Strongest over-the-counter retinoids in the EU
Strongest over-the-counter retinoids in the EU
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Before ordering a retinoid, check whether you may purchase it in your region. The regulations can vary between EU member states.
In all European Union countries, retinol and retinal can be used in non-prescription products. Stronger retinoids such as tretinoin or adapelene (Differin) are only available with a prescription. However, tazarotene, one of the strongest retinoids available, can be purchased without a prescription in Greece, Poland, and Spain. We have a guide on where to purchase tazarotene creams in the EU here. To summarise, here are the strongest over-the-counter (OTC) retinoids in the EU sorted by strength:
| Product | Retinoid | Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| The Ordinary 0.2% Emulsion | Retinal | 0.2% |
| Medik8 Crystal Retinal 20 | Retinal | 0.2% |
| Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10 | Retinal | 0.1% |
| Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Multi-Intensive Night Cream | Retinal | 0.1% |
| Avène A-Oxitive Night Peeling Cream | Retinal | 0.1% |
| Avène Cleanance Comedomed | Retinal | 0.1% |
| The Inkey List Scar, Mark and Wrinke Solution | Retinol | 1% |
| Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment | Retinol | 1% |
Some other brands to consider are:
- Nacomi
- CeraVe
- Physiolift
- Daytox
- La Roche-Posay
- Neutrogena
- Bioderma
- A313
