Can this cream make wrinkles and dark spots go away?
Topical tretinoin for treating photoaging: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
This study looked at a skin cream called tretinoin that’s used to fix sun-damaged skin. It found that using it every day or every other day for months helps fade wrinkles and dark spots, and it’s safe for most people.
No biological mechanisms were identified in this study. This may be an epidemiological, observational, or survey-based study that reports associations rather than proposing causal biological pathways.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 524 / 100
Evidence Score
The highest quality evidence. These studies systematically search, appraise, and synthesize results from multiple individual studies, providing the most reliable summary of current knowledge.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
This study looked at a skin cream called tretinoin that’s used to fix sun-damaged skin. It found that using it every day or every other day for months helps fade wrinkles and dark spots, and it’s safe for most people.
No biological mechanisms were identified in this study. This may be an epidemiological, observational, or survey-based study that reports associations rather than proposing causal biological pathways.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 524 / 100
Evidence Score
The highest quality evidence. These studies systematically search, appraise, and synthesize results from multiple individual studies, providing the most reliable summary of current knowledge.
Publication
Authors
Sitohang IBS, Makes WI, Sandora N, Suryanegara J
Related Content
Claims (5)
Using a cream with tretinoin in strengths between 0.025% and 0.1% can really help reduce sun damage on your skin, but the super weak 0.01% version doesn’t do much—plus, a strong 5% peel works just as well for looks but changes your skin’s inner structure differently.
Using a special cream with tretinoin (0.025% to 0.1%) every day or every other day for up to two years can noticeably reduce sun damage like wrinkles, dark spots, and dull skin — and you might start seeing results in just one month.
Using a mild acne cream with tretinoin (up to 0.1%) for up to two years is usually fine for most people — you might get a little redness, peeling, or dryness at first, but it’s usually not bad enough to make you stop using it.
Using retinoid creams on your skin can help make it look younger by boosting collagen (the protein that keeps skin firm), blocking enzymes that break down skin, and helping your skin hold onto moisture better.
Using tretinoin cream on sun-damaged skin doesn’t always make it feel smoother to the touch, even after two years of use—so it might work better for reducing wrinkles or dark spots than for smoothing rough skin texture.