Key facts
What is Retin-A-Micro?
From the FDA label:Chemically, tretinoin is all-trans-retinoic acid, also known as (all-E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraenoic acid. Tretinoin is a retinoid and a metabolite of naturally occurring Vitamin A. Tretinoin has a molecular weight of 300.44, a molecular formula of C 20 H 28 O 2 and the following chemical structure: RETIN-A MICRO (tretinoin) gel is for topical use. Each gram of RETIN-A MICRO gel: • 0.04%, contains 0.4 mg of tretinoin • 0.06%, contains 0.6 mg of tretinoin • 0.08%, contains 0.8 mg of tretinoin • 0.1%, contains 1 mg of tretinoin The formulation contains methyl methacrylate/glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer (MICROSPONGE ® System), propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate and butylated hydroxytoluene. Other components consist of benzyl alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene, carbomer 974P, cyclomethicone and dimethicone copolyol, disodium EDTA, glycerin, PPG-20 methyl glucose ether distearate, propylene glycol, purified water, sorbic acid, and trolamine. Tretinoin Chemical Structure
How to use
For topical use only. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. • Prior to RETIN-A MICRO use, thoroughly cleanse area(s) with a mild, non-medicated cleanser then pat the skin dry. • When applying RETIN-A MICRO, keep away from the eyes, the mouth, paranasal creases of the nose, and mucous membranes. • Apply a thin layer of RETIN-A MICRO (0.04%, 0.06%, 0.08%, or 0.1%) to skin where acne lesions appear (cover the entire affected area), once daily in the evening. Do not apply more than a thin layer [see Warning and Precautions (5.1) ] . Improvements in acne lesions may be noticed after two weeks of RETIN-A MICRO therapy, but more than seven weeks of therapy may be needed for sustained benefit. If RETIN-A MICRO was temporarily discontinued due to local adverse reactions, RETIN-A MICRO therapy may be resumed upon resolution of local adverse reactions. • For topical use only. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. ( 2 ) • Keep away from eyes, mouth, paranasal creases of the nose, and mucous membranes. ( 2 ) • Apply a thin layer of RETIN-A MICRO to skin where acne lesions appear (cover the entire affected area) (0.04%, 0.06%, 0.08%, or 0.1%) once daily in the evening ( 2 ).
Side effects
Most common adverse reactions were skin irritation, skin burning, erythema, peeling, dryness, itching, and dermatitis. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch Health US, LLC at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. RETIN-A MICRO, 0.1% The safety of RETIN-A MICRO, 0.1% for the treatment of acne vulgaris was evaluated in two multicenter, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical trials (Studies 1 and 2). A total of 347 subjects with acne vulgaris were treated in Studies 1 and 2 in which 172 subjects received RETIN-A MICRO, 0.1% and 175 subjects received vehicle, applied topically once daily in the evening, for 12 weeks. Mean age was 19 years (range 11-40) and 55% were female [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . RETIN-A MICRO is not approved for use in pediatric patients younger than 12 years of age [see Indications and Usage (1) ] . In Studies 1 and 2, subjects treated with RETIN-A MICRO, 0.1% had increased cutaneous irritation scores for erythema, peeling, dryness, burning/stinging, or itching that peaked during the initial two weeks…
Warnings
Important safety information
Local Skin Irritation : RETIN-A MICRO can cause local skin irritation, including excessive dryness, redness, swelling, peeling, itching, blistering, burning, or stinging ( 5.1 ) • Avoid use on eczematous skin or during weather extremes, such as severe wind or cold. • To reduce the risk of local skin irritation, wash the treated skin gently, using a mild, non-medicated soap, avoid washing the treated skin too often or scrubbing it hard when washing, and apply a topical moisturizer. • If severe local skin irritation occurs, discontinue use temporarily or permanently. • Initial Worsening of Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris : During the early weeks of RETIN-A MICRO treatment, an apparent exacerbation of inflammatory lesions may occur. If RETIN-A MICRO is tolerated, this should not be considered a reason to discontinue therapy. ( 5.2 ) • Photosensitivity : RETIN-A MICRO can cause photosensitivity. Advise patients to avoid or minimize unnecessary exposure to UV light, including sunlight and sunlamps. Advise patients to use sunscreen (SPF ≥15) and sun-protective clothing if UV light exposure cannot be avoided. Avoid use on sunburn skin. ( 5.3 ) 5.1 Local Skin Irritation RETIN-A MICRO can cause local skin irritation, including excessive dryness, redness, swelling, peeling, itching, blistering, burning, or stinging [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Use of RETIN-A MICRO in greater than the recommended dosage (more frequent than once daily application or excessive application) will not result in more rapid or improved acne results and may result in marked redness, peeling, or discomfort. Tretinoin has been reported to cause severe local skin irritation on eczematous skin. Weather extremes, such as severe wind or cold, may increase the risk of skin irritation