Description

Pure Vitamin A Acid (Tretinoin) Powder

Let's get one thing straight: Tretinoin (pure vitamin A acid) is not a gentle ingredient. It's not a "clean beauty" darling. It doesn't smell like roses. And it will absolutely make your skin peel, flake, and turn red if you use it carelessly. But here's the thing: it works. Better than almost anything else.

Tretinoin is the grandfather of all retinoids. It's the active form of vitamin A that your skin's retinoid receptors actually recognize. Other retinoids (retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde) must be converted by skin enzymes into tretinoin to work. With tretinoin, there's no conversion - ready to go, no waiting, no lost potency.

What It Does: Accelerates cell turnover, stimulates collagen synthesis, inhibits melanin transfer, and prevents clogged pores. This is the anti‑aging gold standard no other topical ingredient matches.

The Price (And It's a Steep One): Redness, peeling, flaking, dryness, stinging, purging (initial breakout). This is not an allergy; it's the drug working. Start low (0.01–0.025%), go slow (every other night), buffer with moisturizer.

Tretinoin vs. Retinol

Property	Tretinoin (Prescription)	Retinol (OTC)
Conversion required	No (active form)	Yes (two steps)
Potency	High	Low to moderate
Irritation	High	Low to moderate
Efficacy (anti‑aging)	Gold standard	Moderate
Legality	Prescription	Cosmetic

📋 Prescription Required: Tretinoin is a prescription drug in the US, Canada, EU, Japan, and most other countries. We sell only to licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers, compounding pharmacies, and research institutions. Proof of license is required before shipment. MOQ: 100g (not a typo - this is a high‑potency active).

⚠️ Pregnancy Warning: Tretinoin is an FDA Pregnancy Category C drug. Topical use is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to teratogenicity concerns. Use azelaic acid or bakuchiol instead.

Specification: 98.0% – 102.0% (on dried basis)
Sample: Sample Available (Restricted: Professional Use Only)
Test method: HPLC / USP Method
Synonyms: Tretinoin, all-trans-Retinoic acid, ATRA, Vitamin A acid, Retinoid A
MOQ: 100 G | Package: 100g/amber glass bottle (nitrogen flushed)
Certificate: GMP, ISO 22000, USP
Molecular Formula: C₂₀H₂₈O₂ | CAS: 302-79-4

Product Characteristics

🧂

Appearance

Fine, free‑flowing yellow to orange-yellow crystalline powder; faint characteristic odor.

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Purity

≥98% USP grade - gold standard retinoid active.

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Isomer Purity

all‑trans ≥98%; 13‑cis retinoic acid ≤2% (low irritation).

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Solubility

Insoluble in water. Soluble in ethanol, propylene glycol, PEG‑400, and oils.

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Storage

–20°C freezer, amber glass, nitrogen flushed. Extremely sensitive to light, heat, air.

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GMP Manufacturing

Wittig synthesis from β‑ionone; purified by recrystallization.

COA (Certificate of Analysis) – USP Grade

Benefits of Pure Vitamin A Acid (Tretinoin) Powder

01Cell Turnover Accelerator

Binds to nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs), triggering genes that speed up keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Result: smooth texture, unclogged pores, reduced blackheads.

02Collagen Architect

Inhibits matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) while stimulating new collagen synthesis. Result: fine lines soften, wrinkles shallow, skin thickens and firms - the anti‑aging gold standard.

03Melanin Disciplinarian

Slows melanin transfer to keratinocytes and accelerates shedding of pigmented cells. Result: dark spots fade, melasma improves, overall tone evens out.

04Pore Police

Reduces keratinocyte adhesion, preventing the "sticky plug" that forms blackheads and whiteheads. Result: clear pores, fewer breakouts.

05Active Form - No Conversion

Unlike retinol (which must convert to tretinoin with 10–30% efficiency), tretinoin is ready to work immediately. No lost potency, no guessing.

06FDA‑Approved for Acne & Photoaging

Tretinoin is the only topical drug with FDA approval for treatment of photoaging (fine wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, roughness) - the clinical gold standard.

Application Fields

Pharmaceutical (Prescription Only): Topical creams (0.01–0.1%), topical gels (0.01–0.05%), topical solutions/liquids (0.05%). Brand names: Retin‑A, Renova, Avita.
Compounded Formulations: Custom concentrations combined with hydroquinone, fluocinolone, azelaic acid, or niacinamide.
OEM Supply: We supply pure tretinoin powder to licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers for finished products - creams, gels, lotions, microneedle patches, liposomal formulations.

Production Process

Production process of Tretinoin

Product Quality Advantage

≥98% Purity – USP grade pharmaceutical active.

Low 13‑cis Isomer – ≤0.6% (minimizes irritation).

Low Heavy Metals – Pb <0.5 ppm, As <0.5 ppm.

Fresh Synthesis – Low degradation products.

Stability‑Protected Packaging – Amber glass, nitrogen flushed.

cGMP Certified – Full traceability and documentation.

Annual Capacity: 1,500 Tons | 15+ years of pharmaceutical intermediate expertise

Professional ODM/OEM Services

For licensed partners only - we supply pure tretinoin powder (API) to pharmaceutical manufacturers and compounding pharmacies.

