Tretinoin is a prescription-only active ingredient that works to speed up skin cell turnover and reduce pigmentation, fine lines and sun damage. It’s most commonly used for acne but can also limit discolouration and improve skin tone, texture and luminosity. “It’s a great way to minimise blemishes and keep the skin healthy,” says dermatologist Alicia Klonoff. “However, it can’t reverse or erase certain things, like deep wrinkles and severe sun damage.”
Alicia recommends that anyone using tretinoin should always get a prescription from a dermatologist and not buy it from unauthorised sources as it can be dangerous to use if you don’t know what you’re doing. She says qualified dermatologists will start you off on a low percentage prescription (which she calls the ‘sandwich method’) and recommend that you cut out exfoliants and stick to a simple, gentle and bland moisturiser – essentially a base layer – before applying tretinoin in the evening.
“When you first start on a retinoid it can make your skin really dry and flaky, but that’s because it’s speeding up the turnover of the cells, getting rid of the old ones and replacing them with new, healthy ones,” she says. “You’ll see a change from three weeks, but it takes a few months to really start to see a significant difference and consistency is key.
If you’re considering a tretinoin uk prescription, our online consultation can help to ensure that the medication is right for your specific needs. Simply fill in our questionnaire and we’ll provide you with a personalised prescription. tretinoin uk