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
December 9, 2010
Cons:
Takes forever
Super expensive
Greasy
Drying
For all you frustrated users: listen up. I started tazorac many years ago and it worked but it dried me out I stopped. Big mistake. I should have kept on it and used it properly. Years later at 22 years old, desperate and depressed about my decade occurring acne, I decided to go back on it. Thanks to this website I realized I was applying it all wrong. Don't do what I did!! I know it's hard not to apply gobs and gobs of product when you're staring at all of those red cysts and wanting them to disappear immediately but it isn't the solution. It will only make it worse I PROMISE. If you're looking for a quick fix this is not your product. I started in October and two months later I still feel like I want to cry when looking at my face. But in just one night of Using it properly I can feel and see a difference. Instead of slathering it on and then spot treating the major ones, apply a good lotion (I use cetaphil or cerave) and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. After that, apply a pea sized amount of tazorac over your entire face. I know this s so hard when you feel like you need a dump truck size amount but it'll be worth it when you wake up in the morning. I did the correct way just last night for the first time and I already feel better. Yes I have zits and red marks still, but I don't have a million new ones popping up among a sea of dry flaky skin otherwise known as my face. I have about 5 weeks to go in the 12 week process and im praying that the new proper application will be what I needed to see the results I wanted. Be patient and understand that this product does not just keep zits from forming like some other weaker products. No, this product does exactly the opposite. It brings everything to the surface and starts fresh. If you dnt want this to happen don't use this. Hope this helped someone. I will post an update after my 12 week marker hits. Wish me luck....
September 17, 2010
Pros:
Clears acne/blackheads
Easy to use
Pores appear tighter
Lightens acne scars
Cons:
Expensive
Peeling skin (becomes less severe with use)
Abnormally oily skin (after month 4)
Dr. prescribed 0.1% Tazorac in conjunction with Acanya Gel and Doxycycline for moderate adult acne. I used the Doxy along with the topicals for 3 months and saw a drastic improvement. I've continued to use Acanya and Tazorac after the oral antibiotic regimen. My face is now flawless (minus the peeling/oily part). Skin was horribly, embarrassingly dry and peeled for the first few weeks. Skin stung and itched for the first few days when applying. Acne did, indeed, get worse before it got better. I've been using topicals alone for 2 months (5 months total w/ Doxy) and had one tiny pimple a few weeks ago. I used to break out terribly on my chin, neck and jaw during my period or ovulation. Now I have no acne at all. I tried all the non-Rx medications available. The best thing I did was to go to a dermatologist and have him put me on an effective regimen. I needed the Doxy to help clear my skin, and now the Tazorac maintains my complexion without oral antibiotics. I pay about $50 per tube, but it will last for about 2-3 months when using a pea-sized amount nightly. Always moisturize before using and be sure to wear a sunscreen during the day, even if you're not using Tazorac during the day. Skin is more susceptible to sun damage/burns when using. I would have given Tazorac a 5, but I can't seem to shake this constant peeling/oil slick combination. But, I would rather have a peely, oily face than the adult acne I used to have. I'm 29 and this is the first time in my adult life that I've been acne-free. :)
January 22, 2010
Pros:
The only product that will clear up my acne. Not Differin, not benzol peroxide, clindimycin, salycilic acid, glycolic peels.
Helped lighten sundamage too!
Cons:
The flaking and burning. It lasts a long time. For me the first time (i stopped using for a while for all natural, needless to say i broke out horrible) around 2 months. This time only a month. Its embarrasing but so worth it. Flaking stops when the bumps go away
Also I experienced a rough initial breakout
Great Great Great! (When the mountain of flaking and initial breakout is over, I'm willing to bear through it). Always wear sunscreen with this and any other retinoid.
March 22, 2010
Pros:
Works but takes a while
Cons:
Dries out face...Dont go in sun with it...you WILL get a reaction
Good but be patient
January 15, 2010
Pros:
Stopped little pimples from becoming bigger pimples. Reduced swelling from pimples that I shouldn't have picked, but did pick. Face is clearer.
Cons:
You have to give your self time to apply. First wash your face, let it dry. Then my doctor told me to apply a mosturizer BEFORE applying the tazorac, so I did, then had to let that dry (15-20 minutes) then lightly apply tazorac.
