Zepym Health
Tretinoin / Niacinamide Cream

Applied to the skin · Once a day

RetinoidSkin barrierGentle

Tretinoin / Niacinamide Cream

Tretinoin combined with niacinamide (vitamin B3): retinoid benefits with reduced irritation. Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier and calms inflammation.

  • Tretinoin collagen stimulation and cell turnover with less irritation
  • Niacinamide soothes, strengthens barrier, reduces redness
  • Better tolerance for sensitive or compromised skin
  • Monthly$129/mo
  • Free, discreet shipping
  • Licensed U.S. pharmacy
  • Board-certified physicians

Disclaimer: Prescription products require an online evaluation with a licensed medical professional who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Products are compounded by a licensed pharmacy. The FDA has not reviewed or approved compounded products for any use for safety, efficacy, or quality. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved brand-name products.

How
Applied to the skin
How often
Once a day
Each shipment
1 tube
Strengths
2 options · 0 a pea-sized amount

What is tretinoin / niacinamide?

(retinoid + barrier-supporting B vitamin)

Combining tretinoin with niacinamide softens tretinoin's irritation while niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier and reduces inflammation. Niacinamide decreases water loss, increases ceramides, and calms redness. This combination is ideal for people who respond poorly to tretinoin alone or have sensitive skin.

What's in it

  • Tretinoin0.025%Speeds skin renewal
  • Niacinamide4%Evens tone, calms redness
  • Hyaluronic Acid0.5%Holds water in the skin

Gentler

combination that maintains tretinoin benefits with reduced irritation

Studies show niacinamide reduces tretinoin-induced erythema and scaling while maintaining efficacy for fine lines and acne.

Is it right for you?

  • Who it's for

    People with sensitive skin who want tretinoin.

  • What sets it apart

    A low dose of tretinoin buffered with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

  • Worth knowing before you start

    Apply on dry skin, 20 minutes after washing, to reduce stinging.

What to expect

  • Initial irritation expected

    retinization phase resolves in 4-6 weeks

  • Sun protection essential

    retinoids increase photosensitivity dramatically

  • Visible improvement

    texture, fine lines, and tone improve over months

  • Collagen remodeling

    cumulative benefit peaks at 6-12 months

How retinoids work

  1. Week 1–2

    Start with the lowest concentration or gentlest form (EOS or Refine PM). Apply nightly to clean, completely dry skin.

    1
  2. Week 2–4

    Retinization phase: redness, peeling, dryness are normal. Use a good moisturizer and SPF 30+ daily. Do not panic; continue use.

    2
  3. Week 4–8

    Irritation subsides. Skin texture begins to improve. Pores may look smaller. Keep up daily sunscreen.

    3
  4. Month 2–6+

    Fine lines fade, skin tone evens, acne improves. Results continue to deepen. Your physician may increase strength or frequency.

    4

Individual results vary. Benefits reflect what Zepym Health members commonly report to their physician at check-ins; they are not the results of a clinical trial.

How you use it

This is the starting dose the pharmacy prints on the label. Your physician sets yours and adjusts it with you.

How
Applied to the skin
Where
affected area
Dose
1 mL (a pea-sized amount)
How often
Once a day
When
At bedtime
Each shipment
1 tube
Pharmacy label
Apply 1 mL (a pea-sized amount) to the affected area once daily at bedtime for 30 days.

A sample week

  1. M
  2. T
  3. W
  4. T
  5. F
  6. S
  7. S

Once a day

Strengths the pharmacy carries

  • 0.025 / 4 / 0.5%
  • 0.045 / 4 / 0.5%

The science of retinoids

Niacinamide strengthens the barrier by increasing ceramide and fatty acid synthesis. Combined with tretinoin, it allows higher tolerance and faster dosing increases.

People tolerate this combination better than tretinoin alone, especially those with sensitive or compromised skin. Your physician can escalate tretinoin concentration or frequency faster.

Learn more

Important safety information and common side effects

Retinoids accelerate cell turnover and sun sensitivity. All retinoid users must use daily SPF 30+ sunscreen and avoid direct sun, especially when starting. Retinization (redness, peeling, dryness) is normal for weeks 2-4 and resolves with patience. Tretinoin is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding; other retinoids require caution. Do not use retinoids with vitamin C serums, benzoyl peroxide, or other active acids without spacing them 12+ hours apart. Tell your physician about any accutane history or severe acne. Avoid if you have eczema or severe barrier damage without medical clearance. Stop and seek care for severe redness, blistering, persistent peeling after month 2, or signs of allergic reaction.

