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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March 26, 2013

Pros:

There are a lot of positives, better thank Proactive! 1. It works very fast ( 48-72 hrs). 2. Glowing & bright skin 3. The 30 gram tube lasts a long time, when used as directed. 4. Fragrance Free. 5. Light and not sticky. 6. You can easily travel with it. 7. Clears the ACNE and SCARS. 8. Makes skin very very smooth (like baby's skin) my mom was amazed! 9. Does not create scabs like Benzamycin. 10. Great as a moisturizer under make-up.

Cons:

There are a few negatives. 1.You have to watch what you wash your face with, it may burn when combined. 2.Use Neutrogena Acne Stress Control or Cetaphil, works great together, they are kinda expensive together. 3.Don't get it close to your eyes or mouth,will burn ESPECIALLY EYES (in the corners). 4.It will dry out your skin a bit, but only initially when combating Acne, don't worry. I used Proactive & it ruined my complexion & had to unknowingly join their "membership". This fixed that disaster!

I have used many Acne treatments over the years. This Tazarac, by far, is the best for my skin. I started using it June 2012 and after 9 months of use it has completely cleared up my problem. I get compliments ALL the time about how smooth & flawless it is! Before I had a lot of Acne scars and dark marks. This product used consistently with a non-irritating and salicylic cleanser will do the trick. To combat dryness, apply this product and wait about 45 mins & use a light moisturizer. The best!
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December 29, 2011
So I don't know? I've been using this for about four months now. i had HORRIBLE BOTTOM line horrible acne . my face peeled burned and still and looked red. around the 3 month it cleared my face for about a day and then about three weeks ago my face broke out EVERYWHERE even my neck where i had never broken out before. but starting three days ago i started using clean and clear spot treatment along with tazorac.(THIS is not for people who can't tolerate burning/pain higher than 6) because it burns SOOO BADD. but in these 3 days my face AND NECK are completely clear now. idk what to give the credit to but I'm not about to stop one of the and break out again. cause its just embarrassing i can finally put my hair up again!! yayy.
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September 24, 2011

Pros:

Clear, soft skin. Helps clear post acne scars, dark spots and even fine lines. Skin looks perfect.

Cons:

Takes a while. They aren't kidding when they said it gets worse before it gets better. Makes skin peel but with a good lotion it is very mild peeling that easily wipes away after the shower.

Bottom line.... I tried every single product. After my skin exploded from tazorac I was about to give up but I stuck with it.. And still nothing.. Kept with it for a few more months an by the 4th month my skin was like brand new. I still get an occasional pimple but this stuff is a miracle cream. It even helps my stretch marks. I also had a lot of dark spots from former pimples and the tazorac cleared those up. This stuff is amazing. It takes a long time....totally worth it. Love it.
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February 24, 2010

Pros:

DOES SHOW THAT ITS WORKING

Cons:

Skin gets worse before it gets better

I have been using this product for about month now and was not seeing any results. I changed the soap (white dove) to Cetaphil and have seen better results since then. After using Proactive, I was desperate to try anything. Can't wait until the summer. Hopefully, my skin will look like my son's, only darker, lol.
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July 31, 2009

Pros:

Smooth and glowing skin and improved skin texture.

Cons:

Peeling and flakiness

I've been using Tazorac for several years. It works really well in improving the skin's texture. My skin is usually flawless, but I still get an occasional pimple during my monthly cycle. I would totally recommend this. If you are concerned about the flaky peeling skin, I would suggest the cream over the gel formulation.
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June 11, 2009

Pros:

-got it for free from derm
-pretty smooth skin
-helped with scars

Cons:

-first week intense dryness which passed quickly
-little irritating
-face is a little oilier

alright so i started this cream mid-late march and have been using a good amount once daily.i have seen pretty good improvement but recently i have random little red bumps all over my face (non-inflammatory) is this part of the process? and i use cetaphil daily moisturizer in the morning and sometimes a little benzoyl peroxde.
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May 8, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up acne

Cons:

Causes peeling for first 1-2 weeks of application
Tolerance will build, required stronger medication

It's slow, but it does work if you give it time. My skin was reddened, tight, peeling, and in general: horrible, for the first week. It got better, and I began to see a reduction in acne. After 4-5 months my skin was noticeably clearer, though I still had the occasional cist and breakout. Then my derm moved me from .05% cream to .1% cream. Again, I peeled and was red, etc, but this time most of the acne cleared up with rare breakouts. When I ran out, I stopped using the taz and started using some of my leftover differin, and within a month my skin was very broken out again. After two months of a busy schedule I went back into my derm and she put me back on .05% for a second round. So far, my skin hasn't reacted nearly as badly as before, and this time I'm using a cleanser to improve the effectiveness. I'm on my 3rd week of the second round, and the acne on my cheeks is starting to clear up, though the acne on my chin, forehead, and between my eyebrows is slow to fa
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November 19, 2009

Pros:

My skin heals faster and I have fewer breakouts. It does not help black heads, but reduces the size of pimples.

Cons:

My skin did not start getting extremely dry, peely, and itchy until two months into use.

It is the best product I have tried, my skin is moderate to severe, and this stuff leaves me with no more problem areas but only a pimple or two to stress over. I went from the .5 to 1 percent, and that made all the difference in effectiveness.
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June 17, 2016
Amazing
My skin cleared up in 2 days using this. Here's what I do: I remove all makeup from my face and neck using the red bioderma makeup remover. Then, I cleanse my skin with NeoStrata 2% glycolic acid foaming cleansing water. I'm not sure if this product is available in the USA, but I highly recommend this product. It is very, very gentle and effective. After drying my face, I apply a thin layer of Tazorac gel 0.1%. I have been doing this for only 2 days and have seen major improvements. I had cystic acne all over my cheeks, tiny under the skin breakouts almost everywhere else and severe redness and discolouration... Not to mention deep scarring on my cheeks. Tazorac has already nearly diminished every issue that my skin had. I paid about 65 dollars for a tube at the pharmacy in Canada. I noticed it made my skin very oily directly after applying it. I used the bioderma makeup remover and a cotton pad to remove the oil and have had no new breakouts. I did not experience any irritation, but have read that many people will get dry or itchy skin. If your skin gets dry I would recommend using Tazorac every other night and using a cold pressed coconut oil every morning. My skin is finally clear! Hooray!!!!
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May 19, 2016
Has it's pros and cons for acne
I use Tazorac Gel .1 Tazorac is a tricky product. I have been on Tazorac for over 2 years now and it's sometimes a love/hate relationship. I will say it is EXCELLENT at helping get rid of scaring and hyper pigmentation. HOWEVER, if you use too much of it you will regret it. If not used in just the right amount for your skin it will cause your skin to dry, crack, peel, turn red and unfortunately for me caused me to break out more because my skin was so irritated. I have learned through trial and error that the best way for me to use Tazorac is to wash my face in the evening with VANICREAM, let dry, apply VANICREAM moisturizer, let dry, and then apply the smallest amount (less than a pea size) to the back of my hand. Then using my fingertips I dot the Tazorac on the problem areas of my face and smooth product out to the other areas. Avoid lip and eye areas. It takes about 2-3 months for the skin to really get used to this product. When first using the product, my skin went through a very sunburned looking, dry and ugly PURGING period that was disheartening. However, I do believe my skin is better off with the product now. The key is to use it every day at night before bed and ONLY as directed. Don't be slack about using it because if you start and stop your face will hate you for it. An extra perk about this product is that it also helps with aging and sun spots. I know I have said a lot of negative things about Tazorac but all in all it is a very good acne product when used correctly. It's just one of those things that takes time and a lot of patience to see results.
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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.