So, if you want to use this combination, I strongly advise you should start from lower concentration for the sake of your skins moisture-barrier, (example: 0.05% tretinoin and 10% azelaic acid). Chemically speaking, ceramides are the connection of a fatty acid and a sphingoid base and both parts can have different variations that result in the different types of ceramides. Its truly a do-it-all ingredient! Farshi S. Comparative study of therapeutic effects of 20% azelaic acid and hydroquinone 4% cream in the treatment of melasma. In particular, Safflower Oleosomes are created from safflower seeds and carrysafflower seed oil and vitamin E. According to the manufacturer, oleosomes work both as natural emulsifiers as well as time-released delivery systems. It usually comesto the formula as part of athickener-emulsifier trio paired withPolyisobutene andPolysorbate 20. Concentration: 15-20%. Heres What To Know. Azelaic acid is a skincare ingredient found in wheat and barley, with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help keep skin clear. After clearing the way, tretinoin welcomes in fresh, plump skin cells and gives them the support they need by stimulating the production of collagen: a protein that helps with skin firmness. This, in turn, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Ceramides get quite a lot of hype recently and good news: there is a reason for that. It also mildlyexfoliatesthe skin, curtails redness and reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation. It has been shown to be significantly better at reducing rosacea symptoms than metronidazole. It also stimulates collagen and production. So far we were writing about ceramides in plural. Topical tretinoin is effective in reducing fine lines, hyperpigmentation, roughness, and laxity associated with photodamaged skin. Apply once daily (at night!) Found naturally in food (e.g., meat, dairy products, legumes, nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, fortified grains, etc. No alcohol or fragrance either. Ok, so now we know what ceramides are, let's see what they do in our skin: research shows clearly that they play a super important role in keeping the skin barrier healthy and the skin hydrated. If youre using tretinoin gel and moisturizer, apply the tretinoin gel, wait a few minutes then follow with the niacinamide moisturizer. This is to prevent these acids from hitting your skin directly as not to incur inflammation-irritation in the course of treatment which can disrupt your moisture-barrier. Take care and good luck. Our current one, Ceramide 1, or morerecently called CeramideEOP, was the first one that was identified in 1982 and it's a special snowflake. HA is famous for its crazy water holding capacity as it can bind up to 1000 times its own weight in water. Azelaic acid sounds technical, so you might be surprised to learn that it's a naturally occurring substance found in grains like wheat and barley. Tretinoin, also called all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), is a naturally occurring derivative of vitamin A (or retinol) that increases cell turnover. Pathophysiology of premature skin aging induced by ultraviolet light. Its particularly well-loved among those with oily and acne prone skin as it helps to regulate sebum production and keeps the pores clear. I skip the vitamin C in the morning but use the mix both morning and night. Here's an example of how to use tretinoin and niacinamide together. I show you how I do it and as a bonus, I demonstrate how I use tretinoin around my eyes and apply an OTC retino. Say hello to smoother, brighter skin. Tretinoin is a retinoid. A four-night skin cycling routine might include salicylic acid or glycolic acid on night one, followed by tretinoin on night two, followed by two recovery nights, during which no actives . Tretinoin "Tretinoin is a potent prescription retinoid derived from vitamin A, which can improve the hyperpigmentation . The typical use level of Xantha Gum is below 1%, it is usually in the 0.1-0.5% range. With years of professionalism and practice in the beauty industry, I've written hundreds of inspiring beauty tips expert-backed with facts and advices from board-certified Dermatologists, Estheticians and Cosmetologists. ), It's an all around skin issue fixer as it works at the skin cell level and makes your skin cells behave in a healthy and normal way, It makes the skin less wrinkled, firmer, smoother and tighter, everything you could want from an anti-aging ingredient, It's also an effective acne treatment. Khi kt hp Tretinoin vi Azelaic . A big molecule created from repeated subunits (a polymer of acrylic acid) that magically converts a liquidinto a nice gel formula. In spite of this, if you search for "hyaluronic acid vs sodium hyaluronate" you will find on multiple places that sodium hyaluronate is smaller