ReTrieve Cream is used for those with dry and sun-damaged skin. It uses an acid form of Vitamin A as the main ingredient to help give back a youthful look by regrowing the outer layer of skin on the face.

How ReTrieve CreamWorks

ReTrieve Cream main ingredient is called tretinoin, which is the acid form of Vitamin A and is available by prescription only.

It works on the skin by helping to regulate the growth and regeneration of the outer layer of skin on those who have dry or sun-damaged skin. It is not meant to be used as a daily cream but only used for a few days at a time.

Read more about how retinol works works to help you look younger.

Retrieve Cream Ingredients

Retrieve Cream includes the following ingredients along with tretinoin; cetyl alcohol, isopropyl palmitate, glyceryl stearate, sorbitan stearate, polysorbate, disodium edetate, tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate, methyl and propyl hydroxybenzoates, diazolidinylurea, propylene glycol and water.

ReTrieve Cream Benefits

It helps remove damage by shedding the skin and helps cellular turnover
There is a website on the Internet has explained about the product and its side effects thoroughly
You only use a small amount daily

ReTrieve Cream Drawbacks

There are a lot of side effects associated with ReTrieve Cream, including extreme sun sensitivity and flaking skin
Not everyone may use this product due to the strength of it
It can only be purchased with a prescription
Not recommended for sensitive skin

Where to Buy ReTrieve Cream

ReTrieve Cream can only be purchased through a doctor or online with a prescription.

Recommendation & Alternative

ReTrieve Cream seems to be a very potent product and will help you if you have severely dry or sun-damaged skin.

There was no data posted about any clinical studies performed on ReTrieve Cream, though it is to be assumed there have been studies performed if you can only purchase this product with a prescription.

There are a lot of side effects and a lot of warnings if you are using this product, which causes a lot of people to not be able to use ReTrieve Cream such as dry flaking skin, redness, rashes, itchiness and sun sensitivity.

If this cream is prescribed to you by your doctor, read all of the information on it carefully before you apply it to your skin. It is supposed to be used sparingly for the first few days and then as your skin gets used to it, it can be left on for longer.

An alternative to ReTrieve cream would be Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel – which contains glycolic acid. It does a great job resurfacing the skin in a more gentle manner if you can’t tolerate Retrieve cream.

Have You Used ReTrieve Cream? Leave Your Review Below!

User Questions and Answers

Q: Is retin A the same as Retrieve cream. Which is safer to use. -Giulia Locampo

A: Giulia, Retin-A (tretinoin) is the ingredient found within Retrieve cream. You would need a prescription for Retrieve Cream. There may be other "brand names" of prescription strength Retin-A products that your Dr. could prescribe to you; Retrieve is just one brand of it. But to answer your question, they are both one in the same. You have to be very careful in the sun if you decide to go this route, it makes your skin extremely photo sensitive. Rachel~WomensBlogTalk.com

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Q: I have been using retrieve 0.05% cream for 8 months,since moving to Sydney from the states where I always used retinols for anti-aging.I have noticed no difference in my skin.No tingle,no exfoliation or peeling.I have light hyper-pigmentation on my left side of my face,no change.I thought maybe I had a "bad Batch"( maybe not kept at the right temperature) so I had my Dr.. give me a new prescription,and bought the product at a different pharmacy.That was months ago,same results.Is there a reason I am not having same results? Thank you for your time. -jEANNIE

A: Jeannie, that's frustrating. 8+ months is a LONG time to give a product a chance to work. What did your Dr. say? Do you also wear a daily SPF of at least 50? If you get any sun, it could negate the effects of it, but that's just a guess (especially regarding the dark spots on your cheek). If I were you, I would spend $200 on an IPL photofacial. This is intense pulsed light, and not laser so it's not as severe. It'll zap the dark spots and they'll flake off within about ten days. You could continue using the retinol if you think it's helping in other areas, but if not I would try something else. Maybe you would do better with a glycolic product or some other alphahydroxy product. Another thing you could do is visit a salon or spa where they sell Image Skincare, and get a consultation with their skin care specialist. They have some GREAT products that are stronger strengths than what you can buy in a store. I love their products. Just visit the Image Skincare website and use their map locator to find a spa nearby who sells it. Get a facial and let them recommend which line you should use for your skin. Rachel

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Q: After applying Retrieve can you apply your normal face cream or serum on top of it? -Barbara

A: Barbara, I wouldn't apply a serum on top of Retrieve but you should be OK using moisturizing on top of it. I haven't personally tried this product but I know it's a Retin A product so you have to be very careful in the sun. Definitely apply spf on top if you're going to be outside. Rachel~WomensBlogTalk.com

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Q: Is Retrieve cream the same as Retin A. How do you compare the two. -Julia

A: Julia, Retrieve is just a brand name of Retin-A, same thing. You'll need an RX from a Dr. Good luck! Rachel

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Q: Hii m lady 30 yrs old and Have acne prone pigmented skin from last 6-7 years... I used many products nd medicines, nothing worked... Now m using Retrieve cream from last1 month,,, No change in skin,even looks more ugly...more pimples nd red skin... feeling so disppointed... what should I do??? Can I use natural aloevera at daytym????Thnks -Jasveer

