
Treclin Gel
Treclin gel is a prescription-only treatment containing clindamycin and tretinoin and is used to treat mild to moderate acne. It is applied once daily at bedtime, directly to the affected areas. Individuals aged 18 or over can request treatment for Treclin from Quick Meds.
Clindamycin is an antibiotic which kills bacterial growth on the skin helping to reduce acne symptoms. It can also reduce inflammation, helping to ease symptoms.
Tretinoin is a topical retinoid that regulates skin cell turnover. In doing so it can prevent dead cells from clogging pores, whilst also reducing inflammation.
Together these two ingredients help to unblock pores, reduce formation of new spots and improve skin texture over time.
At a glance
Dual-action formula. Combines an antibiotic with a retinoid.
Clears pores & bacteria. Exfoliates dead skin cells whilst reducing acne causing bacteria
Targeted 12-week course. Designed for medium-term use to avoid antibiotic resistance.
Online prescription. Available online in the UK through Quick Meds following a clinical review.
Treclin Gel Summary
Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
Active ingredients | Clindamycin 1% Tretinoin 0.025% |
Used for | Topical treatment of acne vulgaris with comedones, papules and pustules in adults. |
Medicine type | Prescription only medicine (POM) combining a retinoid with an antibiotic |
Age Eligibility | 12 years and older (Quick Meds treats ages 18+) |
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding | Contraindicated. Must not be used. |
Dose | Once daily at bedtime |
Onset of effect | Initial improvement seen after 4 weeks. |
Typical treatment length | Reviewed at 12 weeks. |
How To Buy Treclin Gel Online In The UK
As a prescription-only medicine, you cannot purchase Treclin over the counter. Quick Meds provides a safe, regulated online prescribing pathway to access treatment without the need for a GP appointment:
Complete an online consultation. This asks about your symptoms, medical history and if you take other medicines.
Checkout. Add Treclin to your basket and checkout.
Clinical review. A UK-registered prescriber reviews your consultation for safety and appropriateness. Images of the affected area may be requested to verify the diagnosis.
Fast delivery. All approved orders are dispensed in-house, packaged securely in plain, discreet packaging and sent straight to your door.
Strengths, Pack Sizes And What You Receive
Treclin is supplied as a single strength: 1% clindamycin with 0.025% tretinoin. Each box contains a 30g tube alongside a patient information leaflet.
Delivery Information
At QuickMeds, we understand acute skin infections require rapid treatment. Orders approved by 3:00PM Monday to Friday are dispatched on the same working day. We offer Royal Mail Tracked 24 and Special Next Day Guaranteed delivery options to suit your treatment needs.
Treclin Pricing
Pack size | Price |
|---|---|
30g | £21.95 |
Prices are correct as of October 2026 and include the medical consultation, prescriber review and dispensing fees. Delivery options are calculated at checkout.
What is Treclin And How Does It Work?
Treclin gel is a prescription-only-medication that has a dual action mechanism, and contains two active substances: clindamycin and tretinoin.
Clindamycin is an antibiotic which stops Cutibacterium acnes growth on the skin helping to reduce acne symptoms. It also reduces inflammation, helping to ease symptoms.
Tretinoin is a topical retinoid that regulates skin cell turnover. In doing so it can prevent dead cells from clogging pores, whilst also reducing inflammation.
Together these two ingredients help to unblock pores, reduce formation of new spots and improve skin texture over time.
What Acne Types Does Treclin Gel Help With?
Treclin Gel is specifically used for mild to moderate acne vulgaris where a combination of clogged pores and inflammatory spots is present.
Acne Type | Appearance | Does Treclin Help? |
|---|---|---|
Comedones (Blackheads & Whiteheads) | Clogged pores at or beneath the skin surface. Non-inflammatory. | Yes. Tretinoin speeds up skin cell turnover to unblock hair follicles and clear trapped oil. |
Papules & Pustules | Small, red, swollen spots or pimples with pus at the tips. | Yes. Clindamycin kills the bacteria causing inflammation whilst calming redness. |
Nodules & Cysts | Large, deep, painful, hard lumps beneath the skin surface | No. Treclin is not indicated for severe nodulocystic acne. This requires a dermatologist referral. |
Does Treclin Gel Help With Acne Scars?
Treclin helps fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (flat red or dark marks left after a pimple heals) by speeding up skin cell turnover.
