# Taro vs darrow Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/taro-vs-darrow The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Singapore. Taro and darrow are thoughtfully formulated skincare lines designed to support everyday routines. Taro is warmly embraced for its targeted [serums](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/serum), featuring standout products like the [Tretinoin](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/tretinoin) Cream that suit sensitive, dry, and combination skin best. Meanwhile, the dermatological brand darrow is deeply loved for its gentle cleansers, offering standout options like the Actine that suit sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin best. While both provide reliable daily care, they differ primarily in their specialized compositions and the specific skin types they address. This page compares some of the most popular Taro and darrow products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, [use the Lovi app](https://app.pora.ai/vqqJ/j1xj2b6o?af_sub2=compare&af_sub3=selection_note&af_sub4=pgf4d71b3041). ### Popular Taro vs darrow products #### Taro - [Tretinoin Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/taro/tretinoin-cream/for/combination-skin) — High fit #### darrow - [Actine](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/darrow/actine/for/combination-skin) — Average fit ## Questions and answers ### Taro or darrow: which is better? Taro reaches a High Lovi fit for combination and acne-prone skin with its fragrance-free [Tretinoin](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/tretinoin) Cream, whereas darrow reaches only an Average fit for those skin types with its Actine cleanser. Tretinoin helps restore [collagen](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/collagen) formation in photodamaged skin and helps treat acne. [The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8336752/) [Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32210603/) ### What is the difference between Taro and darrow? Taro offers a High fit for combination and acne-prone skin with its fragrance-free tretinoin cream, whereas darrow provides an Average fit for oily and combination skin with its Actine cleanser. Tretinoin helps restore collagen formation in photodamaged skin. [The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8336752/) [International Journal of Women's Dermatology, 2022](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35620028/) ### Which is more affordable, Taro or darrow? This page does not list prices or affordability information for either Taro or darrow. ### Which causes fewer breakouts, Taro or darrow? Taro gets a High Lovi fit for acne-prone skin with its Tretinoin Cream, while darrow earns only a Low fit for acne-prone skin with its Actine cleanser. Tretinoin helps increase cell turnover to clear acne and restores collagen in photodamaged skin. [The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8336752/) [Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32210603/) ### When were Taro and darrow founded and who owns them? Taro was founded in 1950 and has been owned by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited since 2010. Darrow was founded in 1969 and has been owned by Pierre Fabre since 2006. ### How does the Lovi fit level for oily acne-prone skin compare between Taro's Tretinoin Cream and darrow's Actine cleanser? For oily acne-prone skin, Taro's Tretinoin Cream earns an Average Lovi fit level, whereas darrow's Actine cleanser also has an Average fit. Both products contain no fragrance. [The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8336752/) [Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32210603/) ### Do any products from Taro or darrow contain fragrance? Every product on this page from both Taro and darrow lists no fragrance in its ingredients. ## Research behind their key ingredients - [Restoration of collagen formation in photodamaged human skin by tretinoin (retinoic acid)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8336752/) Tretinoin · The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993 - [Topical use of dexpanthenol in skin disorders](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12113650/) Panthenol vitamin b5 · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002 - [Final report on the safety assessment of BHT(1)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12396675/) Butylated hydroxytoluene · International Journal of Toxicology, 2002 - [Clinical Assessment of New Topical Cream Containing Two Essential Oils Combined with Tretinoin in the Treatment of Acne](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32210603/) Tretinoin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2020 - [The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28860834/) Glycerin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017 - [A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: Results from two randomized controlled studies assessing its skin moisturization and barrier restoration potential, and the effect on skin microflora](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27425824/) Panthenol vitamin b5 · The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017 - [Efficacy assessments of tretinoin-loaded nano lipid carriers in acne vulgaris: a double blind, split-face randomized clinical study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34146120/) Tretinoin · Archives of Dermatological Research, 2022 - [Topical tretinoin for treating photoaging: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35620028/) Tretinoin · International Journal of Women's Dermatology, 2022 - [Nanogel Containing Gamma-Oryzanol-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers and TiO2/MBBT: A Synergistic Nanotechnological Approach of Potent Natural Antioxidants and Nanosized UV Filters for Skin Protection](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37242453/) Xanthan gum · Pharmaceuticals, 2023 - [Topical application of highly concentrated water-in-oil emulsions: Physiological skin parameters and skin penetration in vivo - A pilot study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31525444/) Isopropyl myristate · International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2019 - [Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment: Results of a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40613435/) Panthenol vitamin b5 · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025 - [Evaulation of irritation potential of surfactant mixtures](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18503452/) Sodium laureth sulfate · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999 - [Impact of dermal emulsions containing diacyl phospholipids, mono acyl phospholipids, sodium lauryl ether sulfate and polysorbate 80 in combination with UVA irradiation on human skin physiology in vivo: A pilot study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42617898/) Sodium laureth sulfate · International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026 ## The brands - Skincare: [Taro](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/brands/taro) - Skincare: [darrow](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/brands/darrow) ## More comparisons - [SKIN1004 vs Taro](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/skin1004-vs-taro) - [SKIN1004 vs darrow](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/skin1004-vs-darrow) - [Anua vs Taro](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/anua-vs-taro) - [Anua vs darrow](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/anua-vs-darrow) - [Medicube vs Taro](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/medicube-vs-taro) - [Medicube vs darrow](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/medicube-vs-darrow) - [The Ordinary vs Taro](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/the-ordinary-vs-taro) - [The Ordinary vs darrow](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/the-ordinary-vs-darrow) - [Beauty of Joseon vs Taro](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/beauty-of-joseon-vs-taro) - [Beauty of Joseon vs darrow](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/beauty-of-joseon-vs-darrow) - [COSRX vs Taro](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/cosrx-vs-taro) - [COSRX vs darrow](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/cosrx-vs-darrow) - [CeraVe vs Taro](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/cerave-vs-taro) - [CeraVe vs darrow](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/cerave-vs-darrow) - [La Roche-Posay vs Taro](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/la-roche-posay-vs-taro) - [La Roche-Posay vs darrow](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/la-roche-posay-vs-darrow) - [Dr. Althea vs Taro](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/dr-althea-vs-taro) - [Dr. Althea vs darrow](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/dr-althea-vs-darrow) - [Some By Mi vs Taro](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/some-by-mi-vs-taro) - [Some By Mi vs darrow](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/some-by-mi-vs-darrow) ## About the Lovi Fit Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes. Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules its dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning. Behind this comparison: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board). Page built Nov 8, 2026. More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt ## This page in other countries - United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/taro-vs-darrow - United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/compare/taro-vs-darrow - Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/compare/taro-vs-darrow - Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/compare/taro-vs-darrow - France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/compare/taro-vs-darrow - Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/taro-vs-darrow - Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/compare/taro-vs-darrow - Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/compare/taro-vs-darrow - Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/taro-vs-darrow - Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/compare/taro-vs-darrow - Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/taro-vs-darrow (this page) - Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/compare/taro-vs-darrow - United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/compare/taro-vs-darrow