Tretinoin (Retin-A, Retisol-A) Reviews

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Prescription summary (761 votes)

How well it works

:):):)
3.2/5
Agreeability

:):):)
2.9/5
Affordability

:):):)
3.5/5
Common brand names: Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, Retisol-A, Stieva-A, Avita, Renova

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1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Penny Lane, Brea, CA
May 11th, 2008
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:Heals scars and gets rid of a zit within a few days
Cons:A little pealing at first but that just means your skin is adjusting to it. during the first few weeks your skin could take on a blush after you apply it or after you wash face. However, this is normal. Let your skin adjust to it.
Bottom Line:This medicine works deep within the skin and takes time which means that as hard as it is to be patient, you must give it time. The peeling and redness won't last forever and can be minimized so maybe begin by using it every other night at first like I did. Once your skin adjusts, maybe begin using it every night. I have only used this product for about a month and I do not get much pealing or redness anymore and my scars are healing nicely. Remember: if you have scars, don't expect instant results. Scars take so much time to heal but the retin A will speed up the healing because it increases cellular turnover-that's why it may peel at first.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Penny Lane has used this item for about a month.
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1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
acm1012, NY
May 11th, 2008
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:after about 2 months of using retin-a my skin is beeeaaauuutiful!!! very clear, very smooth
Cons:takes about 2 months to work, in those 2 months expect dry, flaky, sensitive skin. it's totally worth it. but....it doesnt really do much to prevent abscesses/cysts, which i still get from time to time
Bottom Line:great great great! but i still wish there was a magical treatment to prevent / remove cysts without severe marking/scarring
Recommended:Yes
Usage:acm1012 has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:20.00
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1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Michelle, Tucson, AZ
May 10th, 2008
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:Taking a long time to work but it really does help. It takes time and it is slow improvement but I would say that 5 weeks later I am 75% clearer than I was.
Cons:Dry skin and SENSITIVE skin. If I am in the sun for 20 minutes my face hurts. Slow progress which gets frustrating.
Bottom Line:Stick with it. Well worth the patience.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Michelle has used this item for about a month.
Price Paid:10.00
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1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Hiddencat, Philadelphia
May 9th, 2008
How well it works
:):):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:Builds collagen over time to prevent and repair aging, keeps my pores clear, and after a year of use the texture of my skin is very smooth.
Cons:Expensive without insurance, takes a long time to work so requires patience.
Bottom Line:Folks, you have to give it more than a month to work. I didn't start seeing results (well, other than peeling and redness) until 8 weeks and it took 6 months to see a difference in skin texture (softening of scars, etc). You must use a good sunscreen with this as it makes your skin more susceptible to damage when you first start using it. Also, the cream formulation is in a pore clogging base, so you want to consider the gel for acne uses.

Bottom line: I intend to keep using this forever.
Recommended:Yes
Price Paid:15.00
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leilacey, New York
May 8th, 2008
How well it works
:)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:Cheap with insurance
Cons:takes a loonnnggg time to work, IF it ever ends up working...
Bottom Line:I used benzaclin and differin gel prior to using retin a and clindamycin... the differin/bezaclin combo works great for my skin, but my derm insisted that i try this new combo..... Its been 4 months and i have scarring all over my cheecks and jawline.
she said to give it time, and i have.. no improvement. Makes the areas of my skin that are already clear look fabulous, but it hasnt done much of anything for my problem areas. It stings, your skin may peel, does NOTHING for scarring. Its basically useless in my fight against acne.
Recommended:No
Usage:leilacey has used this item for a few months.
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1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Sarah, England
May 7th, 2008
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:Finally something that works! My skin is so much fresher now I am out of the purging stage. Blackheads mostly gone and my cystic acne no-longer about. It works!! I have used for 4 months.
Cons:Initial 2 months - peeling and breakouts. Feels like it is not working but it is. Even on the dark days it is worth the wait.
Bottom Line:I am so much happier and confident. Best of all is the sense that I can expect my skin to behave rather than dreading the next morning waking up and feeling new lumps. I am sure you all know that feeling. Also good reason to use strong sun factor and keep those wrinkles at bay. I can now be vain!! Do not give up.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Sarah has used this item for a few months.
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what, USA
May 4th, 2008
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:)
Pros:I'm on week 11 and parts of my face has cleared up faster than other
Cons:Takes very long, requires tremendous patience and committment
Bottom Line:I'm in my early 20s, began having whitehead problems 6 months ago, went to derm in late Feb and been using Retin-A (along with benzaclin in am) since. It does take a long time to work. The purging process is on and off and scattered, never all at once, which is both good and bad (takes long time, yet allow it to be somewhat managable). My cheeks has on most part improved significantly, but my chin area and jaw line is just starting to purge...so whiteheads are still coming out. I'm on week 11 now...and I guess just keep at it. A tip...after washing your face at night..moisturize your face and wait 20-30 minutes before applying the retin-A. This will help with the peeling and dryness tremendous by the time you wake up, which is inevitable.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:what has used this item for a few months.
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huey, usa
May 3rd, 2008
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:):):)
Pros:i have noticed a little difference but the scars are bad and ihave never had them before.I has been about 2 weeks and i am impatient!
Cons:the scars are awful i hope they go away and this dry pachy area on my chin has got to go
Bottom Line:try it alot of people have had good luck not me yet tho
Recommended:Yes
Usage:huey has used this item for a few weeks.
Price Paid:40.00
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Stephen, Atlanta, GA
May 1st, 2008
How well it works
:)
Agreeability
:)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:cheap, helps oiliness
Cons:thinned my skin permanently
Bottom Line:only used the 0.025%...TERRIBLE stuff..it GAVE me pores all over my face and a bunch of pitted scars where i wasnt even breaking out...i never got any initial breakout from it but it's made my face look ray liotta's now.

my advice is don't keep using it if you see it scarring your face.
Recommended:No
Usage:Stephen has used this item for about a year.
Price Paid:40.00
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Meaghan, Miss, Ontario
Apr 30th, 2008
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:cheap with insurance
Cons:Flaky, dry skin and apparently takes long to work
Bottom Line:OKay. So far I've been using Retina along with Benzamycin gel for about 4 weeks and I have yet to see results. The 1st week my skin was alright, then during the 2nd week, I had a minor breakout on one side of my face. Kept using it and I've gotten a few new pimples on my chin and forehead, but still not on the other side of my face. I've decided to use it for at least another month and I'll let ya'll know if I see a difference. (started at the beginning of this month, will reply at end of may) Wish me good luck ;P
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Meaghan has used this item for about a month.
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