Is Renova still available? What about the other simliar prescription topicals?

Is Renova still available. I used it and liked it for about ten years and then was told about two years ago that it was no longer available. I did have a prescription for it. Is prescription Tretoinin as emollient? Thank you.

Hmmmm….. that’s odd because Renova  IS still available and still a great formulation (in a moisturizing base) for skin that is dryer or post menopausal.    Refissa, which is  similiar, is even more moisturizing – it’s in more of an ointment base.

A lot of the trick to picking the right retinoid (this class of topical medications) for you is figuring out which version provides the best base for your skin type, and which is the most affordable.   These are all somewhat expensive and even the generic version (tretinoin) has gotten  expensive lately.

The strength, as in the percentage, doesn’t matter much when it’s used for sun damage and anti-aging.   The lower ones, like the Renova 0.02% work well and cause less irritation, when they are being used daily over many years.    The strength matters more for acne treatment since these compounds are also very effective for acne.

An over the counter, slightly less expensive retinoid is retinol and in a 1.0% approaches Renova in results and costs less.

Hope this helps,   Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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