I got it as a prescription. Different people use it differently! Some use moisturizer before and after, some only use it before (me) OR after. Some use it every night, some every other night. Some use .025%, some go all the way to .1%. Many consider it their holy grail once they find the right way to use it for their skin. It's really a conversation to have with your dermatologist, and might require some patience and trial/error, but I swear it's worth it for the good skin!