Rx · Prescription required
Tretinoin
Retin-A® · Renova® · Altreno®
FDA-approved for acne (Retin-A®, Altreno®) and, as Renova® 0.02%, to reduce fine wrinkles, mottled dark spots and roughness from sun damage.
- Drug class
- Topical retinoid
- How it is given
- Cream, gel or lotion, nightly
- Prescription
- Required
- Dispensed by
- DiRx Inc. · licensed pharmacy
FDA status: Retin-A® and the other brand-name versions listed are FDA-approved medicines. Generic versions, where available, are FDA-approved equivalents.
Locked
Pricing is shared after you speak with our team and a licensed doctor approves treatment. Clinics see pricing after account verification.
Important safety information
Tretinoin is a prescription medicine. It is not right for everyone: pregnancy or breastfeeding; eczema-prone or sunburned skin until healed; use with other peeling agents without guidance. Tell your doctor about every condition you have and every medicine and supplement you take.
Common side effects are described below. Stop and seek care for any severe or unexpected reaction. This page is education, not medical advice; your doctor and pharmacist give the instructions for your treatment.
How to get started
- Message us on WhatsApp or call (954) 420-7747.
- Talk with a licensed doctor, who reviews your health history and decides if this medicine is right for you.
- If prescribed, our team shares pricing and a licensed pharmacy fills your order.
Plain-language guide
Tretinoin, explained by our clinical team
What it is
Tretinoin is the original prescription retinoid and still the benchmark. It speeds skin cell turnover, unclogs pores and, over months, rebuilds collagen in sun-damaged skin.
It is strong, so the first weeks bring dryness and peeling that settle as the skin adapts. Sunscreen every day is part of the treatment.
FDA-approved uses
- Acne vulgaris
- Fine facial wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and roughness from photodamage (Renova® 0.02%)
Our doctors prescribe for approved uses. Any other use is a decision made only by your doctor, for you, after evaluation.
How it is taken
Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin at night, starting two or three nights a week and building up. Avoid the eyes, mouth and corners of the nose.
What to expect
Purging and irritation for 2 to 6 weeks, clearer skin by 8 to 12 weeks, and texture and tone improvements over 6 months or more.
Who should not take it
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Eczema-prone or sunburned skin until healed
- Use with other peeling agents without guidance
Questions we hear
Cream, gel or lotion?
Gel for oily skin, cream for dry skin, lotion for sensitive skin — your doctor chooses the vehicle.
Can I use it with vitamin C or acids?
Usually at different times of day; your doctor will set a routine.
Is it the same as retinol?
No. Retinol is a weaker over-the-counter relative.
Real molecular structure
The molecule: Tretinoin
Drag to rotate. Every atom and bond below comes from the public PubChem database of the U.S. National Institutes of Health; nothing is drawn by AI.
- Formula
- C20H28O2
- Molar mass
- 300.4 g/mol
- Heavy atoms
- 22
- PubChem CID
- 444795 ↗
Source: PubChem, National Library of Medicine (public domain).
Watch & learn
Videos: how it works and how it is used
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Dr. Akshay Jain · YouTubeOther treatments
Hydroquinone
Tri-Luma® (with tretinoin and fluocinolone)Prescription-strength 4% hydroquinone is used to lighten dark patches of skin; Tri-Luma® is FDA-approved for moderate to severe melasma of the face.
Price after approval
Doxycycline
Vibramycin® · Doryx® · Oracea®FDA-approved as an adjunct for severe acne, for rosacea (Oracea® 40 mg) and for many bacterial infections.
Price after approval
Semaglutide
Ozempic® · Wegovy® · Rybelsus®FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic®, Rybelsus®) and for chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction in eligible adults (Wegovy®).
Price after approval
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