Need help or have questions about your order? Call 510-991-8265Questions about your order? Call 510-991-8265

Sign InShop GLPs
Shop GLPs

Skin

Tretinoin: the research history.

Tretinoin appears alone and in several skincare combinations. Its research spans different diagnoses and appearance-related outcomes, so a single percentage does not describe the whole comparison.

1,687records matching the ingredient search
6connected formulations
6displayed publication records

How the research connects to the formula

The displayed 1988 photoaging trial tested topical tretinoin against a vehicle control. It evaluated photoaging over sixteen weeks. That is a different question from a trial measuring acne lesions or pigment changes.

The catalog combines tretinoin with niacinamide, vitamin C, hydroquinone, dapsone or azelaic acid in different products. Each companion changes the complete formulation being considered, even where the tretinoin strength overlaps.

Current HealthRX.com formulation map
ProductListed formulationConnected ingredient research
Tretinoin CreamTretinoin 0.025 / 0.05 / 0.1%Tretinoin
Tretinoin + Niacinamide CreamTretinoin + Niacinamide 4% + Hyaluronic AcidTretinoin · Niacinamide · Hyaluronic acid
Hydroquinone 8% CreamHydroquinone 8% / Tretinoin / Vitamin C / NiacinamideHydroquinone · Tretinoin · Vitamin C · Niacinamide
Dapsone Acne CreamDapsone 3% / Tretinoin 0.07% / Niacinamide 4%Dapsone · Tretinoin · Niacinamide
Azelaic Acid CreamAzelaic Acid 5% / Tretinoin 0.03% / Niacinamide 4%Azelaic acid · Tretinoin · Niacinamide
Tretinoin / Niacinamide / Vitamin Ctretinoin 0.05%, niacinamide 5% and vitamin C 5%Tretinoin · Niacinamide · Vitamin C

Publication history

When the ingredient appeared in the literature

The chart counts records mentioning the search terms in their title or abstract. It includes research beyond skin. Use the period controls to inspect the count.

2026: 47 indexed publications. 2026 includes publications dated through October 5. The earlier bars cover longer periods than the annual bars.

View the chart as a data table
PeriodPublications
1900-19590
1960-19690
1970-197965
1980-1989113
1990-1999397
2000-2009366
2010-2014207
2015-2019174
202049
202152
202241
202347
202468
202561
202647
Search query and data source

Source: Europe PMC’s PubMed-indexed records. Retrieved October 5, 2026. The index’s firstPublicationDate field supplies the dates and chart periods; it can normalize a month-only record to the first day of the month. Dates through October 5 are included. Counts can change as the index adds or corrects records.

TITLE_ABS:(tretinoin) AND SRC:MED AND FIRST_PDATE:[1900-01-01 TO 2026-10-05]

Open this literature search · Download the data

Dated publications

Read individual records in context

The timeline combines selected references with a sample from the ingredient search. Dates use the index’s firstPublicationDate field; the PubMed record may distinguish an earlier online date from the print date. Written study notes appear alongside the records that have them. Other entries show the indexed bibliography and link to the paper.

Clinical Trial · Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't · Randomized Controlled Trial · Journal Article

Topical tretinoin improves photoaged skin. A double-blind vehicle-controlled study.

Weiss JS, Ellis CN, Headington JT, Tincoff T, Hamilton TA, Voorhees JJ. JAMA. PMID 3336176.

Study design
Randomized, double-blind vehicle-controlled study, 30 completers
What was tested
Topical tretinoin for photoaging over 16 weeks, with forearm and facial comparisons.
What was reported
The reported photoaging assessments favored tretinoin-treated skin compared with vehicle-treated skin.
How it connects to the catalog
This photoaging study addresses a different endpoint from acne or pigmentation trials. Its formulation should remain distinct from the catalog's multi-ingredient creams.
Read the PubMed record · Publisher record

Study comparison

PublicationDesign and regimenReported findingInterpretation
1988-01-01: Topical tretinoin improves photoaged skin. A double-blind vehicle-controlled study.Randomized, double-blind vehicle-controlled study, 30 completers. Topical tretinoin for photoaging over 16 weeks, with forearm and facial comparisons.The reported photoaging assessments favored tretinoin-treated skin compared with vehicle-treated skin.This photoaging study addresses a different endpoint from acne or pigmentation trials. Its formulation should remain distinct from the catalog's multi-ingredient creams.

Questions that shape the comparison

Did the paper test the same concentration, vehicle and companion ingredients? Was its main outcome acne, pigmentation, photoaging or texture?

Source records

Topical tretinoin improves photoaged skin. A double-blind vehicle-controlled study.Weiss JS, Ellis CN, Headington JT, Tincoff T, Hamilton TA, Voorhees JJ.JAMA. 1988-01-01. PMID 3336176. Clinical Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal Article.
Efficacy and Safety of 308 nm Excimer Light Combined With Compound Tretinoin Clobetasol Propionate Cream for Stable Acral Vitiligo: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Self-Controlled Pilot Study.Hageb OA, Sun Y, Gao XH.International journal of dermatology. 2026-04-12. PMID 41966694. Letter.
Efficacy of 0.5% Tretinoin in the Treatment of Equine Aural Plaques.de Mattos FS, Conceição LG, Schuartz YGH, Silva VRM, Fidélis CF, Mansur FC, Teixeira CS, Sancler-Silva YFR, Oliveira-Filho JP, Borges AS, Bromberger CR, Filho JDR, Avanza MFB, Silva JRB, Teixeira RBC.Veterinary dermatology. 2026-05-29. PMID 42215420. research-article, Journal Article.
Efficacy of Topical Tretinoin and Topical Minoxidil Cotherapy in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review.Maas D, Spindler A, Zappi I, Maas K, Brody A, Tucci C, Garza-García L, Patrocínio J, Shapiro J, Lo Sicco KI.Skin appendage disorders. 2026-06-18. PMID 42535115. other, Journal Article.
No Increased Mortality Hazard Among High-Dose Topical and Oral Isotretinoin Users: Revisiting the VATTC.Adler R, Cohen M, Feig JL, Jagdeo JR.Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]. 2026-07-07. PMID 42430731. Journal Article.
Oral Acitretin Combined with Topical 0.1% Tretinoin Cream for Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report.Shu Z, Jiang Y, Deng S, Chen T, Liang J, Zhang X.Biologics : targets & therapy. 2026-08-14. PMID 42614969. Journal Article, Case Reports, case-report.

Research data assembled by HealthRX.com from the displayed source records, October 5, 2026. The atlas contains a dated literature search and selected studies; it is not an exhaustive systematic review.