Tretinoin

[Enigma54]

For those of you who use tretinoin, where do you purchase it from please?

I have melasma which I want to try and tackle ( not easy!) but don’t want to commit to a monthly subscription ( yet)

I’ve seen that it can be bought from various online pharmacies, so just wondered which one might be best?

Am also aware that Tret works in partnership with hydroquinone for melasma. Maybe I would be better off with an online dermatologist?

Thanks.

Seems a bargain, Is it the real deal do you think? No nasties?

It most definitely is. I get 0.0025% tretinoin. Tretinoin is cheap to make, but as it needs a prescription in the uk, for cosmetic reasons it's always expensive especially from subscription services. This way you're buying without a prescription which is why it's a lot cheaper.

You'll need to read up properly on how it should be applied properly first

Yes it does seem expensive via the prescription route, but I suppose you have that reassurance that it’s the real deal and the prescribing pharmacists etc can see your skin and prescribe the correct strength accordingly. Definitely needs reading up on, I agree. I’d like to give it a go, without destroying my skin in the process .

@staringatthesun can you still by it over the counter in Spain? I thought I saw on here that they don't do it anymore.

@staringatthesun can you still by it over the counter in Spain? I thought I saw on here that they don't do it anymore.

I got mine from Boots online. No subscription, just buy as needed.

@MarkSteve thanks for sharing. Yes it’s either sign up with an online dermatologist or buy a one off tube from one of the many suppliers and just be extra careful when using. I’m going to look at some you tube vids later and research each of the online dermatologists. It seems Skin and Me, Dermatica and Uncouth are the hot favourites. Plus some of the fab Mumsnetters have kindly shared their discount codes. My melasma is pretty stubborn ( had it 4 years) so chances are, I will need another product alongside tretinoin to treat it. In which case, subscribing to one of the 3 might be helpful.

Yes just had a look and they are out of stock.

I had to google but I think Renew and Me is more for older ladies 😱😱
I am not THAT old!
I use the Medik8 range, so Vit C serum in the mornings, followed by the SPF 50 moisturiser.
At night, the Renew and Me tret then the Medik8 nighttime moisturiser which is lovely.
My face is definitely much better. I’ve never been THAT bothered about it, in that I have always gone out without makeup if I can’t be bothered and quite a few people have commented on how much it has improved.

I started on the lowest dose, twice weekly and worked up from there. It has completely gone.
@lindyloo57I have never had a problem buying it, and bought some very recently from a pharmacy in the Canaries and my DD bought some back from Valencia last week.

I have been using Skin and Me for coming up on a yearly. My skin is definitely better, but I can only tolerate a small dose. I'm quite scared of buying it neat! This thread is an interesting read. I might give it a go.
Here's my code if anyone wants it.
https://www.skinandme.com/?promocode=CLAIREP5DDM

My DD is off to lanzarote next week, can it be brought over the counter there?

Definitely worth checking out? My DD is off to Majorca soon too. Maybe she can get it there?

I’ve been using Skin and Me for about 6 weeks and the other day eyebrow lady complimented my skin, said it was very dewy looking. At 58 and menopausal that’s pretty amazing.

@Overtheatlantic are you using tretinoin?

Skin and me is a tretinoin prescription subscription.

3 years ago I brought some in menorca, but haven't been away since, so not sure if it's still available, but DD said she will ask when she's away.

I've been buying it from Spain for years. Never had a problem. Pharmacies aren't allowed to advertise it now, so I email the pharmacy and they send details of what they have, I choose, order and pay.

Had a poor experience with Skin + me, so I much prefer to use a pharmacy.

@Riverpaddling can up share what happened with skin and me? ( no worries if not) I haven’t decided what to do yet and each day this blasted melasma is worsening 🤬

Ah can you still buy it in Spanish pharmacies? I thought that had changed for some reason.

Of course. I just didn't like the way they claimed that your treatment was personalised. One of my DC and I both signed up at the same time. Completely opposite skin types, concerns and, obviously, ages. Yet we were both given identical 'prescriptions', which actually didn't suit either of us.

We were in Turkey at Easter and my friend bought it in the local pharmacy . 14 euro .

Ah I see. Yes hardly personalised prescriptions I agree. Wonder if they are all like that?

I’ve bought a tube of hydroquinone and tretinoin from pharmasonline. I’m going to look through some you tube videos to see how best to use them. I might sign up to Uncouth, not sure yet.