Adapalene (Differin) vs. Tretinoin (Retin-A) for Wrinkles: 4 Differences to Know About
Adapalene (Differin) and tretinoin (Retin-A) are retinoids that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Adapalene may be less irritating than tretinoin.
Retin-A Micro
Used for Acne
Used for Acne
Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) is a prescription topical retinoid used to treat acne in adults and children ages 12 years and older. It comes as a gel in a tube or pump that's applied to the affected skin once a day in the evening. The gel contains microspheres that slowly release the medication onto the skin over time. Side effects include skin redness, peeling, dryness, burning, and itching.
What is Retin-A Micro (tretinoin)?
What is Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) used for?
How Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) works
When does Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Retin-A Micro |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Retinoid |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) essentials
Side effects of Retin-A Micro (tretinoin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Skin redness
- Peeling
- Dryness
- Burning or stinging
- Itching
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin irritation
- Changes in skin color
Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: hives, severe itching, swelling, trouble breathing
When do Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Skin irritation
Skin redness
Skin peeling
Dry skin
Skin discoloration
Sensitivity to light (sunburns)
More on Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) side effects
The following Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Burning, stinging, peeling, redness, or unusual dryness of the skin (severe)
Less common
Dryness, pain, redness, irritation, or peeling at the application site
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Burning, itching, stinging, scaling, or redness of the skin
chapping or slight peeling of the skin (mild)
darkening of the skin
lightening of normal skin color
lightening of treated areas of dark skin
redness of skin (mild)
unusual dryness of skin (mild)
unusually warm skin (mild)
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Retin-A Micro (tretinoin)
Pros
- Only applied once daily
- Microsphere gel slowly releases tretinoin over time
- Might cause less skin irritation than regular tretinoin gel
Cons
- Acne can take several weeks to improve
- Can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight
- Not approved for children younger than 12 years old
Pharmacist tips for Retin-A Micro (tretinoin)
- Apply Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) once a day in the evening. Acne treatments take time to work, so use it regularly even if you don't see improvement right away.
- Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) can cause dryness, redness, pain, and peeling, and your acne might temporarily get worse at first. A moisturizer can help with dryness. Contact your prescriber if irritation is severe or doesn't improve.
- Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps, and wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you're outside.
- You can wear makeup while using Retin-A Micro (tretinoin). Make sure to remove it and gently clean your skin before applying the medication.
- Don't use other acne products before talking to your dermatologist first. Many other products used to treat acne can interact with Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) and cause more irritation to your skin. Examples include benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
- Cold weather, wind, and certain skin products can cause more irritation while you're using Retin-A Micro (tretinoin). If your skin becomes irritated, let it recover before applying the medication again.
- Pregnancy: Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) generally isn't recommended during pregnancy. Talk to a healthcare professional about the risks and benefits if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- Breastfeeding: Talk to your prescriber before using Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) while breastfeeding. But it's considered low risk because little is absorbed through your skin. Use it on the smallest area needed, and don't apply it to your nipple or areola.
How to use Retin-A Micro (tretinoin)
- Before you apply the gel, gently wash your skin with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
- Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and gently rub it in.
- Wash your hands after applying the gel, unless your hands are the area being treated. This helps prevent accidentally getting the medication in your eyes or other sensitive areas.
- Don't apply the gel to broken, sunburned, or eczema-affected skin. These areas can become more irritated.
More on Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) tips
Risks and warnings for Retin-A Micro (tretinoin)
Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Skin irritation
- Risk factors: Using too much Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) or applying it more than once a day | Eczema | Cold or windy weather | Washing or scrubbing your skin too often | Using other acne products | Contact with lime peels
Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) can cause dryness, redness, swelling, peeling, itching, burning, or stinging where you apply it. Using more than recommended won't clear your acne faster and can make irritation worse. A moisturizer can help with mild dryness and irritation.
Be gentle with your skin while using Retin-A Micro (tretinoin). Avoid scrubbing, harsh or drying skin products, and applying the medication to areas affected by eczema. If you develop severe irritation, stop using the medication and contact your care team.
Worsening acne at first
During the first few weeks of using Retin-A Micro (tretinoin), you might notice your acne getting worse. This is common and should improve as you continue treatment. Tell your dermatologist if your acne gets much worse or you have concerns about your skin.
Sun sensitivity
- Risk factors: Spending a lot of time in the sun | Having skin that's sensitive to sunlight | Using medications that make your skin more sensitive to sunlight | Using sunlamps or tanning beds | Having a sunburn
Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, raising your risk of sunburn. Limit time in the sun and avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and wear protective clothing every day, even when it's cloudy.
Don't apply Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) to sunburned skin until it has fully healed.
Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) dosage
The average cost for 1 tube of 45g of 0.1% of Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) is $158.12 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 69.71% off the average retail price of $521.99.
Typical dosage for Retin-A Micro (tretinoin)
Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) of the skin once a day in the evening.
Interactions between Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) and other drugs
Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Retin-A Micro (tretinoin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
More on Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
What are alternatives to Retin-A Micro (tretinoin)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Retin-A Micro (tretinoin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Retin-A Micro (tretinoin)
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Retin-A vs. Retin-A-Micro: 7 Differences to Consider
Retin-A and Retin-A Micro are topical acne treatments with the same active ingredient, tretinoin. Here’s how they’re different.
Tretinoin vs. Retin-A: Is There A Difference Between These Medications?
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Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) images
