The image shown is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual appearance of your specific compounded medication.
Radiance
Radiance is a comprehensive formulation for blemish-prone skin that may help manage breakouts, calm redness and irritation, and help with skin brightness around post-blemish marks. Its blend of ingredients associated with microbial control, a healthy immune response, and skin clarity targets contributing factors of skin blemishes while promoting smooth, radiant skin.
Azelaic Acid
Clindamycin Phosphate
Dexpanthenol
Tranexamic Acid
Tretinoin
This compounded cream is typically prescribed for adults working on uneven skin tone, dark spots, and acne-prone skin, applied once nightly as part of a broader skincare routine under a provider's guidance.
- Cleanse your face thoroughly and pat dry.
- Apply a thin layer of Radiance to affected areas or the entire face once daily in the evening.
- If needed, follow with a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
- Follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day, as tretinoin may increase sun sensitivity when initiated.
Practical tips:
- A little goes a long way — a pea-sized amount is usually enough to cover the whole face.
- If your skin is new to tretinoin, your provider may suggest starting a few nights a week and increasing frequency as tolerated.
- Avoid layering other exfoliating acids or retinol products on the same night unless your provider says it's okay.
- If your skin tends to be sensitive, waiting 20–30 minutes after cleansing before applying may help limit stinging.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT COMPOUNDED MEDICATIONS
This medication has been compounded (custom-prepared) by a pharmacy. Compounded medications are specially prepared for individual patient needs based on a valid prescription and, as such, are not reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or efficacy. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
This compounded preparation:
- Has not been approved by the FDA
- Has not undergone FDA review for safety, effectiveness, or quality
- Is prepared specifically for you based on your prescriber's order
- Individual outcomes may vary
Dosing is determined by the prescribing provider based on patient-specific factors. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions. Compounded medications are not subject to FDA approval and lack the same safety and efficacy data as FDA-approved commercial medications. This medication should be prescribed and monitored by a licensed healthcare professional familiar with the condition being addressed and the specific applications of the medication.
This compounded medication is only available when the commercially available product is unavailable or when a prescriber determines that there is a clinically significant difference for the patient.
Medicine Information
- Support an even and bright skin tone by targeting dark spots and discoloration1,2
- Help manage blemishes in congestion-prone skin3
- May help support smooth-looking skin4
- Help manage post-blemish dark marks (uneven skin tone) 5
- Contains dexpanthenol and niacinamide, which may help with tolerability and support the skin barrier6,7
- Supports healthy collagen levels 8
- Provides convenience by combining multiple ingredients in a single nightly application
Possible Side Effects
- Redness, peeling, or dryness, especially during the first few weeks of use 10
- A warm or stinging feeling right after application 10
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight 10
- Mild itching or a tingling feeling 5
- Rarely, an allergic reaction such as hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing — stop use and contact a healthcare provider right away if this occurs
Warnings & Precautions
- If you're new to retinoids, consider starting slowly — a few nights a week — before working up to nightly use, as your provider directs.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, since tretinoin can make skin more prone to sunburn.
- Avoid harsh scrubs, waxing, or other irritating treatments on treated skin while using Radiance.
- Keep away from the eyes, lips, and inside of the nose.
- Let your provider know about any other topical products you're using, especially other exfoliants or retinoids.
- Not recommended during pregnancy or while trying to become pregnant unless directed by your provider.
- Use only with direct provider guidance if you have a personal or family history of blood clots, given the tranexamic acid component.
Contraindications
- Not for individuals with a known allergy to azelaic acid, clindamycin, tranexamic acid, tretinoin, or related ingredients.
- Do not use on broken, sunburned, or eczema-affected skin without provider input.
Drug Interactions
Some products and medications can add to irritation or interact with how Radiance works, so it's worth mentioning these to your provider:
- Other topical retinoids, exfoliating acids (glycolic, salicylic), or benzoyl peroxide — combining these with Radiance may increase dryness and irritation
- Sun-sensitizing medications (such as certain antibiotics or acne medications) — combined with tretinoin, these may add to sun sensitivity.
- Other oral or topical antibiotics — may add to the risk of skin irritation and could affect how clindamycin works.
Handling Requirements
- Keep away from children and pets
Tretinoin works by attaching to retinoic acid receptors inside skin cells, which changes how those cells grow, mature, and shed.4 This can help unclog pores, support collagen-related renewal, and help soften the look of dark spots over time.4,8
Clindamycin phosphate is an antibiotic that helps control the microbial presence of anaerobic bacteria living in the pores.3
Tranexamic acid blocks the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, which is known to trigger both discoloration and redness.2 It has been noted to limit the number, redness, and pigmentation of inflamed blemishes.1
Dexpanthenol and niacinamide support the skin's barrier. Dexpanthenol acts as a humectant and supports the skin's endogenous maintenance processes, while niacinamide supports ceramide production and hydration in the outermost skin layer.6,7
Azelaic acid works via multiple pharmacological pathways.9 It can disrupt a bacterial cell's pH balance and interfere with protein and DNA synthesis to exert microbial control. Azelaic acid inhibits the growth of keratinocytes and synthesis of the keratin protein; abnormal keratinization is associated with clogged-pore formation.9 Azelaic acid is also associated with a healthy immune response and has antioxidant properties.9 It inhibits the tyrosinase enzyme to tame melanin activity and promote a bright and even complexion.9 Azelaic acid inhibits the activity of the enzyme 5α-reductase, helping block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), thereby helping manage androgenic effects such as excess sebum production.9
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT COMPOUNDED MEDICATIONS
This medication has been compounded (custom-prepared) by a pharmacy. Compounded medications are specially prepared for individual patient needs based on a valid prescription and, as such, are not reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or efficacy. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
This compounded preparation:
- Has not been approved by the FDA
- Has not undergone FDA review for safety, effectiveness, or quality
- Is prepared specifically for you based on your prescriber's order
- Individual outcomes may vary
Dosing is determined by the prescribing provider based on patient-specific factors. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions. Compounded medications are not subject to FDA approval and lack the same safety and efficacy data as FDA-approved commercial medications. This medication should be prescribed and monitored by a licensed healthcare professional familiar with the condition being addressed and the specific applications of the medication.
