Suggest Methods To Use Retino A For Breakouts On Face

Hi
I am 21 years old male from India. I have continuous breakouts and tanning on my forehead and I have been recommended Retino - A cream(0.025%). Doctor told me that I have to apply it every night using a toothpick or something else with less area so that I can apply it on breakouts. I want to ask that should this cream be used as spot treatment as i have read on internet in many articles that it should not.

Thanks