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Galderma Tri-Luma Cream Versus Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.1%

Prescription
Prescription
Swiss Brand Switzerland
Italian Brand Italy

Updated on February 08, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both prescription. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain parabens

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Free from

Safety & Ethics

Swiss Brand

Brand country of origin

Free from

Safety & Ethics

Italian Brand

Brand country of origin

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Ingredients, at a glance

What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients, at a glance

What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Tri-Luma Cream
Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.01%

This is not an official INCI ingredient.

Not enough ratings
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Hydroquinone 4% Stabilising
Good for Dark Spots IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydroquinone is used to treat hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and age spots.

Mixed reviews
Good for Dark SpotsGood for Dark Spots IconMay worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon
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Tretinoin 0.05% Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

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

Loved by users
RetinoidRetinoid Icon7 BenefitsMay worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon
Learn more
BHT Antioxidant, Masking
Antioxidant Icon

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.

Very disliked
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon
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Cetyl Alcohol Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

2 Com. / 2 Irr.
Very disliked
Fatty AlcoholFatty Alcohol Icon
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Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked by users
AHAAHA Icon5 BenefitsMay worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon
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Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Loved by users
2 Benefits
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Glyceryl Stearate Emollient, Emulsifying
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked by users
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
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Magnesium Aluminum Silicate Absorbent
0 / 0

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate is a type of silica. It comes from naturally occuring minerals such as silicate ores and clay.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked by users
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Methyl Gluceth-10 Emulsifying, Humectant, Moisturising

We don't have a description for Methyl Gluceth-10 yet.

Not enough ratings
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Methylparaben Preservative
0 / 0 Preservative IconParaben IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very disliked
PreservativePreservative IconParabenParaben Icon2 Concerns
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PEG-100 Stearate
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very disliked
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
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Propylparaben Preservative
0 / 0 Preservative IconParaben IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Propylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very disliked
PreservativePreservative IconParabenParaben Icon2 Concerns
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Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Loved by users
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Sodium Metabisulfite Antioxidant, Preservative
Antioxidant IconPreservative Icon

Sodium Metabisulfite is an antioxidant and is a preservative.

Mixed reviews
AntioxidantAntioxidant IconPreservativePreservative Icon
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Stearic Acid Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

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

2-3 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very disliked
2 Concerns
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Stearyl Alcohol Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

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

2 Com. / 2 Irr.
Very disliked
Fatty AlcoholFatty Alcohol Icon
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A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.1%
Tretinoin Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

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

Loved by users
RetinoidRetinoid Icon7 BenefitsMay worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon
Learn more
Methylparaben Preservative
0 / 0 Preservative IconParaben IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very disliked
PreservativePreservative IconParabenParaben Icon2 Concerns
Learn more
Propylparaben Preservative
0 / 0 Preservative IconParaben IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Propylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very disliked
PreservativePreservative IconParabenParaben Icon2 Concerns
Learn more

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning
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
Preservative
Very Disliked

Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.

Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.

Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.

The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.

Learn more about Methylparaben
Preservative
Very Disliked

Propylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

This ingredient can be naturally found in plants and insects, but most of it is synthetically manufactured for human use. In cosmetics, it is usually created by reacting para-aminobenzoic acid and propanol (an alcohol).

You can usually find this ingredient in water-based products.

Parabens have come under controversy due to the claim they are hormone disruptors. Studies show conflicting results. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Propylparaben is commonly found in food, medicine, and cosmetics.

Learn more about Propylparaben

When to use

8 Routines
13% use in am
88% use in pm
88% use every day
200 Routines
5% use in am
96% use in pm
70% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Galderma Tri-Luma Cream 17 ingredients

Tri-Luma Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.1% 3 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 4 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Drying (1) Great Value (1)
JessicaKimball_261's avatar

JessicaKimball_261

1 year ago · Dry Skin
Review

Only product that scientifically proven to build collagen in the skin

RebeccaSpickler_288's avatar

RebeccaSpickler_288

1 year ago · Oily Skin
Review

Dermatologist Rx. Helped immensely. Cleared up acne and helped with fine lines. It’s so simple but also effective.