- Li Y, Hu X, Dong G, Wang X, Liu T. Acne treatment: research progress and new perspectives. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024;11:1425675. Published 2024 Jul 10. doi:10.3389/fmed.2024.1425675
- Sobhan M, Talebi-Ghane E, Poostiyan E. A Comparative Study of 20% Azelaic Acid Cream versus 5% Tranexamic Acid Solution for the Treatment of Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Patients with Acne Vulgaris: A Single-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial. J Res Med Sci. 2023;28:18. doi:10.4103/jrms.jrms_443_22
- Stein Gold L, Baldwin H, Kircik LH, et al. Efficacy and Safety of a Fixed-Dose Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%, Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1%, and Adapalene 0.15% Gel for Moderate-to-Severe Acne: A Randomized Phase II Study of the First Triple-Combination Drug. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(1):93-104. doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00650-3
- Balado-Simó P, Morgado-Carrasco D, Gómez-Armayones S, López-Ferrer A, Barco D, Ferrándiz-Pulido C, Podlipnik S. An Updated Review of Topical Tretinoin in Dermatology: From Acne and Photoaging to Skin Cancer. J Clin Med. 2025;14(22):7958. doi:10.3390/jcm14227958
- Kircik LH. Efficacy and Safety of Azelaic Acid (AzA) Gel 15% in the Treatment of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Acne: A 16-Week, Baseline-Controlled Study. J Drugs Dermatol. 2011;10(6):586-590.
- Proksch E, de Bony R, Trapp S, Boudon S. Topical Use of Dexpanthenol: A 70th Anniversary Article. J Dermatolog Treat. 2017;28(8):766-773. doi:10.1080/09546634.2017.1325310
- Niacinamide and Its Impact on Stratum Corneum Hydration and Structure. Sci Rep. 2025;15:88899. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-88899-0
- Balado-Simó P, et al. An Updated Review of Topical Tretinoin in Dermatology: From Acne and Photoaging to Skin Cancer. J Clin Med. 2025;14(22):7958 (mechanism of action and collagen synthesis data). doi:10.3390/jcm14227958
- Sauer N, Oślizło M, Brzostek M, Wolska J, Lubaszka K, Karłowicz-Bodalska K. The multiple uses of azelaic acid in dermatology: mechanism of action, preparations, and potential therapeutic applications. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2023 Dec;40(6):716-724. doi: 10.5114/ada.2023.133955. Epub 2024 Jan 8. PMID: 38282869; PMCID: PMC10809820.
- Tretinoin. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2024 (topical retinoid irritation and photosensitivity data).
- Griffiths CE, Russman AN, Majmudar G, Singer RS, Hamilton TA, Voorhees JJ. Restoration of collagen formation in photodamaged human skin by tretinoin (retinoic acid). N Engl J Med. 1993;329(8):530-535. doi:10.1056/NEJM199308193290803
Q: Why would my prescriber choose this instead of something over the counter?
A: Radiance uses pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, some of which are only available with a valid prescription from a healthcare provider. Your provider can prescribe a compounded preparation with multiple ingredients at optimal strengths in a way that isn't available in an over-the-counter product. This lets your regimen be tailored to your specific skin and goals.
Q: How soon might I notice a difference?
A: Radiance partially depends on skin cell turnover, which is a process that takes place over several weeks. Some early skin adjustment — like mild redness or peeling — is common in the first few weeks and often settles down. Softening of dark spots is also a very gradual process. Noticing a difference may take regular use over timeframes referenced in clinical literature.4 Individual response may vary.
Q: Can I use Radiance if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
A: Radiance is not recommended during pregnancy or while trying to become pregnant, and should only be used with your provider's explicit guidance if you're breastfeeding. Please talk with your prescriber about your specific situation before starting or continuing use.
Q: Why is sunscreen important with this cream?
A: When initiated, tretinoin may induce redness, thin the stratum corneum, and bring younger cells to the surface, making the skin sensitive to sunlight. Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day helps protect your skin while you're using Radiance. Conversely, long-term tretinoin use has been associated with collagen production, arresting photoaging, and helping with overall skin resilience.11
Q. Can Radiance be applied in the morning?
A: Radiance contains tretinoin, which may cause transient redness and also tends to be deactivated by light. It is therefore best applied at night to retain its activity and when the patient may be less conscious of possible irritation while asleep.