① Supply Formats
USP Grade Tretinoin Powder: ≥98% purity, low 13‑cis isomer.
Research Grade Tretinoin: ≥99.5% purity, ultra‑low 13‑cis.
Micronized Tretinoin: Improved dispersion for creams and gels.
Custom Potency Blends: Pre‑mixed with excipient base for compounders.
Custom Packaging: Amber glass ampules, nitrogen‑flushed, ready for direct addition.

② Regulatory Support
COA per batch, USP compliance statement, residual solvents analysis, stability data, export documentation.

③ Important Notice
We do not manufacture finished tretinoin products for direct sale. We are an API supplier. All buyers must provide proof of license.

Export Certificates

Certificates GMP ISO USP

Why choose us

XI'AN LANDNUTRA CO., LTD. – Your Trusted Manufacturer of Pharmaceutical Intermediates & Functional Ingredients. Rooted in Quality, Driven by Expertise, Committed to Excellence.

Strong Production Capability: Annual capacity 1,500 tons. 15+ years experience, own facility.
Leading Service: ONE-STOP OEM/ODM from pre-sales to after-sales.
Quality Assurance: CQC-certified enterprise, purity embedded in every process.
Broad Market: Pharmaceutical APIs, Botanical Extracts, Cosmetic Ingredients, Functional Ingredients.

15+ years of specialty pharmaceutical intermediate manufacturing. cGMP‑certified facilities. Full HPLC and stability testing. Regulatory documentation for USP compliance. Supply only to licensed entities. Batch‑specific COA including isomer purity (13‑cis), heavy metals, and residual solvents. Technical support for formulation (solubility, stabilization, packaging recommendations).

FAQ

Q1: Can I buy pure tretinoin powder to make my own cream at home?

A: No - not legally in most countries. Tretinoin is a prescription drug. Attempting to purchase it without a license is illegal. Even if you could, formulating with pure tretinoin is dangerous (incorrect concentration → severe burns, scarring). Leave it to the professionals.

Q2: Is tretinoin the same as retinol?

A: No. Retinol is over‑the‑counter and requires conversion to tretinoin in the skin (10–30% efficiency). Tretinoin is the active form - much stronger, more effective, and more irritating. Start with retinol if you're new to retinoids.

Q3: How do I formulate with tretinoin powder?

A: Dissolve in a small amount of oil or glycol under inert atmosphere (nitrogen). Protect from light. Add antioxidants (BHT, vitamin E). Typical use level: 0.01% – 0.1% w/w. Use opaque, airless packaging.

Q4: Why is tretinoin yellow?

A: The polyene chain - a long series of alternating double bonds that absorb blue light. Dark orange/red indicates oxidation. Brown/black means it's degraded and should be discarded.

Q5: How do I store tretinoin powder?

A: In the freezer (–20°C), in an amber glass container, under nitrogen. Stable for 24 months. At room temperature, degrades in weeks. Once opened, use within 3 months (keep cold, sealed, dark).

Q6: Can I use tretinoin while pregnant?

A: No - not recommended. Topical tretinoin has low systemic absorption, but the medical consensus is to avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to teratogenicity concerns. Use azelaic acid or bakuchiol instead.

Q7: What's the difference between tretinoin and isotretinoin?

A: Tretinoin is topical (cream/gel). Isotretinoin is oral (Accutane) - for severe cystic acne, with significant side effects. Isotretinoin is 13‑cis retinoic acid; tretinoin is all‑trans. Do not confuse them.

Q8: Why does my tretinoin cream turn yellow?

A: It's degrading. Tretinoin creams should be stored in original tubes (opaque, aluminum) at room temperature. If the cream turns yellow/orange, it's lost potency and may be more irritating. Discard it.

Q9: How long does it take to see results from tretinoin?

A: Acne: 6–8 weeks (initial "purge" weeks 2–4 is common). Photoaging: 3–6 months. Melasma: 4–8 weeks with combination therapy. Maximum benefit: 6–12 months.

Q10: Is tretinoin vegan?

A: Yes - it's synthetic. No animal products involved in synthesis. (Animal testing for pharmaceutical approval is a separate regulatory matter.)

Q11: Can I use tretinoin with vitamin C (L‑ascorbic acid)?

A: Yes - but at different times of day (tretinoin PM, vitamin C AM). They have different pH requirements. Using them together can degrade both, and both are irritating.

Q12: Why is MOQ only 100g?

A: Tretinoin is a high‑potency active used at 0.01–0.1% in formulations. 100g of pure tretinoin can make 100–1000 kg of finished cream. For most buyers, 1 kg is a multi‑year supply. We offer smaller MOQ to serve compounding pharmacies and specialty manufacturers.

Test Item	Specification (USP)	Test Result	Conclusion
Appearance	Yellow to orange-yellow crystalline powder	Conforms	Pass
Assay (HPLC)	98.0% – 102.0%	99.4%	Pass
Isomer Purity (all‑trans)	≥98.0%	99.1%	Pass
13‑cis Retinoic Acid	≤2.0%	0.6%	Pass
Heavy Metals (as Pb)	≤20 ppm	<2 ppm	Pass
Lead (Pb)	≤2 ppm	<0.5 ppm	Pass
Loss on Drying	≤0.5%	0.2%	Pass
Total Plate Count	≤100 cfu/g	<10 cfu/g	Pass
E. Coli / Salmonella	Negative	Negative	Pass

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