Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Tretinoin vs. Ascorbic acid

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

  • Retin-a (tretinoin)
    Vitamin c (ascorbic acid)
  • Retin-a (tretinoin)
    Vitamin c (ascorbic acid)

  • Summary of Tretinoin vs. Ascorbic acid

    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.

    Summary for Dietary supplement

    Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a dietary supplement that's available over the counter. It's typically used for people who aren't getting enough of the vitamin from the foods in their diet. The supplement commonly comes as tablets, chewable tablets, gummies, and oral liquid. While vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is important for several bodily functions, some of its suggested benefits (e.g., preventing colds) aren't clear. Side effects typically aren't common when you take vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplements at recommended doses, but they're more likely to happen if you take too much.

  • Indications of Tretinoin vs. Ascorbic acid

    Indications for
    •Acne
    Indications for
    •Dietary supplement

  • Pros and Cons of Tretinoin vs. Ascorbic acid

    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
    Pros and Const for Dietary supplement
    Pros
    •Typically taken once daily
    •Available over the counter and as a lower-cost generic
    •Available as chewable tablets or gummies that might be a good option for people who have trouble swallowing pills whole
    •Some chewable tablets and gummies are fruit-flavored for better taste.
    Cons
    •Too much vitamin C can cause stomach side effects.
    •Some chewable tablets might contain sugar, so might not be a good choice for people who have high blood sugar
    •Can't take if you have certain blood-related problems, such as thalassemia or sickle cell disease
    •Injectable form is only available with a prescription for severely low vitamin C levels

  • Common Side Effects of Tretinoin vs. Ascorbic acid

    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
    Common Side Effects for

    See Risks and Warnings.

  • Warnings of Tretinoin vs. Ascorbic acid

    Common Side Effects for
    •Sunburns
    •Skin irritation in extreme weather
    •Skin reactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Toxicity from too much vitamin C

  • Prices with our coupons for Tretinoin vs. Ascorbic acid

    Learn more about Retin-a
    Learn more about Vitamin c

Compare other Acne and Nutritional Deficiency drugs

Accutane vs TretinoinAdapalene vs TretinoinAklief vs TretinoinAltreno vs TretinoinArazlo vs TretinoinAzelaic Acid vs TretinoinClindamycin vs TretinoinDapsone vs TretinoinDifferin vs TretinoinEpiduo vs TretinoinHydroquinone vs TretinoinIsotretinoin vs TretinoinRenova vs TretinoinRetin A Micro vs TretinoinSalicylic Acid vs TretinoinSpironolactone vs TretinoinTazarotene vs TretinoinTretinoin vs BotoxTretinoin vs TriamcinoloneTretinoin vs Vitamin CWinlevi vs TretinoinAccutane vs EpiduoAmzeeq vs AkliefCleocin vs RenovaEpiduo vs Benzoyl PeroxideEpiduo vs ErygelEpiduo vs FinaceaEpiduo vs MinocyclineErygel vs RenovaKeflex vs Epiduo
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.