Retinoids for teens: what the sources say

Teens get acne, and topical retinoids are among the treatments that the acne guidelines recommend most strongly, so the question of age comes up early. The sources give a split answer. An American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) dermatologist advises tweens and teens to avoid retinol, a cosmetic ingredient. A dermatologist may still recommend an acne retinoid, such as adapalene, and every drug label sets its own minimum age. Skinli sets out both below, with the ages. It is part of the guide to retinoids for acne.

What the AAD says about retinol

In an October 2025 news release, an AAD dermatologist, Dr. Garshick, gives this advice: "Dr. Garshick recommends that tweens and teens avoid products with active ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, and exfoliating acids, which target concerns like wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven skin tone, issues that children don't have." The release gives the reason: "Since children's skin is still developing, it's thinner, more sensitive, and more prone to irritation than adult skin." It says these ingredients can cause redness, burning or peeling and provide no benefit to such young skin.

The release also says that as tweens become teenagers, hormonal changes often increase oil production, which can lead to blackheads, breakouts and oily complexions. That is the acne that retinoid medicines are made for. On those, it says: "In some cases, a dermatologist may recommend a retinoid or salicylic acid." It adds: "However, it's important to first consult with a board-certified dermatologist to determine what's appropriate for their skin."

This is one dermatologist's advice in a news release, not a study of retinol in teenagers. The guide to whether retinol works for acne covers the evidence for retinol.

Start with a simple routine

The same news release describes the routine that comes before any acne medicine. Dr. Garshick recommends that tweens start with a gentle cleanser, a fragrance-free moisturizer, and a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. She says harsh cleansing or scrubbing can irritate the skin, and that for people with dry or sensitive skin, washing once a day in the evening may be enough. She also says it is better to focus on fewer products that are used consistently than on a 10-step routine.

For teens with acne, she says it may help to add salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Both can cause dry skin and irritation, so she says a gentle moisturizer every day is important. For any new product, her advice is to introduce one new product at a time, and for sensitive skin, to test a small amount before applying it to the whole face.

Product choice matters too. The AAP says some products, especially oil-based skin care products, can lead to acne if they clog pores, and that water-based or "non-comedogenic" products are less likely to cause acne. The comedogenic checker checks an ingredient list for ingredients that can clog pores.

What the acne retinoids are

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in a page written by its dermatology section, says topical retinoids for teen acne include products named adapalene, tretinoin and tazarotene, that they work to unplug the pores by removing the outermost layer of skin, and that the most significant side effect is dryness. The 2024 AAD guideline says that acne vulgaris commonly affects "adults, adolescents, and preadolescents aged 9 years or older." A correction notice for the 2024 guideline was published in July 2026. The quotes here come from the original 2024 text.

The age on each label

The AAD guideline says that a few newer products are FDA-approved from age 9, and that most other topical retinoids are approved from age 12. The labels give the detail. The table follows the DailyMed labels as of September 25, 2026.

Product	What the label says about age
Differin Gel 0.1 percent, over the counter	Adults and children 12 and older. Under 12, ask a doctor
Differin Epiduo, over the counter	Adults and children 12 and older. Under 12, do not use
Differin Gel 0.3 percent	Indicated for 12 and older. Not established below 12
Retin-A cream and gel	Safety and effectiveness below 12 not established
Retin-A Micro	Indicated for 12 and older
Atralin 0.05 percent	Safety below 10 not established. Studied at ages 10 to 16
Altreno 0.05 percent	Indicated for 9 and older
Aklief	Indicated for 9 and older
Arazlo 0.045 percent	Indicated for 9 and older
Twyneo	Indicated for 9 and older

The guide to prescription retinoids for acne covers the rest of the prescription products.

Adapalene, the one a teen can buy

Adapalene 0.1 percent gel is the retinoid sold without a prescription. The AAD's page on treating different types of acne says you can buy one retinoid, adapalene, without a prescription. The Differin Gel label covers adults and children 12 years of age and older and says children under 12 should ask a doctor. Given the AAD release, the AAD's advice for a teen is to consult a board-certified dermatologist first, even for a product that is sold over the counter. The guide to Differin gel and adapalene strengths covers the products.

How a teen can start a retinoid

The AAP gives practical steps. When first starting to use a retinoid, use it every other day or just a couple of times a week to limit the dryness, then increase how often you use it little by little. Use a small, pea-sized amount applied in five dots on different parts of the face, then rub it over the entire face, including skin without visible pimples, which the AAP says prevents new pimples from developing. Use an oil-free moisturizer every day, and use sun protection, which the AAP says helps fade red and brown marks and protects against the extra sensitivity of some treatments. The AAP says acne takes at least two months to get better after you start treatment, and that the red and brown marks left by pimples can take even longer to fade. The guide to starting adapalene gives the full slow-start schedule.

The Differin Gel 0.1 percent label adds its own rules. Use it once a day, and do not use more than directed, because that will not give faster or better results and may worsen irritation. Do not apply it to damaged skin, such as cuts, abrasions, eczema or sunburn. The label says irritation usually lessens with continued use, and that it may take up to 3 months of once daily use to see results. It says to stop and ask a doctor if irritation becomes severe or if there is no improvement after 3 months of once daily use.

Sun protection

Retinoids and the sun need planning. The Differin Gel label says to limit sun exposure, including light from tanning beds, and to use sunscreen when going outdoors, because skin may be more sensitive while using it. The Retin-A label says people with sunburn should not use the product until fully recovered. The AAP says sun protection helps fade the red and brown marks that pimples leave, and that some moisturizers with sunscreen in them can be a good one-step option.

How parents can help

The AAD's page for parents of teens with acne gives five points. It says to take acne seriously, because telling a teen that pimples will clear on their own may do more harm than good, and self-esteem can fall while waiting. It warns against daily reminders: in a small study, when parents reminded their teens every day to use their acne medicine, the teens felt it was nagging and used their treatment less often. Keeping every dermatology appointment may help more, because people tend to follow a treatment plan more closely just before and after a visit. The page also suggests letting a teen meet the dermatologist alone.

It lists signs of depression to watch for while a teen has acne: sadness that lasts two weeks or longer, loss of interest in activities the teen once enjoyed, and avoiding social activities. If these appear, the AAD says it may be time to see a dermatologist for acne treatment. The AAP adds that most acne treatments do not cure acne, and that a teen must keep using the treatment regularly to stop acne from coming back.

When to see a dermatologist

The AAD says teen acne should be taken seriously: without treatment acne sometimes becomes severe, and when severe acne clears it can leave permanent scars. It also says that for treatment to work, the teen must use it. The AAD release adds a rule of thumb: see a dermatologist if breakouts are leaving dark marks or scars, or if acne has not improved after a few months of over-the-counter treatment.

Retinoids also carry pregnancy rules, which apply to teens who can become pregnant. See the guide to retinoids during pregnancy and breastfeeding.