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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) versus Curology Custom Formula Tretinoin 0.01% Clindamycin 1% Azelaic Acid 4% .

Published on August 02, 2022

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, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

Prescription South African Brand South Africa
Prescription American Brand United States

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

Shop

Buy Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin)

Shop

Buy Custom Formula Tretinoin 0.01% Clindamycin 1% Azelaic Acid 4%

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

Benefits

Anti-Aging
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E

Benefits

Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea
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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

Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) contains this as ingredient number 1.

Curology Custom Formula Tretinoin 0.01% Clindamycin 1% Azelaic Acid 4% contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking
Community Rating: 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.

Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) contains this as ingredient number 8.

Curology Custom Formula Tretinoin 0.01% Clindamycin 1% Azelaic Acid 4% contains this as ingredient number 13.

3
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

Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) contains this as ingredient number 9.

Curology Custom Formula Tretinoin 0.01% Clindamycin 1% Azelaic Acid 4% contains this as ingredient number 7.

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

22% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
67% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet
46% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
8% 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

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

9 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

Wrinkle fighter, cellular turnover

SpaceyTrxsh's avatar

SpaceyTrxsh

4 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.

Curology Custom Formula Tretinoin 0.01% Clindamycin 1% Azelaic Acid 4% 13 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
sandraGarcia_117's avatar

sandraGarcia_117

8 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

I’ve tried this product and I loved it but is too expensive

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