Main Navigation

POSTED: 12 Jun 2023

Where to Get Tretinoin Cream or Gel Online in the UK

In the UK, is available by only it is a powerful topical retinoid that needs to be used under medical supervision. This means you cannot buy it over the counter. The only legal way to get it is with a prescription from a doctor or other prescriber. The good news is that you can now get online in the UK. A small number of regulated clinics and offer it for , and . In this post we review the best online for tretinoin cream and gel in the UK. We also compare them with the .

Can You Buy Tretinoin Over the Counter in the UK?

You cannot buy tretinoin over the counter in the UK. It is a medicine. This means you will not find it on the at Boots, Superdrug or any other pharmacy without a . High street shops and beauty retailers can only sell cosmetic retinoids like retinol, which are much weaker than . You may come across offering to sell tretinoin but buying from these is unsafe and not legal in the UK. The only safe and legal way to get tretinoin is with a prescription. This can come from a doctor or other who deems it appropriate for you, either in person or through an online medical clinic.

Best Online Tretinoin Clinics in the UK

There are a number of that offer virtual with a doctor, specialist nurse or pharmacist. As with clinics, these medical can if they it is the right treatment for you. They treat common conditions like , , , rosacea and skin ageing. These companies either provide formulations of in lotion, cream or gel form, or offer or branded products. They then deliver the to your home. Many people want in the UK alongside advice on how to use it safely. For them, a virtual can be a option. Here are 11 of the most popular telemedicine in the UK that offer virtual and can send tretinoin to you.

#1 City Skin Clinic

personalised and using like , , , , and where . You have the option of either a or with a doctor. They will assess your skin type, concerns and goals, then design a treatment plan. This may include tretinoin gel or cream, either alone or compounded with other . The same doctor will then your progress throughout your journey, and you can reach out to them at any time by email. We deliver treatments directly to patients. All face treatments usually last 3 months, and your doctor will work with you to adjust the composition of your next formula based on your progress. This is not a subscription service, so patients refills when they are ready.

skincare

#2 Skin+Me

is a that offers skin assessments using an online form. This is then by one of their doctors, nurses or pharmacists. They their own brand of that may include tretinoin and other prescription ingredients. After completing an online assessment, a plan for their skin concerns. The products are then delivered to their door.

#3 Dermatica

is another skincare that offers online form skin assessments by their practitioners. This may be one of their doctors, nurses or . If they find it for you, they will their own formulation of that may include . You complete a virtual assessment on their website and their team reviews your case and recommends a treatment. They then the products to your door.

#4 Zava

is a telemedicine that offers virtual skin assessments using an online form which their doctors then review. They a range of products for acne and . This includes generic tretinoin with antibiotics (Treclin) that you can order through their website. They will then deliver the products directly to your home.

#5 MedExpress

is an online pharmacy that provides acne treatments including topical with (e.g. Treclin gel). They offer online form skin assessments which their prescribers (doctors or pharmacists) then review. If your is approved, you can order their treatments through their website. The are delivered to your designated address.

#6 Chemist4U (Formerly Doctor4U)

is another online acne . They tretinoin formulated with . To access their service, you complete an online questionnaire which their healthcare providers (mainly pharmacists) will then review. If approved, you can order the recommended products through their website and they will deliver them to you.

#7 Push Doctor

is a well-established telemedicine that offers video consultations with GPs through their app. They treat a variety of including acne. If they feel tretinoin is appropriate for you, they will issue a prescription which you can pay for and collect from a . For more cases, they may refer you to a .

#8 The Online Clinic

is a telehealth platform that offers which their then review. They treat a number of skin including and acne. Based on the online consultation, they may skincare like (alone or with clindamycin) and pigmanorm. This is for a fee that includes the consultation, prescription and medication. They then deliver the products to you from their .

#9-11 The New Comers

Since we first wrote this post, a number of new skincare offering have come up. We have grouped these here as they offer a very similar service to Skin+Me and Dermatica but with a slight twist. These include (now as ), which is owned by Skin+Me and aims to target "middle-life" women. is another service that targets the luxury skincare market. Last but not least, is a custom skincare aimed at a younger demographic. As these target different markets, they generally have slightly different subscription costs and frequencies.

