Tretinoin cream

In Aotearoa New Zealand, tretinoin is available as a cream in 3 different strengths 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1%. The only funded product is the ReTrieve® 0.05% strength which has 500 micrograms of tretinoin in each 1g of cream.

• Timing: apply the cream once a day before you go to bed. When you first start using it you'll need to have a starting plan. See below for a guide on how to start using the cream.
• Wash the area you are treating with a mild cleanser and pat dry. Don’t mix the cream with anything else. Just apply the cream at night and don’t put anything else on top of it such as a moisturiser. This can prevent the cream from working.
• Apply the cream in a thin layer and massage in gently. Then wash your hands well, tretinoin can sting if it gets into your eyes.
• Don’t apply tretinoin cream to the skin around your eyes, mouth, lips or folds around your nose.
• When you first start using tretinoin, the amount you use is slowly increased to reduce any redness and irritation to the skin. The usual starting plan is to apply the cream in a thin layer to the affected area for the following amount of time before washing off:

If your skin isn’t red and irritated the day after leaving the cream on for 2 hours, then from the next night onwards you can leave the cream on overnight before washing off in the morning.

• If you do have redness and irritation as you are increasing the time up to 2 hours then your healthcare provider may change how often or how long you apply the cream for.
• Always use your tretinoin cream exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much tretinoin to use, how often to use it and any special instructions.
• Missed dose: If you forget to apply the cream and it’s no longer nighttime, skip using the cream and wait until the next night to use it.

Here are some things to know when you're using tretinoin cream. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

• Sun: The area you’re using the cream on is more likely to get sunburn so protect the area(s) of skin from the sun, even on a bright but cloudy day. Wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30+ strength regularly when you’re out in the sun. Don’t use sunbeds.
• Other medicines: Some medicines, especially those that increase your sensitivity to the sun, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori can interfere with tretinoin cream and how it works so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new products.
• Skincare: Some skincare products, especially those with peeling agents and alcohol in them, shouldn’t be used at the same time as tretinoin. Don’t use abrasive cleaners or other preparations to treat acne.
• Pregnancy: if you become pregnant stop using the cream and contact your doctor immediately.
• Breastfeeding: talk to your doctor if you would like to start breastfeeding.
• Effectiveness: It may take several weeks for your acne to start getting better and it may get worse before it gets better. You’ll usually continue treatment for 2 months before talking to your healthcare provider if you want to try something else.

Like all medicines, tretinoin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine. 

For more information on side effects, see the Medsafe information for consumers in the ‘more information’ section below.