Safety informationCompounded Tretinoin (topical)
Compounded Tretinoin (topical)
Important Safety Information · Updated August 2026
Compounded medications are prepared for an individual patient by a state-licensed pharmacy against a licensed clinician’s prescription, as permitted under Section 503A of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Compounded tretinoin is not an FDA-approved product and has not undergone FDA review for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing. Oversight is provided through state pharmacy-board licensure and USP quality standards. A prescription is required; a Conduit-affiliated physician determines whether this medication is appropriate for you.
Warning: do not use during pregnancy
Retinoids as a class are associated with birth defects. Although absorption through the skin is low, tretinoin should not be used while pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using tretinoin, stop and tell your physician.
What tretinoin is used for
Tretinoin is a prescription topical retinoid prescribed, where appropriate, for photoaging (fine wrinkling, uneven texture and pigmentation) and acne. On Conduit, a licensed physician reviews your skin history, sets your formulation and strength, and adjusts your plan at check-ins.
Who should not use tretinoin
- Anyone who is pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.
- Anyone with a prior serious reaction to tretinoin or other retinoids.
- Anyone with severely inflamed, broken, eczematous, or sunburned skin in the treatment area — these usually need to settle first; your physician will advise.
How tretinoin is used
Tretinoin is applied to the skin, typically at night, at the strength and frequency your physician sets — often starting at less than nightly use and increasing as your skin adjusts. Keep it away from the eyes, corners of the nose, mouth, and any broken skin, and wash your hands after applying. Do not use more than directed — a larger amount is more irritating, not more effective.
Sun exposure
Tretinoin increases skin sensitivity to sunlight. Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen is part of the prescription, along with minimizing deliberate sun exposure and avoiding tanning beds entirely. Pause use on sunburned skin until it has fully recovered.
Tell your physician before starting
- All other skincare products you use — particularly exfoliating acids, benzoyl peroxide, and high-strength vitamin C, which can compound irritation.
- Any history of eczema, rosacea, or other chronic skin conditions.
- Planned cosmetic procedures — waxing, chemical peels, or laser treatments require pausing tretinoin first.
- If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.
What to expect, and serious reactions
Mild dryness, flaking, warmth, and a temporary increase in breakouts ("purging") are common in the first weeks and usually settle as skin adjusts. Stop and message your physician if you experience severe redness, swelling, blistering, or crusting; an eczema or rosacea flare; or burning that does not settle between applications. Seek immediate care for signs of a serious allergic reaction such as facial swelling or difficulty breathing.
Reporting side effects
If you experience a medical emergency, call 911. For urgent but non-emergency concerns, message your physician through the Conduit portal — clinical messages are reviewed promptly.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For a plain-language explanation of this medication — how it works, what the trials measured, and what the first months feel like — read the complete guide.
This page summarizes key safety information and is not a complete list of risks or interactions. Your physician reviews your full health history before prescribing and remains available through the Conduit portal throughout your protocol.