Topical Retinoid
Reviews
3.4
1972 Reviews
Topical Retinoid
Efficacy
50%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Topical Retinoid
Side Effects
Low
Topical Retinoid
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Works about the same as the other two topical retinoids, tazarotene and adapalene, and lands in the middle of those two when it comes to side effects. Should provide partial clearing, but comes with sensitivity when you first start using it. It probably won’t be a total game changer but it should help reduce acne.
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 Tretinoin
Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.1%
4
32%
3
21.6%
2
14.9%
1
9.4%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
July 20, 2009

Pros:

I suppose it would work if I could stand using it long enough...

Cons:

It makes your face really oily. Your acne has to get a lot worse before it can get better!

If you can stand looking a whole lot worse before getting better, than it might work. Also, if you are ok with your skin feeling like oil is dripping off of it, but I cannot!
July 19, 2009

Pros:

Makes your pores really small, skin very smooth and fades acne marks.

Cons:

Some drying, and its oily when you first put it on

This product worked very well for me. I've only been using it for about a few months and all of my acne marks are gone. I have like one or two very small pimples on my face left. The only bad thing is that it dries your skin out a little, but with make up on you cant really tell. I would suggest using moisturizer.
July 17, 2009

Pros:

Clears up acne

Cons:

Dries skin really badly and also causes really bothersome irritation
until the skin gets used to it

This along with Duac and a Sulfur wash cleared up my severe acne COMPLETELY in just a few months, but you see great results in just a month so stick with it. I used it for about 6 months and then my prescription ran out and I was pretty clear for about 3 months but then I started breaking out and within another month I got moderate acne. It's not as bad as before but im getting a new prescription for it again to clear my face up and now. Use this product its amazing and it will cure your acne.
July 14, 2009

Pros:

Clears comedones, clears and tightens pores, improves wrinkles, fades acne scar discoloration

Cons:

Feels a bit thick/oily on the skin

I've only been using it for a week and it has smoothed the skin on my cheeks that were covered in comedones. I use Cleocin-T gel in the morning and Tretinoin at night, and it's doing well so far. Hoping the purge won't be too bad. I recommend this for people with comedones.
June 19, 2009

Pros:

cheap if you have health insurance

Cons:

it dried out my skin, made my acne worse, which they tell it will before you use it, and it made me break out in a massive skin infection all over my face!

DONT BOTHER WITH IT! it did nothing for me but make my face look 10000X worse...i decided to go with a more natural method of skin care....use apple cider vinager, honey and pure vitamin e oil for moisture....my skin has never looked better!
June 15, 2009

Pros:

has cleared up my acne and the frequency of my cyst like acne has decreased significantly and it's an easy product to use
not that expensive.

Cons:

flaking skin in the morning even with moisturizer and it takes forever to work

Surprisingly I didn't experience the redness or the itchiness but I've used this product for abiut 3.5 months now and started to see improvement my dark marks have been fading and even though I get pimples sometimes they heal faster and my skin is really smooth and my face is more 1 tone now BE PATIENT!!! I kno it's hard,but it does pay off eventually
June 15, 2009

Pros:

Really helps skin in the long run. Exfoliates dead skin, purges gunk.
Be patient.

Cons:

Dryness. Standard breakouts in the beginning--patience!
Only apply to the affected area.

I've been using this for a couple years, I just had mild acne like some whiteheads etc. But after the initial breakouts in the beginning of the treatment, it worked very well. Since using it I have cut down to using it a couple times a week at nighttime. For a spot treatment over the Retin-A (.025% gel), or on its own I use Sodium Sulfacetamide 10% and Sulfur 5% lotion which tries up pimples and is very effective. Also, I have cut dairy completely out of my diet. Though sometimes I'll have some chocolate. I really believe in the dairy connection, as does my dermatologist. He's the best in Pittsburgh.
June 8, 2009

Pros:

It made my skin ALOT less oily and it improved some of the numbers of the pimples on my face.

Cons:

-My skin was dried up SO BAD! It came to the point that where just poking at my face hurt like hell.
-Also, it made my skin all flaky.

I would not recommend this product. I used it for like 3-4 months and it was absolute hell. After it got to the point where I couldn't even TOUCH my face without being in pain, I stopped using it. It took a few weeks before my face went back to normal (meaning without the pain of just touching my face).
June 4, 2009

Pros:

After first 3 months, skin was almost completely clear and had a nice glow.

Cons:

First 1 to 3 months were horroble. Had moderate breakouts and my first cist.

Keeps working in decreasing the life span of acne, but no more glow, major breakout on chin, and continuing to break out more.

This stuff completely sucked at first because I broke out so bad and actually got a cist which has NEVER happened before. Then it all cleared up and my skin was almost flawless with a little dryness. But after using it for 10 months, I've broken out horribly again. it's not as bad as before I used Tretinoin, but bad enough to make me go back to being severely self-consciousness. P.S. I started out with 0.01%, but switched to 0.05% later in the school year. the cost increases with increase of percent. I only recommend for mild cases of acne. I am moderate.
May 10, 2009
I have had acne for ever and this was the second product i tried, it made my face very dry and red. I am often in the sun and it made me very prone to sun burn. I did not like it at all. I now use Duac and Differen they are okay product better than Retin-A but still not perfect. This medication was very expensive at my drugstore and was not worth the price

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.