Tretinoin Cream USP, 0.025% — Efficacy 4.7/5.0, Safety 4.1/5.0 | DemythSkin
++++
[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
Tretinoin Cream USP, 0.025%
Tretinoin

Tretinoin Cream USP, 0.025%

SerumAcne / Oil Control
Efficacy
Exceptional
4.7 / 5.0
Safety
Mostly Safe
4.1 / 5.0
System Verdict
This is a real tretinoin treatment, not a cosmetic cream pretending to work. The efficacy score is high because tretinoin is the gold-standard active for acne and photoaging, and it is present as the headline ingredient at a prescription strength of 0.025%; the supporting cream base is plain and functional, though the formula is not especially elegant and includes isopropyl myristate, which can be a poor fit for some acne-prone users.
Active Ingredients Detected
S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative
Tretinoin
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
Polyolprepolymer-2Polyoxyl 40 StearateButylated Hydroxytoluene
What Each Ingredient Does
Tretinoin
Prescription retinoid active
Stearic Acid
Fatty acid structuring agent
Polyolprepolymer-2
Viscosity and film former
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient and slip agent
Polyoxyl 40 Stearate
Emulsifier and solubilizer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant and solvent
Stearyl Alcohol
Fatty alcohol thickener
Xanthan Gum
Thickener and stabilizer
Sorbic Acid
Preservative and pH buffer
Butylated Hydroxytoluene
Antioxidant stabilizer
Purified Water
Solvent and base
Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Tretinoin, Stearic Acid, Polyolprepolymer-2, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyoxyl 40 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Sorbic Acid, Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Purified Water

Frequently Asked

Is Tretinoin Cream USP, 0.025% worth it?

Tretinoin Cream USP, 0.025% scores 4.7 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Exceptional) and 4.1 out of 5.0 for safety (Mostly Safe) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. This is a real tretinoin treatment, not a cosmetic cream pretending to work. The efficacy score is high because tretinoin is the gold-standard active for acne and photoaging, and it is present as the headline ingredient

What are the key active ingredients in Tretinoin Cream USP, 0.025%?

Tretinoin Cream USP, 0.025% contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Tretinoin.

Does Tretinoin Cream USP, 0.025% contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in Tretinoin Cream USP, 0.025%. It scores 4.1 out of 5.0 for safety.

How is Tretinoin Cream USP, 0.025% scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

Analyze on DemythSkin →

Analysis last updated: 2026-09-15. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.