Skincare · 3 min read ·
Can I get tretinoin in the UK and Ireland?
Tretinoin is prescription-only. How to access it safely and what to expect.
Quick answer: Tretinoin is a prescription-only medicine in the UK and Ireland. It must be prescribed after a consultation with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist prescriber, never bought from unregulated websites.
Why prescription-only
It is powerful, can irritate, and is not suitable in pregnancy.
Getting it safely
See your GP or a clinic working with a qualified prescriber.
The first weeks
Dryness and flaking are common as skin adjusts.
Avoid fakes
Unregulated online sellers may supply counterfeit or wrong-strength products.
Common questions
Is retinol the same?
Retinol is a weaker, non-prescription relative of tretinoin.
More skin tips every week on our socials:
Written by the Skin Deep Aesthetics clinical team, 6 Carlisle Road, Derry. This article is general information, not medical advice. Book a consultation for advice about your own skin.
