Americans spent approximately $67 billion in 2021 on anti-aging products, which is expected to balloon to $93 billion by 2027.1 With this increase in spending and a greater variety of options, you might be confused about what is best for your skin.
Tazarotene (Tazorac®) and tretinoin (Retin-A®) are two clinically proven topical anti-aging treatments available by prescription online with RedBox Rx. Learn more about their effectiveness, side effects and costs to make an informed decision about your skincare.
What is tazarotene (Tazorac®)?
Tazarotene, a generic version of Tazorac®, is a prescription topical treatment used to treat acne, psoriasis, and signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots. It comes in foam, gel, cream and lotion formulations.2 All versions of tazarotene come in 0.1% strength, except for one kind of lotion, which is 0.45%.3
Tazarotene belongs to a class of medications called retinoids. It works to treat acne and psoriasis by slowing skin cell overgrowth and reducing inflammation. For signs of aging, tazarotene works by thickening the outer layers of skin for a smoother appearance.4
What is tretinoin (Retin-A®)?
Tretinoin is a generic form of Retin-A® prescribed to treat skin conditions, including acne and signs of aging. It comes in four main formulations:5
Gel in strengths of 0.01% and 0.025%.
Cream in strengths of 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1%.
Lotion in 0.05% strength.
Solution in 0.05% strength.6
Tretinoin is also a retinoid that replaces older skin with new skin to lighten dark spots, unclog pores and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.7
What’s the difference between tazarotene and tretinoin?
Tazarotene and tretinoin are both retinoids that function similarly. The main difference is strength and potency. Tazarotene 0.1% is the strongest retinoid currently available and has been shown to work faster and more effectively for sun-damaged skin in some studies. However, the stronger tazarotene has more reported side effects than tretinoin.
Tretinoin, a first-generation retinoid, was the first topical retinoid developed and has a long history of success in treating acne and signs of aging. Tazarotene, a third-generation retinoid, was developed to better target retinoid receptors in the skin and to be more stable in the presence of light. Tretinoin is sensitive to light.
In general, tretinoin is more affordable than tazarotene.8 Prices vary, but with RedBox Rx, tazarotene cream costs $75 for a 30 g tube (45-day supply), $140 for a 60 g tube (90-day supply) and $215 for a 90 g tube (135-day supply). Tretinoin with RedBox Rx is $20 to $35 per month depending on your treatment plan.
How effective are tazarotene and tretinoin for wrinkles, age spots and hyperpigmentation?
Tazarotene has been clinically shown to improve wrinkles, age spots and hyperpigmentation. In one study, 63% of participants reported improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, and 87% saw improvement in hyperpigmentation after 24 weeks of tazarotene use.9
Tretinoin, the first and oldest topical retinoid treatment, has a robust library of clinical trials showing its effectiveness in treating signs of aging. One comprehensive study of the scientific literature showed that tretinoin significantly improved wrinkling, hyperpigmentation and sallowness. In one specific study, 72% of participants saw an improvement in their hyperpigmentation after 24 weeks of tretinoin use.10
Overall, tazarotene has been shown to work faster than tretinoin for sun-damaged skin. In one clinical study, tazarotene was more effective than tretinoin at treating photodamage, fine wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkling.11
Can tazarotene and tretinoin be used together?
Tazarotene and tretinoin are both retinoids, and using two retinoid products at the same time could increase side effects. Excessive retinoid use can thin the skin barrier, leading to sensitivity, peeling, flaking and irritation.12
Anti-aging prescriptions for a fraction of the price.
Help your skin look its absolute best with RedBox Rx. Get anti-aging medications as low as $20/month.
Get StartedWhat are the side effects of tazarotene and tretinoin?
Because tazarotene and tretinoin are both retinoids, they share some side effects, including:
Itching.
Burning.
Redness.
Rash.
Peeling.
Stinging.
Pain.
Dryness and flaking.
Swelling.
Skin discoloration, lightening or darkening of skin.
Side effects exclusive to tazarotene include:13
Irritation or swelling of the eyelid or eye.
Chapped or inflamed lips.
Swelling in arms or legs.
Side effects exclusive to tretinoin include:14
Increase in acne sores.
Blistering or crusting of the skin.
Are tazarotene and tretinoin available over the counter?
Both tazarotene15 and tretinoin16 require a prescription and are not available over the counter.
How do costs compare for tazarotene and tretinoin?
Tretinoin usually costs less than tazarotene.17 Prices for both products vary depending on location and provider. With RedBox Rx, tazarotene cream costs $75 for a 30 g tube (45-day supply), $140 for a 60 g tube (90-day supply) and $215 for a 90 g tube (135-day supply). Depending on your treatment plan, tretinoin with RedBox Rx is $20 to $35 per month.
Tazarotene is more expensive than tretinoin because it is a third-generation retinoid, meaning it is newer to the market than tretinoin. Tazarotene is also stronger than tretinoin, which could account for its higher price tag.18
What should I know if I switch from tretinoin to tazarotene?
While tretinoin and tazarotene have proven effective at reducing signs of aging, tazarotene could get results faster than tretinoin. Additionally, there is a possibility you will experience more side effects or skin sensitivity with the stronger tazarotene.19
Tazarotene (Tazorac®) vs. Tretinoin (Retin-A®) Comparison Chart
How RedBox Rx can help
RedBox Rx makes receiving topical retinoids, such as tretinoin cream, tretinoin gel or tazarotene cream, for signs of aging or melasma easy and affordable.
Benefits of RedBox Rx include:
Transparent, affordable, flat rates for medications starting at $20/month.
$20 consultation with a U.S. licensed medical professional.
No insurance required. FSA and HSA eligible.
No office wait times or scheduling issues typical with physical medical practices.
FREE shipping directly to you. One-time, monthly and quarterly subscriptions available.
Get started on your journey toward better skin with our online anti-aging assessment.
