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TWYNEO cream is a prescription acne medication and cannot be purchased over the counter. Talk to your primary care provider or dermatologist to see if TWYNEO cream is right for you.
That depends on your insurance provider and pharmacy costs. Consult your doctor or insurance provider for more information about the total cost of TWYNEO cream.
You can also save on your TWYNEO cream prescriptions and refills with a Mayne Pharma Patient Savings Card. Learn about savings and support.
TWYNEO cream uses innovative microencapsulation technology to combine tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide into a single, once-daily treatment. The exact mechanisms of action are not fully understood; however, benzoyl peroxide exhibits antibacterial effects, and tretinoin influences epithelial cell turnover.1
In clinical studies, some individuals experienced results within 2 weeks, and TWYNEO cream continued to clear their skin over time.2
Everyone’s skin is different, so speak to your doctor first about how long you should use TWYNEO cream.
That said, TWYNEO cream was evaluated for 12 weeks in clinical studies, and participants showed improvements in acne severity during that timeframe.1
You may notice your acne improving in as early as two weeks.2 In clinical studies, TWYNEO was evaluated over 12 weeks, and improvement was demonstrated at the Week 12 endpoint.2 As with other medications, you should talk to your doctor before stopping or starting TWYNEO cream.
In clinical studies, the most common side effects of TWYNEO cream were application-site reactions, including:1
- Stinging or burning
- Dryness
- Exfoliation (scaling)
- Erythema (redness)
- Dermatitis
- Pruritus (itching) and irritation
Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. They may recommend using a moisturizer, adjusting how often you apply TWYNEO cream, or stopping treatment if needed.1
Talking with your doctor is the best way to build a routine that works for you. In general, people with acne tend to do well when they:
- Wash their face no more than twice a day using a gentle, non-irritating cleanser3,4
- Avoid scrubs, astringents, and harsh or drying products3–5
- Apply a moisturizer as needed3,4 — especially when starting treatment1
Yeah, it’s a good idea to minimize unprotected exposure to sunlight. You should avoid using sunlamps, tanning beds, and ultraviolet light while using TWYNEO cream. If you have to be in sunlight or are sensitive to sunlight, use sunscreen and wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to cover the treated areas.
Use a pea-sized amount of TWYNEO cream for each area of your face (forehead, chin, nose, and cheeks). Apply a thin layer to your skin, avoiding the eyes, lips, mouth, and corners of your nose.
Do not double the dose to make up for the forgotten one. Just continue the next day with the same amount of product. Try and keep using it as your doctor or dermatologist instructed to get the most out of your treatment.
It may stain and bleach hair and colored fabrics, so wash your hands after you finish using TWYNEO cream.
Your bottle of TWYNEO cream should be stored at room temperature (68°F–77°F or 20Cº–25ºC) and discarded 60 days after first opening.
References:
- TWYNEO (tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide) cream, 0.1%/3% [prescribing information]. Raleigh (NC): Mayne Pharma; revised 2025 Feb.
- Del Rosso J, Sugarman J, Green L, Lain T, Levy-Hacham O, Mizrahi R, Stein Gold L. Efficacy and safety of microencapsulated benzoyl peroxide and microencapsulated tretinoin for the treatment of acne vulgaris: results from two phase 3 double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;89(4):719-27. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.05.093
- Zaenglein AL. Acne vulgaris. N Engl J Med. 2018;379(14):1343-52. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1702493
- Yin NC, McMichael AJ. Acne in patients with skin of color: practical management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2014;15(1):7-16. doi: 10.1007/s40257-013-0049-1
- Schachner LA, Alexis AF, Andriessen A, Berson D, Gold M, Goldberg DJ, et al. Insights into acne and the skin barrier: optimizing treatment regimens with ceramide-containing skincare. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(11):2902-9.
Important Safety Information
Indications and usage: TWYNEO cream is a combination tretinoin (0.1%), a retinoid, and benzoyl peroxide (3%) indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and and pediatric patients 9 years of age and older.
Contraindications: History of serious hypersensitivity reaction to benzoyl peroxide or any component of TWYNEO.
Warnings and precautions:
- Hypersensitivity: Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, have been reported with use of benzoyl peroxide products.
- Skin irritation: Pain, dryness, exfoliation, erythema, and irritation may occur with use of TWYNEO. Avoid application of TWYNEO to cuts, abrasions, eczematous or sunburned skin.
- Photosensitivity: Minimize unprotected exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and protective clothing when sun exposure cannot be avoided.
Adverse reactions: The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥1%) are pain, dryness, exfoliation, erythema, dermatitis, pruritus, and irritation (all at the application site).
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.