When it comes to where to get online in the UK, most services fall into three categories. These are platforms, virtual pharmacies and online skin . Subscription tend to be easier and relatively cheaper to access, though the extent of can be depending on the . Virtual pharmacies usually prescribe standard tretinoin-antibiotic only, so they have fewer options. Online doctor-led tend to offer great personalisation and but may be less accessible. The best option depends on your in terms of convenience, cost or .

How to Get Tretinoin in Person in the UK

Unlike isotretinoin (Roaccutane) or adapalene, is generally not available through the NHS. As such, most people would need to see a dermatologist, doctor or GP. The doctor then provides you with a prescription which you can take to the pharmacy to buy or branded tretinoin. This may or may not contain other ingredients such as . There are also pharmacies with walk-in clinics where you can access a with an on-site doctor and obtain a prescription for tretinoin. Again, this is usually for generic tretinoin creams. Some aesthetic clinics also provide cream or gel for mild acne, and photo-ageing. This is usually using brand names like . You would normally have a consultation in the clinic, then either return to pick up your or arrange delivery for an extra fee.

Why Isn’t Tretinoin Available Over the Counter in the UK?

Tretinoin is a potent that needs medical supervision to use safely. That is why the MHRA classes it as a . It can cause irritation, and sun sensitivity, and it is not safe in or . For these reasons it is not licensed for sale as a cosmetic, unlike weaker over-the-counter retinols. is also not as widely available here as it is in countries like the United States. There it is still prescription only, though more commonly prescribed. On top of this, the NHS rarely prescribes for like or . As a result, most people in the UK access it privately through a clinic or an online service.

What Strength of Tretinoin Cream Should You Use?

Standard, off-the-shelf tretinoin comes in a few fixed . Creams are usually 0.025%, 0.05% or 0.1%, whilst the main standard gel comes as 0.05%. These are the you get with or branded like Tretinoina, Retirides or Obagi. offer greater flexibility as the can tailor the exact strength and base to each . In formulas, can be formulated from 0.001% to 0.1%. These can contain tretinoin by itself or it with other actives in a single cream or gel.

The right on your skin type, your concern and how well your skin tolerates treatment. Most people start on tretinoin 0.025% or lower to let the skin adjust and permit regular use. It is then possible to build up strength gradually if needed. This is something your will decide with you, rather than a one-size-fits-all choice. The base too. Tretinoin gels tend to suit oilier or skin, whereas creams work better for drier or more skin.

When which to use, first consider the type of medical you are comfortable with as this will form the of your journey. Then look at factors like type of offered, price, customer quality and .

At City Skin Clinic, we believe that skincare is personal and should always centre around your needs. Our doctors offer safe and custom treatments for , , and using ingredients like in cream or gel formulas where appropriate. To start your plan, with one of our doctors or use our . The journey towards great skin starts here.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always a medical for any health concerns or questions you might have.

What is Tretinoin?

Why is Tretinoin a Prescription-Only Medicine?

Can You Buy Tretinoin at Boots?

Is Tretinoin Available on the NHS?

Where Can I Legally Buy Tretinoin Online in the UK?

Is Getting Tretinoin Online as Safe as Seeing a Private GP or Dermatologist in Person?

Can I Get Tretinoin Without Antibiotics Online?

How Long Does Tretinoin Take to Work?

by:

Please select all the ways you would like to hear from us:

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information About Laser Hair Removal for Men our practices, please visit our .

We use as our marketing . By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.

SKINCARE 11 March 2024

CULTUREHEALTHSKINCARE 10 July 2023

Connect with us

The journey to great skin starts here. Start your online consultation for prescription-strength skincare.

Supported methods

Follow us

Copyright © 2026 City Skin Clinic - City Skin Clinic and The Modern Salon brought to you by Ltd. registered in England No. .