Tazarotene Acne Lotion: What the Trials Added

Bring the tube name and strength to your appointment. Write down what you want to improve and which products you already use.

What improved

Two trials randomized 1,614 people with moderate-to-severe facial acne to once-daily 0.045% tazarotene lotion or matching vehicle for 12 weeks. Participants were 10 or older, averaging 20; enrollment did not target menopause.¹

Success required clear/almost-clear skin plus at least two-grade improvement. Rates were 25.5% versus 13.0% and 29.6% versus 17.3%. Added benefit was 12.5 percentage points (95% confidence interval 7.1–17.9) and 12.3 (6.5–18.1). Lesion-count outcomes also favored tazarotene.²

Ask which outcome the prescriber will review and when.

What remains uncertain

About 13% on tazarotene discontinued. Missing outcomes were estimated. These vehicle comparisons cannot rank other retinoids. Sponsor employees coauthored the report.¹

The American Academy of Dermatology³ strongly recommends topical retinoids for acne and recommends combining treatments with different mechanisms. Ask how the lotion would fit alongside your other treatments.³

Before a prescription

The US label covers acne from age nine. ARAZLO is contraindicated during pregnancy. For people who can become pregnant, it specifies testing within two weeks before starting, starting during a menstrual period and effective contraception during treatment. Stop and contact your prescriber if pregnancy occurs.⁴

Irritation may require moisturizer, less frequent application or stopping under your clinician’s instructions. Avoid eczematous or sunburned skin; minimize ultraviolet exposure and use sunscreen and protective clothing. If benzoyl peroxide is also used, separate application times.⁴

Bring your cleanser, other acne medicines and sunscreen names to the visit. Ask how you should report irritation and when the prescriber wants to review the result. Our retinol buying guide addresses a different question: choosing a cosmetic serum for aging skin.

Skin, Head to Toe includes a Skin Log and a section called “Twelve Weeks.” Use the log to record start dates, photos and irritation for the appointment.