Topical Retinoid
Reviews
3.4
969 Reviews
Topical Retinoid
Efficacy
51%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Topical Retinoid
Side Effects
Low-Medium
Topical Retinoid
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Produces similar results to the two other topical retinoids, tretinoin and adapalene, which means only partial clearing, and comes with far more sensitivity and side effects when you first start using it. It probably won’t be a total game changer and don’t be surprised if it’s too much for your skin to take.
Topical Retinoid
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Read All About Tazarotene
Compare To Other Treatments
5
18.7%
4
32.9%
3
25.3%
2
13.9%
1
9.2%

Used Tazarotene? Rate It:

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October 6, 2008

Pros:

Over long term use (like a few months up to a year or more) taz really make your face more even-toned. make acne less frequent, and scars start to fade!!

Cons:

Burning after application, slight oilyness, yet at the same time your skin is dry and peely.. a strange state to deal with...

If you aren't much of a princess, and you can wait a few months while it makes your face look like crap, you will benefit immensely. DONT use makeup with taz, it will just make the situation worse!! Ive talked to so many girls who feel ugly while using taz, so they load on the foundation, only to make their skin look cakey, and then they quit possibly the best thing that happened to their face! >__< so PLEASE stick with this product!! A good tip is to not focus so much on your skin while using it. Cause then all you'll want to do is go and put more on, or see if its done anything yet! Just wait it out! (and use a moisturizer with no salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide)
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April 24, 2008

Pros:

Could see an improvement over night!

Cons:

I am so nervous to see how my skin will react over the next couple of weeks

I have had acne since 7th grade (I am in college now) and it recently got so bad that I was too embarassed to leave my apartment, even to go see the dermatologist! Once I made it there, he recommended Tazorac. Last night, I washed my face with Epicuren Acne Medicated Cleanser, then used the Epicuren Glycolic Peel (I am switching from Epicuren products to Cosmedix products in hopes that my skin will clear quicker), applied a nickel size amount of Cetephil moisturizer, then a pea size amount of Tazorac. I woke up this morning with noticeably smoother skin and less redness around infected areas. This happened in ONE NIGHT. I am dreading the next couple of weeks, seeing as how everyone says their skin got a lot worse before it got better, but what is a couple weeks compared to the years I have suffered from acne? It is worth a shot, I would say! I will update you all in a month or so with the conditions of my skin. Best of luck, don't let acne get you down!!
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January 3, 2025
Hi!! How did you find continuously using the medication? Did you experience purging?
April 18, 2008

Pros:

Beautiful complexion in my skin now.

Cons:

Still have a few scars, HORRIBLE (I MEAN HORRIBLE) initial breakout.

Ok basically, you're going to want to quit when you use this product in the beginning. It makes you're skin look like absolute crap the first month or two. Trust me, I wanted to kill myself after looking in the mirror each day. But suddenly, after 2 months of enduring, I suddenly started clearing up. It's my third month now, I can finally go to school and actually interact with people. Don't give up, give this product a chance!
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February 21, 2008

Pros:

Works fairly well

Cons:

Can cause drying peeling when used with other medications, but is easily fixed with proper mosturizer

Overall a good medication that works well when used over time. It also gives your skin a very nice color and tone, and evens out alot of the redness from zits. Just use in moderation, as thick films usually cause redness and excessive peeling without any benefits to your skin.
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December 27, 2007

Pros:

Does work, but takes a while. It hasn't completely cleared it away, but has definately helped

Cons:

Dry, and red face.

It's definately worth trying. Out of all the things i tried this has by far been the best. It's worth the money. Don't even give it a second thought, if you havent tried it.
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January 10, 2007

Pros:

this stuff really does work.

Cons:

you have to be patient. if you use too much, you'll wish you could take a fire hose to your face to alleviate the pain and suffering. seriously.

i almost gave up. the direc. say that most people see results in 8-12 weeks. i saw them in 6 months, but was worth the wait. skin actually started to improve at three months- then got all pimply again. much to the disbelief of my derm., this stuff was not as quick or effective as the retin-a that i was on, until i built up a tolerance to retin-a. so the derm rec. taz. it slow going for sure, at least for me. and if you use too much it will burn-no hurt like the dickens. i would definetly rec. a moist. over it. good luck.
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August 13, 2015
Ridiculous price. Disgraceful.
I just tried to get a script filled for my daughter. $500. These people should be ashamed of themselves.
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August 19, 2015
CALL THE MANUFACTURER WHO MAKES IT (ALLERGAN) AND ASK FOR THE COUPON DEPARTMENT, 1-800-433-8871. THEY WILL ASK FOR YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS AND WILL EMAIL IT TO YOU. THE FIRST WILL COST $10.00, SECOND REFILL $2.00, AND LAST REFILL WILL BE ZERO. I JUST TRIED IT AND IT WORKED. I AM SO HAPPY NOW!!!!
September 23, 2015
Not true Amber. It sounds like it's changed. You now ENROLL in a program that allows you to EARN points towards a coupon. Expensive.
September 28, 2015
Amber is correct. I used the number this weekend and got a coupon for which I only paid 10 dollars.
January 19, 2013

