Treclin Gel UK: What It Is, How It Works & Alternatives
Treclin is a prescription acne gel containing two active ingredients: clindamycin 1% and tretinoin 0.025%. This guide explains what Treclin is, how it works, its side effects, how it compares with tretinoin alone and what to consider after a course of treatment.
Treclin at a Glance
- Treclin contains clindamycin 1% and tretinoin 0.025%.
- It is a topical prescription medicine used for acne vulgaris.
- Treclin combines an antibiotic with a topical retinoid.
- It is generally applied once daily at bedtime as directed by the prescriber.
- Continuous treatment should not exceed 12 weeks without careful evaluation.
- Treclin is not suitable during pregnancy or when planning pregnancy.
What Is Treclin?
Treclin 1%/0.025% gel is a prescription-only topical medicine used to treat acne. Unlike tretinoin-only products, Treclin combines two different active ingredients in one gel.
10 mg/g (1%) clindamycin, as clindamycin phosphate, and 0.25 mg/g (0.025%) tretinoin.
In the UK product information, Treclin is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris where comedones, papules and pustules are present in patients aged 12 years and over.
The combination is designed to target acne in more than one way: tretinoin influences abnormal follicular cell turnover and comedone formation, while clindamycin provides local antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity.
What Are the Ingredients in Treclin?
Tretinoin
0.025%Tretinoin is a topical retinoid. It helps normalise the shedding and turnover of cells within hair follicles, helping to reduce microcomedone and comedone formation.
Clindamycin
1%Clindamycin is an antibiotic. In acne treatment it has local antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes and also has anti-inflammatory activity.
The key difference between Treclin and standard tretinoin treatment is therefore the addition of clindamycin 1%.
What Is Treclin Used For?
Treclin is used for acne vulgaris where both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions are present. These can include blackheads or whiteheads, papules and pustules.
NICE includes a fixed combination of topical tretinoin with topical clindamycin among its first-line treatment options for acne vulgaris.
How Does Treclin Work?
1. Helps prevent blocked pores
Tretinoin affects follicular cell turnover and helps reduce the formation of microcomedones that can develop into visible acne lesions.
2. Targets acne-associated bacteria
Clindamycin has antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes, a bacterium involved in acne.
3. Addresses inflammation
Both components have properties that can help address inflammatory processes involved in acne.
4. Targets multiple acne pathways
Using two active ingredients means Treclin can target several factors involved in the development of acne at the same time.
Treclin vs Tretinoin: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common questions about Treclin vs tretinoin is whether they are essentially the same treatment. They are not. Treclin contains tretinoin, but it also contains an antibiotic.
| Feature | Treclin | Tretinoin alone |
|---|---|---|
| Tretinoin | 0.025% | Depends on prescribed formulation |
| Clindamycin | 1% | No |
| Contains antibiotic | Yes | No |
| Retinoid action | Yes | Yes |
| Prescription required | Yes | Yes |
| Typical role | Combination acne treatment | Depends on clinical indication and formulation |
Because Treclin contains an antibiotic, decisions about how long it should be used differ from treatment with a non-antibiotic topical retinoid. The appropriate option depends on the individual and should be determined following clinical assessment.
How Long Can You Use Treclin?
The UK Treclin product information states that treatment should not exceed 12 weeks of continuous use without careful evaluation. It also notes that improvement may take several weeks to become apparent.
This is particularly important because Treclin contains clindamycin, an antibiotic. NICE recommends reviewing first-line acne treatment at 12 weeks and highlights antimicrobial resistance when antibiotic treatments are used.
Treclin should not simply be continued indefinitely without review. If your acne remains problematic, your treatment should be reassessed rather than repeatedly continuing an antibiotic-containing product without appropriate clinical oversight.
What Happens After Treclin?
What happens after a course of Treclin depends on how your acne has responded, whether you are experiencing side effects and whether ongoing maintenance treatment is needed.
Because Treclin combines an antibiotic with tretinoin, a prescriber may reassess whether the antibiotic component is still appropriate rather than automatically continuing the same treatment.
Used Treclin and Looking for Your Next Step?
