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Laboratories Bailleul Ketrel 0.05% Tretinoin Cream Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid For Acne

Prescription
Facial Treatment
Swiss Brand Switzerland
French Brand France

Updated on June 01, 2024

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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.

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
Ketrel 0.05% Tretinoin 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.

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 ->
Carbomer Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
1 / 0

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Polysorbate 80 Emulsifying
0 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
2 Concerns

Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Tribehenin Emollient, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tribehenin comes from glycerin and behenic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

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

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Paraffinum Liquidum Emollient, Skin Protecting, Solvent
0-2 / 0 Oil IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
OilOil Icon 2 Concerns

Paraffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.

0-2 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
BHT Antioxidant, Masking
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.

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

This BHA stands for butylated hydroxyanisole. If you are looking for the beta-hydroxy acid, aka as Salicylic Acid, click here.

Methyl Dihydroxybenzoate

We don't have a description for Methyl Dihydroxybenzoate.

Unknown Full details ->
Propyl Benzoate Perfuming, Preservative
Fragrance IconPreservative Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon PreservativePreservative Icon

Propyl Benzoate is a fragrance and is a preservative.

Unknown Full details ->
Sodium Hydroxide Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

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.

Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid For Acne
Adapalene
Retinoid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps fight Acne IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
RetinoidRetinoid Icon 2 Benefits 2 Concerns

Adapalene is a type of retinoid and common acne treatment.

Carbomer Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
1 / 0

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Methylparaben Preservative
0 / 0 Preservative IconParaben IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon ParabenParaben Icon 2 Concerns

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 Full details ->
Poloxamer 182 Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Poloxamer 182.

Unknown Full details ->
Propylene Glycol Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
0 / 0 May worsen Eczema Icon
May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
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.

Sodium Hydroxide Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Disliked

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.

Buffering
Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Loved

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Ingredient Ratings

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

Ketrel 0.05% Tretinoin Cream
4
1
6
2
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid For Acne
2
1
4
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

18 Routines
6% use in am
94% use in pm
50% use every day
268 Routines
5% use in am
95% use in pm
70% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Laboratories Bailleul Ketrel 0.05% Tretinoin Cream 13 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid For Acne 8 ingredients

4.8 /5
from 5 ratings
Petrichoria's avatar

Petrichoria

1 year ago · Oily Skin
Review

Tremendously helped me control my acne due to PCOS and is fungal-acne safe. It caused a bit of a purge in the first few weeks as my skin...

Tremendously helped me control my acne due to PCOS and is fungal-acne safe. It caused a bit of a purge in the first few weeks as my skin acclimated, but it definitely calmed any active acne down, as well controlled my oily skin. 100/10.