PoreWise Skin concern
Sun damage
Primary sourceSun damage: the long-term skin changes from accumulated ultraviolet exposure — wrinkles, pigment changes, roughness and loss of elasticity. It is the visible outcome of photoageing, which stacks on top of natural ageing. The strongest evidence comes from a 2024 human trial of 471 participants across six vehicle-controlled studies: Across six vehicle-controlled studies pooled together (237 on retinol, 234 on vehicle), 0.1% stabilised retinol produced greater improvements from baseline in all signs of photoaging than the vehicle from week 4 through week 12. 1 ingredient has evidence for Sun damage: Retinol.
The studies here measured wrinkle, pigment or roughness changes over weeks to months on small groups. Sun protection is part of the picture, see the sun-protection page.
Where the definition comes from
Source wording
“Clinically, photoaged skin commonly presents with wrinkles and pigmentary changes … including the increased susceptibility to pigmentary alterations in skin of color.” — Tsai et al., Ann Dermatol 2026 (PMID 42244270).
Photoaging: Update on Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment Annals of Dermatology (Tsai J)
Ingredients at a glance
2024 · 471 people · participants across six vehicle-controlled studies · PMID 38564380
Studies and results
- Efficacy and Tolerability of Topical 0.1% Stabilized Bioactive Retinol for Photoaging: A Vehicle-Controlled Integrated Analysis
Across six vehicle-controlled studies pooled together (237 on retinol, 234 on vehicle), 0.1% stabilised retinol produced greater improvements from baseline in all signs of photoaging than the vehicle from week 4 through week 12.
Human trial · 2024 · 471 people · participants across six vehicle-controlled studies · Women around 47 years old with mild-to-moderate photoaging, applying the product for 12 weeks. · Pooled analysis of six studies.
- Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing
In a 12-week randomized, double-blind trial of 44 people, both 0.5% bakuchiol and 0.5% retinol significantly reduced wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation; bakuchiol caused less scaling and stinging.
Human trial · 2019 · 44 people · adults with facial photoageing · Adults with facial photoageing using bakuchiol twice daily or retinol once daily for 12 weeks. · Small sample (44).
Study limits
Study conditions and measured outcomes.
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Retinol Human trial · 2024
Pooled analysis of six studies.
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ev-dark-spots-cysteamine-rct Human trial · 2024
Small sample (30), lesions on the hands.
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Retinol Human trial · 2019
Small sample (44).
Products with a basis for this
4 products · CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment · Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream (Retinol + Hyaluronic Acid) · 2024 · 471 people · participants across six vehicle-controlled studies · PMID 38564380
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Paula's Choice
CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment
- Retinol 2 findings
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Neutrogena
Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream (Retinol + Hyaluronic Acid)
- Retinol 2 findings
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The Ordinary
Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Retinol 2 findings
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CeraVe
Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Retinol 2 findings
Research-backed approaches
These studies measured finished products and whole routines.
- 1 Skin effectSuccessful treatment of solar lentigines by topical application of stabilized cysteamine: A vehicle-controlled, double-blind randomized study
In 30 people with solar lentigines, a stabilised cysteamine cream reduced colourimetric values by 40% and VAS scores by 40% over 12 weeks, versus 2% for both with the vehicle cream.
Human trial · 2024 · 30 people · people with solar lentigines · People with solar lentigines on the hands, applying the cream once daily for 12 weeks. · Small sample (30), lesions on the hands.
Common questions
- Which ingredients have been studied for Sun damage?
- Ingredients with evidence for Sun damage: Retinol.
- How many people were studied?
- 3 findings · 2024 · 471 people · participants across six vehicle-controlled studies · PMID 38564380
- What can I use for Sun damage?
- Retinol · 2024 · 471 people · participants across six vehicle-controlled studies · PMID 38564380
- Can I use these every day for Sun damage?
- People with solar lentigines on the hands, applying the cream once daily for 12 weeks（2024 · 30 participants · 30 people with solar lentigines · PMID 38410492） Adults with facial photoageing using bakuchiol twice daily or retinol once daily for 12 weeks（2019 · 44 participants · 44 adults with facial photoageing · PMID 29947134）