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

• Published in: Journal of cosmetic dermatology Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 542 - 548
• Main Authors: McDaniel, David H, Mazur, Christopher, Wortzman, Mitchell S, Nelson, Diane B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-12-2017
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; alpha hydroxy acids; Erythema - drug therapy; Face; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; photoaging; retinoid; 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; Tretinoin - adverse effects; Tretinoin - pharmacology; Tretinoin - therapeutic use; Vitamin A - adverse effects; Vitamin A - pharmacology; Vitamin A - therapeutic use; alpha hydroxy acids; retinoid; Tretinoin; photoaging
• ISSN: 1473-2130; 1473-2165
• DOI: 10.1111/jocd.12381

Summary
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.