Tretinoin is a skincare savior that’s been proven to treat acne, increase collagen, reduce hyperpigmentation and decrease pore visibility. It also takes a bit of time to work but can be effective with regular use.

Traditionally, a dermatologist will prescribe it but, you can also get Tretinoin UK online by going through a digital consultation with UK Meds.

Prescription Only

Tretinoin is only available on prescription from your doctor or dermatologist. You can also buy it through telemedicine companies that offer virtual consultations and then deliver the medication to your home. Be sure to talk to your GP or dermatologist about the benefits and risks of tretinoin before you purchase it. It’s important to tell them about any other medications you are taking and any sun exposure you experience. It’s also important to mention whether you are breastfeeding or plan on becoming pregnant in the future.

You can also talk to your GP or dermatologist about starting with a higher concentration retinoic acid like tretinoin cream before moving up to a prescription medication. This allows your skin to slowly adjust to this active ingredient. You might also want to ask about the infamous ’purge’ which is a period of inflamed, flaking dry skin that occurs post-application. This is a normal reaction to an increase in the skin cell turnover rate.

In Person Clinics

If you have sensitive skin, then your dermatologist may prescribe Tretinoin in a cream or gel form. Aesthetic clinics often provide Tretinoin and may be able to deliver it to your home for an additional fee.

When applied in the right way, tretinoin can help with pigmentation, texture and uneven skin tone that often follow acne breakouts. It’s an ingredient that helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, too.

Tretinoin can also be taken with certain anticoagulants (blood thinners) to help prevent clots from forming in the bloodstream. The most common clots are in the veins, but they can also form in the arteries and can be life-threatening.

You should not use tretinoin if you are pregnant or might become pregnant, as it can cause birth defects in the baby. You should also not use it if you are breastfeeding, as the medication can pass through breast milk to the baby. You should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking, as some may interact with it.

Online Dermatologist Services

Whether you don’t have insurance that covers trips to the dermatologist or just want to save time, there are now legitimate online services that assesses you remotely and can provide you with a script for Tretinoin. These telehealth companies like Push Doctor and Dermatica will provide you with their own formulation of prescription skincare products including tretinoin cream (usually formulated with Clindamycin) for a fee which includes the consultation, product and delivery.

Retinoids like tretinoin are powerful treatments that work to improve fine lines and unclog pores. They increase skin cell turnover, boost collagen production and reduce pigmentation. However, they can take a while to kick in as your body gets used to the ingredient. WH spoke to dermatologists Dr Elif Benar and Dr Catriona Maybury about the ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ of this super active ingredient.

Telemedicine Companies

With a growing number of telemedicine companies, tretinoin has become more accessible than ever. These startups, like Nurx, Apostrophe, Ro Derm (formerly Rory), Hers, Hims, Curology and Agency are making it easy to obtain a prescription for the acne-fighting ingredient.

Some of these e-commerce beauty brands are even tapping into the legions of skinfluencers on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to spread the word about their products. Influencers, including Palermino and Narte, have sponsored content with Apostrophe and Nurx, promoting their tretinoin offerings to their audiences.

Musely, a 4-year-old website that mimics Reddit for beauty tips, has also recently launched its own dermatology telemedicine company called Face Rx, which sells skin-care ingredients such as hydroquinone and tretinoin. Its marketing campaigns target younger and older women with different imagery and copy to appeal to both groups. The e-commerce site is currently running a trial program for tretinoin that will last until the end of the year. Customers can apply to participate by filling out a free telemedicine consultation online.