Retin-A cream 0.05% Tretinoin

Works for

Anti-aging
Tretinoin
Works well

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains tretinoin.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

TretinoinHeroEffect: HighBioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UK0.05%
Evens skin tone
Tretinoin
Works well

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: tretinoin.

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

TretinoinHeroEffect: HighBioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UK0.05%
Anti-blemish
Tretinoin
Works well
What the product description says
“The active ingredient of the medicine is Tretinoin, a derivative of vitamin A, which is a treatment of choice for acne as well as blackheads and whiteheads.”
Source: CVS

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: tretinoin. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

TretinoinHeroEffect: HighBioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UK0.05%
Anti-oxidation
Side benefit · Tretinoin
Works well

This product contains antioxidants (tretinoin) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

TretinoinKey activeEffect: HighBioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UK0.05%
Moisturizing
Side benefit · Isopropyl myristate, Stearic acid
Works

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: isopropyl myristate, stearic acid.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

Isopropyl myristateKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic~4.3–6.4%
Stearic acid· EmollientEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~2.5–3.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Tretinoin
Medium risk
We flagged 3 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
TretinoinBioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UKHigh0.05%
Sorbic acidA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Isopropyl myristateAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic3/5~4.3–6.4%est.

User reviews

Would you recommend?
100%·yes

10 of 10 community members would buy it again.

100% would0% wouldn't
  • LauraJean· Dec 2025Recommends

    I’ve been using Tretinoin for 20 years.

    It has kept my skin clear of breakouts, but it can be very irritating if not used correctly. After cleansing, I apply a lightweight fragrance free moisturizer to my damp skin and let it dry for 10-15 minutes. Once the moisturizer is absorbed and dry, I apply a pea sized amount of Tretinoin all over my face, avoiding the eye area. If I am extremely dry or sensitive, I’ll let the Tretinoin absorb and then apply that same moisturizer on top… The Sandwich Method.

    Please make sure you use sunscreen in the morning, everyday rain or shine. If you don’t protect your skin from the sun, you’re wasting your time and money.

  • Rosie G· Apr 2024Recommends

    i love retin-a and have been using it 20+ years

  • freyasgigi· Aug 2023Recommends

    Dries out skin, very irritating until skin adjusts.

What reviewers noticed
Marker shows the average response

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Tretinoin0.05%
Hero · Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-agingEvens skin toneMattifyingAnti-oxidation

Bioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UK

More about Tretinoin
Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Stearyl alcohol~7–10.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Stearyl alcohol
Isopropyl myristate~4.3–6.4%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic

More about Isopropyl myristate
Stearic acid~2.5–3.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Peg-40 stearate~1.2–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 stearate
Xanthan gum~0.3–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Sorbic acid~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sorbic acid
Bht~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Ingredient list view

Tretinoin, Water, Stearyl alcohol, Isopropyl myristate, Stearic acid, Peg-40 stearate, Xanthan gum, Sorbic acid, Bht

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Retin-A cream 0.05%TretinoinYOUR PRODUCTGalderma RetacnylCream 0.025% 0.05% TretinoinSkin + MeDaily Doser - Tretinoin 0.050% Niacinamide 4% Azelaic Acid 4%DermaticaTretinoin 0.05% / Niacinamide 4% / Clindamycin 1%
Match—99%80%80%
Price————
Shared key ingredients—2 of 21 of 21 of 2
Key difference—GlycerinAzelaic AcidNiacinamide
Irritancy Medium Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: Difa Cooper Mask Plus Gel AcneMenarini Group A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025%

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Product summary

"Retin-A cream 0.05% - Tretinoin" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone

This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): tretinoin 0.05% (declared). Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.

What our users say

Based on 10 reviews 100% recommend this product
  • When it comes to comedogenicity, all of the reviewers (10) say that it does not clog pores.
  • When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, two out of two reviewers report that the product does not pill under makeup.
They find the product's texture to be heavy - light and In terms of the smell, our users report that no smell.

Retin-A cream 0.05% Tretinoin
Retin-A cream 0.05%Tretinoin

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.