Retin-A Gel
Retin-A Gel is a tretinoin gel sold in 0.01% and 0.025% tubes, applied at night for acne and for fine lines caused by sun-aged skin.
Details
- Conditions
- Acne · Dermal aging
- Brands with the same ingredient
- Retin-A
- Therapeutic Class
- Retinoid
- Pharmacological Class
- Vitamin A Derivative
- Minor Side Effects
- Dryness, Peeling, Redness
- Moderate Side Effects
- Skin irritation, Photosensitivity
- Dosage Forms
- Gel
- Administration Route
- Topical
- Originator
- Bausch Health
- Onset Time
- Several weeks
- Duration
- Continuous use required
- Storage Instructions
- Store at room temperature away from light.
- Drug Interactions
- Benzoyl peroxide, Sulfur
- Age Restrictions
- Consult a physician for adolescent use.
What you will receive
Retin-A Gel is the originator brand name, made by Bausch Health. We use it to identify the medicine; the pack you receive is a generic equivalent, not the original Retin-A Gel.
- The same active ingredient (Tretinoin) at the same strength.
- The exact brand supplied depends on what is in stock when your order ships.
FAQ
What Retin-A Gel strengths and pack sizes can I order?
You can order generic tretinoin 0.01% and 0.025% tubes in packs of 3, 10 or 15. This is generic tretinoin, not the original Retin-A Gel. Larger packs cost less per tube.
How is Retin-A Gel delivered to Hong Kong?
Generic tretinoin tubes ship in plain, unbranded packaging with nothing outside about the contents. If a parcel does not arrive within the delivery window, or arrives damaged, it is sent again free, or the order is refunded if that is not possible. Support answers 24/7 in English and Cantonese by live chat.
Does Retin-A Gel have other names?
Retin-A, Altreno and Renova are brand names of tretinoin, which is also sold as Airol, Atralin, Retacnyl and Retrieve. Here, tretinoin can be bought online as generic Retin-A Gel, and also as A-Ret, generic Renova and tretinoin cream. These are generics, not the original brand.
What is the difference between Retin-A Gel and Retin-A Cream?
Both contain tretinoin; the difference is the base. Retin-A Gel is alcohol-based, dries within seconds and suits oily or spot-prone skin. Retin-A Cream is thicker and less drying, which some people prefer for dry or sensitive skin. Their strengths overlap at 0.025%.
Which strength of Retin-A Gel should I choose?
Start at 0.01% if your skin is sensitive or has never used a retinoid — it is the gentler of the two. The 0.025% gel is for skin that has already coped with tretinoin, or for acne that needs more. Both go on the same way, once nightly.
Can I use Retin-A Gel in the morning?
No — it is applied at bedtime. Tretinoin makes skin more sensitive to sunlight, and daytime sun on treated skin brings extra redness and peeling. Wash your face as usual in the morning and wear sunscreen over the treated area before going out.
Can I use Retin-A Gel with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid?
Not at the same time. Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, hair removers and dandruff shampoos containing sulfur or resorcinol all clash with tretinoin and can sting and peel the skin. Use them at a different time of day, or leave them out while your skin adjusts.
Can I use Retin-A Gel on my chest and back?
Yes. Use the same thin layer on the chest or back, though the skin there often dries and flakes more than the face does. Keep the gel away from the eyes, lips and other tender areas, and follow the same once-a-night timing.
About Retin-A Gel
A tretinoin gel for acne and sun-aged skin
Retin-A Gel is a clear, quick-drying gel built around tretinoin, a vitamin A derivative (a retinoid). Spread thinly over the face, it speeds up the rate at which skin cells are replaced and helps keep pores from blocking — which is why it is used for acne. It is also used for fine lines, which it softens over months; it does not remove them or undo sun damage. Two strengths are sold here, 0.01% and 0.025%, in tubes.
Where it fits in your evening
Skin should be clean and fully dry before the gel goes on — after washing, give it a few minutes. A pea-sized blob covers the whole face; more than that only adds irritation. It goes on once a day, at bedtime. Keep it away from the eyelids, lips, the creases beside the nose and other tender areas, and wash your hands afterwards.
Gel suits oily, breakout-prone skin because it disappears quickly and leaves nothing greasy behind, though it can sting on contact more than a cream does.
Skip a night and there is nothing to catch up on: go back to your usual routine the next evening rather than adding extra gel, which only invites irritation.
The first weeks
Expect your skin to get worse before it improves. During the first week or so the faster cell turnover brings extra redness, flaking and a few new spots, and then it calms down. Most people see spots start to clear after two to three weeks, though some wait longer. Fine lines are slower: plan on three to six months of regular use, and the gain fades if you stop.
Reactions, sun and other products
Some stinging, itching, dryness, peeling and redness is normal, particularly in the first weeks, and a plain moisturiser takes the edge off. Blistering, swelling or pain where the gel went on is different and not a usual reaction. Tretinoin is not used in pregnancy.
Look at what else sits on your shelf. Treated skin burns faster, so use sunscreen and avoid long spells in strong sun. Astringents, shaving lotions and perfumes with a lot of alcohol, menthol or lime sting more than usual. Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, hair removers and dandruff shampoos with sulfur or resorcinol clash with tretinoin, so leave a gap between them rather than layering.
The rest of the tretinoin range
Retin-A Gel is the gel. The same tretinoin in a richer cream base is sold as Retin-A Cream and Tretinoin Cream. For other strengths, Renova runs from 0.025% to 0.1% and A-Ret comes as 0.1%. The tretinoin page sets the whole range side by side.
Sources
- Tretinoin Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / National Library of Medicine
- Acne: Diagnosis and treatment - American Academy of Dermatology — American Academy of Dermatology