Dr. Benjamin H. Krasne, M.D.
Board-certified physicianBoard-certified in anesthesiology, he reads medications and metabolism with a pharmacologist's eye, which shapes how he doses weight loss and longevity care.
Prescription tretinoin for acne and wrinkles
Tretinoin online for acne and wrinkles
Tretinoin is a prescription vitamin A cream used for acne and fine wrinkles. A licensed clinician picks a starting strength, shows you how to ease in and adjusts as your skin adapts.
- From $39 a month
- Three strengths to choose from
- Free 5–10 minute consultation
Free to book. You pay only if you go ahead with treatment.
$39starting price, per month
Licensed U.S. clinician review
Visit: Phone or video, 5–10 minutes
From $39/motransparent price
5–10 minphone or video
No insuranceneeded
LicensedU.S. clinicians
Why get tretinoin through My IV Doctors
The right starting strength
A licensed clinician reviews your skin goals and history, then picks 0.025%, 0.05% or 0.1% tretinoin to start.
A written starter routine
You get a simple plan for easing in, including how much to apply, how often and why daily sunscreen matters.
Adjustments as you adapt
If dryness or redness lingers, your clinician can change how often you apply it, adjust the strength or switch the base.
Shipped from a U.S. pharmacy
If tretinoin is appropriate, your prescription is filled by a licensed U.S. pharmacy, with follow-up for irritation or questions.
How to get tretinoin online
- 1
Pick a time for your free visit
Choose phone or video. In about 5–10 minutes, a licensed clinician asks about your skin goals, current products and health history.
- 2
Share photos of your skin
Photos of your skin in natural light help your clinician choose a strength and give you a baseline for comparison.
- 3
Start with a low-strength cream
If tretinoin is appropriate, your prescription goes to a licensed U.S. pharmacy. Most people begin with 0.025% a few nights a week.
- 4
Check in and adjust
As your skin adapts, you use it more often. Your clinician can step up the strength if needed and adjust your routine if irritation persists.
Who tretinoin is for
Adults with acne
Blackheads, whiteheads and inflamed spots on the face often improve with tretinoin, alone or alongside other treatments your clinician may suggest.
Fine lines and wrinkles
Used consistently for months, tretinoin can soften fine wrinkles and make skin texture look smoother.
Uneven skin tone or rough texture
Faster cell turnover can help skin look more even over time, though deep or stubborn pigment may need other treatments too.
Pregnant or trying to conceive
Tell your clinician if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tretinoin is generally avoided in pregnancy, and your clinician can suggest alternatives.
Broken, sunburned or eczema-prone skin
Tretinoin should not go on irritated or damaged skin. If you have eczema or very sensitive skin, your clinician may suggest a gentler start or a different option.
Tretinoin vs. retinol
| Feature | Tretinoin | Over-the-counter retinol |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Retinoic acid, a prescription retinoid | A vitamin A ingredient in many creams |
| How it acts | Active as applied | Skin must convert it to retinoic acid |
| Strength | Stronger | Milder |
| Early irritation | Common at first | — |
| Prescription needed | Yes | No |
| Price here | From $39/mo | — |
What is tretinoin?
Tretinoin is a retinoid, a medicine related to vitamin A. Applied to the skin, it speeds up the rate at which skin cells turn over. That helps keep pores from clogging, which is why it is a long-standing acne treatment, and over months it can soften the look of fine wrinkles.
Retinol, the ingredient in many over-the-counter creams, has to be converted by the skin into retinoic acid before it works. Tretinoin is retinoic acid already, so it is stronger, and it needs a prescription. That strength is also why it can irritate skin at first.
MedlinePlus describes topical tretinoin as a treatment for acne that is also used to reduce fine wrinkles. It does not erase wrinkles or fully reverse sun damage. Improvement takes months, and the benefits fade if you stop.
How to use tretinoin: a starter routine
Wash with a mild cleanser at night and let your skin dry completely. Apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin in a thin layer across the face, avoiding the eyes, the corners of the nose and the mouth. Follow with a plain, fragrance-free moisturizer if your skin feels dry.
