Tretinoin's Mechanism and Effects

Expected Outcomes and Side Effects

• The American Academy of Dermatology documents that tretinoin normalizes skin cell turnover without altering the sebaceous glands themselves 1
• Tretinoin's actual adverse effects include dry skin, peeling, scaling, and flaking, as well as burning sensation, erythema, and pruritus, according to the American Academy of Dermatology 1
• If a patient reports feeling oilier, evaluate for overapplication of moisturizers or occlusive products being used to combat dryness, as recommended by medical guidelines 2
• Inadequate cleansing due to fear of worsening irritation should also be evaluated, as suggested by the American Academy of Dermatology 1