Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Bausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% versus RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% .
Published on May 24, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe prescription. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
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.
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.
Ingredient Info
Bausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% 12 ingredients
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% 13 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Bausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% 12 ingredients
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% 13 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Bausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% 12 ingredients
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% 13 ingredients
Tretinoin • Benzyl Alcohol • BHT • Carbomer • Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer • Disodium EDTA • Glycerin • Ppg-20 Methyl Glucose Ether Distearate • Propylene Glycol • Water • Sorbic Acid • Triethanolamine
Tretinoin • Benzyl Alcohol • BHT • Carbomer • Cyclomethicone • Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer • Disodium EDTA • Glycerin • Ppg-20 Methyl Glucose Ether Distearate • Propylene Glycol • Water • Sorbic Acid • Triethanolamine
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tretinoin is a form of Vitamin A. It is stronger than retinol and only available with a prescription in many countries.
Research on tretinoin has found it to be effective in anti-aging the skin. It helps improve damage from the sun, even the skin tone, and smooth out wrinkles.
Tretinoin has also been found to be an effective acne treatment by reducing 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. Due to its strength, it can cause irritation, redness, and dry skin. 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 Retinol
Learn more about TretinoinBausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 1.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 1.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholBausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 2.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 3.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 3.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.
Bausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 4.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 4.
We don't have a description for Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer.
Bausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 5.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 6.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTABausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 6.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 7.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinBausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 7.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 8.
Ppg-20 Methyl Glucose Ether Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Bausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 8.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 9.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolBausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 9.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 10.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterBausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 10.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 11.
Sorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.
Sorbic Acid is a natural antibiotic and highly effective at preventing the growth of fungus. It is less effective against bacteria.
Potassium Sorbate, another commonly-used preservative, is the potassium salt of Sorbic Acid.
Sorbic Acid may worsen eczema. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Learn more about Sorbic AcidBausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 11.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 12.
Triethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
Learn more about TriethanolamineBausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% contains this as ingredient number 12.
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% contains this as ingredient number 13.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Bausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% 12 ingredients
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% 13 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Bausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% 12 ingredients
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% 13 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Bausch Health Retin-A Micro 0.04% 12 ingredients
RETIN-A MICRO Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.06% 13 ingredients
generic tretinoin cream broke me out, this works well for me though.
generic tretinoin cream broke me out, this works well for me though.
