ReTrieve Cream (Tretinoin 0.05%)

ReTrieve Cream general information

What is ReTrieve Cream used for?

ReTrieve Cream 0.05% is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne vulgaris, to prevent the formation and spread of pimples (papules), spots or whiteheads (pustules) and blackheads (comedones).  ReTrieve Cream 0.05% is also used to treat dry skin due to chronic exposure to sunlight and related conditions, such as premature aging, and helps reduce visible signs of ageing on the face by fading age spots and reducing fine wrinkles. 

How does ReTrieve Cream work?

ReTrieve Cream 0.05% contains tretinoin which is an active metabolite of Vitamin A and is a keratolytic medication that affects the way skin cells behave, regulating both cell growth and differentiation.  Acne is often associated with puberty, when a surge of androgen hormones can over stimulate the sebaceous glands (oil producing glands in hair follicles).  Skin cells that are shed from the lining of the hair follicle become trapped in sebum forming a plug below the surface of the skin clogging the pores, which then attracts bacteria, so that the clogged pores become infected and inflamed, causing an acne outbreak.  Tretinoin in ReTrieve Cream 0.05% controls the build-up of dead skin and sebum and prevents the hardening and thickening processes of the outer skin layer (keratinisation and cornification), also promoting the shedding of old hardened skin cells and stimulating growth of new skin cells. The overall effect is to increase skin cell turnover and help the natural exfoliation process of the outer skin layer, and this helps unblock pores and prevents pores becoming clogged, infected and inflamed,.  The combined effect of these actions of tretinoin in ReTrieve Cream 0.05% is to speed up skin cell turnover, which prevents formation of new pimples and blackheads and clears up existing pimples and blackheads, reducing the spread of acne.  This also works for aging or damaged skin where age spots and fine wrinkles are replaced by new skin cells giving the effect of lightening and smoothing the skin.

What does ReTrieve Cream contain?

ReTrieve Cream contains the active ingredient tretinoin 0.05% (0.5mg/g), a keratolytic used to treat and prevent acne.  It also contains cetyl alcohol, isopropyl palmitate, glyceryl monostearate - self emulsifying, sorbitan stearate, polysorbate 60, disodium edetate, retinyl palmitate, dl-α-tocopheryl acetate, methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate, diazolidinylurea, propylene glycol, purified water.

Treating acne with ReTrieve Cream

ReTrieve Cream 0.05% contains tretinoin which is an active metabolite of Vitamin A and a keratolytic medication that changes the way skin cells grow and behave.  Acne forms when over stimulation of the sebaceous glands (oil producing glands in hair follicles), which often happens in response a surge of androgen hormones at puberty, causes pores to become clogged with dead skin, and leads to the formation of new pimples, whitehead and blackheads (comedones), which can become infected and inflamed.  Tretinoin in ReTrieve Cream 0.05% prevents formation of new pimples and blackheads by blocking the hardening processes of the outer skin layer (keratinisation and cornification) and increasing the shedding of old hardened skin cells, while at the same time promoting growth of new skin cells.  The combined effect of these actions is to unblock pores and prevent them becoming clogged and inflamed, which reduces the outbreak of new pimples as well as clearing up existing blemishes; also to speed up skin cell turnover and help the natural exfoliation process of the outer skin layer, which helps clear up pimples and blackheads and reduces the spread of acne.  

What are the side effects of ReTrieve Cream?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking ReTrieve Cream include itching, dryness, redness, burning or peeling at the site of application.  Less common side effects include changes in pigmentation of skin in the treated area.

When should ReTrieve Cream not be used?

You should not use ReTrieve Cream if you:

• are allergic to tretinoin or any ingredients in ReTrieve Cream
• are pregnant or may become pregnant during use, as tretinoin may cause birth defects
• are breastfeeding
• have acute eczema, as tretinoin can cause severe irritation on eczematous skin
• have a skin condition such as rosacea or perioral dermatitis
• have a personal or familial history of cutaneous epithelioma
• are using any topical keratolytic (skin peeling) medication such as sulphur, resorcinol, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
• are exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods; if unavoidable use a sunscreen and protective clothing over treated areas to protect the skin.

Should you avoid exposure to sun?

You should avoid or at least minimize unprotected exposure to sunlight, including sunlamps, during the use of ReTrieve Cream 0.05%, as tretinoin can increase your sensitivity to sunlight and may cause burning.   Also if you have sunburn, you should wait until your skin has healed before using ReTrieve Cream.  If you cannot avoid exposure to sun because of your occupation, for example, make sure you use a sunscreen and protective clothing over treated areas to protect the skin.  

How should ReTrieve Cream be used?

You should apply your ReTrieve Cream 0.05% to the affected area of the skin once daily preferably in the evening before going to bed.  Clean the skin with a mild soap or soap-free cleanser, rinse with water then apply a small amount with clean fingers and rub gently into the skin.  Do not use large amounts or apply ReTrieve Cream 0.05% more often than directed, as your skin will not clear up faster, instead you may increase the chance for side effects like skin irritation.  Avoid contact with the eyes, eyelids, inside of the nose and mouth, which are easily irritated areas, or other areas where treatment is not intended. Do not apply to severely inflamed skin or to open lesions.  You can increase the time ReTrieve Cream is left on the skin each night before washing off, provided there is no irritation or redness, following this regime:

• First night – 5 minutes
• Second night – 10 minutes
• Third, fourth, fifth, sixth night – increase by 30 minutes until you can leave your ReTrieve Cream on for 2 hours without developing any irritation or redness
• Seventh night, provided there is no irritation or redness you can leave your ReTrieve Cream on overnight and wash it off in the morning

You should continue to use ReTrieve Cream for the full course of treatment as directed by your doctor.  You should see improvement within two to three weeks, but it may take more than six weeks before you see definite beneficial effects.

How long should you use ReTrieve Cream?

You should continue to use ReTrieve Cream 0.05% for the full course of treatment as directed by your doctor.  You should see improvement within two to three weeks, but it may take more than six weeks before you see definite beneficial effects.

Missed dose of ReTrieve Cream

If you miss a dose of ReTrieve Cream apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to apply the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not apply a double dose.

How should ReTrieve Cream be stored?

You should store your ReTrieve Cream below 25°C in a cool dry place.