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

My skin 6 weeks after starting my tretinoin routine. —Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 16 Apr. 2025

Topical retinoids, such as adapalene, or prescription retinoids like tretinoin or tazarotene, can also help dry out pores, exfoliate the skin, and address acne scarring. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025

To keep it simple, tretinoin is a prescription retinoid. —Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 16 Apr. 2025

Make the most of it by using a repair serum after your tretinoin. —Emily Orofino, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from trans- + retinoic acid

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tretinoin

• adjoin
• benzoin
• bitcoin
• conjoin
• enjoin
• fibroin
• rejoin
• sirloin
• subjoin
• coin
• coyne
• groin

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