and can penetrate the skin better. After using these duo-actives every-other-day for three (3) weeks, at night time only, Ive come to share my honest experience with these acids, but before I plunge into that, lets know what these ingredients are and what they do for the skin. By blocking the production of unwanted pigmentation, it also helps . For example, if youre using a niacinamide serum and a tretinoin cream, use the niacinamide serum first, followed by the tretinoin cream. As always, apply the thinner product first, followed by the thicker product. Its main job in skincare products is to moisturise the skin. Tretinoin - superstar. Ouch!, Thats a hell of a high concentration right? Panthenol might make your hair softer, more elastic and helps to comb your hair more easily. Very similarly to the Benzoyl Peroxide study, the Azelaic Acid cream was better tolerated and didn't cause the side . You can usually find it right in the very first spot of the ingredient list, meaning its the biggest thing out of all the stuff that makes up the product. A next generation AHA, a so-called PHA that gently exfoliates skin without irritation. Does Hyaluronic Acid Help Acne? Propanediol is a natural alternative for the often usedand often bad-mouthed propylene glycol. In healthy skin, skin cells naturally turn over, meaning that your old cells die and new ones replace them. Learn how popular skincare ingredients like Azelaic acid, Niacinamide, Retinol, Salicylic acid, and Tretinoin can help treat acne, anti-aging, and hyperpigmentation, and more common skin concerns. Usually, it comes to the formula as part of a preservativeblendas it's not enough on its own. About 25% of the goopy stuff between our skin cells consists of cholesterol. Hyperpigmentation. I apply only a pea-size amount of both actives on my skin. It only took several days from the day I signed up to receive my treatment plan and my prescription in the mail (white bottle Shown in middle picture above). Throw away any unused medicine after the beyond use date. . Azelaic acid on the other hand does the work faster when it comes to getting rid of my acnes and preventing scarring. (We also checkedProspector for sodium hyaluronate versions actually used in cosmetic products and found that the most common molecular weight was 1.5-1.8 million Da that absolutely counts as high molecular weight). Supported with key ingredients like niacinamide and azelaic acid. You can start from 0.025 or 0.05% tretinoin and 5 or 10% azelaic acid to ease your way into these acids and to allow your skin gradually build tolerance or get accustomed to them. Great natural moisturizer and skin-identical ingredient that plays an important role in skin hydration and general skin health. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1419-28. The most common skincare ingredient of all. As far as skincare goes, sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid are pretty much the same and the two names are used interchangeably. Mixing tretinoin with other irritating ingredients can actually make the irritation and side effects worse. Azelaic acid is a safe and proven acne treatment: In two studies, 20% azelaic acid cream was shown to be more effective than 0.05% tretinoin cream and better tolerated. ingredients Tretinoin 0.05% + Azelaic acid 15% As you might guess from the pro part, its a precursor to vitamin B5 (whose fancy name is pantothenic acid). Just sign up or start a chat with your provider to get started! However, if you must use them, endeavor to follow the technique I used, by using the buffer or sandwich method, and using every-other-day (resist the urge of applying these acids daily) for the sake of your moisture-barrier. New skin cells lead to your skin looking brighter and more even. This is to ease your way into these acids and to allow your skin gradually build tolerance or get accustomed to them. A helper ingredient that's used as a co-emulsifier (meaning next to other emulsifiers in the formula it helps water and oil to mix) and as a stabilization agent for foams. 1 person found this helpful. A helper ingredient that's used as a co-emulsifier and as a stabilization agent for foams. Also, I dont use these acids every day, I use themevery-other-day. As always, youll want to follow the thinnest to thickest rule. Talk to your medical provider about your specific health concerns. Whats even better is that you can use both of these ingredients together for maximum results without any issues or side effects. I definitely think azelaic acid helped reduce the spots especially during the purging stage. Since tretinoin is only available with a prescription, youll need to either start a chat with your Curology provider or visit an in-person medical provider. Its a humectant meaning that it can help the skin to attract water and then hold onto it. Saturday & Sunday: Closed, Tretinoin / Azelaic Acid / Niacinamide Cream, 3100 Galleria Drive, Suite 304 Metairie, LA 70001, Glycolic Acid / Salicylic Acid / Lactic Acid Face Pads, Hydroquinone / Tretinoin / Fluocinolone / Kojic Acid Cream. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28052374/. The short answer is yes, you can use tretinoin and niacinamide together! I love 0.05% tretinoin. Azelaic Acid c coi l "c cng" ca Niacinamide. Along with ceramides 4 and 7, they also play a vital role in epidermal integrity and serve as the main storage areas for linoleic acid (a fatty acid that's alsovery important for barrier repair). At this time, this preparation is not commercially available in the United States as a single product and must be compounded for patients that would benefit from its administration as determined by a prescriber. While using these duo-actives, my skin was not only acne-free, but super-smooth, firm and plump. Paulas Choice RESIST Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum, Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Night Moisturizer, Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum. It can bind huge amounts of water and it's pretty much the current IT-moisturizer. Altreno (tretinoin lotion) package insert; Bridgewater, NJ: Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC; 2018 Aug. Renova 0.02% (tretinoin cream) package insert; Bridgewater, NJ: Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC; 2013 Jun. Ingredients explained. We wrote way more about ceramides at ceramide 1, so click here to know more. With tretinoin helping to combat pigmentation to uneven skin tone and azelaic acid helping rid the skin of dead skin cells often which tends to make dark spots appear darker. Btw, it's also used as a food preservative. What it is: A skin-lightener produced by a fungus, Pityrosporum Ovale. 6 Possible Reasons, Is Panoxyl Good For Acne? Tretinoin TAN Mild Cream (Tretinoin / Azelaic Acid / Niacinamide) 0.03/4/4% 30 mL Pump Tretinoin TAN Strong Cream (Tretinoin / Azelaic Acid / Niacinamide) 0.045/4/4% 30 mL Pump General Information Tretinoin. And Oh, dont mind the high concentration I used, my skin has built tolerance to tretinoin 0.1% and azelaic acid 20%, as I have previously used them individually. S dng Azelaic Acid 20% tng t vic bn s dng Tretinoin 0,05%. Its stickiness also helps lip products to stay on longer. Once inside the skin, it hydrates, but not from the outside - putting pure water on the skin (hello long baths!) Now the question is only this: If we put ceramides all over our face do theywork as well as ceramides already naturally in our skin? Tretinoin is a medication used to treat acne and sun-damaged skin. Its the most commonly used version of pure vitamin E in cosmetics. The tretinoin order is important when using this ingredient in your skincare routine. How it works: Share your skin goals and snap selfies. A 2007 study showed thatPhytosphingosine even works againstevil acne-causing bacteria,Propionibacterium acnes and shows promise as a complementing active ingredient in treating acne-prone skin thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. every 3rd day. When using tretinoin and niacinamide together, its important to layer them properly in your skincare routine to prevent any irritation. It is also difficult to find a single product that is effective in treating both acne vulgaris and rosacea. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18047609/, Forbat, F. Al-Niaimi, FR. Tretinoin is a form of vitamin A that helps the skin to renew itself more quickly. In the experimental test, I used The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum and Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, for two weeks, and have decided to share my experience with these duo-actives. Nu Niacinamide l mt hot cht gip loi b cc vn v mn, l chn . When you buy a product via our links, we may earn a small commission,, Table of Contents What Is hyperpigmentation?What causes hyperpigmentation?What are types of hyperpigmentation?How is hyperpigmentation diagnosed?How is hyperpigmentation treated?How. Azelaic Acid + Niacinamide, Vitamin C. y l b 3 kt hp hon ho gip h tr iu tr nm lnh tnh, an ton cho da. Meet the gold standard for anti-aging. It's the salt form of famous humectant and natural moisturizing factor, hyaluronic acid. I also have been doing at-home glycolic peels (30% by Instanatural, but I've just bought a 50% from another brand . We have written way more about ceramides at ceramide 1, so click here to know more. What seems to be a true difference, though, is that the salt form is more stable, easier to formulate andcheaper so it pops up more often on the ingredient lists. Similar to tretinoin and retinol, azelaic acid puts a stop to future outbreaks as it kills acne-causing bacteria and clean bacteria from your pores that causes