I use tazorac at night and acuzone in the morning. I read a number of postings about people having a lot of discomfort and peeling. I took heed, and was sure to use a mosturizer first. I also just used the amount recommended, and resisted the urge to slather it on. It is strong, and even though we all may feel that our faces can take anything (since we suffer from acne)....you gotta pay attention to the directions! Also I was told to use it only 3 nights per week and work up to every night, which is what I do now. I never had the discomfort that I read others did. I think I itched one night in the beginning, and I made sure I skipped the next night and was fine. While I did have peeling, it felt as though the pimples were peeling away, so that's not a bad thing, and the peeling was only happening where the pimples were. If I had a particularly "bad" pimple (or one that I popped), I didn't put mosturizer on it...I put a smidgen of tazorac directly on it.It was visably smaller the next morning.
February 19, 2012
Pros:
Makes skin smooth, clears up existing acne, shrinks pores,gives skin a healthy glow
Cons:
Drys skin, inital breakout is horrible!
Ive had acne since the age of 14, i am now 41, ive tried everything and have even been on accutane twice in my lifetime. 12 years ago my derm perscribed me Retin-a 01% gel and it worked wonders but unfortunetly it stopped working, my derm has now given me Tazorac .05% cream which i have been using for 6 weeks and its working!!!! The inital break out in week 3 was aweful but knew i had to stick with it to see results and so far im happy with the results! Now into my 6th week my acne is calming down and my skin has a nice healthy glow. Tazorac will bring all the acne to the surface but i find that the pimples heal much faster. I use it at night only and havent used any moisturizer before applying it but i do however moisturize my face before applying my makeup in the morning. Seriously i never imagined having acne at my age and believe me when i say acne has taken its toll on me emotionally so im hoping that tazorac will keep working for me years to come. Good luck to everyone!
September 7, 2010
Pros:
Clears Acne
Cons:
Itching
Redness
Peeling
Burns
This stuff is hardcore. I got put on it by a doctor as a last ditch effort to help get rid of my acne. It did work a little bit. I dont get deep acne anymore. I still have acne but am finding Im not getting a whole lot of new outbreaks. It is very potent like everyones been saying. Only need to use a pea sized amount in the areas. I started putting moisturizer on after washing my face, then applying this. It was the only way to stop the intense itching and burning. And the peeling is terrible. I would get a ton of dead skin flaking off my face when doin simple things like putting a tshirt on.
January 8, 2010
Pros:
Works…period
Cons:
Terrible IB, itches like hell and the face looks greasy
I have been on this medication for about 13 weeks and my skin has cleared about 90% however, I have some deep red scars thanks to tazorac. My der gave me 5 samples and I still have 2 so I only used 3 in 13 weeks. I have a big tube also that I paid nothing for. If you have mild acne please do not use this product or you will be crying afteward as you will be left out with deep acne scars not mentioning the terrible initial breakout and the paintful acne you will get before it clears. It will clear though. I do recommend it to anybody that has moderate acne like mine. It also doesn't get rid of white heads, I still have many in my nose. I am now on finacea to clear my marks, hopefully it clears my pores.
October 6, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up acne some.
Didn't irrate my skin too much.
Cons:
Redness/burning first week I used it.
This worked pretty well for me, the best thing I have used for acne beside Accutane. Really clears up the pimples I have, but doesn't help prevent new ones from forming.
I read online that it can help with acne scars and marks, not sure about this but maybe it does my scars and marks aren't as bad as I thought they would be since I have had acne since I was 13 and I am now 20.
April 25, 2010
Pros:
easy to use, works effectively
Cons:
none for me.
I went to the dermy after 4 years of emotionally/physically scarring acne. I had many cysts my dermy called them "inflammatory acne" she put me on antibiotics and the tazorac. After i started treatment, i have only had one cyst. yepp, ONE. it has been 3 months, and only ONE! i usually had 3 or 4 a week!!! When i first used it for a couple of days, my cheeks turned really red and warm. But i just put a little less on and that went away. For the first 2 months it made my black heads pop up and open up, some i didnt even know i had, but it is just getting rid of them, they are now gone except for the deep ones on my nose which are just now opening. I can actuallly go to school now without my bangs covering my forehead, and i feel comfortable talking to people again without feeling self conscious. bottom bottom line, THIS STUFF IS A MIRACLE :)
Pros:
Clears deep
Helps wrinkles over time
Hopefully going to clear up skin entirely