Efficacy and tolerability of a double-conjugated retinoid cream vs 1.0% retinol cream or 0.025% tretinoin cream in subjects with mild to severe photoaging

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017 Dec;16(4):542-548. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12381. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

Abstract

Background: Topical retinoids are used to treat the visible signs of photoaging. While efficacious, they are irritating.

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of a double-conjugate retinoid cream (AlphaRet Overnight Cream; AHA-Ret) in improving visible signs of photoaging vs 1.0% retinol or 0.025% tretinoin.

Methods: A 12-week, split-face, randomized trial was conducted in 48 female subjects, aged 30-65 years with mild to severe photodamage. AHA-Ret was applied to one side of the face and either retinol (n=24) or tretinoin (n=24) to the other side (PM). Expert blinded evaluation of images and Nova measurements occurred at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Tolerability was assessed throughout the study.

Results: Forty-seven subjects completed the study. AHA-Ret demonstrated significant reductions in average severity from baseline: Fine Lines/Wrinkles (P<.001; all time points); Erythema (P=.004, P<.0001; 8 and 12 weeks, respectively); Dyschromia (P<.0001; all time points); Skin Tone (P<.0001; all time points), and Pore Size (P=.035, P<.0001; 8 and 12 weeks, respectively). AHA-Ret induced less Erythema vs retinol at 8 (P=.008) and 12 (P<.02) weeks. AHA-Ret was noninferior to prescription tretinoin in all categories at 4 and 8 weeks, and for Fine Lines/Wrinkles, Erythema, Dyschromia, and Skin Tone at 12 weeks. Improvements in Hydration occurred at every time point with AHA-Ret only (P<.04, P<.03, P<.01). Less irritation was reported with AHA-Ret vs retinol or tretinoin.

Conclusions: Treatment with a double-conjugate retinoid cream demonstrated early reductions in photodamage and improvements in Hydration. AHA-Ret induced less Erythema vs retinol and was more tolerable vs retinol and tretinoin.

Keywords: Tretinoin; alpha hydroxy acids; photoaging; retinoid.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Erythema / drug therapy
  • Face
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Skin Aging / drug effects*
  • Skin Cream / adverse effects
  • Skin Cream / pharmacology*
  • Skin Cream / therapeutic use
  • Skin Physiological Phenomena / drug effects
  • Skin Pigmentation / drug effects
  • Tretinoin / adverse effects
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology*
  • Tretinoin / therapeutic use
  • Vitamin A / adverse effects
  • Vitamin A / pharmacology*
  • Vitamin A / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vitamin A
  • Tretinoin