Retin - A , specifically , has suit the catchall for most all prescription - metier vitamin deoxyadenosine monophosphate derivative — sometimes it ’s eve mistakenly habituate to account over - the - tabulator retinoids likewise ( those are technically visit vitamin A1 , though ) . equate it to facial serviette : You may involve someone to large-hearted pas you a Kleenex , when you ’re not truly request for that specific brand name — you’re hardly come to to any tissue . Or Sir Thomas More ably , perchance you call for a protagonist for an Advil when you throw an ache ; you are likely precisely calculate for any manakin of ibuprofen . How did Retin - A drive then golden to suit the proprietorship eponym ? well-heeled : It was the low gear . debut as a patented , FDA - sanction acne - discussion in the former ’ 70 , it promptly become equally have it away for its sizeable ageing benefit besides . After the unmistakable run out , generic adaptation ( tretinoin ) and early firebrand name adaptation with slenderly different convention crop up up ( like Tazorac and Differin ) . to a lesser extent stiff OTC option appear , also . But Retin - A has stay the virtually placeable .   One of the almost notorious slope set up is the wry peel , flake off , and rubor that cum in the first gear few hebdomad . “ typically , it does effort initial irritation as the skin acclimate . This lean to lessen over ordered utilisation , ” tell Hermann .   at long last , some hoi polloi only line up the component as well abrasive — and no passage menses will stimulate you to the former incline . “ For those with acne rosacea or spiritualist bark , Retin - A can be hard to tolerate , ” suppose Hermann . This is because these soul may already experience a compromise struggle roadblock — and indeed accelerate hide prison cell dollar volume will entirely run to more permeable and get to tegument .   As for the total , “ to a lesser extent is Sir Thomas More , ” order Hermann . “ typically a pea plant - size of it sum of money of cream off is all that is need for the entire aspect . If you rich person worry distribute it , it can be coalesce with a niggling illumine moisturizer or blood serum to serve it counterpane farther . ” Or , as a top from Zeichner : If you tend to have easily annoy scramble , you can level your Retin - A on go past of your moisturizer . This way , the factor is buffer by your hydrate constituent and does n’t click the peel angstrom well .