Retinyl propionate is a synthetic derivative of a Vitamin A. Upon topical application, retinyl propionate is hydrolyzed by esterases to retinol, which is ultimately converted to retinoic acid. In mouse models, retinyl propionate induced epidermal thickening in mouse tail and promoted collagen formation in UV-irradiated mice. These results encouraged clinical trials of retinyl palmitate against photoaging. Topical retinyl propionate cream (0.15%) did not demonstrate any statistically significant improvement over placebo, but in later studies of combinations of retinyl propionate with climbazole or niacinamide improvements in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots were demonstrated.

Fluticasone is a medium-potency synthetic trifluorinated corticosteroid which is used in some countries to manage nasal symptoms of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. Fluticasone binds and activates glucocorticoid receptor, resulting in the activation of lipocortin. Lipocortin, in turn, inhibits cytosolic phospholipase A2, which triggers a cascade of reactions involved in the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Both the furoate and propanoate esters, fluticasone furoate and fluticasone propionate, are much more commonly used as topical anti-inflammatories and inhaled corticosteroids.