HOW TO BUY RETIN-A (TRETINOIN) WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION! UPDATED 2023!
Today I will tell you how to buy Retin-A (Tretinoin) without a prescription- or without going to the doctor! I have 5 ways to get your cheap Retinoid! Retin-A (aka Tretinoin) seems to be the gold standard against wrinkles. Originally formulated to get rid of acne, it was pretty fast clear, that this ingredient does not only get rid of acne, but also of those unwanted wrinkles. Why? Because it gets rid of the top layers of your skin. It will literally make them "peel off". Redness, irritation and flakiness are common issues- however: most women swear by it as - side effects aside- it just simply works! Only problem: you have to go to a dermatologist and get a prescription. It is not available in store. But I have some solutions! So, today I tell you, how you can buy a Retin-A cream without a prescription!
Yes, simply type in "Tretinoin" on ebay and you will find countless products- often from Spain, India or Mexico, that sell our beloved wrinkle treatment, and often for very cheap. No prescription needed! Ebay does not officially allow to sell the product, but somehow these sellers always manage to list the product (creating constantly new ebay accounts and such)- and if only for a short time.
Sometimes a search for "Tretinoin" will bring you 0 results- because ebay is trying to end all these auctions (but they are not fast enough lol), but if you are creative, you will still find them with terms such as "A Retin", or "Retin A 0.1", "Retin A cream 0.05" or "Vitacid" (from Indonesia).
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| Ebay auctions for Tretinoin |
But, is it safe to use Tretinoin from such a country, you might wonder?
Look, I know it sounds scary, but my personal belief is, that it is absolutely OK to use them. I myself use since many years a birth control from Turkey and feel absolutely safe with it (why you ask? Cause the same birth control costs here in the U.S. $300 and I pay only $20 in Turkey lol!).
Tretinoin from Spain? Well, Spain is a member of the EU and must absolutely obey the laws and regulations of the EU. In fact: regulations for medications are far more strict in the EU than in the U.S.. Did you know that you need a prescription for acne products such as Proactiv (basically products containing Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide) in Europe? Crazy, right? I personally do not see any problem with the use of a Tretinoin from Spain.
Mexico you might wonder? Again, we are talking here only about a Tretinoin cream, not about politics and other stuff. I have seen people discussing this on tripadvisor and many US tourists buy their Tretinoin without a prescription in Mexico and they are absolutely satisfied.
India though? I found this amazing website that goes into detail which brands from India are safe to use and which ones are questionable. So, if buying from India, you might want to look up this site to be on the safe side!
It is ultimately your choice, if you trust these countries or not. And: you can always get irritations, redness and such- if a doctor is involved or not. A prescription does not protect you from an irritation!
Use your own gut! Do you have over-sensitive skin? Well, you might not be the right candidate for such a strong medication. Try a Retinol first and see how you like it! That is available without prescription! ;-)
2. WALGREENS OR CVS CLINICS!
Yep, you heard right. But without a prescription? Not quite, but at least you don´t have to go to a doctor! ;-)
Did you know that Walgreens and CVS offer Clinics at certain locations? (Check here Walgreens clinic locations and here CVS clinic locations). Depending on your states regulations, you will meet with a health practitioner, such as a nurse, that is able to prescribe you what you need. Now this option makes sense, if your insurance covers such visits and if your co-pay is for example as low as $10. If you like to pay without an insurance, expect to pay between $89-$120. And how much you have to pay for the Tretinoin has of course also to do with your insurance- it could be as low as $8 or much more.
Since Tretinoin is mainly to treat acne, it might be a good idea, to say that you need it for your adult acne- I am not sure, how they handle the situation if you ask for it against wrinkles. ;-)
Oh and one other thing: CVS and Walgreens have generic versions of Tretinoin- if you ask for those, it could also save you $$$!
But this solution might still be faster and cheaper than visiting your doctor (again: depending on your insurance).
3. Online pharmacies
There are international online pharmacies where you can get Retin-A without a prescription. ReliableRX is an online pharmacy located in India. They offer Retin-A with 0.05% and 0.025% strengths. I have word from many customers who are very happy with their service (read the comments below for some experiences from customers) and they are even cheaper than CosmeticRX- however they charge now $18 for shipping and it will take longer to arrive from India. Due to the high shipping costs it probably makes sense to order more than 1 tube from here!
4. FIRST FDA APPROVED RETINOID WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION!
The first over-the-counter Retinoid is now available in your drugstore! No prescription needed! This is the first FDA-approved Retinoid that is available in our drugstores without a prescription- available at Ulta // Amazon
I also have a list of the best Retinol serums for every skin type that you can check out and great tips for you how to start Retin-A without irritation!
