Prescription skin care: tretinoin, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis treatments
A clear guide to prescription creams, gels and ointments: which ingredient treats which condition, how to use tretinoin without the irritation, and when to see a doctor.
Updated October 2026 by the MyRxBox team
At a glance
- CoversAcne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, infections
- Key ingredientsTretinoin, ivermectin 1%, mupirocin, imiquimod
- FormsCreams, gels, ointments, drops
- PrescriptionRequired for most products
Start with the right diagnosis
Many skin conditions look alike. Rosacea can resemble acne, eczema can look like psoriasis, and a fungal rash can be mistaken for either. Using the wrong cream can make things worse: a strong steroid can flare rosacea, and an antifungal won’t help eczema. A doctor or dermatologist can usually tell the difference by looking, sometimes with a simple scraping or swab.
Two of our most-read guides help you understand the differences before your appointment: eczema vs psoriasis: symptoms, creams and key differences and can one cream work for both eczema and psoriasis?
Acne and tretinoin: strengths and how to use it
Tretinoin is a prescription retinoid, a vitamin A derivative that speeds up skin cell turnover, unclogs pores and, over months, improves fine lines and uneven pigmentation. It’s one of the most studied acne treatments available.
| Product | Strength and form | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|
| Retino-A 0.025% cream | Low-strength cream | First-time users and sensitive or dry skin |
| Retino-A 0.05% cream | Medium-strength cream | The next step once 0.025% is tolerated |
| Retino-A Micro 0.04% | Microsphere formulation | People who find standard tretinoin irritating |
| Retino-A Micro 0.1% | Higher-strength microsphere | Experienced users with oilier skin |
| A-Ret 0.1% gel | Higher-strength gel | Oily, acne-prone skin, as prescribed |
| Retino AC cream | Tretinoin cream | As directed by your prescriber |
How to use tretinoin without the irritation
- Apply a pea-sized amount for the whole face at night, on clean, completely dry skin.
- Start two or three nights a week and build up to nightly over a few weeks.
- Use a plain moisturiser, and avoid scrubs and other harsh actives at first.
- Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every day; tretinoin makes skin more sensitive to the sun.
- Give it 8 to 12 weeks. Dryness, peeling and a temporary flare (“purging”) are common early on.
Retinoids, including tretinoin and tazarotene, should not be used during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to be.
Further reading: tazarotene vs tretinoin, salicylic acid vs benzoyl peroxide for over-the-counter options, and how to get a tretinoin prescription online.
Rosacea and ivermectin 1% cream
Rosacea causes facial redness, flushing and, in the papulopustular type, acne-like bumps. Tiny Demodex mites that live on everyone’s skin are thought to play a part in the inflammation, which is why ivermectin 1% cream works well for the bumps and pimples. It’s applied once a day, and improvement builds over several weeks; clinical trials ran for 12 weeks.
Other prescription options include metronidazole gel and azelaic acid. Avoiding triggers such as heat, alcohol, spicy food and harsh skin products helps whichever treatment you use. Read ivermectin cream for rosacea and Soolantra vs generic ivermectin cream 1%, and see our ivermectin guide for the tablet form.
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) treatments
Eczema is a dry, itchy, inflamed skin condition with a damaged skin barrier at its core. Treatment works in layers:
- Daily moisturisers (emollients), used generously, even when skin is clear.
- Topical steroids for flares, from mild hydrocortisone to potent betamethasone and very potent clobetasol. Potency should match the body area and severity.
- Steroid-free creams such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, useful on the face and skin folds.
- Treatments for severe eczema, such as dupilumab, prescribed by a specialist.
Choosing the right product is half the battle. Read how to choose an eczema cream that actually soothes, or see our eczema cream.
Psoriasis treatments
Psoriasis is an immune condition that speeds up skin cell production, causing thick, scaly plaques, often on the elbows, knees and scalp. Mild to moderate psoriasis is usually treated with creams and ointments:
- Topical steroids such as clobetasol and halobetasol.
- Vitamin D analogues such as calcipotriene, often combined with a steroid as calcipotriene and betamethasone.
- Retinoids such as tazarotene.
- Newer steroid-free creams such as roflumilast and tapinarof.
- Scale-softening ingredients such as salicylic acid and coal tar.
Moderate to severe psoriasis may need tablets or injections from a specialist, such as methotrexate, apremilast, deucravacitinib or biologics like adalimumab, ustekinumab and secukinumab.
Read best psoriasis cream: how to choose one that calms your skin, or see our psoriasis cream.
