back worse. I sm on trifaroten since almost half a year and even though the beginning was rough.. my skin is finally beginning to glow like it hasnt for many years and i didnt get any hurtful, big zysts

just terrific!!!! can you address prp and prf for female hair thinning You are a natural teacher!!!

Great video Dr. Ellis! I’ve read that women who are trying to get pregnant/are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use retinol. I’d love to see a video on what can be used for acne if you fall under any of those categories.

Super helpful! Thank you!!

this was helpful af!

Thank you for making this really informative video! Since you mentioned Tazarotene being more robust for acne, is it a better keratolytic agent than Tretinoin? I tolerate both the new lotion formulas (Altreno/Arazlo) well with minor irritation, but I’m not sure which would be better for my clogged pores.

Just starting tretinoin , how early should I stop using it before trying to conceive? I read people get pregnant by accident and stop using but also that it’s smart to stop a month before conception- just wondering what your advice is?! Thanks! Also I’ve just found your channel this week and have binge watching all of your videos!

Thank you for such a great informative video!! I wish I could come and see you in the office.. By any chance, can you recommend a good dermatologist in PA? Thank you again!

I have rosacea acne and started using differin and it's amazing for me too. Best prescription I have ever gotten

So glad I found this video! I just started arazalo

Finally i´ve found someone with a more gentle aproach. I have acne and atopic skin, the last dermatologist i visited suggested going under accutane (at the time i only had a few pimples). i rejected that and instead she prescribed me 5% benzoyl peroxide cream + tretinoin gel + a salicylic acid gel cleanser (2 day) + eucerin dermopure exfoliant (1 week) + lymecycline 250mg. Of course, it was too much for me, i couldn´t even handle benzoyl peroxide without getting a very red, itchy and painful reaction. I ditched everything and now i´m only trying with adapalene 0.1% and is sooooo much gentler, what a relief. There´s no need to put patients who are already suffering a lot under hard treatments just because it looks "ugly", we better be (indeed) patient. At least that´s my perspective. I´ll see how it works in some weeks. Thanks for the info, you´re a great doc. I´ll keep searching for someone like you in my country. 🤗

New subscriber! I adored your routines video on Mixed Makeup and I love your IG. Can't wait to see more videos 💖

Thanks for all of this!

Can u make a video of how to layer skincare and how to use properly adapalene, just want to know what works best having also different products to put on

Super useful!

Thank you for the very informative video. I have been prescribed tretinoin cream for pigmentation on my face due to sun damage. 1. Should I apply it only on the pigmentation areas or on the entire face? 2. Can I apply to pigmentation under my eyes?

2 questions. :) 1. I tapered on an OTC Olay retinol product over 2.5 months, then switched to daily Differin .1% without many symptoms (almost 1 month of use). I was recently prescribed .3% adapalene for some milia issues. Given that it’s effectively 3x stronger, should I taper it on or can I just switch over to avoid the struggle of scheduling the applications? 2. I read that twice daily supplementation of 500mg of niacinamide(AKA nicotinamide) could significantly reduce your risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancers. But I also read that it could increase the risk of melanoma in men. Do you know what the current findings are for the benefits/risks of taking niacinamide? Thank you so much for your help and educational videos! ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you so much Dr! 💯🙏🏼 In my country 🇵🇹 we only have adapalene + benzoyl peroxide in the same gel. Do you still think it’s a good option for someone that has persistent acne in the chin area (from using the mask for too many hours) and sensitive skin? Thank you so much if you could answer this!

Thank you so much for the information. It is very helpful. Does Arazlo help with acne scarring?

So so good. I use retin-a micro gel and loooove it. I use 0.04% and was wondering if it’s beneficial to increase the % or just stay where I’m at? I’ve used mine almost nightly for 9 months and my skin is obvious to adjusted to it.

Thank you for this knowledge

Hi Dr. Ellis thank you for this video. It was extremely informative. I started breaking out in cystic acne over the last few weeks mostly on my face but on my back as well. Also because of my darker skin tone/color it leaves dark scars on my face that last months on end. I also told the PA that saw me that because I'm close to 40 years old I'm also getting wrinkles on my face as well. She ended up prescribing me Tazorac .1%. In your video you stated that it won't help anti-aging and wrinkles. Do you think that I should have received Tretinoin instead of Tazorac then?

Love this video & learned a lot but with that what type of moisturizer & what brands do you recommend using at night after putting on your retinol ?

I loved this video- I am currently using Obagi Tret 0.05% and I’ve only worked myself up to 3x/week for months, I get itchy in between my brows so I might try doing the moisturizer before trick.

Thank you! I am currently using Adapalene (over the counter) and I think I tried to go too fast. Thanks for the tips!

Thank you so much! What do you think about drinkable chlorophyll? Is it safe? Is it affective in treating acne?

I used to use tanning beds and it left me with a lot of brown dots. Retinol helped fade the spots really well

Super helpful!

I wish you offered virtual consultations 😩

Hello Dr. Ellis! Great information! Question- I do not have any acne at all main concerns are uneven texture, large open pores, redness, and anti aging. I am 34 years old. I was just prescribed Arazlo. Do you think this will help out with my concerns and anti aging or should I look more towards tretinoin since I do not have acne?