Retinol is one of the most effective ingredients for treating acne, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and improving skin tone and smoothness. It also helps boost collagen production in the skin, so is a great ingredient for anti-ageing skincare. However, it’s important to use retinol as instructed by your dermatologist or doctor and remember that results can take a few months.
Tretinoin is a prescription only product in the UK, which means that you’ll need to visit your GP or a dermatologist before you can start using it. If you have a problem getting to a dermatologist (and this is understandable as they are always fully booked), some online dermatologist services can help. However, these typically require an extensive digital consultation with a qualified dermatologist before they can prescribe tretinoin.
When you get a prescription for tretinoin cream uk, your dermatologist will advise that you start off with a low percentage prescription such as 0.0015%, then increase the strength slowly. They will also recommend that you remove exfoliants from your skincare routine, use the ’sandwich’ method to apply your tretinoin and follow with a gentle moisturiser. It’s also recommended that you use a high SPF sunscreen as tretinoin can make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
You can buy tretinoin in the UK through an online pharmacy called UK Meds. Their online consultation asks you all the questions that your doctor or dermatologist would, which allows them to check whether tretinoin is right for you. If it is, they will send you a prescription and you can then purchase the medication from their website. They will also advise you that you should wash your hands thoroughly before applying tretinoin so as not to transfer any bacteria onto your face. tretinoin cream uk