retinoic acid
noun
ret·i·no·ic acid ˌre-tə-ˈnō-ik- 
: either of two isomers of an acid C20H28O2 derived from vitamin A and used in the treatment of acne:
a
: tretinoin
b
: isotretinoin
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In a 2011 study published in Endocrinology, a drug compound successfully interfered with the signaling pathway of mouse cell receptors that are designed to pick up and use retinoic acid, making the mice sterile. 
Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 20 May 2022 Researchers like Wolgemuth and Sanny Chung, an associate research scientist in the Wolgemuth Lab, are looking for a drug that would prevent the body from using retinoic acid, a critical compound from vitamin A that’s necessary for sperm production. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 20 May 2022 Like retinol, this compound is a naturally occurring retinoid that the body converts to retinoic acid. Sarah Jacoby, SELF, 27 Dec. 2021 Meanwhile, Clinique's Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum contains a milder form of retinoic acid, which is typically tolerable, even for sensitive skin. Fiona Embleton, Allure, 21 Sep. 2021 Retinol is a gentler version of prescription-strength retinoids, which both use retinoic acid to help stimulate collagen production (for firmer-looking skin) and cellular turnover (to help resurface). Emily Orofino, Good Housekeeping, 23 June 2021 But the only form of vitamin A that your body can recognize is the prescription-strength retinoic acid. Emily Orofino, Harper's BAZAAR, 16 Aug. 2021 The only difference is that your body must convert retinol to retinoic acid, while retinoids are already in that active, ultra-potent state. Emily Orofino, Good Housekeeping, 23 June 2021 Also known as tretinoin, retinoic acid is the most bioavailable retinoid. Marci Robin, Allure, 19 May 2021 See More
Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 20 May 2022 Researchers like Wolgemuth and Sanny Chung, an associate research scientist in the Wolgemuth Lab, are looking for a drug that would prevent the body from using retinoic acid, a critical compound from vitamin A that’s necessary for sperm production. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 20 May 2022 Like retinol, this compound is a naturally occurring retinoid that the body converts to retinoic acid. Sarah Jacoby, SELF, 27 Dec. 2021 Meanwhile, Clinique's Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum contains a milder form of retinoic acid, which is typically tolerable, even for sensitive skin. Fiona Embleton, Allure, 21 Sep. 2021 Retinol is a gentler version of prescription-strength retinoids, which both use retinoic acid to help stimulate collagen production (for firmer-looking skin) and cellular turnover (to help resurface). Emily Orofino, Good Housekeeping, 23 June 2021 But the only form of vitamin A that your body can recognize is the prescription-strength retinoic acid. Emily Orofino, Harper's BAZAAR, 16 Aug. 2021 The only difference is that your body must convert retinol to retinoic acid, while retinoids are already in that active, ultra-potent state. Emily Orofino, Good Housekeeping, 23 June 2021 Also known as tretinoin, retinoic acid is the most bioavailable retinoid. Marci Robin, Allure, 19 May 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1960, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
retinoic acid
noun
ret·i·no·ic acid ˌret-ᵊn-ˌō-ik-
: either of two isomers of an acid C20H28O2 derived from vitamin A and used especially in the treatment of acne:
a
or all-trans-retinoic acid : tretinoin
b
or 13-cis-retinoic acid : isotretinoin