acne. Niacinamide is a gentle ingredient that is suitable for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin. Background: Acne is an inflammatory disorder with a high global burden. If youre using a tretinoin cream and niacinamide serum, apply the niacinamide first and wait a few minutes for it to absorb before applying tretinoin. You can read my experimental-comparison review between The Ordinary & Paulas Choice azelaic acid 10%. If you answered azelaic acid, youre right! Combined with polyacrylate-13 and polysorbate 20, it forms a very effective tickener-emulsifier trio. Its not strong enough to be used in itself so its always combined with something else, often with potassium sorbate. Use just twice a week to begin with and increase slowly. Shed dead skin cells. Individuals with sensitive skin may experience side effects such as redness, swelling, and a slight burning sensation. Niacinamide for skin: fixer, healer, and builder. The order for tretinoin and niacinamide is important to make sure youre using them correctly and to get the best results. Vitamin C or Ascorbic acid brightens the skin tone and also reduces the signs of aging. Azelaic Acid 10% Plus Niacinamide & Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum, Dark Spot Remover and Wrinkle Reducer, Rosacea Skin Care - 1oz. Context and objective: Acne vulgaris, an inflammatory skin disease with different clinical appearances, is a common problem in most adolescents. Studies also suggest patients suffering from rosacea would benefit from the active ingredients in this preparation. fragrance, preservatives or chemical sunscreens) in the product. So, instead of combining azelaic acid and tretinoin together which may increase irritation on your super-senstive skin, using retinol instead will be a smart move. Vic kt hp Azelaic Acid v Niacinamide l hon ton hp l. Do not flush unused medications or pour down a sink or drain. A nice one to spot in the ingredient list. It usually has to be neutralized with a base (such as sodium hydroxide) for the thickening to occur and it creates viscous, clear gels that also feel nice and non-tacky on the skin. Azelaic acid can cause itching, stinging, tingling, burning, tenderness, and skin dryness when applied to the skin. However, it can also be one of the most irritating, which is why its prescription only. Tretinoin works to smooth the skin's texture while azelaic acid works to exfoliate dead skin cells and fight bacteria. Available: https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00548. It is used on the skin in the treatment of mild to moderate acne and on skin that has been damaged by excessive exposure to the sun. But before we go into the details, let's just quickly define what the heck ceramides are:
Tretinoin helps to improve the appearance of acne, scarring, pigmentation and premature aging while niacinamide helps to soothe the skin, reduce redness and inflammation, fade hyperpigmentation and keep the skin hydrated. Azelaic acid (Azelex) 20% Cream package insert. Since its not as strong, retinol can be found in some over-the-counter products, whereas you can only get tretinoin with a prescription from a medical provider. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Also if you have a sensitive skin and concerned about using these two actives together, Ill recommend you use them apart or in separate times. Skincare: Humectant toner every day before tretinoin. Other benefits of the compound may include the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles and the lessening of hyperpigmentation. Is Micellar Water Oil Based? Chemically, this is definitely not true, as the two forms are almost the same, both are polymers and the subunits can be repeated in both forms as much as you like. They also have a nice silicone feel with glide-on spreading. . Azelaic acid is one of the most popular picks for hyperpigmentation in patients of all skin typesand for good reason. Its anti-inflammatory properties are also beneficial in treating redness. Plus, it acts as a mild exfoliant; it helps with skin texture and with smoothing and refining the appearance of pores. Irritation, skin flaking, redness, and drier skin are usual, Do not use tretinoin (or any form of retinoids) while pregnant, To minimize side effects introduce tretinoin slowly into your routine (see more how to use tips in geeky details), A multi-functional skincare superstar with several proven benefits for the skin, Great anti-aging, wrinkle smoothing ingredient used at 4-5% concentration, Fades brown spots alone or in combination with amino sugar, acetyl glucosamine, Increases ceramide synthesis that results in a stronger, healthier skin barrier and better skin hydration, Can help to improve several skin conditions including acne, rosacea, and atopic dermatitis, Superstar ingredient with antibacterial, skin cell