Retin-A skincare

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Retin-A is an American skincare brand founded in 1971 and owned by Bausch Health Companies Inc. since 2011.

Retin-A is beloved for its thoughtful serums and refined formulas. Its products suit mature, dry, and combination skin best. The standout products for particular concerns include the Cream for acne-prone skin. These precise choices gently transform the complexion with measured grace.

This page covers some of the most popular Retin-A products; for the whole Retin-A range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.

Retin-A serums and treatments

Cream

Questions and answers

Is Retin-A worth it?

Retin-A is worth considering because its products help smooth skin and improve signs of aging with strong scientific support. Lovi rates the Retin-A-focused routine Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin.

The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993 International Journal of Women's Dermatology, 2022

What are Retin-A's best products?

Retin-A's Cream serum works best for oily, oily acne-prone, and combination skin, where Lovi rates it High. For dry skin, the brand-focused routine achieves a Superior fit.

Does Retin-A cause breakouts?

Retin-A may cause breakouts at first as skin adjusts, but it helps clear blemishes over time. Lovi rates Cream High for oily and acne-prone skin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2020 Archives of Dermatological Research, 2022

Is Retin-A fragrance-free?

Yes, every product on the Retin-A page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

What are the key ingredients in Retin-A products?

Retin-A uses tretinoin as its key active ingredient to help smooth skin and fade dark spots. Studies show that tretinoin helps restore collagen and clear acne.

The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993 Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2020

How do I build a Retin-A skincare routine?

To build a Retin-A skincare routine, apply the Cream serum to clean skin, starting slowly to let your skin adjust. Lovi rates Retin-A-focused routines Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin.

What are good alternatives to Retin-A?

Good alternatives to Retin-A include CeraVe, Cetaphil, Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Kiehl's, and Dermalogica, which all have dedicated pages on Lovi.

Retin-A vs CeraVe: which is better?

Retin-A and CeraVe both work well, but Lovi rates a Retin-A-focused routine as Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin compared to a CeraVe-focused routine.

Who owns Retin-A, and where is it from?

Retin-A is an American brand founded in 1971, owned by Bausch Health Companies Inc. since 2011.

retin-a.com en.wikipedia.org

Is Retin-A cruelty-free?

PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free International, the registries Lovi checks, do not list Retin-A as cruelty-free.

5 more questions

Research behind Retin-A's key ingredients

Restoration of collagen formation in photodamaged human skin by tretinoin (retinoic acid)
Tretinoin · The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993
Clinical Assessment of New Topical Cream Containing Two Essential Oils Combined with Tretinoin in the Treatment of Acne
Tretinoin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2020
Efficacy assessments of tretinoin-loaded nano lipid carriers in acne vulgaris: a double blind, split-face randomized clinical study
Tretinoin · Archives of Dermatological Research, 2022
Topical tretinoin for treating photoaging: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
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
Xanthan gum · Pharmaceuticals, 2023

3 more studies

Topical application of highly concentrated water-in-oil emulsions: Physiological skin parameters and skin penetration in vivo - A pilot study
Isopropyl myristate · International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2019
Influence of lidocaine hydrochloride and penetration enhancers on the barrier function of human skin
Isopropyl myristate · International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2014
Development of levamlodipine long-acting patches based on an ion-pair strategy: Investigation of the mechanism for reducing skin irritation
Sorbic acid · International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2024

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Behind these ratings

Lovi rates every product from its full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our 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.

Nadia Kapleva, MS

Co-founder, Medical Director

Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
Alexey Shagraev, PhD

Co-founder, CEO and CTO

PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

Medical Board

Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
Aishani Shah, MD

Medical Board

Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
Asya Zubkova, MS

Medical Board

Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
Hanna Kurets, MD

Medical Board, Medical Advisor

Dermatology MD
Elina Nazarenko, MD

Medical Board

Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
Victoria Derkova, MS

Medical Board

Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist