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:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
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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November 14, 2009

Pros:

kind of clears acne

Cons:

none no more

This is my 6th week on this medication and at first it cleared all my tiny bumps in a weeks, those are all gone but I am still pretty broken out with the big ones. I just keep on getting new ones every day, like 3 a day. For how long more will I be getting them. My face overall looks good but I still get a lot. I am honestly going to keep on using it for the full 12 weeks hoping to clear my acne that I have suffered from many years. I will keep you all posted. I am so depress now. I will come back in 6 more weeks hopefully with a clear face ;(.
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October 31, 2009

Pros:

Great product, check out my experience at [link removed]

Cons:

Insurance has to verify with the prescribing dr. that Tazorac will indeed be used for acne treatment. That is because they fear people use it for cosmetic reasons, and of course insurance companies don't pay for cosmetic products.

Give it a try. I did an was very happy with the results. [link removed]> Ruby
October 26, 2009

Pros:

Effective

Cons:

Side Effects

I have been on Tazorac for about a year now. The first 2 or 3 months were brutal ... Not a pimple in site, but my skin was red, peeling, and the constant burning brought me to tears. Sound familiar? To combat the dryness my doctor prescribed Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Lotion (1%). Within a week the redness, dryness, and peeling were gone. I use the Clindamycin every morning and in the evening I use the Clindamycin, wait 15 minutes, and apply the Tazorac. My skin is finally flawless.
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October 26, 2009

Pros:

Clears skin, smoother skin, reduces oiliness, helps prevent milia

Cons:

itchiness when on skin (severe at first), burning sensation, increased sun sensitivity, mild peeling, initial breakout

I am 22 years old and developed mild acne, oily skin, and milia about 3 years ago. I have been on Tazorac for 7 weeks and all side effects are gone. My skin is almost completely clear and no new milia have formed. My skin is now less oily. It is also supposed to prevent fine lines which is fantastic. This treatment is excellent and I plan to use Tazorac for the rest of my life. It is important to keep using and to get through the initial breakout (for me it was at its worst weeks 3-5 (my mild acne became moderate and I broke out worse than I ever had) but kept using the product and am so glad I did. How I use it: Wash in the PM with cetaphil cleansing bar for dry skin. Apply cetaphil moisturizing cream. Let it dry for 30 min and apply a pea sized amount to areas of my face that I are prone to blemishes. In the AM, exfoliate with St. Ives apricot scrub, wash with cetaphil, and use bare escentuals mineral moisturizer. My dr. said to use bare escentuals mineral make up to keep skin
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October 23, 2009

Pros:

Clears Skin completely. Baby skin smooth

Cons:

peeling redness.If you stop using it acne returns after a period of time.

I have always had cystic acne or the ones that are red with a little white head. I used tazorac .1% and it cleared my skin. My skin was flawless. I stopped using it and I broke out again. I am currently on the .5% and it has removed the red acne vulgaris (red painful pimples) in a week. I broke out with white heads in my T-zone. Its only my 6th week and I know that it takes it time. It worked great before so I'm hoping it will work again. I loved this cream its amazing. Im crossing my fingers!! I didn't moisturize before on the .1% and my skin was fine I do have sensitive skin but not that sensitive. I don't really moisturize now with the .5% and I peel slightly.
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October 22, 2009
I continued to peel at my skin for the first couple of weeks. (clearly, I'm an idiot). Also, I didn't use moisturizer because my derm didn't mention it and it wasn't on the direction I had. So, now my acne is getting better but I have these red splotches on my face from the skin that was peeled away. Does anyone else have any experience with this? Any suggestions on speeding the healing process?
October 16, 2009

Pros:

it clears acne fast especially the little ones.

Cons:

itchy, dry skin

Omg! The first week or so my skin go so bad, I broke out horribly and I was so itchy I wanted to scratch my face off. I had to cover my entire face with make up cuz I was embarrass people would see me with that face. I have suffered from acne ever since I was 14 and I am 26 now. I have been on taz for two weeks now and I am so far happy with the results I am seeing. My forehead was full with little bumps and now all of them are gone, my skin feels so smooth when I wash it however, I still get some big pimples here and there and those do not go away that easy and that fast. I have like three in one cheeck and like two in the other but overall my skin looks clearer and all the little bumps have already disappeared. I am using this in conjuction with bactrim and I use the obagi products for the acne marks and belive me... it is really helping a lot. I feel much more confident now. I will come back in like a month to tell all of you how my skin is looking. I wish I could add before and
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October 14, 2009

Pros:

Gets rid of minor blemishes quickly; even better, it also treats and clears cystic acne and post-cystic scars/marks.

Cons:

severe skin peeling, increased redness, face/skin feels raw, tender to the touch, burning skin, chapped lips, dryness.

if you have sensitive skin or oily/dry combination skin, tazorac can feel like it's burning your face off, even if you use a very very small amount (I use 1/2 pea, which is 1/2 a dosage). my entire face peels off every week, which is embarrassing and tough to cover up. after it peels, it feels raw and burns a lot, so much so that it's difficult to even moisturize with a dermatologist recommended facial lotion. still, it has cleared very painful cystic acne...although i'm not sure which is worse''molting face or acne face...
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October 11, 2009

Pros:

Clears up acne fast, gives you a really smoothe complexion, gets rid of fine lines and dark spots. I look 5 years younger! Very happy w/ the results.

Cons:

Very oily first 2 weeks. Dries out skin. Must follow directions exactly and you need to moisturize alot. Don't go in the sun without protection.

I am an older user of Tazorac. I am 51. I have suffered with adult acne since I was 18. I was on birth control pills for 35 years! Had to stop 4 months ago because of my age. I was very concerned about what my skin would do without the bc pills. It was not that great on them. I have moderate acne that I fight w/ daily. I told my derm to put me on something aggressive. She put me on Soloydn & Tazorac. After 2 weeks I developed every symptom you can get from Soloydn. I had a fever, terrible chills, body aches no energy and hives. I thought I had the flu until my husband said it might be my new medication. I stopped using it (my derm swears she's never had a patient w/ side effects!) I then continued w/ the Tazorac. I am so happy w/ the results! I actually looked in the mirror and said to myself "You are really pretty!" This is definetly my new best friend. Pretty much stinks that even at this age I still have to worry about acne! Hope this has been helpful.
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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.