With so many anti-aging creams, serums and treatments on the market, how do you know what will work for you? Prescription skin care treatments have gone through clinical trials and FDA approval, so you can better predict your results. The FDA does not regulate over-the-counter anti-aging creams and serums and, therefore, are not required to have solid clinical proof of their effectiveness.
What prescription skin care works best for you will depend on your skin type, needs and goals. Learn more about how the most popular prescription anti-aging creams and serums compare.
What are popular prescription anti-aging creams and serums?
Prescription anti-aging creams and serums offer targeted solutions to combat fine lines, wrinkles, melasma, discoloration and other signs of aging. Some of the most popular prescription anti-aging skin care include tretinoin, tazarotene, adapalene, azelaic acid and hydroquinone. Learn more about each product, its benefits and how it works.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin (Retin-A®) belongs to a class of medications called retinoids. Retinoids work by speeding up the skin cell renewal process to shed old skin and unclog pores. It is available only by prescription to treat acne and signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration.1 Tretinoin is available in four main forms:2
Lotion in 0.05% strength.
Solution in 0.05% strength.
With RedBox Rx, tretinoin starts at $20 per month, with billing every three months. The chart below compares RedBox Rx with other online providers.
| Brand | Tretinoin Cream Costs |
|---|---|
RedBox Rx |
$20/month billed as $60/3 months |
Hers® |
$29/month |
WISP |
$25/month billed as $75/3 months |
NURX |
$30/month billed as $90/3 months + $30 consultation fee |
Agency |
$40-$65/month |
Apostrophe |
$25/month billed as $75/3 months |
Tazarotene
Tazarotene (Tazorac®) is a topical prescription treatment that also belongs to the class of medications called retinoids. It is prescribed to treat acne, psoriasis and signs of aging. Tazarotene works by slowing cell overgrowth, reducing inflammation and thickening the outer layers of skin for a smoother appearance.3
Tazarotene comes in foam, gel, cream and lotion formulations.4 All versions of tazarotene come in 0.1% strength, except for one kind of lotion, which is 0.45%.5
A RedBox Rx prescription for tazarotene is $75 for a 45-day supply.
Adapalene
Adapalene (Differin®) belongs to a class of medications called retinoid-like compounds.6 It works deep in the skin to prevent acne from forming, reduce inflammation and restore skin to its natural tone and texture.7
Prescription adapalene is available in gel, liquid solution, lotion, cream and pledget (a one-time use medicated applicator).8 Gel and cream in 0.1% strength are available over the counter, while 0.3% is prescription only.
Prescription-strength adapalene from RedBox Rx starts at $20 per month.
Azelaic acid
Azelaic acid (Finacea®) belongs to a class of medications called dicarboxylic acids. It lightens the skin, and reduces inflammation, treating discoloration from aging, sun damage and melasma.9
Prescription-strength azelaic acid is available in cream, foam and gel10 and in strengths of 15% and 20%. There are some over-the-counter products that have less than 10% azelaic acid.11
Azelaic acid 15% is available from RedBox Rx for $20 per month with the purchase of a 90-day supply.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a topical depigmenting agent used to treat hyperpigmentation caused by the sun, aging, melasma or inflammation. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of melanin, the element responsible for the pigment in skin.12
Hydroquinone is available in 2% or 4% strength by prescription only. It is available as a cream, emulsion, gel or solution.13
Hydroquinone cream 2% is available from RedBox Rx starting at $20 monthly, billed as a three-month supply.
How effective are prescription anti-aging creams and serums?
