Ingredient glossary
Tretinoin
On your shelf ✓What Tretinoin does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Tretinoin · Also: Retinoic Acid, All-trans Retinoic Acid
In short: Tretinoin delivers anti-aging support and anti acne, earns its place for acne prone and photoaged, and the evidence behind it is strong. One thing to know: not for pregnancy or breastfeeding; can irritate, ease in slowly.
- What it does
- Anti aging, anti acne
- Best for
- Acne prone, photoaged
- Watch out
- Not for pregnancy or breastfeeding; can irritate, ease in slowly
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
One of the ingredients I trust most.
When your goal is softening fine lines and keeping skin firm, Tretinoin delivers, and the research properly backs it up. Skip it while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and the rest of the time bring it in slowly.
— Maya
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
How it fits each skin type
- DryNeutral
- CombinationNeutral
- OilyNeutral
- SensitiveTake care
Often chosen for acne prone, photoaged. Take extra care if any of these apply to you: pregnancy, breastfeeding.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- ceramides
- niacinamide
- panthenol
Tretinoin, answered
Is Tretinoin safe during pregnancy?
No. Tretinoin is best avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or trying, leave this one out and ask your doctor about a safe alternative.
Who should avoid Tretinoin?
Approach Tretinoin with care if any of these apply to you: pregnancy, breastfeeding, and very sensitive. Its irritation risk is high, so introduce it slowly and patch test first.
What concentration of Tretinoin actually works?
Research tends to show Tretinoin starts pulling its weight above 0.025%. If a brand prints the percentage, that is the number to look for.
During pregnancy
Leave Tretinoin out while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It sits on the list of ingredients usually held back during this time.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
Commonly confused with
- RetinolTretinoin is the prescription acid form that works right away. Retinol is the gentler over-the-counter version your skin has to convert first.
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