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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Bausch Health Retin-A Gel 0.025% versus Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. Stieva-A 0.05% Cream .

Last updated on January 10, 2024. Published on March 13, 2024

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment Canadian Brand Canada
Prescription American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Prescription

Prescription skincare treatments. The ingredients in these product are prescription strength and considered medication. In many countries, these must be prescribed by a certified professional.

Price

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Buy Retin-A Gel 0.025%

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Buy Stieva-A 0.05% Cream

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Benefits

Anti-Aging
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Benefits

Anti-Aging
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does:
Community Rating: Loved

Tretinoin is the best retinoid due to its proven skin benefits. It only available with a prescription in many countries.

All forms of OTC retinoids goes through a conversion line until it can become effective. The final step of conversion is retinoic acid; retinoic acid IS Tretinoin.

This is why tretinoin is so effective; it gets to work immediately on the skin.

Research on tretinoin has found it to be incredibly effective for reducing the signs of aging. It helps improve damage from the sun, even the skin tone, and smooth out wrinkles. It is also an effective acne treatment by reducing and balancing out sebum production in pores.

Tretinoin, like other forms of Vitamin A, increases the turnover cycle of skin cells. This helps the skin create newer and healthier skin cells faster.

It can cause irritation, redness, and dry skin because it is considered a "strong" ingredient. Those with sensitive skin should consult a professional about using tretinoin.

Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.

Read about a form of retinoid you can purchase at the store, retinol.

Learn more about Tretinoin

Bausch Health Retin-A Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 1.

Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. Stieva-A 0.05% Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

BHT also helps stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Many products are sensitive to air and light. BHT prevents them from breaking down when exposed.

Bausch Health Retin-A Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 2.

Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. Stieva-A 0.05% Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Emulsifying, Humectant

Peg-8 Stearate is an emulsifier and humectant.

This ingredient comes from stearic acid, and the 8 represents the number of ethylene oxide monomers.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Peg-8 Stearate

Bausch Health Retin-A Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 5.

Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. Stieva-A 0.05% Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

4
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Stearic Acid

Bausch Health Retin-A Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 6.

Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. Stieva-A 0.05% Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

5
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.

Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Learn more about Stearyl Alcohol

Bausch Health Retin-A Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 7.

Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. Stieva-A 0.05% Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

11% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
67% are disliked or very disliked
22% have no rating yet
23% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
69% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet

Usage

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Bausch Health Retin-A Gel 0.025%.

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We haven't detected any alternatives for Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. Stieva-A 0.05% Cream.

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