
Tretinoin and possible deleterious health outcomes?
I have been using tretinoin for about 6 months now. While it has helped my acne, I have significant worries about the BHT in the formulation as well as the actually substance itself.
A quote from biologist Ray Peat. "Yes, vitamin A and estrogen are antagonistic, and while estrogen promotes keratinization (shedding of skin cells), vitamin A opposes it. Since vitamin A is highly unsaturated, in excess it suppresses the thyroid, so it has to be balanced with the thyroid; the combination is effective for increasing progesterone and decreasing estrogen, slowing the turnover of skin cells, and making the skin cells function longer before flaking off. "
https://ahrp.org/excess-deaths-in-va-tretinoin-retin-a-trial_fda-silent/
While tretinoin is praised for the effects on the skin, could there be other possible side effects? I am planning on switching to a tazarotene cream without BHT and going from there. I am strongly against accutane as its effects on the liver are concerning, but I had always thought topicals were fairly safe until now. Thoughts?