Is Tretinoin Safe During Pregnancy?

Is tretinoin safe during pregnancy?

Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a prescription topical retinoid in the same class as the known teratogen isotretinoin and should be stopped before conception and avoided throughout pregnancy. In short, tretinoin is best avoided during pregnancy when you follow the guidance below.

Why this is the guidance

Most of what you put on your skin stays on the surface, but a few ingredients absorb enough to matter in pregnancy. The goal is simply to swap the small number of ingredients with real concerns for the many that are perfectly fine.

Safer alternatives

Skip tretinoin during pregnancy and reach for a gentler, pregnancy-friendly alternative instead — there are good options for nearly every goal. If you've already used it, stop and mention it at your next visit; a single use is unlikely to cause harm.

What about breastfeeding?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding aren't the same — some things that are limited while you're pregnant are perfectly fine once you're nursing, and occasionally the reverse is true. If you're past delivery and wondering about tretinoin while breastfeeding, check with your provider, since the answer can be different from the pregnancy guidance above.

The bottom line

Tretinoin: best avoided in pregnancy. When in doubt, choose a safer alternative and ask your provider. This page is general education, not medical advice — your provider knows your history and is the final word for your pregnancy.