Start every second or third night for the first couple of weeks, then move toward nightly use as your skin allows. Hold off on other strong actives such as benzoyl peroxide, exfoliating acids or scrubs unless your clinician says otherwise. Each morning, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
- Night only, on clean, dry skin
- Pea-sized amount for the whole face
- Moisturizer at night, sunscreen every morning
Tretinoin results timeline and purging
Acne can look worse during the first week or two before it improves. MedlinePlus notes that improvement usually takes 2 to 3 weeks or longer, and for many people clear changes in acne take a couple of months. Effects on fine lines take longer, often several months of steady use.
Dryness, flaking and redness are common early on. These usually settle as your skin adjusts. If they do not, your clinician can reduce how often you apply it, change the strength or suggest a different base, such as a cream instead of a gel.
Tretinoin side effects and safety
Tretinoin is applied to the skin and is widely used, but it does have side effects. Most are local and related to irritation, and they are usually manageable by adjusting how you use it.
- Dryness, peeling, redness, burning or stinging are common, especially in the first weeks.
- Tretinoin makes skin more sensitive to sun; use sunscreen and protective clothing, and avoid tanning beds and sunlamps.
- Wind and cold may irritate treated skin more than usual.
- Avoid harsh products with alcohol, menthol, spices or lime, and do not combine with other topical acne products unless your clinician agrees.
- Tell your clinician if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Call your clinician for severe itching, rash, hives, swelling or blistering.
Physicians who oversee your care
Independently licensed U.S. physicians supervise every treatment we offer.
Dr. Johnathan Chance Miller, M.D.
PhysicianTrained at Columbia and Washington University, he pairs prescriptions with practical habits around food, training and sleep.
Dr. Vanessa Niles, R.N., M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
OB-GYN, board certifiedAn OB-GYN for more than 40 years and a Fellow of ACOG, she leads women's health care, from perimenopause to PCOS.
Tretinoin FAQs
Still deciding? The first consultation is free and takes about 5–10 minutes.
Book a free consultationWhat is tretinoin used for?
Tretinoin is a prescription retinoid used to treat acne. It is also used to reduce the look of fine wrinkles and improve rough texture over time.
How much does tretinoin cost?
Tretinoin starts at $39 per month. Your first consultation is free, and insurance is not needed. Your clinician confirms your cost before prescribing.
What's the difference between tretinoin and retinol?
Retinol must be converted in the skin into retinoic acid before it works. Tretinoin is already retinoic acid, so it is stronger and needs a prescription, and it is also more likely to irritate.
What strength of tretinoin should I start with?
Most people start at 0.025%. Your clinician may move you to 0.05% or 0.1% after your skin has adjusted, if you need a stronger effect.
Why is my acne worse after starting tretinoin?
Some people see a short flare in the first week or two as clogged pores come to the surface. Keep using it as directed and tell your clinician if it is severe or lasts.
How long does tretinoin take to work?
Acne often starts improving within a few weeks, with clearer changes after a couple of months. Fine lines usually take several months of consistent use.
How do I stop tretinoin peeling and redness?
Apply less often for a while, use a plain moisturizer and avoid scrubs and acids. If irritation continues, your clinician can lower the strength or change the formula.
Do I need sunscreen with tretinoin?
Yes. Tretinoin makes skin more sensitive to sunlight, so daily broad-spectrum sunscreen and protective clothing are important, along with avoiding tanning beds.
Can I use tretinoin while pregnant?
Tell your clinician if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding. Tretinoin is generally avoided in pregnancy, and your clinician can recommend safer options.
Can I use vitamin C or other skincare with tretinoin?
Gentle moisturizers are fine from the start. Wait until your skin has adjusted before adding active products such as vitamin C, and use them in the morning if your clinician agrees.
Is tretinoin safe for darker skin tones?
Yes, it is used across skin tones. A gentle start matters, since irritation can leave dark marks on deeper skin tones, so your clinician may suggest a lower strength and slower build-up.
What happens if I stop using tretinoin?
The improvements gradually fade, because tretinoin only works while you use it. Many people continue long term at a frequency their skin tolerates.
Can I put tretinoin around my eyes?
Keep it out of the eyes and away from the lid margins. If you want to treat fine lines near the eyes, ask your clinician how to do so carefully with a very small amount.
Get tretinoin online with a free consultation
Tretinoin starts from $39 a month, and your first 5–10 minute phone or video visit is free. Book now to get a strength and routine matched to your skin.
Related treatments
References
Medically reviewed October 2026. This page is general information and not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. Read our editorial policy.
$39starting price, per month
Book a free consultation