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.
