Aklief (trifarotene) cream

Aklief cream is a skin treatment used in cases of acne vulgaris.

Can I buy Akief cream online?

Aklief cream can be prescribed online by a doctor at The Online Clinic following a consultation. Please complete the free consultation form to start.

What is Akief cream?

Aklief is a cream containing 50 micrograms/gram of trifarotene, which is an active substance belonging to the group of medicines known as retinoids. It is used as a skin treatment to treat Acne vulgaris of the face and/or the body trunk when a person has many whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pustules (i.e., spots and pimples). These whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pustules form when the hair follicles and their accompanying sebaceous glands become blocked and inflamed with a mixture of the gland's oily, fatty secretion, called sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria on the skin.

Retinoids are obtained from vitamin A or have a similar form and action to vitamin A. They act by stimulating increased skin cell production and accelerating the removal of sebum in the sebaceous gland ducts, thereby reducing inflammation in these glands. Retinoids also play a role in reducing the production of the fatty material in sebum and the formation of the sebum-producing cells, thus reducing the likelihood of hair follicle and sebaceous gland blockage.

How to use Akief cream

Aklief is for use only on the skin of the face and/or the trunk and must be used according to your doctor's instructions. Aklief cream is provided in a pump-operated container, which must be primed on the first occasion before use. This is done by pressing the pump down several times until cream is dispensed; the pump is then ready for use.

Aklief is used once daily, in the evening. The skin should be clean and dry before use. A thin layer of cream is applied only to affected skin of the face and trunk. Always wash your hands after application. As a guide:

• One pump actuation should cover the entire face
• Two pump actuations should cover the upper trunk
• One pump actuation should cover the middle and lower back.

It is not recommended to use four or more pump actuations of cream in a day.

Do not use on damaged skin, eczematous skin, skin that has been 'waxed' (hair removed), or sunburned skin; wait until the skin is healed. Avoid sunlamps and phototherapy; avoid excessive sunlight exposure by using sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and protective clothing (hat, shirt) over treated areas. Also avoid getting the cream in the eyes, or on eyelids, lips and mucous membranes (in the nose and mouth). If you do get cream in or on these areas, then rinse immediately with lots of warm water. As soon as you start using Aklief, you are advised to use a moisturiser when needed. The moisturiser can be applied either before or after Aklief, leaving enough time for the skin to dry between applying the two products. Use Aklief cream with caution if applied at the same time as other skin products including cosmetics.

Acne is usually reduced only after several applications of Aklief, and must be used for as long as your doctor has told you. After three months of treatment, you will likely be assessed to ensure that the acne continues to improve. Using more Aklief than you have been told will not clear the acne any faster but may cause skin irritation. Contact your doctor if you use too much Aklief, and as a matter of urgency if anyone swallows it or a child uses it. If you forget your evening application, then miss it, and use Aklief the next evening.

Who can use Akief cream?

Aklief is for use by patients 12 years of age and older. It should not be used by women planning pregnancy or who are pregnant. There may be a risk of Aklief's active compound passing into breast milk, so women who are breastfeeding should mention breastfeeding and Aklief use to their doctor before starting treatment. To avoid the infant ingesting or coming into contact with Aklief, women should not use Aklief on the breasts or chest area while breastfeeding.

Do not use Aklief if you are allergic to trifarotene or any of its other ingredients. To note is that Aklief contains products that may cause skin irritation (propylene glycol E1520) and a burning feeling on damaged skin (alcohol/ethanol). Should skin irritation with symptoms such as stinging/burning, red, dry, and/or peeling skin occur and/or persist, contact your doctor as you may have to stop using the cream.

Inform your doctor of all medicines that you currently use, recently used, or might use. Other acne medications and cosmetics that have irritant, drying or peeling effects may have additional irritant effects when used with Aklief.

Akief cream side effects

It is common to experience skin reactions at the site(s) of application, including skin irritation such as redness, dryness, peeling, and stinging/burning, itch, and sunburn. Uncommon side effects include skin pain, discolouration, loss, swelling, rash, and allergic dermatitis. Rarely, some people experience urticaria (hives), vesicles, asteatotic eczema (a type of dermatitis with dry, scaly, cracked skin), seborrheic dermatitis (itchy, red, scaly skin), skin fissures (cracks due to dryness), darkened skin, peeling or swollen eyelids, and chapped lips.

Reviewed by: Dr Loraine Haslam MBBS, DRCOG, DFSRH, LoC SDI, LoC IUT, MRCGP
GMC registration number: 4524038
Date: 6 February 2024
Next review: 5 February 2026
All UK registered doctors can have their registration checked on
The Medical Register at the GMC website.

Information Leaflet

Source and further information

Download Aklief Patient Information Leaflet