Retinoids in Antiaging Therapy

Topical retinoids, in the form of topical tretinoin, have been used in the treatment of skin aging since the 1980s, becoming the gold standard in the treatment of photoaged skin. Skin aging is a complex biologic process involving cytokines and mediators. The isotretinoin-treated group showed a statistically significant lessening of the signs of aging, such as wrinkles, skin thickness, tone, elasticity, and mottled hyperpigmentation. In the attempt to stabilize retinol, retinol derivates, including retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate, and retinyl palmitate have been developed. In the studies of evaluating the effects of retinol and vitamin C combinations on aging skin, repeated application of retinol and vitamin C in combination was shown to reverse skin changes due to chronologic aging and photoaging. Seletinoid G may be considered as an effective agent in the treatment of skin aging, with the advantage of an absence of skin irritation.