Yes, Arazlo is a retinoid. Its active ingredient is tazarotene, a member of the retinoid class of compounds that the FDA approved in 2019 for treating acne in patients 9 years of age and older. What makes Arazlo distinct from other tazarotene products is its lower concentration (0.045%) and a lotion formulation specifically engineered to reduce the irritation retinoids are known for.
How Arazlo Works as a Retinoid
Tazarotene, the retinoid inside Arazlo, is technically a prodrug. That means it’s inactive when you apply it to your skin. Once absorbed, your body converts it into its active form, tazarotenic acid, which then does the actual work of treating acne. Like other retinoids, it speeds up skin cell turnover, helping to unclog pores and reduce inflammation.
Tazarotene is considered one of the more potent retinoids available by prescription. Early comparative research found that tazarotene was more effective than tretinoin at reducing papules (red bumps) and open comedones (blackheads), and cleared pustules faster. Both were equally effective against closed comedones (whiteheads). That potency, however, traditionally came with more irritation, which is exactly the problem Arazlo’s formulation was designed to solve.
What Makes the Lotion Formulation Different
Tazarotene has been available for years in gels, creams, and foams, typically at 0.1% concentration. Arazlo takes a different approach on two fronts: it uses a lower 0.045% concentration, and it delivers it through a specialized lotion vehicle called a polymeric emulsion.
The technology works by encapsulating tazarotene within tiny oil droplets alongside moisturizing ingredients. Those droplets sit inside a honeycomb-like matrix that also contains hydrating compounds. When you apply the lotion, it distributes the tazarotene and moisturizers evenly across your skin, getting the drug into the outer skin layers efficiently while buffering the irritation. In testing, the cumulative irritation score for Arazlo was less than half of what earlier studies found with tazarotene 0.1% gel, cream, and foam. Side effects like dryness, peeling, and redness were also less common than with the higher-strength products.
How Arazlo Compares to Other Retinoids
Prescription retinoids for acne generally fall into three categories: tretinoin (the original), adapalene, and tazarotene. Adapalene is also available over the counter at 0.1% (Differin). Tazarotene sits at the stronger end of the spectrum, and Arazlo represents an effort to harness that strength while making it tolerable for daily use.
If you’ve tried adapalene or tretinoin without enough improvement, or if you’ve been curious about tazarotene but worried about irritation, Arazlo occupies that middle ground. You’re getting a potent retinoid in a gentler package. It won’t be irritation-free, since virtually all retinoids cause some dryness and peeling as skin adjusts, but the formulation meaningfully reduces those effects compared to older tazarotene products.
How to Use It
Arazlo is applied once daily as a thin layer to acne-affected areas. It’s approved for anyone 9 years of age and older, making it one of the few prescription retinoids with a pediatric indication that young. As with any retinoid, you should expect a transition period where your skin adjusts. Starting with every other night and gradually increasing to nightly use is a common strategy for minimizing early irritation, though your prescriber will guide that decision based on your skin.
Because tazarotene is a retinoid, Arazlo carries the same pregnancy warning as other drugs in this class. It should not be used during pregnancy. Sun sensitivity also increases with retinoid use, so daily sunscreen becomes essential while you’re on it.