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Retinoic ointment for acne

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Today, in pharmacies you can find a huge number of various drugs that help to cope with acne. Among them, the most popular are lotions, gels, creams and ointments. All of them have approximately the same mechanism of action. Despite the fact that the pharmaceutical industry is constantly inventing new and new remedies for acne, you should not forget about time-tested drugs. Retinoic ointment is exactly that.

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Indications retinoic ointment for acne

Retinoic ointment is used to treat acne, but it is also often used as an effective remedy for the first wrinkles. This can be explained by the fact that this drug contains vitamin A.

It is worth remembering that retinoic ointment cannot always be used to treat acne. First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that in the summer it can cause pigmentation on the skin. Such a reaction is a consequence of the fact that the active components of the ointment interact with the sun's rays.

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Pharmacodynamics

Retinoic ointment based on the active substance isotretinoin has antiseborrheic, dermatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and keratolytic effects. Retinoic acid is considered a biologically active form of vitamin A, which is involved in the differentiation of skin cells.

The action of this ointment is based on the inhibition of hyperproliferation of the epithelium of the ducts that are in the sebaceous glands. The drug also helps to reduce the formation of sebum on the skin, facilitate its removal, reduce the signs of inflammation that appear near the mouths of the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands. Thanks to this, the regeneration of the skin is enhanced.

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Dosing and administration

Acne treatment is carried out using 0.05% or 0.1% retinoic ointment. However, if there are too many pimples on the skin, the dermatologist may recommend complex therapy, which necessarily includes this remedy. In other cases, so-called monotherapy with only retinoic ointment is possible.

After applying this ointment to the skin, isotretinoin begins to be partially absorbed through the epithelium, and partially penetrates into the deep layers of the skin through the ducts of the sebaceous glands. The retinoid begins to concentrate mainly in the hair follicles, which helps regulate the secretion of sebum. At the same time, it becomes less viscous, and its amount is significantly reduced.

At the same time, there is a decrease in the proliferation or multiplication of cells that are located in the upper layers of the sebaceous glands. Skin peeling is noticeably reduced. Differentiation and maturation of cells in the dermis are significantly accelerated. Due to this, the skin is regenerated, and acne formation is suppressed.

The main feature of retinoic ointment is the fact that it allows you to get rid of the main cause of acne - increased sebum production. For acne therapy, the following treatment regimen is usually used: a small amount of ointment is applied only to areas of skin with acne. It should be remembered that retinoids act slowly, so courses of therapy usually last up to 12 weeks.

Please note that only a dermatologist can prescribe the correct course of treatment in your specific case.

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Use retinoic ointment for acne during pregnancy

During pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding, it is prohibited to use retinoic ointment for acne. This is due to the presence of embryotoxic and teratogenic effects. If you are planning a pregnancy and are using retinoic ointment at the same time, you should draw the attention of your gynecologist to this fact. It is possible that you will have to stop using the product.

Contraindications

In addition to pregnancy and lactation, this ointment has other contraindications:

  1. Taking other retinoids.
  2. Decompensation of heart failure.
  3. Allergy to isotretinoin.
  4. Chronic pancreatitis.
  5. Chronic liver and kidney diseases.
  6. Application to large areas of the skin.

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Side effects retinoic ointment for acne

The occurrence of side effects from the use of this drug is extremely rare. In some patients, applying the ointment to the skin may cause:

  1. Temporary, quickly passing redness of the skin.
  2. The appearance of a large number of acne breakouts, starting from the second week of use.
  3. Allergy to a drug.
  4. Conjunctivitis.
  5. Peeling and excessive dryness of the skin.
  6. Cheilitis.

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Overdose

It is very important to prevent the development of hypervitaminosis A during the treatment of acne with retinoic ointment. It is characterized by the following symptoms: severe headaches, reddening of the skin, nausea, increased drowsiness, vomiting, itching and dry skin. In some cases, joint pain may occur. That is why, when treating with this drug, a dermatologist should recommend stopping the use of retinol-containing products (including retinol palmitate and retinol acetate).

To treat an overdose, it is necessary to stop using retinoic ointment and prescribe symptomatic therapy using adsorbents.

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Interactions with other drugs

The effect of retinoic ointment may be reduced if you take antibiotics that belong to the tetracycline group at the same time. Also, their interaction may lead to increased intracranial pressure. Remember that isotretinoin also weakens the effectiveness of progesterone. Therefore, if you use contraceptives with a small amount of progesterone, it is recommended to change them during therapy with retinoic ointment.

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Storage conditions

It is recommended to store retinoic ointment at fairly low temperatures (from 2 to 8 degrees), but it should not be frozen. It is very important to use a place for storing the drug that is inaccessible to small children.

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Shelf life

The expiration date is two years. It is not recommended to use the product after its expiration date.

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Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Retinoic ointment for acne" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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