[Product Question] Retin-A 0.025% ingredients

Hi everyone! I just received my first prescription strength retinol which I'm excited for. HOWEVER, upon looking at the ingredients it seems like they suck, beyond the tretinoin there's stearic acid (a possible comedogenic) isopropyl myristate (irritant and comedogenic), polyoxyl 40 stearate, stearyl alcohol (possible irritant and comedogenic), xanthan gum, sorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, and purified water. No ingredients for reducing inflammation or soothing skin. I'm surprised as tretinoin is so irritating just by itself. Are there any alternatives? So far my skin is tolerating it but I tend to wake up with white heads which doesn't normally happen. I was going to buy licorice root extract to use with it but read that they don't interact well. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!