The first retinoid lotion, Differin Lotion, was recently released. It will be coming out, initially at least, in a 0.1 stength.
The main advantage of a lotion is that it spreads better than creams, ointments or gels.
Interestingly, Adapelene, a third generation retinoid, was originally pproved by the FDA in 1996 as a lliquid solution. This no longer exists.
Adapelene is not a true retinoid like its competitors Retin A (tretinoin) and Tazarac ( tazarotene), but a synthetic retinoid. It basically turns on (activates, since turning on can have other meanings) the Retinoid receptors. This has some advantages. It is less irritating than the others, and is less of a problem with the sun, ie. less of it is inactivated by sunshine. However, if you are using a retinoid to stave off wrinkles, this one would not be my choice. There is no data supporting its use as a wrinkle fighting agent as there is for Retin A and Tazarac.
