Product · Retinoid · Prescription only
P. 14 · REVIEWGeneric (Rx)
The reference topical retinoid. The most-evidenced active in dermatology. Costs less than a single influencer serum and outperforms all of them. The only barrier between most patients and visible improvement is whether they can adhere to the six-week retinisation period.
— § 01
— § 02
— § 05
Tretinoin is the strongest OTC-class retinoid (in India, prescription-only). Adapalene is gentler and OTC; retinol is the weakest, requiring conversion in skin. Match strength to tolerance and goals: severe acne or visible photoaging → tretinoin. Mild acne → adapalene. Maintenance / pre-emptive use → retinol.
The 'tretinoin purge' is real for the first 4–6 weeks. Tretinoin accelerates microcomedone-to-pustule transit — meaning lesions that would have surfaced over months instead surface in weeks. Push through; patients who quit at week 4 miss the inflection. If the purge persists past 8 weeks, see a derm.
Yes, but split AM (vitamin C) and PM (tretinoin). Direct layering raises stability and tolerability concerns without practical benefit.
No. Topical tretinoin is contraindicated in pregnancy and while trying to conceive. Switch to azelaic acid or bakuchiol.