A: Jasveer, I would talk to the Dr. who prescribed you the Retrieve cream - you did get by a prescription right? I know sometimes it takes time, or gets worse before better. The skin has a natural 28 day cycle of regeneration, so after a month you're just now shedding the entire set of skin cells on your face so new, fresh skin should start emerging. I'm not sure if aloe is best for acne, as it can be kind of sticky. I would use something gentle with no harsh or active chemicals like Beautycounter Nourishing moisturizer. It's fabulous, and will give you the hydration you need after using the retin-a Retrieve cream at night. Good luck! Rachel

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Show All 26 User Questions & Answers

15 Comments

Greta Tuhbaum

May 17, 2022 at 11:16 pm Reply

I have been using Retrieve cream for years you start off very slow at the beginning like once a week then twice a week then 3 times a week and so on .. i use at night just a bit to cover the face I wash off in morning and apply moisturiser mixed with sun block out. But i am not a sunperson anyway.. I use it steady every second night and have beautiful smooth skin I am 79 look 18
- Rachel Vrabel
  
  June 30, 2022 at 2:01 pm Reply
  
  Greta, so happy you’ve had a great result with Retrieve! It feels impossible to avoid the sun for me living in Florida. I envy colder climates where people are bundled up – they must have such great skin! 😉 xo Rachel
NW

April 9, 2018 at 11:49 am Reply

I have been using ReTrieve for just over 1 week and have red flaky patches on my chin area. The rest of my face seems to be ok. Should I give that area a break from the cream? Also how long should you use retrieve cream for? It seems that there are a lot of varying ideas on this.
- Rachel Vrabel
  
  April 14, 2018 at 3:31 am Reply
  
  NW, thanks for your question. Retrieve cream is prescribed by a Dr. so you’ll have to ask them about length of treatment. You can certainly give your face a break for a night or two and use a benign, “non-active” (with no toxic or harsh chemicals) hydrating cream such as Beautycounter’s Nourishing Night Cream to sooth the dryness and rehydrate. Good luck! Rachel
A

April 24, 2017 at 6:49 am Reply

Is this cream safe while i am doing IVF?
- Rachel Vrabel
  
  April 24, 2017 at 8:00 pm Reply
  
  A, you’ll have to ask your Dr. on that one, I’m not sure. I went completely natural when I did IVF and only used organic cleansers, shampoos, etc – no chemicals at all. Retrieve is Vitamin A but at such a high strength I would use caution. Personally I wouldn’t. Good luck with your IVF! I went through it 3x. Rachel
Liz

April 18, 2017 at 9:19 pm Reply

I think some of your information is incorrect. Formaldehyde is not listed as an ingredient. Retrieve cream is no different than vitamin C serum. Active ingredients may irritate. Used sparingly it is very safe. I’ve used it alternate nights now for 6 years. My skin is smooth. I know of someone who has used it almost 20 years.
- Rachel Vrabel
  
  April 19, 2017 at 4:30 pm Reply
  
  Liz, thanks are you saying your tube lists Formaldehyde as an ingredient? Retin A is Vitamin A, not Vitamin C, completely different. Retin A, which is the same thing as Retrieve is very irritating to some, it’s not known as a gentle product but it does work well for some. If you’ve used it for six years then your skin is probably very used to it. I can’t use any Retin A, my skin is too sensitive. Rachel
  - Liz
    
    April 19, 2017 at 8:38 pm Reply
    
    No. I saw a comment on the blog stating it contained formaldehyde, which is NOT listed as an ingredient. I’m aware it is vitamin A. My comment regarding vitamin C is that they are both active ingredients and can cause irritation if used too frequently at the start. But none of these irritate my skin now.
m

August 10, 2016 at 2:30 am Reply

I’ve been using this cream for a year. Definitely too strong for my neck, as like J… it cause a burning red mark on crease. Besides the flakey skin which I have to regularly and gently exfoliate off, this cream has been great. My skin looks more youthful and even-toned and my acne is under control.
- Rachel Vrabel
  
  August 10, 2016 at 4:39 am Reply
  
  Thanks for the review Mary! I have to be careful with my neck also, it’s sensitive. Rachel~WomensBlogTalk
J

August 10, 2015 at 2:33 pm Reply

i used this cream and have experienced flakey skin some burning red marks on neck crease where iv oviously left it on to long,although my skin feels smooth alot of flakey skin coming off
Julie

November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am Reply

I have been using retrieve cream fir six weeks dermotologist said the dots and ridges above my top lip above mouth was sundamage
- Val Clisby
  
  April 17, 2022 at 7:41 am Reply
  
  I have been using Retrieve cream for 6.months. I have a very nice face except fit my chin and the sides, it looks like a road map. I have team soooo many theries on how it should be used I am very confused.
  I use it every night. The wrinkles are very deep and there is no difference. They are also very red, but I would like to try a bit longer as I just don’t know what else to do. I am 72 and just hate these wrinkles.
  Any advice please would be welcome.
  - Rachel Vrabel
    
    May 2, 2022 at 6:32 pm Reply
    
    Hi Val, if you’re getting redness your skin does not like using Retrieve daily. Try going to every other night and see if redness subsides. Redness is likely an adverse inflammatory effect so that’s not going to be good in the long run. Retrieve can be very irritating, and you have to be extremely careful in the sun. Even being in the heat can cause a reaction, even if it’s not direct sunlight. If you’ve seen a difference in your wrinkles then I’d give it a bit more time, just use more sparingly. Be sure and use a calming moisturizer for the times you’re not using Retrieve. Something like Kollagen Intensiv is a great one. xo Rachel

ReTrieve Cream Review – How Strong Is It?

How ReTrieve CreamWorks