hydroxypinacolone retinoate

Hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR) is a synthetic ester of all-trans retinoic acid that acts as a direct-acting retinoid. Unlike traditional retinol or retinaldehyde, which require enzymatic conversion to retinoic acid within the skin to exert biological activity, HPR is capable of binding directly to retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs). This direct mechanism of action allows HPR to provide the anti-acne and anti-aging benefits of prescription-strength retinoids with significantly lower potential for skin irritation and sensitization. Developed by Cantabria Labs (Difa Cooper), HPR is the primary component of the patented RetinSphere® technology, which often combines HPR with encapsulated retinol for both immediate and sustained retinoid activity. It is clinically utilized for the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, including truncal acne of the chest and back, and for improving the appearance of photoaged skin.

Brand names

BioretixRetinSphere

Other names

all-trans retinoic acid pinacolyl ester9-cis-retinoic acid pinacolyl ester