Skin infections, warts, fungus and hair loss
- Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot respond to antifungals like clotrimazole and miconazole. See over-the-counter athlete’s foot creams.
- Scabies is treated with permethrin cream or oral ivermectin. See ivermectin for scabies.
- Head lice: read our ivermectin lotion buying guide.
- Hair loss: minoxidil is widely used for pattern hair loss, and alopecia areata is often treated with steroids. Read topical steroids for alopecia areata.
Bimatoprost for eyelashes
Bimatoprost eye drops are prescription glaucoma medicines. A 0.03% solution is also approved in some countries for growing longer eyelashes when applied to the base of the upper lashes. It can darken eyelid skin and, rarely, permanently darken a light-coloured iris, so use it only as an eye doctor directs. Products: Careprost, Bimat and Lumigan. See the glossary entry for bimatoprost.
Simple routines and how long treatments take
Prescription treatments work best inside a simple, consistent routine. Fewer products usually means less irritation and clearer results.
Example routines
| Goal | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Acne with tretinoin | Gentle cleanser, moisturiser, broad-spectrum sunscreen | Gentle cleanser, wait until skin is dry, pea-sized tretinoin, moisturiser |
| Rosacea | Gentle cleanser, ivermectin 1% cream or moisturiser as prescribed, mineral sunscreen | Gentle cleanser, moisturiser; avoid scrubs and alcohol-based toners |
| Eczema | Thick moisturiser after a lukewarm shower; prescribed cream on flares | Prescribed cream on active patches, then emollient over the rest of the skin |
| Plaque psoriasis | Moisturiser; scale softener on thick plaques if advised | Prescribed steroid, vitamin D or combination product on plaques |
How long before you see results
| Treatment | Typical time to visible change | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tretinoin for acne | 8–12 weeks | Early dryness and breakouts are common and usually settle. |
| Ivermectin 1% cream for rosacea | Several weeks; trials assessed results at 12 weeks | Keep using once daily unless your doctor says otherwise. |
| Topical steroids for eczema flares | A few days to two weeks | Use for the shortest effective time and step down as skin settles. |
| Vitamin D and steroid combinations for psoriasis | Around 4 weeks | Maintenance plans vary; follow your prescriber. |
| Mupirocin for impetigo | A few days | See a doctor if there’s no improvement within 3 to 5 days. |
If a treatment hasn’t helped within the expected time, don’t keep adding products. Go back to your prescriber: the diagnosis, strength or formulation may need to change. Our how to compare medications guide and medicine name decoder help you understand what you’ve been prescribed.
Using prescription skin treatments safely
- Patch test new products on a small area for a couple of days.
- Use steroids for the shortest effective time. Avoid potent steroids on the face, groin and armpits unless directed, and don’t stop long courses abruptly without advice.
- Introduce one new active at a time so you know what’s helping and what’s irritating.
- Protect from the sun, especially with retinoids.
- Check pregnancy safety before using retinoids or any new prescription treatment.
- See a doctor for a mole that changes, a sore that won’t heal, a rapidly spreading rash, or fever with a rash.
Browse everything in our skin care and cosmetics categories, read more in our skin care blog, and compare prices in the medicine price index.
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More skin care guides
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Skin treatment questions, answered
Common questions about tretinoin, rosacea cream and eczema and psoriasis treatments.
Still have a question? Contact our team.
Do I need a prescription for tretinoin?
In the US, UK and Australia, yes. Read how to get a tretinoin prescription online.
Which tretinoin strength should I start with?
Most people start with 0.025% cream or a microsphere formulation, two or three nights a week, and increase strength only once their skin tolerates it.
Can I use tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide together?
Benzoyl peroxide can break down some tretinoin formulations, so many people use benzoyl peroxide in the morning and tretinoin at night. Ask your prescriber.
How long does ivermectin cream take to work for rosacea?
Improvement builds over several weeks. Clinical trials measured results after 12 weeks of once-daily use.
Is generic ivermectin cream the same as Soolantra?
Both contain ivermectin 1%. Inactive ingredients can differ. See Soolantra vs generic ivermectin cream.
Can one cream treat both eczema and psoriasis?
Some ingredients, such as topical steroids, are used for both, but the overall approach differs. Read our comparison.
Are prescription skin creams safe in pregnancy?
Some are and some aren’t. Retinoids such as tretinoin and tazarotene should be avoided. Always check with your doctor first.
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Information on MyRxBox is general and educational. It does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Prescription-only medicines require a valid prescription, and rules on importing medicines differ by country, so please check your local regulations before ordering. Read our terms, privacy policy and refund policy.
