# A-03 — Trifarotene

The first new topical retinoid molecule in decades, and the only one trialled on the trunk as a formal endpoint. Its label publishes irritation at both 7.5% and 65%.

- **Canonical:** https://www.30plusskin.care/actives/trifarotene
- **Site:** 30+/SKIN — Skincare, published as a spec sheet.
- **Issue:** ISSUE NO. 13 / REV. 2026.10
- **Standing terms:** INDEPENDENT · AFFILIATE-FUNDED · NOT MEDICAL ADVICE

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## Datasheet

- **INN / INCI:** Trifarotene
- **Family:** Retinoid — fourth generation, RARγ-selective
- **Molecular weight:** 459.6 g/mol
- **Layer reached:** EPIDERMIS
- **Prescription only:** yes
- **Evidence grade:** A
- **Controlled trials on file:** 2
- **Strength range recorded:** 0.005%–0.005%
- **Representative reference concentration:** 0.005%
- **Irritation (0–10):** 8
- **Onset:** 12 WK
- **Stability:** STORE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE, AWAY FROM HEAT

## Mechanism

The concentration marker is not a recommended dose or a claim that other strengths are untested. Compare the vehicle, indication and trial population.

Selective agonist at RARγ, the dominant retinoic acid receptor in skin. Selectivity rather than concentration determines potency, which is why five thousandths of a per cent is not a mild dose.

## Measured endpoints

| Endpoint | Effect vs comparator | Window | Record |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| IGA success, facial acne | +16.6% | 12 WK | REF-18 — Aklief — study 2 (NCT02556788), facial acne (Randomised, multicentre, parallel-group, vehicle-controlled, n=1212, grade A) |
| Erythema worse than baseline | -36.6% | 12 WK | REF-19 — Aklief — actively assessed facial tolerability (Investigator assessment at every visit against each subject's own baseline, pooled across both trials, n=2408, grade A) |

## Layering

- **Do not layer with:** Pregnancy, Other retinoids, Sun exposure without protection
- **Pairs with:** Moisturiser, Daily sunscreen

## Notes

- The same trials report application-site irritation in 7.5% of subjects when volunteered and erythema worse than baseline in 65.2% when investigators actively assessed it. Publishing both is rare and it calibrates every other adverse-reaction rate in this register.
- 0.005% is the lowest approved retinoid concentration and the most irritating one here. A low number across different molecules means nothing.
- In a one-year open-label trial, 2.9% of subjects discontinued for an adverse reaction and reaction frequency fell over time.

## Products in the register containing it

| No. | Product | Stance | Score | Document |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-50 | Galderma Aklief | CONDITIONAL | 68/100 | /reviews/aklief-trifarotene-cream-review |

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## Elsewhere in the register

- [Review register](/reviews)
- [Active monographs](/actives)
- [Brand register](/brands)
- [Evidence register](/evidence)
- [The ledger](/ledger)
- [How we test](/how-we-test)
- [Agent guide](/llms.txt)
- [Sitemap](/sitemap.xml)

_SOURCE-BASED ASSESSMENTS. PUBLISHER PREFERENCES ARE IDENTIFIED SEPARATELY._