Tretinoin topical cream dosage: A detailed guide

Tretinoin topical cream is a generic version of the brand-name drugs Retin-A, Renova, and Avita. Tretinoin also comes in forms taken by mouth, a lotion, and a gel. But those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

This article describes tretinoin topical cream’s dosage, its strengths, and details on how to apply it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for tretinoin.

If you want to know more about tretinoin topical cream, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Form and strengths of tretinoin

Tretinoin topical cream comes as follows:

• Form: cream that you apply to your skin
• Strengths: cream with 0.025%, 0.05%, or 0.1% tretinoin

Dosage of tretinoin

This article describes the recommended dosages* for tretinoin topical cream.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should use the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of tretinoin topical cream without your doctor’s recommendation.

* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages.

Usual recommended dosage of tretinoin in adults

In adults, doctors usually start by prescribing a low dosage of tretinoin topical cream. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of tretinoin topical cream that gives the desired outcome.

Dosage for acne

• Dose: half-inch strip of cream or enough to lightly cover the area that has acne*
• Frequency: once per day at bedtime†

* See the “How tretinoin is applied” section below for more details on applying this cream.
† Some people have side effects from tretinoin, such as painful stinging or burning. In these cases, doctors might decrease the frequency to once every 2 days at bedtime.

Dosage of tretinoin in children

Tretinoin cream is approved to treat acne in children ages 12 years and older. Children’s dosage is the same as the adult dosage, as follows:

• Dose: half-inch strip of cream or enough to lightly cover the area that has acne*
• Frequency: once per day at bedtime†

* See the “How tretinoin is applied” section below for more details on applying this cream.
† Some children have side effects from tretinoin, such as painful stinging or burning. In these cases, doctors might decrease the frequency to once every 2 days at bedtime.

Dosage adjustments for tretinoin

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of tretinoin topical cream based on several factors. These include:

• the severity of the condition being treated
• other health conditions you may have
• how your skin responds to the cream

Missed dose of tretinoin

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to apply a dose of tretinoin topical cream. They may advise you to apply the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and apply your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of tretinoin topical cream and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about tretinoin topical cream and its dosage.

Can tretinoin topical cream be used for wrinkles?

Sometimes it can be used for this. Certain brands and specific strengths of tretinoin cream are used to reduce fine lines on the face.

If tretinoin topical cream is used for wrinkles, it’s used along with other products. These include skin treatments, sunscreen, and clothing that blocks the sun.

Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about this use of tretinoin topical cream.

Is tretinoin used long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe tretinoin topical cream as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should use tretinoin topical cream, talk with your doctor.

How tretinoin is applied

Tretinoin topical cream is applied to the area of your skin with acne. You’ll use it once per day at bedtime.

It’s important to wash the area being treated with a mild soap before applying tretinoin. Gently dry the skin and wait 20 to 30 minutes before applying the medication. This is to make sure that your skin is completely dry before using tretinoin.

To apply tretinoin to your face, squeeze a half-inch strip (or less) of cream onto your fingertip. Dab a small spot of the cream onto your cheeks, chin, and forehead. Then smooth it over each entire area. Spread the cream away from your eyes, mouth, and nostrils.

Follow the same process of dabbing and smoothing if you’re treating other areas of your body. To treat more than one area, you may need to use additional half-inch strips of cream.

You should apply a thin layer of cream. As you spread it on your skin, it should become invisible right away. If you can still see the cream, you may be applying too much. Try using a little less the next time you apply it.

See the prescribing information for more instructions on how to apply tretinoin topical cream.

Keep the following tips in mind when you use tretinoin topical cream:

• You may be more sensitive to the sun. Be sure to use sunscreen that has a sun protection factor of at least 15 (SPF 15).
• Your acne may seem to worsen for a short time when you start using the cream.
• You may need to use tretinoin cream for at least 6 weeks before your acne improves.
• Don’t stop your dosage unless you talk with your doctor first.
• During your treatment, use a mild soap on the areas you’re treating. And don’t scrub your skin too hard.
• Wash tretinoin off your face before you apply makeup.

Your doctor may advise that you apply this medication around the same time daily at bedtime. Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty using your medication. They can offer recommendations.

Tretinoin coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for tretinoin when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of tretinoin

It’s important that you do not use more tretinoin topical cream than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of tretinoin overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• deepening of skin color
• skin peeling
• pain where you applied the cream

What to do if you use too much tretinoin

If you think you’ve used too much tretinoin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for tretinoin topical cream. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not stop or change your dosage of tretinoin topical cream without your doctor’s recommendation. You should use tretinoin topical cream exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long will the skin irritation from my tretinoin dose last?
• Will a lower tretinoin dosage strength cause fewer side effects?
• When can I expect to see my acne improve after I start tretinoin topical cream?
• Should my tretinoin topical cream dosage change if I start a new medication?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.