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
January 29, 2009

Pros:

Clears up skin and makes skin smooth.

Cons:

Ruldoph redness, light peeling

I took accutane a few years ago, and then my face started breaking out again recently, so my dr prescribed me tazorac and said "its like accutane, but in a gel form." So far, so good. Ive been taking it for a week, and my skin already looks better! Other than my face being really red, and heating up during the day, its great!!
January 27, 2009

Pros:

this is the only thing that has ever worked for me! i have tried everything over the last 11 years!

Cons:

still get the occasional hormonal breakout.

stick with it! i know it may be discouraging at first, but please give it time to work!
January 19, 2009

Pros:

Definitely clears up skin

Cons:

Peeling and burning in the first few weeks

The first few weeks were painful as my skin got used to the medicince, but during the 3rd and 4th weeks, there was no pain, just a lot of breaking out, I had a terrible pizza face, but it was worth it. A few days ago became my fifth week and my skin is nearly clear. It was totally worth it, even though it sucked being in public, you gotta pull through. Before I started using tazorac, my acne was moderate, during usage, it became moderately severe, and it is now very light
January 10, 2009

Pros:

Clears Skin, i have much clearer skin on my forehead and cheekbones. fewer breakouts, the breakout dries out faster than normal

Cons:

dries out the skin, peeling. USE a Moiztureizer, non comedegenic and oild free, i recommened Aveeno. before you apply tazorac and use it in the morning before you go out. acne does flare up for about the first month, after that will deminish quickly!

definately worth the price (i only paide 10 dollars) it is not very expensive. clearing my acne for longer than any other product ever has. ProActive, Clearasil, Clean and Clear, Masks, Doxcycline, just weren't doin it for me. but this is!. Worth a shot :)
December 31, 2008

Pros:

Really makes skin smooth and clear, reduces pimples.

Cons:

dryness, peeling, stinging

MAKE SURE TO USE MOISTUIZER!! Don't apply this cream like other creams, apply it lightly and every couple of days. It really will work, nothing else worked for me but tazorac did.
November 27, 2008

Pros:

Helps prevent/treat scarring, shortens the lifespan of pimples.

Cons:

OILY. Keeps bringing up the acne. Does next to nothing for blemishes.

I've used this for about 5 months now and I have seen a slight difference in the consistency of my acne. I noticed that Tazorac is only speeding up the rate at which my pimples form and dry on my face. My blemishes, on the other hand, keep forming due to the constant renewing of my skin. Therefore, I would recommend using an antibiotic along with the Taz in order to prevent any new pimples from forming.
November 12, 2008

Pros:

It worked really well and relatively quickly. It also seemed to make my skin more healthy overall

Cons:

In the beginning, and sometimes now, my face was very red and had a heated feeling. It was also very dry, however, not as bad as some other people described, but it depends on the person

it worked well on most of the acne. It was well worth the couple weeks of red and dryness. I still have some, but expect the majority of this should be gone within the next month or so, and nothing can prevent the occasional breakout. It also works on wrinkles. Over the summer, my facial skin had an allergic reaction, resulting in wrinkles in my forehead even though I'm only 13. The tazorac really improved this condition and now I have almost none. I am very pleased with this so far and hope for even more improvement in the near future. The total price for me was about $20, but without insurance it would have been over $100, so it is pricy but I believe well worth it in the long run.
October 28, 2008

Pros:

clears up 99% of acne. now i only experience a few blackheads when I have my period, which is common. I had acne for about 7 years, this finally worked

Cons:

its expensive.

never made my skin dry or flaky..overall skin is softer and better looking...still a few zits once in awhile, NOTHING like it had been.. it works..BUT YOU GOTA STICK WITH IT.. makes skin worse at first because its getting the gross stuff out of the skin. may take a week or 2.
October 22, 2008

Pros:

It did help with my acne (out of nowhere at 23 I broke out in horrible acne on my temples/ear area and both sides of my neck)

My skin is also a lot smoother, too.

Cons:

Weird scent, and flaking of skin (sometimes becoming a bit ulcerated)

I got a few samples from my doctor, and I think I might buy this.
October 21, 2008

Pros:

Works great to get rid of my clogged pores (although I also use Duac). I've used them for almost 2 years and my skin looks great! I'm thinking about stopping they worked so well.

Cons:

It gave me dry skin in the beginning, but it did go away after a few weeks. It still comes back occasionally when its cold, but I just apply it every other day for a week or two and it goes away.

Highly recommended if you can tolerate some temporary dryness.

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.