Tretinoin 0.025% w/w: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Acne – blackheads, whiteheads and mild to moderate pimples; Fine lines, rough skin texture and uneven pigmentation from sun damage (photo-ageing).
Listed MRPs range from ₹6.60 to ₹14.34 per g across 4 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / g | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-Ret 0.025% | A. Menarini India Pvt Ltd | 20 g | ₹132.00 | ₹6.60 | 19 October 2026 |
| Tretin 0.025% | Hegde and Hegde Pharmaceutica LLP | 30 g | ₹210.94 | ₹7.03 | 19 October 2026 |
| Retino-A 0.025% | Janssen Pharmaceuticals | 20 g | ₹215.63 | ₹10.78 | 19 October 2026 |
| Revize Micro 0.025% | Eris Oaknet Healthcare Pvt Ltd | 20 g | ₹286.85 | ₹14.34 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Acne – blackheads, whiteheads and mild to moderate pimples.
- Fine lines, rough skin texture and uneven pigmentation from sun damage (photo-ageing).
- Dark spots and melasma, often combined with other agents by a dermatologist.
- Keeps pores clear to prevent new acne once existing lesions settle.
How to take it
Use it at night only – sunlight breaks it down. Wash your face with a mild cleanser, wait 20 to 30 minutes until the skin is completely dry, then apply a pea-sized amount for the whole face in a thin layer, avoiding the eyes, corners of the nose, lips and any cuts or eczema. Wash your hands afterwards. Start with every second or third night for the first 2 to 4 weeks and build up to nightly as your skin gets used to it. Apply a plain moisturiser before or after to reduce dryness, and use SPF 30+ sunscreen every morning. Acne may look worse for the first 2 to 4 weeks ("purging") and clear improvement takes 8 to 12 weeks; anti-ageing benefits take 3 to 6 months. Stop and see a doctor if there is severe burning, blistering or swelling.
Side effects
Common
- Dryness, peeling and flaking.
- Redness, mild burning or stinging.
- Temporary worsening of acne in the first weeks.
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight and wind.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Severe irritation with blistering, crusting or swelling – stop using.
- Allergic contact dermatitis – spreading itchy rash.
- Marked skin darkening or lightening in patches, especially on darker skin, if over-irritated.
Safety information
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol does not interact. Avoid alcohol-based toners, astringents and aftershaves on the skin, which add to irritation.
Pregnancy
Not recommended in pregnancy or when trying to conceive – retinoids as a class can harm the baby, so dermatologists stop it. Avoid while breastfeeding unless your doctor agrees.
Kidney problems
No effect with skin use.
Liver problems
No effect with skin use.
Children
Used for acne in teenagers 12 and above; not for younger children.
Missed dose
Skip the missed night and apply at the next scheduled night. Do not apply extra.
Interactions
- Benzoyl peroxide – can inactivate tretinoin if applied together; use benzoyl peroxide in the morning and tretinoin at night.
- Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, scrubs, peels, waxing, laser and microdermabrasion – much more irritation; space them out or avoid during the first months.
- Clindamycin gel – commonly combined (antibiotic in the morning, tretinoin at night).
- Medicated or drying soaps, sulphur, resorcinol – more peeling.
- Doxycycline, minocycline and other photosensitising medicines – added sun sensitivity; sunscreen is essential.
Frequently asked questions
What is Retino-A 0.025 cream used for?
Retino-A contains tretinoin, a vitamin A derivative that speeds up skin cell turnover and unclogs pores. It treats blackheads, whiteheads and pimples, and with longer use smooths fine lines, rough texture and dark spots from sun damage.
How do I start using Retino-A without burning my skin?
Apply a pea-sized amount to a completely dry face at night, every second or third night for the first 2 to 4 weeks, then build up to nightly. Use a moisturiser with it and sunscreen every morning. Burning, peeling and redness in the first weeks are normal; blistering or swelling is not – stop and see a dermatologist.
Why is my acne worse after starting tretinoin?
Tretinoin pushes clogged material to the surface, so acne can flare for the first 2 to 4 weeks – called "purging". It usually settles by week 6 to 8. Keep going unless the irritation is severe; clear improvement takes 8 to 12 weeks.
Retino-A 0.025 vs 0.05 – which should I use?
Start with 0.025%, the lowest strength, especially on Indian skin which can darken easily if irritated. Your dermatologist may step you up to 0.05% after a few months if it is well tolerated and more effect is needed. Stronger is not faster – it is just more irritating.
Can I use Retino-A in the morning?
No. Sunlight breaks down tretinoin and the treated skin burns easily. Apply it only at night and use SPF 30+ sunscreen every morning.
Can I use tretinoin with benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin?
Yes, but at different times. Use benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin gel in the morning and tretinoin at night – applied together, benzoyl peroxide can inactivate tretinoin and the combination is very drying.
Is Retino-A safe in pregnancy?
No. Dermatologists stop topical retinoids in pregnancy and when trying to conceive as a precaution, because the oral form causes birth defects. Use azelaic acid or other pregnancy-safe options instead; ask your doctor.
Does Retino-A remove dark spots and pigmentation?
Over 3 to 6 months it fades dark spots and evens skin tone by speeding up cell turnover, and is often combined with hydroquinone and a mild steroid for melasma under a dermatologist. Daily sunscreen is essential, or the spots come back.
Do I need a prescription for tretinoin cream in India?
Yes. Tretinoin is a Schedule H medicine and should be started under a dermatologist, who will choose the strength and teach you how to avoid irritation and pigmentation.
Sources
- MedlinePlus – Tretinoin Topical (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms