What the community says
Pros
- Strongest OTC retinoid — effective at clearing acne and closed comedones with consistent use
- Less irritating than tretinoin for many, preferred for sensitive or dry skin
- Widely used with DIY sandwich method to buffer irritation and improve tolerance
Cons
- Purging can be intense and may last 4-8 weeks, often worsening breakouts and dryness before improvement
- Can severely dry and damage the skin barrier if used too frequently or layered with other actives like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
- Irritates delicate areas, particularly under and around eyes, causing redness, flaking, and sometimes flare-ups of eczema or rosacea
Product details
Concerns
Use caution
Values
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Commonly Used With
CeraVe
4 threads
Aquaphor
3 threads
La Roche-Posay
3 threads
Dupes & Alternatives
The Ordinary
12 shared traits
713 recommendations
Paula's Choice
7 shared traits
40 recommendations
Tower 28 Beauty
6 shared traits
183 recommendations
Where to buy
Real Reddit threads
29 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/tretinoin +4 more