Ingredient glossary
Tretinoin
INCI: Tretinoin · Also: Retinoic Acid, All-trans Retinoic Acid
Worth paying for
Does Tretinoin clash with what you already use? Check it →Strong results with strong evidence behind them. This is one genuinely worth having in a formula.
What it does
- anti aging
- anti acne
- texture
- brightening
strong evidenceSystematic reviews consistently show tretinoin outperforms other topical agents for photoaging and acne, but tolerability limits its cosmetic use.
On a label: works best above 0.025%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- acne prone
- photoaged
Approach with care
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- very sensitive
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskHigh
Pregnancy: Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Plays well with
- ceramides
- niacinamide
- panthenol
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.
Educational information about a cosmetic ingredient, not medical advice.