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
July 6, 2016
Probably made things worse
I used tazorac as a spot treatment (it was too powerful to use all over) for about a year and a half. I think I liked the idea of just zapping my zits away by drying them out, but I don't think it really made them heal any faster. If anything, I was noticing that the blemishes I used it on would be the most red and inflammed, and I would often get more breakouts in the the same areas that I was using the tazorac on. On a hunch, I decided to stop using tazorac. Sure enough, I stopped having multiple breakouts in concentrated areas and the new zits rarely became as problematic as the ones that I used tazorac for. I do know some people personally who use tazorac and they are almost clear, but for me, I honestly just think it upset my skin and made things worse.
May 16, 2016
Effects of purge not worth it
I always struggled with acne but got it under control after a 2 year battle. The only thing I had were those annoying little colorless bumps on my forehead. Nothing worked so my derm prescribed me with both the .5 and 1%. Because of its effects I'm going on accutane now. The purge was so not worth it and after almost a month and a half my skin still has new painful bumps everyday. In the 2 years that Ive struggled with mild to moderate acne its never been this bad. I highly suggest staying away from this product if you have mild acne. Not sure how it works for more severe cases but I definitely wish I stayed away from this.
May 18, 2015
Used for a year
I used this medication for a year and let me first say it does NOT prevent pimples.. it just makes your pimples not stay as long. Meaning without the medication the pimple would last 4/5 days while on the medication it lasts 2/3 days. However, it seemed like it would make my face break out more. I mentioned this to my doctor who suggested a higher dose..umm so you just keep on increasing my dosage until when? During this period, my skin needed lots of moisturizer and sunblock. For me, it did not work - I have oily sensitive skin. Just to say, though, this was my experience...so I can not speak for others.
June 14, 2014
Super harsh on sensitive skin
I used tazorac for two - three months and saw very little improvement. I endured the horrible initial breakout, and afterwards extreme redness and peeling that made my face look blotchy and awful. If your skin is not very sensitive and you are willing to stick it out for the full twelve weeks, I'm sure you'll get good results. I noticed the pimples it did get rid of quickly looked nice and smooth with no scarring afterwards, so that was nice. But take caution if your skin is easily irritated and you don't want something that will take a good 3-4 months to see any kind of results.
September 21, 2013
Meh
Cons:
Dries skin out a lot
You become "blue face/smurf/Navi" after one game of laser tag
DO NOT PLAY LASER TAG WITH TAZORAC ON! That is, of course, unless you would like a glowing blue face. You can look like an alien and combat acne at the same time. This is only under a black light so don't you worry.
June 23, 2013
Didn't help the way I imagined it would
Pros:
Tightened Pores
Got rid of zits
Got rid of a FEW whiteheads
Cons:
Dries skin out/peeling/redness (which can be worse than acne itself)
Does not clear all acne
Doesn't work in the time frame it says it will
I started using Tazorac after experiencing no results with Differin. I struggle mainly with whiteheads and the occasional deep zit. When I was prescribed with Tazorac, I was so optimistic, mostly because my dermatologist acted as if it were a miracle product. After three full months of using Tazorac, though, I can say that it did not do any miracles (for my skin, at least). Granted, it got rid of a few whiteheads, but that's about it. If anything, it only left me with severe dryness, peeling, and redness. I ended Tazorac last March, and I am still dealing with these symptoms. To make things worse, my skin is still breaking out in whiteheads. I believe I just cannot handle this product.
January 19, 2013
Pros:
Reduces cell overgrowth and clogging of pores
Cons:
Very drying: skin would peel off
Very irritating to the skin
Not very effective for hormonal acne
This is not the choice for hormonal acne, and not my choice for topicals because it is so drying. My face would be dry and oily at the same time. Epiduo works better as a retinoid and is much less drying.
August 11, 2012
Pros:
stopped my acne from getting inflamed
Cons:
made me feel oily, irritated my skin and made it peeling and red. really expensive
it made my pimples kinda scab over, but it didnt prevent new ones. didnt work for me.
April 20, 2012
Pros:
- Less Oily Skin
- It seems as if it is shrinking my large pores
- Skin feels softer where it isn't purging
Cons:
- The so called "purge period" and not knowing how long it will last
- Dry, spotted areas of flakiness and somewhat dull complexion
I'm happy to have come across this review site because my dermatologist did not tell me anything about this "purge period" so I was freaking out that something was wrong as I started breaking out with cysts and white heads for no apparent reason! So since I am purging, I cannot yet rate the product for its acne improvement as I've yet to see and appreciate these expected results. Will post again in a month. If there is anyone with advice on how to get this at a better price vs +$450 USD, as my insurance will not cover it and it's very expensive even at the Club Stores (i.e. Sam's, Costco).
October 23, 2011
Pros:
-results?
Cons:
-Expensive
- Dry out skin
-Bleeds skin
- stings when you put sunscreen or moisturizer on
I haven't been using this too long but when I thought they said "it may get worse before it gets better" I thought it would be peeling more or increased redness. But right now my face is painful, and it feels like I just put super glue all over it. I can barely open my mouth without pain. My face peels but mostly just scaly. I still have 5 more weeks to go. Maybe I just have to be more patient. But my face is so bad that I left school early because of my face pain and how it looked. It stings when I put moisturizer of it, wash it, touch it, move my face, or even put sunscreen on. and it definitely doesnt help that I live in a hot and dry climate.. PRO: This will help and my face will have super soft skin in a while, but it just takes a long while.
Pros:
Cool blue face under black light
Gets rid of some whiteheads