Description
Same active ingredient (tretinoin) as Retin-A®, the US brand. Supatret 0.1% Gel is an Indian brand, made and licensed in India.
About Supatret 0.1% Gel
Supatret 0.1% Gel is a prescription topical gel containing tretinoin 0.1%, made by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, used to treat acne vulgaris. It is the stronger Supatret strength and is generally prescribed for oily skin with persistent blackheads and whiteheads once a lower-strength retinoid has been used without major irritation.
How does Supatret 0.1% work?
Tretinoin, a form of vitamin A acid, acts on the lining of the hair follicle. It encourages dead cells to shed rather than pile up and seal the pore, and it helps expel plugs that have already formed. Over several weeks the number of comedones falls, and with it the number of inflamed spots. The 0.1% concentration has a stronger effect on comedones than weaker products but is also more likely to cause peeling.
Moving up from 0.04%
Doctors usually consider the higher strength when acne has improved only partly after about three months on a lower one. Switching gradually helps: many people use Supatret 0.1% on alternate nights for the first two weeks, returning to nightly use as the skin settles. If redness or soreness becomes marked, go back to less frequent application and check with your prescriber.
How to use Supatret 0.1% Gel
- Wash the face in the evening, pat dry and wait until the skin feels completely dry.
- Apply a pea-sized amount thinly across the whole acne-prone area.
- Keep away from the eyes, eyelids, lips and nostrils.
- Use once daily at most; more gel does not work faster.
Sun protection while using it
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every morning and reapply outdoors.
- Wear a hat and avoid long exposure to midday sun; do not use sunbeds or sunlamps.
- If you get sunburnt, stop the gel until the skin has fully healed.
- Wind and cold can also irritate treated skin, so a barrier moisturizer helps in winter.
What are the side effects?
Dryness, peeling, redness, a burning feeling and sensitivity to sun are common, especially in the first month. Acne can flare briefly early on. Some people get temporary changes in skin color. Seek medical help for blistering, severe swelling or signs of allergy.
Who should not use it?
Do not use Supatret 0.1% if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, and discuss breastfeeding with your doctor. It is unsuitable for skin with eczema, sunburn or open wounds. Tell your prescriber about other acne treatments and about medicines that increase sun sensitivity. Avoid waxing, laser hair removal and chemical peels on treated areas.
Pack sizes
20 g tubes, available as 1, 3 or 6 tubes, from $8. Store below 77°F (25°C) and replace the cap after each use.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start on 0.1%?
Most people are advised to begin with Supatret 0.04% Gel and step up later.
Is there another 0.1% tretinoin gel?
A Ret Gel 0.1% from Menarini has the same strength.
Where are other skin treatments?
See our acne and skin care categories.
General information only and not a diagnosis. Supatret 0.1% Gel is a prescription medicine; ask your doctor or pharmacist before use.
Helpful guides
- Tretinoin for Acne: Strengths, How to Use It and What to ExpectA complete guide to tretinoin for acne: which strength to start with, how to apply it step by step, the purging timeline…