Is tretinoin over the counter (OTC)?

Table of Content:
What is tretinoin? | Can you get tretinoin over-the-counter? | How to get tretinoin? | How to get a tretinoin prescription? | Can you buy it online? Benefits | Brand names | Alternatives | FAQ

You probably have heard a lot about tretinoin as it is one of the most sought-after ingredients in the skin care industry due to its many benefits. But, can tretinoin be bought over the counter or does it require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider?

With this article you will get a clear understanding of what tretinoin is and what steps you need to take in order to obtain it. You will also learn more about its benefits, side effects, special considerations you need to take when using this medication and some alternatives to tretinoin.

What is tretinoin?

Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative from the family of topical retinoids, and a popular treatment for acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and other skin conditions¹. 

Tretinoin (also known as retinoic acid) is 20 times more potent than retinol, as retinoic acid acts directly on the skin, boosting cell renewal, turnover, and DNA damage repair². 

Multiple studies show that tretinoin is very efficient in the treatment of sun damage (photoaging), smoothens out wrinkles, evens skin tone, and makes the skin look firmer by increasing collagen production³. 

Can you get tretinoin over the counter (OTC)?

Unfortunately, not. You cannot buy tretinoin creams and gels over the counter. Tretinoin can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription.

So, how to get tretinoin? 

To get a tretinoin you need a prescription from a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional. You can get it by visiting your doctor or via online photo-based dermatology consultation. A provider will review your case and prescribe you a prescription for tretinoin or another acne medication they find more suitable (such as spironolactone or clindamycin).

Interested in getting tretinoin? Request a tretinoin prescription.

How to get a prescription for tretinoin online?

A prescription for tretinoin cannot just be ordered online. To get a prescription for tretinoin, you must have a medical consultation. You don’t have to wait for days or weeks for an appointment with your doctor just to ask for a prescription. You can book an online dermatology consultation, where a provider will review your case within 2 days and get you a prescription for tretinoin if needed.

Can you buy tretinoin online?

Yes and no. You cannot buy tretinoin off-the-shelf from an online pharmacy, but what you can do instead is get an online consultation and if your provider thinks it’s suitable for you, you can then get a prescription for tretinoin and pick it up at your local pharmacy.

Do you want to know more about tretinoin?

Benefits of Tretinoin

• Promotes a healthy flow of sebum
• Unclogs pores and reduces acne breakouts 
• Smoothes skin
• Minimizes pores by getting rid of dead skin cells
• Improves the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by promoting cellular turnover
• Lightens dark spots 
• Smooths hard skin patches ⁴  

Brand names of tretinoin

• Atralin
• Avita
• Refissa
• Renova
• Retin-A
• Retin-A Micro
• Tretin-X

FAQ about tretinoin

Should I take any precautions when using tretinoin?

Tretinoin is considered teratogenic, so you should let your healthcare provider know if you want to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding because it may cause harm to the fetus ^5 6 . You and your provider can discuss contraception methods when using this medication.

How to deal with the side-effects of tretinoin?

Tretinoin may cause unwanted side effects including redness, irritation, burning or stinging, click on the link to learn more about the so-called tretinoin purge. 

What are some tretinoin alternatives?

Topical retinoids such as tazarotene and trifarotene can be used as an alternative to tretinoin, however just like tretinoin, these medications are only sold with a doctor’s prescription. Adapalene can be sold with or without prescription depending on the product’s concentration.

Adapalene (Differin):

Adapalene is a third-generation retinoid that can be bought with a prescription or as an over-the-counter treatment depending on its strength. Adapalene was developed to minimize the side effects that Tretinoin causes⁷. 

Adapalene is believed to be as efficient as tretinoin against acne but less irritating and, therefore, better tolerated than Tretinoin^8 9 .  

Tazarotene  (Tazorac) 

Tazarotene is a topical prescription medication used to treat acne, photoaging, and psoriasis. Studies show that tretinoin and tazarotene are equally efficient at treating acne, hyperpigmentation, skin roughness, fine wrinkles and photoaging ^{10 11 12}. However, tazarotene is a bit more expensive in the U.S. than tretinoin.

Trifarotene (Aklief) 

Trifarotene is a fourth generation retinoid, and clinical trials show that it s efficient, well tolerated, and safe in the treatment of acne vulgaris; it has demonstrated great results with mild side effects¹³. 

The takeaway

Tretinoin is not available over the counter in most countries, including the United States. It is a topical prescription medication used to treat acne, anti aging, and other skin conditions. 

Tretinoin is a potent medication that should be used under medical supervision and it is important to exercise caution when using it. If you are interested in using tretinoin, click on the “Request Consultation” so a medical professional can determine whether tretinoin is right for you.

Article References:

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/
5 https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/517/fetal-retinoid-syndrome
6 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26897386/
7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482509/
8 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11843231/
9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482509/
10 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557478/
11 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10898831/
12 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/478614
13 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7996910/