Possible side effects of Tretinoin?

Tretinoin’s most common side effects include mild peeling and dry skin and occasionally redness and irritation– which usually occur in the first few weeks of treatment, while your skin adjusts to this ingredient’s powerful properties.

There’s also a chance of purging too, which is where the increase in cell turnover can cause further temporary blocking of the pores you’re trying to unblock. This can appear as a few more blackheads, whiteheads or bigger, red spots that can take a few weeks to clear up again. While it can feel as though the treatment is making your skin worse, purging is actually a normal process in clearing your skin – a bit like a spring clean.

Tretinoin also increases your skin’s sensitivity to the sunshine, so it’s super important to apply your SPF (of at least 30) every morning. Tretinoin can potentially be harmful to an unborn or breastfeeding baby and must be avoided during this time.

For further advice please see our “What is purging and will this happen to me?” FAQ here.