Acne.org Products
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.
Used Tazarotene? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
March 3, 2008
Cons:
Pricey and drying if you don't properly moisturize. Also for me, my skin will look dry and "sunburnt" for about a week as it dries up then sheds the acne away.
I just got through recommending Tazorac to a friend who had samples, but had tried it and given up after a few days because she thought it made her acne look worse. I assured her that based on experiences I have had with the product, the "worse" look was actually her cysts drying and healing up. I told her to try it again and hang in there. As for the dryness, it was a tremendous discovery to find out that moisutizer actually helped. I think many acne prone people forget that oily skin needs moisture too. It need not be a fancy moisurizer, just a noncomgenic effective one. The $50 tube I have will last me about a year, because it does not take much for even full face coverage. I find that just treating my problem T-zone works quite well for me.
January 10, 2008
Pros:
it cleared up my blackheads immediately
haven't seen any white heads
Cons:
started to see some peeling, but nothing a little scrubbing can't fix.
dermatologist gave me a sample that's supposed to last me a month (using a pea size dot or less) i've only been on tazorac (used at night) for a week (along with clenia cream during the day), and i haven't seen any new white heads or black heads. I typically get at least 1-2 break outs a day, and none in a week!! i've started to peel a little bit, but i just use a scrub in the afternoon to take care of it, and a hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic moisturizer. doctor also prescribed solodyn, but i did some research and i don't know if it's worth the side effects. I'm going to stick to tazorac and the clenia... i typically get a cyst or two every month, so hopefully tazorac will stop those so I don't have to get on solodyn.
September 29, 2007
Pros:
This is the only medication that cleared up my skin. Before this medication, I have tried so many prescriptions and off-the-counter medications and none of them worked. I don't have any acne on my face anymore, and now I'm using it on my back too.
Cons:
It takes time and you have to be patient. It dries and peels the skin, but that's all your dead skin cells, so don't think its worsening the situation. When you stop using it, your acne comes back. And, when the skin peels, oh boy!...it burns so much
Get it!...just bear with the pain for like two weeks and you will be one happy camper!
July 14, 2007
Pros:
Some improvement
Cons:
Horrible dryness of skin. Very Expensive.
Been using for 1+ years. The severe dryness has never gone away. My morning routine consists of applying 2 to 3 seperate coats of moisturizer to mask the fact that my face is flaking off. As a side effect, I would say dryness is pretty horrible. Its bad enough where i have to skip using about one day a week because my face cant take it. For effectiveness, I still get acne, but maybe a little less?
July 10, 2007
Pros:
It made my skin smooth and clear in the first 2 weeks of application.
Cons:
My skin had never been that dry before. I had red, itchy dry skin all over my face. My chin was really red and flaky and i stopped using the product after 9 weeks.
I would talk to your doctor about this product first. Do your own research and learn about other topical medications. I would ask your doctor to start you out on differin which is not as irritating and still just as effective. Your skin will still get dry when using differin but its not as severe. When using any of these products try not to pick your FACE. Your pimples will really get BIG.
May 28, 2007
Pros:
Really does work. You just have to be patient because progress is slow. But all good things take time (LOTS of time).
Cons:
The initial breakout can be hell, just remember that it isn't in vain.
I've been on Tazorac (.1% cream), Solodyn (started with 90mg, but was upped to 135mg at the 3-month mark) and BenzaClin for almost four months now and I have to say that there's a large improvement. The sides of my face and my temples were AWFUL so as a result I have many red marks there, which will fade over time, but almost every part of my face is smooth now. I've had acne since about fourth grade and it got worse at a steady pace until the second sememster of my freshman year in high school and my face just exploded out of nowhere. I wore a ton of make-up and wouldn't even look at myself in the mirror without my "face" on. It looked like I got beat with the ugly stick. And now, almost four months into treatment, I go out in public with no skin make-up on (I threw it all out). Yes, it was mineral make-up too, but my skin is ULTRAsensitive and can't deal with anything on it, so I just decided I was going to face the world with hope. Others in the same boat should too
April 29, 2007
Pros:
I'm prone to both cystic acne and ezcema:
since using Tazorac 0.1% Cream, my cystic acne “zits†have been shrinking, and I have NOT had an ezcema flare-up.
