18+ · Prescription-only — consult your prescriber. We hold no product. Disclaimer.
The original prescription retinoid — acne, texture, pigmentation and photoaging. Sold in the US as Retin-A. It accelerates cell turnover, which is also why it irritates before it improves.
What it actually costs · 0.025%
5.2× — and it holds up against a free coupon
| Route | Price | Per gram |
|---|---|---|
| US retail45g tube | $278.25 | $6.183 |
| US, free GoodRx couponno account, no membership | $57.33 | $1.274 |
| US, GoodRx Companionpaid, $9.99–$14.99/mo | $26.43 | $0.587 |
| Overseas, GMP-verifiedMenarini India · 20g · 6-tube tier | $4.91 | $0.245 |
Checked 15 Aug 2026 · ZIP 37996 · varies by pharmacy — check yours
We quote the multiple for the product we actually recommend. A second gel works out to $0.185/g, which would let us print 6.9× — but its manufacturer is unidentified, so it is rated Partial. Against the named GMP maker the figure is 5.2×. Both are in the source sheet; the choice is yours, stated openly.
Note the Companion row: a paid membership brings the US to $0.587/g, narrowing the gap to about 2.4×. If you already pay for Companion, factor that in.
Verified sources
- 🔒 ████████ — ✅ Menarini India · 0.025 / 0.05 / 0.1% · both pharmacies
- 🔒 ████████ — ⚠️ Partial · cheapest per gram, manufacturer unidentified
🔓 Unlock verified sources — $9 →
Start at the lowest strength. Retinoid irritation in the first weeks is normal and not a reason to escalate.