tretinoin

noun

tre·​tin·​o·​in tre-ˈti-nə-win 

: the all-trans isomer of retinoic acid that is applied to the skin to treat severe acne and reduce facial wrinkles, roughness, and pigmented spots

Examples of tretinoin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Affordable tretinoin might not always be the safest or most effective tretinoin. —Jasmine Browley, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024

Topical retinoids, like over-the-counter retinol and prescription tretinoin, can also treat wrinkles and texture by slowing the breakdown of collagen and increasing skin cell turnover. —Nena Farrell, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024

Use the sandwich technique when applying actives, like tretinoin. —Allure, 27 Nov. 2024

This means that, for example, the prescription retinoid tretinoin could lead to more intense side effects than an over-the-counter retinol product. —Jamie Friedlander Serrano, TIME, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from trans- + retinoic acid

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tretinoin

noun

tre·​tin·​o·​in tre-ˈtin-ə-wən 

: the all-trans isomer of retinoic acid that is applied topically to the skin to treat acne vulgaris and to reduce facial wrinkles, roughness, and pigmented spots and that is administered orally to induce remission of acute myelogenous leukemia in which more than half the cells are malignant promyelocytes

called also all-trans-retinoic acid, retinoic acid, vitamin A acid

see isotretinoin, retin-a