Nizoral 2% Ketoconazole Cream Versus Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin)
Updated on May 28, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe prescription. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
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.
Ingredient Info
Nizoral 2% Ketoconazole Cream 9 ingredients
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Nizoral 2% Ketoconazole Cream 9 ingredients
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholIsopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.
It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.
The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.
Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Nizoral 2% Ketoconazole Cream 9 ingredients
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Nizoral 2% Ketoconazole Cream 9 ingredients
it won't do much if you developed tolerance to Ketoconazole/Itraconazole; moreover it smells like rotten eggs, and the smell doesn't leave, extremely greasy and takes time to absorb into the skin. It doesn't even actually have Ketoconazole it's Itraconazole.
Better than the shampoo from the same brand though.
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
Wrinkle fighter, cellular turnover
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.