However, it cannot repair true acne scars (deep pitted, ice-pick or indented scarring), which involve permanent tissue loss in deeper skin layers.
How Effective Is Treclin For Acne?
Results from clinical trials confirm the combination treatment produced a greater reduction in lesions when compared to treatments containing clindamycin only (47% vs 13%) or tretinoin only (38% vs 7%)
Furthermore, observational clinical data has shown an average percentage reduction in severity scores of roughly 17.6% at week 4, increasing to 63.8% by week 12.
The key takeaway is that consistency in application is required and that the best results are seen over a 12 week time frame.
How Long Does Treclin Gel Take To Work?
Weeks 1 to 4. This is the adaptation phase. Tretinoin accelerates skin cell turnover. You may notice mild dryness, peeling, or retinoid purging (temporary increase in breakouts)
Weeks 4 to 8. Initial improvement seen. Inflammation calms down, and new spot formation begins to slow.
Weeks 8 to 12. Maximum clinical benefit. Pores remain clearer, skin texture improves and inflammatory papules and pustules are significantly reduced.
If there has been no improvement after 12 weeks of consistent use, contact your Quick Meds prescriber to evaluate your treatment plan and explore alternative treatment options.
How To Use Treclin: Application and Administration
Treclin should be used as part of your daily routine. Here is how to apply Treclin appropriately:
Cleanse. Gently wash the affected skin with mild soap or a gentle cleanser and warm water.
Dry thoroughly. Pat dry then wait until the skin is completely dry before applying.
Apply. Squeeze a pea sized amount of gel and apply thinly over the entire acne affected area, not just individual spots.
Avoid sensitive areas. Avoid eyes, lips, nostrils, mucous membranes and broken or sunburnt skin.
Wash hands.Thoroughly wash hands after application.
Treclin gel is for external skin use only. Avoid contact with eyes, eyelids, nostrils, mouth membranes.
Application Adjustments & Missed Doses
If you experience initial peeling or drying, apply an oil-free moisturiser after Treclin has fully dried. Alternatively, apply the gel on alternate nights until the skin adapts.
If you miss a dose, skip this application and apply your next dose the following evening. Do not double up an application to make up for a missed dose.
Treclin use is limited to 12-week courses. Using the treatment continuously beyond this time is avoided to minimise the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Storage Recommendations
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store below 25°C and do not freeze.
Do not use Treclin after its expiry date.
Do not share your acne treatment with others.
Skincare Routine And Things To Avoid
Daily skincare routine with Treclin:
Opt for gentle, non foaming, fragrance free cleansers.
Non comedogenic, oil free moisturisers and sunscreens are best for acne prone skin.
Avoid harsh exfoliants, medicated soaps, scrubbing solutions and chemical peels whilst using Treclin.
If you wear makeup regularly, it would be beneficial to use non comedogenic makeup. Ensure you are fully removing it at night - leaving makeup on overnight can clog pores, leading to breakouts, acne and blackheads.
When shaving, be gentle over treated areas to avoid irritation.
Avoid heavy, oily hair products that can aggravate acne around the hairline.
Lifestyle Habits
Acne is common and is not caused by poor hygiene. Here are some lifestyle tips to support your acne treatment:
Do not pick or squeeze your spots - this can lead to scarring.
Having a balanced lifestyle can contribute to your skin health: a balanced diet and a good sleep routine can significantly impact acne treatment.
Avoid smoking.
Manage your stress - try relaxation techniques such as meditation.
Side Effects Of Treclin
As with all medications, side effects are a possibility. With Treclin, skin reactions are common during the first 2 to 4 weeks as tretinoin speeds up skin cell turnover.
Frequency | Side Effects | How to Manage |
|---|---|---|
Common (up to 1 in 10) | Dryness Skin redness Peeling Itching Stinging Shiny skin appearance. | Use a gentle, oil-free moisturiser. Reduce application to alternate nights if peeling occurs. |
Uncommon (Up to 1 in 100) | Increased oiliness Skin scaling Temporary acne flare-up Mild rash | Continue the routine gently. Purging usually resolves after 3 to 4 weeks of treatment. |
Severe Reactions
If you experience any of the following symptoms, wash your face immediately, stop using the cream and seek immediate medical attention via NHS 111 or A&E:
Severe swelling.
Painful blistering.
Severe burning/crusting.
Signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth or throat, difficulty breathing, hives)
Who Is Treclin Suitable For?
