Tretinoin (topical)

topical · endocrine · musculoskeletal · integumentary · Transdermal

Tretinoin (topical), a topical compound. All-trans retinoic acid — binds nuclear retinoic-acid receptors (RAR-α/β/γ) directly, without… Transdermal half-life 1 h.

All-trans retinoic acid — binds nuclear retinoic-acid receptors (RAR-α/β/γ) directly, without requiring metabolic activation. Normalises follicular keratinisation (comedolysis), accelerates epidermal turnover, thickens viable epidermis, thins stratum corneum, disperses melanin, and upregulates dermal collagen I/III while down-regulating MMP-1 under UV stress. Gold-standard topical for photoaging and a cornerstone of acne regimens. Systemic absorption <2% at labelled use; does not meaningfully alter endogenous retinoid plasma pools.

Pharmacokinetics

• Transdermal — t½ 1 h · F 2%

Related compounds

• Isotretinoin — caution

Sources: PMID:9091507