Treclin contains tretinoin 0.025% with clindamycin 1%, but acne treatment does not necessarily remain the same over time. Your skin, previous treatment history, response and tolerability can all influence what may be appropriate next.
Complete an online consultation to explore personalised skin treatment options. Any prescription medicine is supplied only where clinically appropriate following prescriber assessment.
How to Use Treclin
Treclin should be used according to the directions provided by your prescriber and the patient information supplied with the medicine. The UK product information describes once-daily application at bedtime.
Clean and dry the skin
The face should be gently washed and dried before application.
Use a small amount
The product information describes using approximately a pea-sized amount for the face.
Apply as directed
The medicine is intended for external use and should be kept away from the eyes, eyelids, lips and nostrils.
Protect your skin from the sun
Tretinoin can increase sensitivity to UV radiation. Appropriate sun protection is important while using the medicine.
Treclin Side Effects
Like other topical acne medicines, Treclin can cause side effects. Local skin reactions can be particularly noticeable when starting retinoid treatment.
Dryness and peeling
Tretinoin can cause dryness, flaking and peeling, particularly during the early stages of treatment.
Redness or irritation
Some people experience redness, burning, tenderness or irritation at the application site.
Sun sensitivity
Treclin can increase susceptibility to UV radiation, making appropriate sun protection particularly important.
Antibiotic-related considerations
Treclin contains clindamycin, so its antibiotic component introduces considerations that do not apply to tretinoin-only treatment.
If you experience severe or unexpected symptoms, stop using the medicine where appropriate and seek advice from your prescriber, pharmacist or another healthcare professional.
Treclin and Pregnancy
This is because Treclin contains tretinoin, a topical retinoid. If pregnancy occurs while using Treclin, contact the prescribing healthcare professional for advice.
Can You Buy Treclin Online in the UK?
Treclin is a prescription medicine. It should therefore not be treated like an ordinary cosmetic skincare product that can simply be selected and purchased without clinical assessment.
Where prescription acne treatment is provided through an online healthcare service, the patient should undergo an appropriate clinical assessment and a prescriber must determine whether the requested treatment is suitable.
Be cautious of websites claiming to sell prescription medicines without an appropriate prescribing process.
Treclin Alternatives and Personalised Acne Options
There is no single acne treatment that is appropriate for everybody. The right approach depends on factors such as acne severity, previous treatments, skin sensitivity, pregnancy status and the types of lesions present.
Depending on clinical assessment, acne treatment pathways may involve ingredients such as tretinoin, azelaic acid or other appropriate therapies rather than simply repeating Treclin.
Treclin FAQs
What is Treclin?
Treclin is a prescription topical acne gel containing clindamycin 1% and tretinoin 0.025%.
Does Treclin contain tretinoin?
Yes. Treclin contains tretinoin at a concentration of 0.025%, together with clindamycin 1%.
Is Treclin the same as tretinoin?
No. Treclin contains tretinoin, but it also contains the antibiotic clindamycin. Tretinoin-only preparations do not contain clindamycin.
What strength of tretinoin is in Treclin?
Treclin contains tretinoin 0.025%, equivalent to 0.25 mg of tretinoin per gram of gel.
What strength of clindamycin is in Treclin?
Treclin contains clindamycin 1%, equivalent to 10 mg per gram, supplied as clindamycin phosphate.
How long can you use Treclin?
The UK product information states that continuous treatment with Treclin should not exceed 12 weeks without careful evaluation. Your prescriber should advise how long you should use it.
Can you use Treclin during pregnancy?
No. Treclin is contraindicated during pregnancy and in women planning a pregnancy.
Can I buy Treclin without a prescription?
Treclin is a prescription medicine in the UK and should only be supplied following an appropriate clinical assessment and prescription.
What happens after a course of Treclin?
Treatment should be reviewed based on your response, side effects and ongoing acne. Because Treclin contains an antibiotic, continuing or changing treatment should be considered as part of an appropriate clinical review.
Explore More Acne & Tretinoin Guides
Clinical information: This page is general information and does not replace individual medical advice. Information has been informed by the UK Treclin Summary of Product Characteristics and NICE guidance on acne vulgaris.
Sources: Treclin 1%/0.025% Gel Summary of Product Characteristics and NICE NG198: Acne vulgaris management .