Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRetin-A vs. TretinoinGeneric TretinoinTretinoin MedicationsSimilar Medications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Retin-A vs. Tretinoin
Generic Tretinoin
Tretinoin Medications
Similar Medications
Tretinoin is a medication used to treat mild, moderate, and severeacne vulgaris. It’s a vitamin A derivative and the active ingredient in the brand-name acne treatmentRetin-A.
Both the generic tretinoin and the brand Retin A areretinoids, a class of medication that works to exfoliate dead skin cells and promote new skin cell growth.
Other brand-name medications use tretinoin as well to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, make skin smoother, or treat discoloration of skin.Although not approved for these treatments, Retin-A may is sometimes used off-label for these reasons as well.
This article discusses Retin-A and tretinoin and why you can substitute one for the other. It also covers other acne medications with similar names and how they compare to tretinoin.
The brand Retin-A has become the most popular term used when referring to topical tretinoin. Many people use Retin-A and tretinoin interchangeably (even healthcare providers). It’s like the way people use the brand name “Q-Tip” rather than the generic term “cotton swab.”
If your healthcare provider prescribes Retin-A, your pharmacist may fill your prescription with generic tretinoin. This is because a generic will often cost less than a brand-name drug.
Tretinoin medications also help soften fine lines, fade dark marks and discolorations, and leave your complexion looking brighter and feeling smoother.
Medications That Contain Tretinoin
Many companies manufacture topical tretinoin medications, so tretinoin is sold under many different names. Some medications, besides Retin-A, that contain tretinoin include:
Verywell / Emilie Dunphy
In skincare, there are so many sound-alike ingredients that do similar things, which can get confusing. Here is a guide to what these products do and how they are related.
Retinoids
Besides tretinoin, other topical retinoids include Tazorac (tazarotene) and Differin (adapalene).Differin is more aptly described as a retinoid-like compound, to be precise, but works the same way.
Retin-A Micro
Retin-A and Retin-A Microare both brand names for tretinoin. The main difference between these two medications is how they deliver tretinoin to your skin. Retin-A Micro delivers the medication more slowly and over time, so it’s less irritating than Retin-A.
Retinol
Considerretinol an over-the-counter (OTC) version of Retin-A. Like Retin-A, retinol is a topical retinoid. It’s derived from vitamin A. It helps soften fine lines and brighten the skin.
Retinoldoesn’t work as quickly, nor does it work on the deeper layers of the skin like prescription retinoids do.You can find retinol in many OTC anti-aging skincare products.
Isotretinoin
Tretinoin and isotretinoinboth are prescription medications used to treat acne. Both are derived from vitamin A. However, that’s where their similarities stop.
Tazarotene vs. Tretinoin: Comparing These Two Retinoids
Summary
Retin-A is a brand name for the medication tretinoin. When a doctor prescribes Retin-A, the pharmacist may fill it with generic tretinoin since it’s less expensive.
Both brand-name and generic tretinoin have the same effects, including keeping pores clear, softening fine lines, and fading discolorations.
Other medications have similar-sounding names to tretinoin. This includes retinol, which is an over-the-counter version of Retin-A. Isotretinoin is a prescription medication, and like tretinoin, it’s derived from vitamin A. However, isotretinoin is an oral medication to treat severe acne, and it’s not interchangeable with tretinoin.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Tretinoin Topical.Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.RETIN-A® (tretinoin).Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037Russel, J.Topical Therapy for Acne.American Family Physician.Kong R, Cui Y, Fisher GJ, et al.A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016;15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193Additional ReadingKircik LH.Evaluating Tretinoin Formulations in the Treatment of Acne.Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.2014 Apr;13(4):466-70.Nohynek GJ.Commentary on the Safety of Topical Vitamin A in Cosmetics.Regululatory Toxicology and Pharmacology.2017 Oct;89:302-304. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.08.002Watson KD, Miest RY, Tollefson MM.Isotretinoin for Acne and Rosacea.Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery.2016 Jun;35(2):79-86. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2016.023
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Tretinoin Topical.Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.RETIN-A® (tretinoin).Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037Russel, J.Topical Therapy for Acne.American Family Physician.Kong R, Cui Y, Fisher GJ, et al.A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016;15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193Additional ReadingKircik LH.Evaluating Tretinoin Formulations in the Treatment of Acne.Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.2014 Apr;13(4):466-70.Nohynek GJ.Commentary on the Safety of Topical Vitamin A in Cosmetics.Regululatory Toxicology and Pharmacology.2017 Oct;89:302-304. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.08.002Watson KD, Miest RY, Tollefson MM.Isotretinoin for Acne and Rosacea.Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery.2016 Jun;35(2):79-86. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2016.023
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Tretinoin Topical.Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.RETIN-A® (tretinoin).Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037Russel, J.Topical Therapy for Acne.American Family Physician.Kong R, Cui Y, Fisher GJ, et al.A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016;15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193
MedlinePlus.Tretinoin Topical.
Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.RETIN-A® (tretinoin).
Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037
Russel, J.Topical Therapy for Acne.American Family Physician.
Kong R, Cui Y, Fisher GJ, et al.A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016;15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193
Kircik LH.Evaluating Tretinoin Formulations in the Treatment of Acne.Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.2014 Apr;13(4):466-70.Nohynek GJ.Commentary on the Safety of Topical Vitamin A in Cosmetics.Regululatory Toxicology and Pharmacology.2017 Oct;89:302-304. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.08.002Watson KD, Miest RY, Tollefson MM.Isotretinoin for Acne and Rosacea.Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery.2016 Jun;35(2):79-86. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2016.023
Kircik LH.Evaluating Tretinoin Formulations in the Treatment of Acne.Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.2014 Apr;13(4):466-70.
Nohynek GJ.Commentary on the Safety of Topical Vitamin A in Cosmetics.Regululatory Toxicology and Pharmacology.2017 Oct;89:302-304. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.08.002
Watson KD, Miest RY, Tollefson MM.Isotretinoin for Acne and Rosacea.Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery.2016 Jun;35(2):79-86. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2016.023
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