How Long Does Retin-A Take to Work? Plus, 4 More FAQs

For ages, people have looked for ways to slow aging and look younger. The ancient Egyptians bathed in sour milk. Many cultures used lead-based creams to lighten their skin. And urine was a common ingredient in folklore medicine. Thankfully, modern products are more refined (and less smelly).

Retin-A (tretinoin) is a popular topical medicine used for acne, wrinkles, and sun damage. It’s made from vitamin A and is part of a class of medications called retinoids. But does it live up to the hype of people’s expectations?

Here, we’ll discuss five of the most common questions about Retin-A so you can determine if this topical, prescription-only product is worth adding to your skincare routine.

1. How long does it take for Retin-A to work?

If you’ve been prescribed Retin-A, you’re probably hoping that you can rid yourself of wrinkles or acne right away. But it’s important to give it a chance to start working. And the speed at which it works depends on what you’re using it for.

Acne

You can start to see acne improvements within 2 to 3 weeks of starting Retin-A. But it may take 6 to 12 weeks (up to 3 months) of regular use to see the full benefits. 

It’s not always a straightforward path, either. You may actually notice a temporary increase in acne after 3 to 6 weeks, known as a skin purge or flare-up. This is just a sign that Retin-A is working deep within your skin to clear out clogged pores. But don’t give up — it’s important that you keep applying it regularly to see the full benefits. The acne should improve.

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Wrinkles and sun damage

Retin-A’s benefits take a little longer to notice for wrinkles, skin discoloration, and other effects caused by sun damage. It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to see improvements in these cases. And it’s not clear how long you should use it for these purposes. One study found Retin-A to be safe for up to 2 years of continued use.

For uses like these, your dermatologist can tell you more about how long you should expect to use Retin-A.

2. What are the benefits of Retin-A?

Retin-A prompts your skin to make new skin cells. These new cells push dead cells to the top of your skin, which improves cell renewal and helps clear out existing acne while preventing new pimples from forming. 

Does Retin-A tighten skin?

Yes, Retin-A may help “tighten” skin. Clinical studies show that it can improve the visible appearance of wrinkles and skin discoloration caused by sun damage. This benefit is seen with Retin-A formulations ranging from 0.025% to 0.1%. 

Sun damage and getting older can decrease the amount of collagen in your skin. Collagen promotes skin thickness, elasticity, and flexibility. In addition to increased skin renewal, Retin-A increases the amount of collagen in your skin.

3. How often should you use Retin-A?

You should apply Retin-A once a day before bedtime. And because it can cause some irritation, your dermatologist may also recommend you start using Retin-A every other day until your skin gets used to it. It’s usually just applied to the face, so don’t use it on other parts of the body unless your dermatologist says you should. And be careful to avoid extra sensitive parts on your face, including around your eyes, nostrils, corners of the nose, and your mouth.

These tips also help enhance Retin-A’s effectiveness:

• Wash your face with mild soap and make sure it’s fully dry before applying Retin-A.

• Use just enough product to cover the affected areas — applying too much will just irritate your skin and waste the product (in turn wasting your money).

• Use a mild moisturize before and/or after Retin-A if your skin is getting irritated. 

And remember — more isn’t always better. Retin-A won’t work any faster with more frequent applications. If you feel like it’s not working, you can always talk to your dermatologist about trying a higher dosage.

4. What are the risks and side effects of Retin-A?

Retin-A causes mostly skin-related side effects, including:

• Excessive redness

• Skin swelling

• Blistering

• Crusting

• Peeling

• Increased or decreased skin coloration

• Increased sensitivity to the sun

Other topical medications that have a strong drying effect — such as those containing alcohol, astringents such as witch hazel, or salicylic acid — can make side effects like these worse. You should only use these products at the direction of your dermatologist. People with eczema may also experience more severe side effects with Retin-A because they already have itchy, dry skin.

There are a few things you can do to minimize the risk of having side effects. Most are related to keeping your skin hydrated and protected from the elements. These include: 

• Wearing sunscreen every day (SPF 30 or higher)

• Wearing protective clothing in the sun, wind, and cold

• Avoiding tanning beds

• Using a non-comedogenic moisturizer every morning and evening

Good to know: It’s normal to feel some skin warmth or slight stinging when you apply Retin-A. If your side effects are happening during the skin flare time period (the first 3 to 6 weeks), they may improve with continued use. But you should talk to your dermatologist if any of the above side effects are bothersome, severe, or last longer than 6 weeks. You may need to stop treatment for a while and restart at a lower dose.

Can you use Retin-A during pregnancy?

No — don’t use Retin-A while you’re pregnant. Isotretinoin (Absorica, Claravis, others), an oral medication in the same family as Retin-A, is associated with birth defects. While the absorption of a topical medication is much lower, it’s still recommended to avoid Retin-A to minimize any risk.

Can Retin-A cause hair loss?

No. Hair loss or hair thinning is a possible side effect of oral retinoids like isotretinoin, but it isn’t a known side effect of the topicals. In fact, topical tretinoin has been studied in combination with topical minoxidil to help increase hair growth.

5. Is tretinoin the same as Retin-A?

Yes. Tretinoin is the generic name for Retin-A. Retin-A comes in a cream in dosages of 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%. It also comes as a gel in dosages of 0.01% and 0.025%. There is also another brand of Retin-A called Retin-A Micro. It comes as a gel in dosages ranging from 0.04% to 0.1%. Retin-A Micro releases tretinoin more slowly into the skin to help decrease side effects.

Retin-A is technically only FDA approved for acne. Other tretinoin brands approved for acne include Altreno, Atralin, and Retin-A Micro. Renova is the only brand of tretinoin cream that is approved to treat wrinkles caused by sun damage. Even though Retin-A isn’t officially approved for wrinkles, it’s often used off-label for this purpose.

Based on your preferences and insurance coverage status, your dermatologist can help you decide which version of tretinoin would be best for you.

How to save on your Retin-A prescription

There are ways to save on Retin-A, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx may help you save up to 85% off the average retail price of tretinoin. Generic Retin-A cream may be as low as $32.00 with a free GoodRx discount. The brand-name version may be as low as $32.00.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Retin-A’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Rachel Feaster, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS

Rachel Feaster has over 10 years of professional experience in ambulatory, inpatient, pharmacogenomics, and oncology care. She is board certified in oncology and pharmacotherapy.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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