Can Tretinoin Be Effective Without Side Effects Such As Peeling?

My derm gave me Tretinoin 0.1% cream for acne.In the AM I wash with a BP face wash(5%) & then apply Clindamycin lotion 1%. In the evening I wash with a gentle cleanser & wait 30 mins before using Tretinoin cream. It has been 5 weeks & the acne has cleared some but I haven't experienced any redness, peeling, dryness that I hear others experience. Can Tretinoin be effective without all those side effects? Does peeling have to occur to indicate effectiveness?Is a gel better than a cream for acne?