Medications · FAQ
Do I need sunscreen while using topical tretinoin?
Short answer
Yes. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day while using tretinoin. Treated skin can be more sensitive to sunlight, especially when irritated. Wear protective clothing, seek shade, and avoid tanning beds. Nighttime application does not replace daytime sun protection or make tanning safe.
Sun protection is an important part of using tretinoin. The medicine can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, and irritated skin may burn more easily. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher each morning to exposed skin. Follow the sunscreen label for reapplication, including after swimming or sweating.
Sunscreen is only one layer of protection. Seek shade, wear a wide-brimmed hat and protective clothing, and avoid tanning beds. Applying tretinoin at night does not remove the need for these steps. Ask your prescriber about your routine if you work outdoors or expect heavy sun exposure.
Do not apply tretinoin to sunburned skin. Let the skin recover and ask your prescriber when to restart if the burn is significant. If sunscreen stings, ask your pharmacist or prescriber about a gentle option. Tretinoin may help some visible signs of past sun damage, but it cannot cancel out ongoing exposure. Results vary. Daily protection remains important even when you do not see redness or peeling.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.