regulating, anti-inflammatory and skin-lightening magic properties, It is especially useful for acne-prone or rosacea-prone skin types (in concentration 10% and up), It is a prescription drug in the US but can be freely purchased in the EU in an up to 10% concentration, It's a helper ingredient that improves the freeze-thaw stability of products, It's also a solvent, humectant and to some extent a penetration enhancer, It has a bad reputation among natural cosmetics advocates but cosmetic scientists and toxicology experts do not agree (read more in the geeky details section), A natural moisturizer thats also in our skin, A super common, safe, effective and cheap molecule used for more than 50 years, Not only a simple moisturizer but knows much more: keeps the skin lipids between our skin cells in a healthy (liquid crystal) state, protects against irritation, helps to restore barrier, Effective from as low as 3% with even more benefits for dry skin at higher concentrations up to 20-40%, High-glycerin moisturizers are awesome for treating severely dry skin, Its a polyhydroxy acid (PHA), that is often referred to as next generation AHA, It gently lifts off dead skin cells form the skin surface making skin smooth and even, In the long term it provides anti-aging benefits, like increased skin thickness and decreased wrinkles (though a tad less than even more proven superstar AHAs), Its a great moisturizer and even helps to repair impaired skin barrier, Its antioxidant, and does not make your skin more sensitive to the sun, It can be used even if your skin is very sensitive, rosacea prone or if you are post cosmetic procedure. 137 144, March 2017. I used Azelaic Acid (Finacea) after pregnancy to help clear melasma and was happy with it, but I was breastfeeding at . One over the counter option Dr. Lortscher recommends is the fan-favorite Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster. Related post: Azelaic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide For Acne. Its pH dependent and works best at acidic pH levels (3-5). It seems that using combinations of topical agents can decrease resistance to the treatment and improve the efficacy. It was a sweep-off. Tretinoin speeds this up and gives dead, damaged skin cells the boot.. Similar to niacinamide, azelaic acid is a multi-functional skincare ingredient, as it tackles different kinds of skin issues and fix imperfections such as acne, rosacea, redness, hyperpigmentation, melasma and shrink large pores. A 6 month study involving 289 people found that 20% Azelaic Acid cream and 0.05% Tretinoin were "equally effective" against acne. Then you'll love to like our Facebook Thanks to inflammation soothing properties, azelaic acid can be an excellent option for people looking to treat acne and rosacea. Azelaic acid is a tyrosinase inhibitor which means that it prevents the activity of the tyrosinase enzyme that is essential for the production of melanin. after cleansing and before or after moisturizing, depending on your skin's sensitivity . Tretinoin is a powerful exfoliator that can cause redness, irritation, flaking, dryness and peeling, especially when you first start using it. Can Tretinoin And Azelaic Acid Be Used Together? So, I decided its a good time to put tretinoin and azelaic acid together into the test, to see how really effective these duo-actives are in tackling superficial acne, because I have been longing to use these two active ingredients to test their efficacy. You can read all about the pure form here. A handy helper ingredient that helps water and oil to mix nicely together. So, for the sake of your skin, limit tretinoin use at night-time only. Its the - sodium form - cousin of the famous NMF,hyaluronic acid(HA). The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, You can read my experimental-comparison review between The Ordinary & Paulas Choice azelaic acid 10%, I Used Niacinamide & Lactic Acid Together Heres My Review, I Used Niacinamide And Azelaic Acid From The Ordinary Brand & This Happened, Skin Purging Or Breaking Out? They both have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties but, unlike niacinamide, azelaic acid also acts as a mild exfoliant. Our site is reader-supported. conjugated retinoid cream vs 1.0% retinol cream or 0.025% tretinoin cream in . (Moisturize, tretinoin & azelaic acid, moisturize again). . Niacinamide may be slightly better for drier skin than azelaic acid due to its ability to strengthen your skin barrier. Ceramides get quite a lot of hype recently and good news: there is a reason for that. It belongs to a class of molecules known as retinoids, which is an umbrella term for all Vitamin A compounds and derivatives like retinol or adapalene. Store this medication at 68F to 77F (20C to 25C) and away from heat, moisture and light. Side effects. Also as regards to your super-senstive skin, Ill recommend you use them apart or in separate times. Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. What Happens When You Stop Using Tretinoin, Is Castor Oil Comedogenic? An error has occurred. Tretinoin also known as (Retin-a) is a vitamin A derivative and also a medicine, topically used to treat acne, melasma and minimize skin aging-signs such aswrinkles and fine linesby accelerating collagen production and encouraging cell turnover and regeneration process which in turn boost skin cell renewal for a healthier and brighter-looking skin. So apply whichever product is thinner first, followed by the thicker product. If you have extremely dry skin, you may find that niacinamide is better than azelaic acid due to its ability to support the skin's natural protective barrier (and thus, encourage . While Galleria Medical Pharmacy adheres to USP <795> guidelines and applicable state and federal regulations to meet the required quality standards, the statements made regarding this preparation have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety or clinical effectiveness. Azelaic Acid vs. Tretinoin (Retin-A). A pre-neutralised form of super common thickener, Carbomer. If you should make the mistake of applying azelaic acid cream or gel on a damp or moist skin, It will increase product penetration or absorption which can lead to stinging or itchiness. And they are there in big amounts! A natural corn sugar derived glycol. All my acne-breakouts were all gone!. Like this, the products can stay more stable over time. If HA does not tell you anything we have a super detailed, geeky explanation about it here. . ingredients Tretinoin 0.05% + Niacinamide 4% + Azelaic acid 4% . Niacinamide offers a ton of different benefits for the skin and can be used no matter what your skin type or skin concerns. By combining azelaic acid's anti-inflammatory properties with retinoids' cellular benefits, patients may be able to reach an equilibrium in their skin care plan. As such, this preparation is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. A: If youre an individual with super-senstive skin, and wish to go for retinol instead of tretinoin (which is the most potent of all retinoids), then youre definitely on the right track. While mild cases of acne may respond well to over-the-counter treatments, stubborn cases require stronger treatments. When used together, tretinoin and niacinamide can help with a variety of skin issues and totally transform your skin. Tretinoin is one of the strongest and most effective retinoids on the market. When it comes to tretinoin, you can bend this rule a little and use a moisturizer before tretinoin, which can help buffer the active ingredients and reduce any potential irritation or other side effects. Bottom line. The goopy stuff between our skin cells is called extracellular matrix that consists mainly of lipids. CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen. By this I mean, use azelaic acid in the morning, while you use retinol at night but still maintain the every-other-day application method. It's not only an anti-aging miracle but is also an effective acne treatment and skin lightener. So ceramides form kind of a "water-proof" protecting layerand make sure that our skin remains nice and hydrated. Typically used at 1% or less in most formulations. Curious about how to layer 3 popular actives? You also want to be careful when using tretinoin with other exfoliating ingredients, such as glycolic acid. But worry not! Azelaic acid is an antioxidant naturally produced on your skin, and its lab-engineered form is available as a gel, foam, or cream. Tretinoin + Niacinamide = A Dream Team for acne, scarring, pigmentation and aging. Research also shows that it might be useful for wound healing as it promotes fibroblast (nice type of cells in our skin that produce skin-firming collagen) proliferation. A form of vitamin E that works as an antioxidant. Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in grains such as barley, wheat, and rye. Yes azelaic acid can be used in the morning and tretinoin cream at night, however, a common side effect of both medications is dryness, irritation, peeling, etc. Tretinoin usually comes in 3 strengths 0.025% mildest-strength, 0.05% medium-strength and 0.1% strongest-strength. Normal (well kind of - it's purified and deionized) water. Retinol is a bit milder than its prescription counterparts and is often considered to be less effective, but thats not necessarily a bad thing! It clears the skin of blemishes and discolorations by speeding the process of cell renewal.1, 2, 3, 4, Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in wheat, rye, and barley. Tretinoin is known as a do-it-all product as it can treat clogged pores, acne, oily skin, acne scars, hyperpigmentation and signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.