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Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A Tretinoin Gel 0.01% Versus Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin)

Prescription
Prescription
South African Brand South Africa
South African Brand South Africa

Updated on August 22, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe prescription. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

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 common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones

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

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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning

Tretinoin is the best retinoid due to its proven skin benefits. It only available with a prescription in many countries.

All 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
BHT
Antioxidant, Masking

BHT 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 BHT

When to use

86 Routines
1% use in am
99% use in pm
63% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
1,125 Routines
3% use in am
98% use in pm
68% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A Tretinoin Gel 0.01% 6 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating

Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Drying (1) Great Value (1) Strong Scent (1)
APriceLife_749's avatar

APriceLife_749

1 year ago
Review

Wrinkle fighter, cellular turnover

SpaceyTrxsh's avatar

SpaceyTrxsh

1 year ago
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 tretinoin and it was the best decision ever. My skin is becoming clearer and clearer every day.

#great value
#drying
#strong scent
#works well