I was on Retin A for about 5 weeks, until the summer came and I gave it up. As you most likely know, you should stay in the sun with this product. Anyways, my face didn't get swollen. But it did get more sensitive, and I stop scrubbing it (which looked awful because of all the dead skin) Maybe an idea would be putting it on every second day, or 3 times a week instead of every night.

Thank you for the suggestion
My face isn't puffing up anymore and I'm in the 6th week now.... I guess my skin took time to adapt

If you have oily skin, get Retin-A Micro 0.04%. Retin-A Micro should be a little gentler than the regular stuff because it's time released. I use it in conjunction with Aczone (Dapsone 5%), which in my personal opinion is probably the best acne medication on the market (for me). It doesn't try out my skin, doesn't turn spots grey, and doesn't bleach my shirts like BP. Aczone works better for females, so if you're insured by your company, I'd definitely try to get a script for it. Aczone in the AM & PM and Retin-A in the PM. You can use it together, but I do NOT advise it.

For Retin-A, start the process every THIRD night for AT LEAST 2-4 weeks. Be sure to apply the Retin-A only after 30 minutes after washing your face. Do NOT be over zealous. If your doctor prescribed a higher strength, go back ASAP and get the weaker one. This stuff is no joke. You can't use Retin-A with BP, AHA, and BHA - they are listed ascontraindications to tretinoin if I remember correctly.

The Retin-A peeling process works like this. The peeling occurs on the every third day. It's important you spend time to get that dead skin off your face. Even though I have a clarisonic & wash cloth, I just use my fingers to get it off. If you don't get the dead skin off, you will get breakouts. At the same time, you need to be careful because I've rubbed too hard and the results weren't too pleasant.

If you still find it to be harsh, use the Retin-A with a moisturizer.