What is tretinoin used for?

Applied to the skin, tretinoin encourages older surface cells to shed and helps keep pores from becoming blocked. This can reduce new acne spots over time. It may also soften the appearance of fine lines, uneven texture and some dark marks linked with sun exposure, although results vary and take consistent use.

Tretinoin can irritate the skin, especially when treatment begins. Dryness, peeling, redness or stinging may occur. It is different from an instant spot treatment, and using more does not make it work faster.

Use the amount and schedule prescribed, usually on clean, fully dry skin at night. Keep it away from the eyes, lips, nostril creases and broken skin. A gentle cleanser, moisturiser and daily broad-spectrum sunscreen can make treatment easier to tolerate. Do not add exfoliating acids, abrasive scrubs or other irritating acne products without checking first.

Tell the prescriber about sensitive skin, eczema, current medicines and pregnancy or plans to become pregnant so the treatment can be assessed for you.

Contact the prescriber if marked swelling, blistering, severe pain, crusting or a spreading rash develops, or if irritation prevents normal use. Seek urgent help for facial swelling with breathing difficulty. Persistent acne, new pigmentation or worsening discomfort also deserves a review because the diagnosis or plan may need reconsideration.

Ask whether tretinoin is intended for acne, texture, pigmentation or more than one concern; how often to apply it; which products to pause; and what changes should prompt a review.