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 .

I was in the exact same boat, really didn’t want to be tied into a monthly subscription just to try something out. I ended up using an online pharmacy that just does a straightforward one-off consultation. I just filled out a quick form and sent a photo, and a real doctor reviewed it. It felt much less pushy than the subscription services.
I’ve been using it for fine lines rather than melasma, but the difference is noticeable. My skin is definitely smoother and the texture is so much better. I didn’t combine it with hydroquinone so I can’t speak to that, but tret on its own has been brilliant. A single tube lasts for ages because you only need a tiny pea sized amount.
I paid about twenty pounds for a tube that has lasted me nearly four months. Definitely worth doing a proper online consultation rather than taking a gamble on dodgy imports. Good luck tackling the melasma. It’s a stubborn thing but tret is a solid place to start.

@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?