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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% versus Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% .

Published on June 10, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe prescription. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and 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, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

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

Prescription Italian Brand Italy
Prescription Italian Brand Italy

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.

Price

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Buy Tretinoin Gel 0.05%

Shop

Buy A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025%

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
Exfoliators

Benefits

Anti-Aging
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Exfoliators

Benefits

Anti-Aging
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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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

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 1.

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emulsifying

Peg-4 Olivate isn't fungal acne safe.

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 2.

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Olive Oil Peg-7 Esters is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 3.

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 3.

We don't have a description for Methyl Dihydroxybenzoate.

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 4.

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Perfuming, Preservative

Propyl Benzoate is a fragrance and is a preservative.

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 5.

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Glycol

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 6.

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
What it does: Abrasive
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Silicon is an abrasive as an INCI ingredient. In tools, it is a material.

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 7.

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 7.

8
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Masking
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic Acid is a fatty acid commonly found in plant oils, such as palm and coconut oils.

Much of the research is based on caprylic acid derived from coconut oil. Coconut oil is an emollient and helps moisturize the skin.

Caprylic Acid has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Several studies found it to be effective at treating yeast infections. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Besides cosmetics, this ingredient is also used for a variety of medical purposes such as treating digestive disorders.

This ingredient is minimally soluble in water.

Read more about a similar ingredient Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride.

Learn more about Caprylic Acid

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 8.

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 8.

9
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: 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.

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 9.

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 9.

10
What it does: Buffering, Emulsifying, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Triethanolamine

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 10.

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 10.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 11.

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% contains this as ingredient number 11.

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

18% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
45% are disliked or very disliked
27% have no rating yet
18% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
45% are disliked or very disliked
27% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% 11 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
SailorMoon_954's avatar

SailorMoon_954

8 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

help with my acne but drying

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% 11 ingredients

A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% hasn't been rated yet.
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