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Updated on May 16, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe 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 and brightening skin

Free From

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

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

Hedge & Hedge Pharmaceutical LLP Tretinoin 0.025% Cream
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin)
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin)
Prescription
South African Brand South Africa

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Tretinoin 0.025% Cream
Tretinoin
Retinoid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
RetinoidRetinoid Icon 3 Benefits 2 Concerns

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

Sorbic Acid Preservative
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Sorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.

Very Disliked Full details ->
BHT Antioxidant, Masking
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

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.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin)
Tretinoin
Retinoid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
RetinoidRetinoid Icon 3 Benefits 2 Concerns

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

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

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

2-3 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Isopropyl Myristate Emollient, Masking
3-5 / 3 May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
3 Concerns

Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.

3-5 Com. / 3 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Peg-8 Stearate Emulsifying, Humectant
3 / 1 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Peg-8 Stearate is an emulsifier and humectant.

3 Com. / 1 Irr.
Unknown Full details ->
Stearyl Alcohol Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon
Fatty AlcoholFatty 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 Full details ->
Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

Disliked Full details ->
Sorbic Acid Preservative
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Sorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.

Very Disliked Full details ->
BHT Antioxidant, Masking
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

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.

Very Disliked Full details ->
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.

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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

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 Acid
BHT
Antioxidant, Masking
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.

Ingredient Ratings

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

Tretinoin 0.025% Cream
1
2
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin)
2
6
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

10 Routines
0% use in am
100% use in pm
40% use every day
707 Routines
3% use in am
97% use in pm
71% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Hedge & Hedge Pharmaceutical LLP Tretinoin 0.025% Cream 3 ingredients

Tretinoin 0.025% Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Drying (1) Great Value (1) Strong Scent (1) Works Well (1)
APriceLife_749's avatar

APriceLife_749

10 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

Wrinkle fighter, cellular turnover

SpaceyTrxsh's avatar

SpaceyTrxsh

5 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Retinol did nothing for my skin. After using different kinds of strengths and seeing no results I decided to give up on retinol and start using...

Retinol did nothing for my skin. After using different kinds of strengths and seeing no results I decided to give up on retinol and start using tretinoin and it was the best decision ever. My skin is becoming clearer and clearer every day.