Pros:

*You can see that it brings your black heads to the surface within the first week or so (purging period)
*It clears the black heads up relatively quickly, definitely quicker than they would clear up on their own (there's less inflamation)
*Your face gets a nice healthy glow
*Less irritation and greasiness so you don't look so red and bothered (if you have it bad like me)

Cons:

*The flakiness near your eyes and mouth and brow line
*That flakiness makes your face kind of itchy but DO NO itch, just brush your fingers on the spots that itch
*After using it for a while it burns and stings your face if you wash it and then put it on, but it's worth it. After using it for a little longer the burning goes away so just fight through.

This stuff works so far. and you have no idea how happy I am to say that. I'm one of those people who have tried everything. I've given up makeup, I only drink water. Here is my regimen, I wash with a scrub that prevents black heads, moisturize and at night I wash again, put cerave moisturizure on and then only put tazorac on my cheeks, temples, and brows, I have HORRIBLE acne, I hate it, but this has been pulling up black heads and clearing them in record time. It's definitely worth a try.
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October 12, 2012

Pros:

cleared cystic acne
cleared scalp folliculitis
helps sun damage
helps overall appearance of skin, like even skin tone, etc...this drug is not meant for this...but i see some improvements in the skin tone....
oil control for oily/combination skin
way better than tretinoin, differin, etc

Cons:

drying of skin around lips
my derm claims to help sebaceous hyperplasia...not so far...i have been on this for almost 10 weeks now...may be i am not patient...i dont know...
sensitivity to sunlight, skin more susceptible to UV damage...
reduced alcohol tolerance...may be i am just getting old...lol...
eczema...very mild...i see one small spot on my left arm...i put a lotion on it...it goes away...so this is not really a con...just wanted you to know..

it worked...took some time...may be like 2 weeks to see results....i use it with bactrim-generic...i think tazorac(0.1%) is the drug that is really doing the magic....but since tazorac could take upto 12 weeks to see results...this combination would like kick start the results i guess.... before this combo, i tried minocycline(2x100mg)/day with benzaclin in the am, tretinoin/differin before bed.....i have oily skin with moderately severe cystic acne on face...there would be like couple of them on face, when they settle down, another 2/3 in a different area of face would slowly show-up, also severe scalp acne, aka folliculitis...if you are an athlete like me, you know what i am talking about..caused by all the sweat..anyways...this would leave bad scars with big dark spots...mino with all these topicals never worked for me...i would work only when i am taking them...then my derm would tell me reduce the mino doasge...then within next 2 days..the acne would come back...so this was really not working for a long term basis...i took them for like 4/5 years...lost patience like million times during these years...changed 4 derms....they all kept prescribing the same combo and asked me to be patient.....eventually i changed derm...the new doctor immediately changed to bactrim(generic..too long name to type-in..lol) with tazorac....it is working because i started lowering my dose...and the acne has not come back yet...which wasnt the case with mino and its combo topicals....big relief.....i am scarred to go into accutane-generic b'cos of all the article i read....esp. the joint pains...joint pain are a big NO NO for weight lifters... bottom line, this is a good drug to try out before accutane....please ask doctor for tazorac....tazorac is like the topical accutane...it works the same way as accutane with almost no serious side effects other than drying of skin...which skin gets used to in like a month..and drying is good foe people with oily skin...i hope this
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July 20, 2012

Pros:

-loosens blackheads

Cons:

-does not actually clear blackheads or acne, you must extract the blackheads with pore strips, comedone extractors, or facials
-does not keep pores clear without the aid of another product or facial, etc.

I've had acne since I was 12. I'm now 27 and for the last year have experienced hormonal breakouts and irritated, inflamed skin, almost rosacea-like with clogged pores(blackheads). After using this product at night combined with Aczone in the morning, my skin has improved significantly. I just saw my dermatologist for a 10 week followup and she said I should consider getting extractions/facials. My face looks 75% clearer. I can scratch my skin lightly with my fingernail and the blackheads come out.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.