Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) Versus Medik8 R-Retinoate Intense
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens 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
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
Medik8 R-Retinoate Intense 68 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
Medik8 R-Retinoate Intense 68 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolylactic Acid
Abrasive
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentPPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cholesteryl Nonanoate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Canola Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Alumina
Abrasive
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Phytosterols
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Phenylpropanol
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polylactic Acid, Cyclodextrin, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Titanium Dioxide, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Canola Oil, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Retinal, Retinyl Retinoate, Citric Acid, Alumina, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Ceramide AP, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linoleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Ceramide NP, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Phytosterols, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Sodium Polyaspartate, Phytosphingosine, Parfum, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, C12-16 Alcohols, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Phenylpropanol, BHT, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidXanthan 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.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
Medik8 R-Retinoate Intense 68 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
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.