Every plan includes

  • Personalized, physician-guided plan
  • Monthly plan
  • Dispensed by a US-licensed compounding pharmacy
  • Unlimited protocol adjustments and messaging
  • Ongoing support and check-ins
  • Pause or cancel anytime
  • Reviewed by our in-house physicians
Get Started

How it works

  1. 1.Connect with a physician

    Answer a few questions online and a US-licensed physician reviews your health, history and goals to make sure treatment is right for you. 100% online. No in-person visit required.

  2. 2.Get your discreet shipment

    If approved, your treatment is compounded by a US-licensed, LegitScript-certified pharmacy, inspected for quality, and shipped discreetly to your door.

  3. 3.Receive continuous support

    Start with one goal, then keep building over time. Unlimited physician messaging, easy refills and dose adjustments, all from the Zepym Health app.

Tretinoin / niacinamide combination educational content reviewed by our physician

Scott Nass, MDDoctor of Medicine, board-certified in Family Medicine

Charles R. Drew University and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center.

Frequently asked questions

How do I use Tretinoin / Niacinamide / Hyaluronic Acid Cream?

Applied to the skin, once a day, at bedtime. The starting prescription is 1 mL (a pea-sized amount) each time. Your physician sets your own dose and it is printed on your label.

What strengths does Tretinoin / Niacinamide / Hyaluronic Acid Cream come in?

The pharmacy carries 2: 0.025 / 4 / 0.5%, 0.045 / 4 / 0.5%. Your physician chooses which one you get.

What exactly is in it?

Tretinoin 0.025%, Niacinamide 4%, Hyaluronic Acid 0.5%.

How much arrives in each shipment?

1 tube at the starting strength, shipped to your door from a licensed US pharmacy.

Should I use tretinoin / niacinamide or plain tretinoin?

If you have sensitive skin or reacted poorly to tretinoin before, this combination is gentler. If your skin tolerates tretinoin well, plain tretinoin may be more cost-effective. Your physician recommends based on your history.

Can I use retinoids if I'm pregnant?

Tretinoin: absolutely not. Other retinoids: discuss with your physician. Many prefer to avoid all retinoids during pregnancy and breastfeeding out of caution. Your OB-GYN and dermatologist must coordinate.

Do I have to use retinoids forever?

No. Once your skin improves, you may reduce frequency or switch to gentler OTC retinoids for maintenance. Some people use tretinoin 1-2× weekly indefinitely. Your physician helps you find a sustainable routine.

Can I combine tretinoin with other actives?

Spacing is key. If you use vitamin C, niacinamide, or other actives, use them at different times of day (e.g., tretinoin at night, vitamin C in morning) at least 12 hours apart. Benzoyl peroxide should be avoided with tretinoin.

Collagen rebuilding starts with retinoids.

  • Acne Cream

    Triple-action topical for acne: antibiotic (clindamycin + erythromycin) and antifungal (ketoconazole). Covers bacterial and fungal acne.

    Cream

    from $139/mo

  • Acne Cream with Tretinoin

    Acne treatment combining antibiotics (clindamycin/erythromycin/ketoconazole) with tretinoin for faster clearance and post-acne healing.

    Cream

    from $139/mo

  • Brightening Cream

    Stronger prescription cream for stubborn melasma and dark spots: hydroquinone 6% with tretinoin, hydrocortisone, kojic acid and vitamins C and E. A short course, usually up to 8 weeks.

    Cream

    from $149/mo

  • Clarity Cream

    Acne and post-acne formula combining azelaic acid, niacinamide, clindamycin, and tretinoin. Anti-inflammatory and cell-renewing.

    Cream

    from $149/mo

Ready to start?

Answer a few questions and take your first step to living well.

Get Started

The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Prescription products require an online evaluation with a licensed medical professional who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Individual results vary.

Sources

  1. 1

    Tretinoin for photoaging and acne: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

    J Drugs Dermatol, 2018
  2. 2

    Retinization in dermatology: understanding the timeline and managing irritation.

    Dermatol Ther, 2020

from $129/mo

Get Started