The gel is indicated for use in adults and children over 12 years with moderate acne vulgaris, where comedones, papules and pustules are present.
If your symptoms have not improved with other acne treatments such as benzoyl peroxide washes, you may benefit from using Treclin gel.
At Quick Meds, Treclin is available to patients aged 18 years and over only.
Who Shouldn't Use Treclin?
Whilst an effective topical treatment, the gel should not be used by:
Anyone allergic to clindamycin, tretinoin or any of the inactive ingredients.
Anyone with a history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) or antibiotic-associated colitis.
Have a history of skin cancer, or acute atopic eczema/rosacea in the application area.
Suffer from severe nodulocystic acne (e.g., acne conglobata or acne fulmicans)
Interactions and Precautions
Inform your clinician of all current medications, skin creams, and supplements you take or use during the online consultation.
Concurrent skin products. Avoid using physical exfoliants, medicated soaps, astringents, or high-alcohol toners whilst using Treclin, as these can cause severe skin drying.
Sun exposure & UV light. Tretinoin thins the outer skin layer, increasing photosensitivity. Avoid sunbeds and direct sun exposure. Apply sunscreen (SPF 30+) every morning.
Pregnancy & Contraception. Tretinoin can cause birth defects. Women of childbearing age should use adequate contraception whilst using Treclin and for 1 month after stopping.
What Are The Alternatives to Treclin
If Treclin is not suitable for your skin type, Quick Meds offers several alternative options:
Treatment | Active Ingredients | Key Features | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
Treclin Gel | Clindamycin 1% + Tretinoin 0.025% | Dual antibiotic and retinoid. | Moderate acne with papules, pustules, and blackheads. |
Duac Gel | Clindamycin + Benzoyl Peroxide | Dual antibiotic and antibacterial (reduces resistance risk). | Inflammatory spots and red pimples. |
Epiduo Gel | Adapalene + Benzoyl Peroxide | Non-antibiotic retinoid and antibacterial gel. | Persistent breakouts without a risk of antibiotic resistance. |
Differin Gel | Adapalene 0.1% | Retinoid. Normalised skin cell turnover. | Comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads). |
Skinoren Cream | Azelaic Acid 20% | Antibacterial, keratolytic, and suppresses excess melanin. | Mild-to-moderate acne, sensitive skin, dark spots. |
Why Choose Quick Meds For Your Treclin Prescription?
Quick Meds is a UK-based GPhC-registered online pharmacy dedicated to providing safe, convenient and discreet healthcare. Every prescription request is independently checked by our in-house UK-registered prescribers to ensure clinical safety.
References
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5371.pdf
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5371/smpc#gref
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/acne-vulgaris/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3140902/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32020824/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31012560/
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/tretinoin-with-clindamycin/
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know
How quickly does Treclin work?+−
Treclin takes a few weeks to see a noticeable benefit. This was best seen, during clinical trials, from 4 weeks onwards with a maximum benefit seen at 12 weeks of consistent use.
Is Treclin the same as tretinoin?+−
Treclin contains the active ingredient ‘tretinoin’ as a combination preparation. It is not the same as Isotretinoin or other similar products.
Is Treclin a retinoid?+−
Retinoids are a derivative of Vitamin-A, used in skin products to accelerate skin turnover to aid acne treatment. Treclin contains tretinoin, which is a retinoid.
Can I use Treclin every night?+−
Yes, Treclin gel should be applied once daily, in the evening/bedtime.
Does Treclin cause purging?+−
There is a possibility of ‘purging’, as Treclin causes rapid skin cell turnover, it may push already clogged pores to the front of the skin in the initial phase of treatment.
Can Treclin gel make acne worse at first?+−
Treclin causes rapid skin cell turnover, it may push already clogged pores to the front of the skin in the initial phase of treatment. Acne in some cases may seem worse, before it gets
better. Consistency in use over 12 weeks shows the best results.
Can you use Treclin long term?+−
Treclin should be used for 12 weeks and then reviewed by a Clinician. It is ideally used for short 12 weeks bursts and not for long-term use as this can increase antibiotic resistance.
Does Treclin help with blackheads?+−
Yes, it does help by removing clogged pores in the skin to reduce black heads.
Does Treclin help acne scars or hyperpigmentation?+−
Treclin gel can help fade flat red or dark marks left by acne (hyperpigmentation), but it will not fix deep pitted or raised acne scars.

