Topical retinoids have been an important therapy used in the treatment of acne. However, retinoids often have adverse effects that range from mild to moderate local irritation. Retinyl retinoate is a member of a new generation of well-tolerated synthetic retinoids used as a topical retinoid treatment. To assess retinyl retinoate 0.05% for acne vulgaris therapy, fifteen female patients with mild to moderate facial acne prevalence were included in a double- blind, placebo-controlled, split-face trial for 8 weeks by investigators and measurement of sebum amount. In addition, retinyl retinoate was measured in anti-bacterial efficacy by an agar plate diffusion assay. Retinyl retinoate showed a significant decrease in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, and in sebum amount at 8 weeks (P < 0.05). The application of retinyl retinoate is effective and no local side effects for acne lesions. Retinyl retinoate had somewhat anti-bacterial activity against Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). These results indicate that retinyl retinoate can be used as treatment for mild acne or could potentiate the efficiency of an additive anti-acne agent. Retinyl retinoate is possible to be suggested as a topical anti-acne treatment with excellent tolerance.