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.
Surprising Findings
Tretinoin’s effects on pigmentation lasted 24 months — longer than most topical treatments — despite being applied daily, not permanently.
Most people assume results vanish when you stop using a product, but tretinoin appears to trigger lasting biological changes in skin structure.
Practical Takeaways
If you want real anti-aging results, choose a tretinoin product with at least 0.025% concentration — and avoid anything labeled '0.01%' or 'gentle retinol' if your goal is wrinkle reduction.
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.
Surprising Findings
Tretinoin’s effects on pigmentation lasted 24 months — longer than most topical treatments — despite being applied daily, not permanently.
Most people assume results vanish when you stop using a product, but tretinoin appears to trigger lasting biological changes in skin structure.
Practical Takeaways
If you want real anti-aging results, choose a tretinoin product with at least 0.025% concentration — and avoid anything labeled '0.01%' or 'gentle retinol' if your goal is wrinkle reduction.
Publication
Journal
International Journal of Women's Dermatology
Year
2022
Authors
I. B. S. Sitohang, Wresti Indriatmi Makes, N. Sandora, Jose Suryanegara
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.