How Much Does Retin-A Cost?
The average cost of Retin-A is $75, according to recent reviews on RealSelf.
Retin-A costs can range widely, from a $10 copay on a generic version (with a prescription and insurance) to a full retail price of more than $140 at a pharmacy, without insurance.
Online sites like GoodRx or Nurx offer savings that can reduce your cost to as little as $30 a month, even without insurance.
Retin-A is the brand name of the FDA-approved prescription drug known as tretinoin (also referred to as a retinoid). It's similar to over-the-counter retinol products in that they're both forms of vitamin A. But your skin has to convert retinol into retinoic acid (the active ingredient) for it to work, which makes it less powerful.
Tretinoin is pure retinoic acid, meaning you'll get the full benefits of vitamin A with each application. Due to its ability to stimulate cellular turnover, tretinoin is used to treat skin conditions like acne, dark spots, and signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
Keep reading to discover all the reasons why you may pay less or more than the average cost of Retin-A.
Is Retin-A covered by insurance?
You'll only get a tretinoin prescription covered by insurance if it's being prescribed by your dermatologist (or other healthcare provider) for acne treatment.
Nearly all Medicare prescription drug plans cover Retin-A prescriptions to treat acne, as do most private insurance plans.
Is the cost of Retin-A worth it?
The RealSelf community gives Retin-A an 100% Worth It Rating, with many rave reviews for improvements in acne, skin tone, and fine lines.
If you're not sure whether it will be worth it for you, a good first step is to consult with a dermatologist about all of your options.
They may even recommend another retinoid that can treat both signs of aging and acne: tazarotene, found under the brand names Tazorac, Fabior, and Avage.
If you're suffering from severe cystic acne, you may want to consider isotretinoin, otherwise known as Accutane. Accutane has a higher Worth It Rating than Retin-A and can clear up acne that has resisted other treatments, but it costs significantly more than Retin-A and comes with serious side effects.
What factors affect Retin-A costs?
A few factors cause the price of this prescription medication to fluctuate, including:
1) Whether you opt for a brand name formula or generic version.
There are many types of tretinoin creams and gels, offered by a multitude of brands.
Other than Retin-A and Retin-A Micro, you'll see brand names like Atralin, Renova, Avita, and Altreno. The active ingredient is the same in all of these products, but they may offer different benefits that can mitigate common side effects of tretinoin use, including dryness. Just be aware that moisturizing formulas may not be best for acne treatment, so if that's your primary goal, seek medical advice from a dermatologist first.
You can also be prescribed generic tretinoin, which is cheaper. Generic drugs are prescription medications that are created to work in the exact same way as more expensive, brand name counterparts. If you're not particular about the formula of your tretinoin, this can be a great way to save money.
Another cost-effective option is Differin gel, another type of retinoid that boasts a gentler active ingredient called adapalene. FDA-approved Differin is readily available at drugstores and online, often for less than $15 for a 30-day supply. Learn the difference between Retin-A and Differin.
2) Whether insurance will cover part of your doctor visit and prescription.
Most people are charged a copay for any visit to a healthcare professional. How much you pay will be dictated by your insurance plan (if you have health insurance) and whether your visit was for a medical condition or cosmetic concern.
If your tretinoin topical cream is prescribed by your dermatologist as part of an acne treatment plan, it will probably be considered medically necessary, and a portion of the cost of your appointment and prescription will be covered by your insurance plan. Check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage in advance and determine whether your dermatologist of choice is in-network.
Prescriptions for cosmetic use, such as treating signs of aging, won't be covered by insurance.
3) The size and strength of the product you buy.
Tretinoin formulas come in three strengths: 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%. The strongest formula is usually slightly more expensive.
One tube of Retin-A contains a 30-day supply, but some providers will prescribe a 90-day supply. Getting more means you'll have to pay more up front, but there's often a price break for buying a larger amount in one go.
4) Where you buy your Retin-A.
There aren't set prices on prescription medications at U.S. pharmacies, so it pays to do some price comparisons You might find that local pharmacies charge more or less than an online pharmacy. Walmart is also well known for their affordable prescriptions..
Pharmacies in some other countries, including Mexico, sell generic tretinoin over the counter, rather than prescribing it. This is a tempting choice for those looking to save money by avoiding an office visit.
Just keep in mind that seeing a dermatologist as advantages, too: they can analyze your skin concerns, determine whether this is the best treatment option for you, and advise you on how to ease into this new routine.
Related: 7 Tricks Derms Swear by for Getting the Best Retin-A Results
5) Whether you use coupons and discounts.
You won't find Retin-A deals from dermatologists, but you may be able to get a discount price on your prescription via online coupons, which are honored by local pharmacies, including Walgreens and CVS pharmacy.
One of the best resources for getting a price break on prescription medications is a discount card, like those offered sites like USA Rx, GoodRx, and SingleCare. They negotiate with different pharmacies and offer coupons for both brand-name and generic retinoids. For example, you'll find discount cards for generic forms of Retin-A on GoodRx and SingleCare for just over $30.
Sites like Nurx offer both online prescriptions and discounted rates, with free shipping.