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Compare Hydroquinone vs. Tretinoin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Hydroquinone (Eldoquin Forte) and tretinoin (Retin-A) are both prescription medications, but they are used for different purposes. Hydroquinone is a depigmenting agent used topically to lighten dark spots on the skin, such as freckles and melasma. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is an topical retinoid used to treat acne in adults and children 12 years and older. While hydroquinone is applied to the skin twice daily, tretinoin is applied to the skin once daily. Hydroquinone is available as a generic cream, whereas tretinoin is available as generic cream or gel. Common side effects of hydroquinone include skin redness and stinging, while tretinoin can cause skin irritation, redness, and peeling. Both medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so you need to use sunscreen. Tretinoin may cause your acne to get worse at the beginning of treatment, but it should get better as you continue using the medication.

  • Hydroquinone cream
    Retin-a (tretinoin)
  • Hydroquinone cream
    Retin-a (tretinoin)

  • Summary of Hydroquinone vs. Tretinoin

    Summary for Depigmenting Agent
    Prescription only

    Hydroquinone cream is used to bleach dark spots or patches on your skin (hyperpigmentation, or skin discoloration) from certain skin conditions, such as freckles, melasma, and aging. Hydroquinone cream is applied to the skin, typically twice daily. It's important to protect yourself from the sun while you use this skin-lightening medication because it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. The most common side effects of hydroquinone cream include redness and stinging on the skin. Currently, hydroquinone cream is available by prescription only. The FDA no longer approves the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) hydroquinone cream.

    Summary for Retinoid
    Prescription only

    Retin-A (tretinoin) is a retinoid medication that's used to treat acne in adults and children 12 years and older. It's available as a cream or a gel that's applied onto the skin once a day. Side effects include skin irritation, redness, and peeling. Your acne might get worse at the beginning of treatment, but it should get better as you continue using the medication. You must have a prescription for Retin-A (tretinoin) from your primary care provider or dermatologist; this medication isn't available over the counter.

  • Indications of Hydroquinone vs. Tretinoin

    Indications for
    •Lightening or bleaching of dark spots on skin (hyperpigmentation)
    Indications for
    •Acne

  • Pros and Cons of Hydroquinone vs. Tretinoin

    Pros and Const for Depigmenting Agent
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Applied to the skin
    •Can be stored at room temperature
    Cons
    •Can cause skin dryness, redness, and stinging
    •Can cause blue-black skin discoloration, especially in black people
    •Must use sunscreen because exposure to sunlight can reverse effects of the medication
    Pros and Const for Retinoid
    Pros
    •Easy to apply onto your skin
    •Only need to apply once nightly
    •Available in a lower-cost generic form
    Cons
    •Makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight, which can lead to sunburns
    •Can cause your skin color to temporarily become lighter or darker
    •Might worsen your acne during the first few weeks of treatment

  • Common Side Effects of Hydroquinone vs. Tretinoin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Skin dryness
    •Skin redness
    •Cracking of the skin
    •Stinging
    Common Side Effects for
    •Skin peeling or discomfort
    •Warm feeling or stinging after applying
    •Skin redness
    •Sensitivity to sunlight (sunburns)
    •Worsening of acne in the first few weeks of treatment

  • Warnings of Hydroquinone vs. Tretinoin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Allergic reaction
    •Blue-black skin discoloration
    •Skin darkening
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sunburns
    •Skin irritation in extreme weather
    •Skin reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Hydroquinone vs. Tretinoin

    Learn more about Hydroquinone cream
    Learn more about Retin-a

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