Clinical Trials Support New Retinal Formulation Tolerability

In a recent interview with Dermatology Times, Michael Gold, MD, a dermatologist with more than 30 years of experience currently practicing in Nashville, Tennessee, recently discussed clinical findings and practice implications for a new retinal-based product, RetaXome. In part 2 of this interview, Gold delved deeper into the data from each study, outlining how it affects various patient populations and skin types.

Gold highlighted that results from 3 clinical studies demonstrated the product’s tolerability, including among patients with sensitive skin. “All 3 of the studies showed it was tolerated and that sensitive skin patients had no issues with it,” he said. He added that 1 study reported positive findings as early as day 1, which he believes will drive adoption in clinical settings.

According to Gold, these outcomes provide reassurance for both providers and patients who have historically encountered tolerability issues with retinoids. “Demonstrating it in the clinicals helps validate that they can actually go out and say to providers, 'hey, you can recommend this and they’re not going to have issues like we all have had in the past,'” he explained.

When asked about the broader retinol landscape, Gold acknowledged the availability of strong options already in practice. However, he noted that the new formulation offers a unique advantage. “This gives us the potential of having a deeper penetrating product, which then should have outcomes that are in line with what we expect when something gets deeper into the skin and has a chance to affect different things,” he said.

Gold emphasized that the ability to reach deeper skin layers could translate into meaningful benefits for patients, expanding the clinical utility of topical retinoids. For him, the combination of favorable tolerability and potential enhanced penetration positions the product as a valuable addition to current treatment strategies.

“So, again, it becomes part of the armamentarium of first-line products for our patients,” he said. He underscored that the integration of new tools like this into dermatology reflects ongoing progress while building on the established role of retinoids in patient care.

Click here to watch part 1 of our interview with Michael Gold, MD.