I've been using Tazorac 0.1% Cream nightly for about a week. I was prescribed Tazorac when my old medication, Benzamycin, lost its effectiveness after 3 years. I'm prone to cystic acne (adulthood onset) and eczema (childhood onset), so I was nervous about trying any retinol, for fear it would flare up eczema, but Tazorac has impressed me. Since using Tazorac, my cystic acne 'zits' have been shrinking. I get some pinkness/redness, but it goes away within 20 minutes of applying the Tazorac. I haven't experienced the initial break-out yet; however, it has only been a week *knocks on wood*. I have not noticed any burning at all. I get little flaking. MILD exfoliation with Cetaphil, followed by Aveeno moisturizer with SPF 30 in the morning seems to cure the flaking. To those, who experience(d) burning, stinging or severe peeling while using Tazorac: I think you should talk to your doctor/dermatologist; it sounds like an allergy to an something in Tazo
April 22, 2007
Pros:
it helps for scars, and might even help for an emergerncy pimple
Cons:
it dries up your skin, it look like if the skins on ur face is coming off.
along w/tozarac,i use a oil that has worked pretty well,i know ur probably thinking that oil is probably worse but its natural &works awesome,it's like BP. damp & it dries. its called "tree tea oil' u can buy this @ any health store,along w/jojoba oil which works well for dryness.i also read in a health book,that u should reduce products like, soda,coffe, animal meats, fish, milk, candy, fried food, beer, chips, & all those yummy foods,because some break out because of what they eat & other have no effect, like me its just my hormones, i guess but i did notice that fried food make me break out more. ***oh yah & working out helps, cause u sweat out the bad in ur body. &try not 2stress out cause that triggers it, *-* i know its painful but ur not theonly one out there,so have faith cause u will soon c results.oh yah forgot,4 all those that wear stuff on their hair& don't wash daily i would recommend wearing a shower cap or something,cause those products can make it worse when u sleep.
March 7, 2007
Pros:
reduces pimple size, works fast, clears up your face w regular use, keeps acne under control w/ random use.
Cons:
dryness, butning sensations, not a complete solution on its own
I have been struggling with moderate - sevre acne since i was 14... now i'm 21. I was using BP and it was working like a miracle until a few months down the road my face was swelling up, i was allergic afterall... *sigh.
My dermatologist perscribed me Tazorac 3 yrs ago with doxycylin and peroxide wash cloths; as a last chance before accutane. The combination worked amazing (but the $ was CRAZY for all those Rx). My skin got so clear after a few months that I started to get kind of lax on the use. Using only when I had a pimple (once every other week). Five months after I stopped using my face broke out. Now I am starting to use it consistantly again w/ Cetaphil wash and Olay moisturizer. I recommend everyone to give it a try, and try different soaps and moisturizers that work for you. TO AVOID THE BURNING - You have to use small amounts/ don't overdo it. Gradually increse to a fingertip amount. Also wait for your face to dry after washing, this prevents irritation.
January 27, 2007
Pros:
If you give it time, it works. It works differently than antibiotics, meaning it can be used simultaneously for better overall results. Improves other factors contributing to the quality of your skin.
Cons:
The initial purge (where the acne gets much worse before it gets better) and the risk of extreme irritation are the biggest cons - but get through this and you'll be happy with the results
It cleared my skin up like nothing else has - after 3 years of using antibiotics to keep just cysts at bay, I finally have the near perfect skin I've always wanted. Start with a really small amount the first few days and ramp it up slowly let your skin get used to the drug - the burning and the irritation, and in my case, oil overproduction will subside in a few weeks. Even then, you should only be using something like a pea sized amount on your whole face. Use a non-comodegenic moisturizer (I used jojoba oil, which is its own miracle) to combat dryness and irritation. If your using benzoyl peroxide, make sure not to use it at the same time as tazorac (am vs. pm) because they chemically neutralize each other. I gave it a fair chance, and now I slap myself for not having tried it sooner.
Pros:
As a 48yo woman who has battled acne off and on since early teens I can expertly say this is the most consistently effective treatment I have ever found. I know it works when I need it. I have used it when needed for about 7 years