As a whole, prescription anti-aging creams and serums are quite effective at reducing signs of aging. Results can vary among products and individuals.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin has more than 40 years of efficacy and safety in treating acne and signs of aging.14 In one clinical study, 72% of participants reported improvement of hyperpigmentation after 24 weeks of tretinoin use.15
In long-term studies of tretinoin use, participants used the prescription cream for 12 months and saw a significant reduction in wrinkles and photoaging. The studies also showed new collagen growth and a decrease in collagen degeneration.16
Tazarotene
Tazarotene has been well studied and proven to help with signs of aging, including fine lines and hyperpigmentation. In one study, 63% of participants reported improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, and 87% saw improvement in hyperpigmentation after 24 weeks of tazarotene use.17
Adapalene
Adapalene is effective at reducing signs of aging, including wrinkles and photoaging. In one study, participants saw a reduction of 40% in forehead wrinkles, 52% in eye wrinkles and 29% in mouth wrinkles.18 In a study about photoaging, 57% of adapalene 0.1% gel users and 59% of 0.3% gel users reported lightening of their sun damage.19
Azelaic acid
Azelaic acid has been shown to improve acne and hyperpigmentation significantly. In one study, two-thirds of participants had no hyperpigmentation after 16 weeks of azelaic acid use. Nearly half of study participants reported only 1% to 10% of beginning hyperpigmentation left at the end of the trial. Azelaic acid can be a preferred method for people of color, as azelaic acid doesn’t lighten the overall complexion of users like tretinoin or other anti-aging products can.20
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is an effective skin lightening agent for hyperpigmentation. In one study on melasma, 70% of users reported a reduction in pigmentation after using hydroquinone twice per day for three months.21
Anti-aging prescriptions for a fraction of the price.
Help your skin look its absolute best with RedBox Rx. Get anti-aging medications as low as $20/month.
Get StartedHow do side effects compare for prescription anti-aging creams and serums?
The side effects of anti-aging creams and serums can be similar. Symptoms and severity will vary among individuals.
With tretinoin22, tazarotene23, adapalene24, azelaic acid25 and hydroquinone26, side effects include:
Burning.
Stinging.
Redness.
Dryness.
How do prescription anti-aging products compare to over-the-counter products?
Prescription anti-aging products are regulated by the FDA, which means they have been tested and proven safe and effective. Over-the-counter skin care is classified as a cosmetic and is not regulated by the FDA. This means there is no guarantee nonprescription products will reduce signs of aging.
The strength or concentration is lower in over-the-counter products that contain the same active ingredients as prescriptions. Therefore, those products are less likely to effectively combat signs of aging.27
What are the differences between anti-aging creams, serums and gels?
Anti-aging skin care products come primarily in three forms: creams, serums and gels. These forms serve as the base for distributing the active ingredients in skincare.
Creams contain an equal part oil and water. The water allows the product to be easily absorbed. The oil stays on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss.28
Serums are highly concentrated, and quickly and deeply penetrate skin with active ingredients. They are oil or water-based but do not provide moisture or protection for the skin.29
Gels are made of cellulose, water and alcohol. They absorb quickly into the skin and provide moisture without greasy oil residue. Without the oil, however, they cannot prevent moisture loss and might not be suitable for users with dry skin.30
Less commonly, anti-aging products are available in solutions, foams, emulsions and lotions.
Do specific prescription anti-aging products work better for women or men?
Generally speaking, choosing a prescription anti-aging product should be based on skin type and not gender. However, some hormonal differences between those born male or female can affect what products might work better.
For example, testosterone makes men’s skin thicker and oilier. Men may need stronger products to penetrate the skin and can better tolerate harsh cleansers. Women tend to have drier skin and may need more moisturizers in prescription skin care.31
Do specific prescription anti-aging products work better for certain age groups?
While many people may ask about specific anti-aging products to use while in their 30s, 40s, 50s or 60s, there is no strong clinical evidence to support that any prescription products work better in certain age ranges. Results vary from individual to individual.
Anti-Aging Cream & Serum Comparison Chart
How RedBox Rx can help
RedBox Rx makes receiving prescription anti-aging creams and serums convenient and affordable.
Benefits of RedBox Rx include:
Transparent, affordable, flat rates for medications starting at $20/month.
$20 consultation with a U.S. licensed medical professional.
No insurance required. HSA and FSA eligible.
No office wait times or scheduling issues typical with physical medical practices.
FREE shipping directly to you. One-time, monthly and quarterly subscriptions available.
Get started on your journey toward better skin with our online assessment for anti-aging.
