Tretinoin is a form of topical retinoic acid (which is derived from vitamin A). It helps reduce acne, fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture.
You can purchase it through telemedicine companies in the UK who offer virtual consultations with dermatologists. These firms offer their own formulations of the medication and ship it directly to your home.
Tretinoin Creams
Tretinoin is a topical prescription skincare ingredient which helps to unblock pores, reduce inflammation and improve skin texture. It also fades sun spots, hyperpigmentation and melasma making it a key ingredient for treating acne-prone skin and aging concerns.
Tretinoin can be a bit tricky to introduce into your routine if you have certain underlying skin conditions like rosacea. If you do, make sure that the inflammation is controlled before you start using it – otherwise you might experience dry irritated skin.
Wash your face with a non-irritating cleanser and pat it dry before applying tretinoin. A pea-sized amount should be sufficient for your entire face. Always apply it in the evening before going to sleep, and avoid areas around the eyes and mouth. Follow your dermatologist’s instructions for introducing it to your regimen.
Skin+Me
Founded in 2018, Skin+Me is an online dermatology service that provides skincare prescriptions and treatments from the comfort of customers’ homes. It offers a direct-to-consumer (D2C) skincare platform and treatment creams that are custom-formulated by a team of experts for each individual customer’s needs.
You share your concerns, answer a few questions and then upload bare faced selfies, which are assessed by the dermatologists at Skin+Me. From there, you get a personalised skincare solution that contains the exact ingredients that will help you reach your goals – delivered to your door each month!
Tretinoin accelerates new skin cell growth and speeds up the removal of dead cells that can block pores. It also helps to repair sun-damaged cells and boosts the production of collagen, and reduces discolouration and inflammation.
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Tretinoin is a powerful treatment, but it can also be extremely irritating. If you’re looking for a way to try it without the irritation, there are a few options. One option is to use a telemedicine startup that offers virtual consultations with a dermatologist or specialist nurse who can prescribe it for you.
They’ll design a plan for you that tells you what strength to start with, how often to apply it and when you can increase the frequency and concentration. They’ll also give you personalised instructions on how to avoid irritation and side effects.
Another option is to buy tretinoin from an online pharmacy. For example, HighstreetPharma is a trusted source that provides prescription medicines at lower prices. They’re able to offer better prices because they don’t have the same overhead costs as traditional pharmacies.
Dermatica
Created by Dwayne D’Souza (a former VP of algorithmic trading at JP Morgan) and medical director Dr Natalia Spierings, Dermatica is the UK’s first online dermatologist service. It’s a bit like a doctor-on-demand, where you request help with things such as acne, ageing skin, sun damage or problematic moles, and then a team of dermatologists and pharmacists formulate a bespoke treatment to tackle your concerns.
Your prescription is then delivered to your door, which saves you having to wait weeks for a dermatology appointment or make multiple trips to the pharmacy. It’s a great option for those living rurally, with busy schedules or who have other barriers to accessing skincare treatments. Dr Baldeep recommends starting low and slow with Dermatica, using a small percentage of the compounded formulation at night alongside a good glycolic acid (try Ascorbyl Isotetrapalmitate from The Ordinary or C-Firma by Drunk Elephant). They also advise adding in a vitamin C product to avoid irritation.
SkinCeuticals
SkinCeuticals are a skincare brand founded by skincare scientist Sheldon Pinnell and their products are primarily focused on innovative skincare that can improve your skin’s health. Their focus on skincare science and their commitment to research has established them as a skincare brand that is referred to as professional-grade and that is widely used by dermatologists and other skincare professionals.
One of their most celebrated serums is C E Ferulic, which combines ferulic acid with vitamin C and vitamin E to create an antioxidant cocktail that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This product has a high concentration of 15% L-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) and 1% alpha tocopherol and 0.5% ferulic acid from wheat extract.
Another popular product from SkinCeuticals is Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 which works to restore your skin’s barrier by replenishing ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol. Tretinoin UK