in patients using RETIN-A MICRO. To reduce the risk of local skin irritation, instruct RETIN-A MICRO-treated patients to: • Avoid use of RETIN-A MICRO in areas affected by eczema. • Minimize or avoid use of RETIN-A MICRO with weather extremes. • Wash the treated skin gently, using a mild, non-medicated soap, pat it dry, and avoid washing the treated skin too often or scrubbing it hard when washing. RETIN-A MICRO is not recommended with concomitant use of medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, products that have a strong drying effect, products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, or lime peels. • Apply a topical moisturizer. Advise patients that concomitant use of topical over the counter (OTC) acne products containing benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid with RETIN-A MICRO may increase the risk for local skin irritation including dryness, erythema, and peeling. Consider withholding the use of topical OTC acne products if signs of skin irritation develop. Advise patients to allow the skin irritation effects of the topical OTC acne products to subside before initiation of RETIN-A MICRO treatment. If severe local skin irritation occurs, discontinue RETIN-A MICRO use temporarily or permanently. Efficacy of RETIN-A MICRO at reduced frequencies of application has not been established. 5.2 Initial Worsening of Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris During the early weeks of RETIN-A MICRO treatment, an apparent exacerbation of inflammatory acne vulgaris lesions may occur. If RETIN-A MICRO is tolerated, initial worsening of inflammatory acne vulgaris lesions should not be considered a reason to discontinue therapy. 5.3 Photosensitivity RETIN-A MICRO can cause photosensitivity. Advise patients to avoid or minimize unnecessary exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, including sunlight and sunlamps, while using RETIN-A MICRO. Advise patients with sunburn to not use RETIN-A MICRO until the sunburn fully recovers. Advise patients, especially those who may be required to have extended periods of UV light exposure (e.g., due to occupation or sports), those with inherent sensitivity to the sun, or those using drugs that cause photosensitivity, to use sun protection daily in the form of sunscreen (sun protection factor [SPF] ≥ 15) and sun-protective clothing, when UV exposure cannot be avoided, even on days when it is not sunny or inside activities are expected.
Who should not take Retin-A-Micro
None. None. ( 4 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Oral ingestion of large amounts of RETIN-A MICRO may lead to the same adverse reactions as those associated with excessive oral intake of Vitamin A. Consider contacting the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for overdose recommendations.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Drug class
How this class works, per Tretinoin - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Retin-A-Micro ranks — best-rated retinoid for:
Dosage forms
Topical
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Retin-A-Micro treat?
- Retin-A-Micro (Tretinoin) may be used to treat acne vulgaris, facial dermatoses, acute promyelocytic leukemia, hyperpigmentation, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Retin-A-Micro work?
- Retin-A-Micro is a retinoid. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that enter skin cells and switch on retinoic acid receptors in the nucleus, which changes how genes are read. This normalizes how skin cells grow and shed, unclogs pores, calms inflammation, and over time boosts collagen production.
- How much does Retin-A-Micro cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $1.05 per gm, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Retin-A-Micro?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Retin-A-Micro. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Retin-A-Micro?
- Retin-A-Micro is marketed by Bausch. You can see Bausch's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Retin-A-Micro a brand-name or generic drug?
- Retin-A-Micro is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Tretinoin. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Tretinoin are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Retin-A-Micro available over the counter?
- No. Retin-A-Micro is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Retin-A-Micro come in?
- Retin-A-Micro is currently marketed as topical, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Retin-A-Micro?
- Retin-A-Micro is classified as retinoid, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Retin-A-Micro FDA-registered?
- Retin-A-Micro is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA020475. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Retin-A-Micro safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Retin-A-Micro. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Retin-A-Micro?
- Retin-A-Micro's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Most common adverse reactions were skin irritation, skin burning, erythema, peeling, dryness, itching, and dermatitis. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch Health US, LLC at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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