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Side Effects
Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.
Tretinoin is usually applied once a day around bedtime.
Used Tretinoin? Rate It:
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April 10, 2007
Cons:
made me breakout for several months w/ big cysts; skin was still oily; scars still present even while using hydroquinone along w/ it; acne never cleared
It was def. the worst product for me; it worked for the first week or 2 and I was excited but then I started getting cysts all over and that did not stop for many months; a lot of my pitted scars were from using this and it has been about 4/5 yrs; I used the .1% kind as well; it may work for some people but I also had the same reaction w/ Differin so I guess topical retinoids just don't work well for me
March 27, 2007
Pros:
nothing yet, been 10 days
Cons:
very, very oily. more cystic breakouts, face very red and burning.
I'm not sure how much longer to stay on this Retin A. Stopped using Accutane because my hair was falling out so I will give this a try for a few more weeks then giving up on all medicine. I had enough!!!
December 20, 2006
Pros:
Did not help much at all. My skin is just as bad as it was before I started the medication.
Cons:
The inital flareup was very severe. Although I have 'recovered' from that flareup, my acne condition is not any different to that before the treatment.
If after the inital outbreak I would recover with nice skin, it would have been worth it. However, this has not been the case, and so I dont know why I went through this long dreadful process. I think this medication doesnt work equally well on every person. You will neeed to have the right skin of type in order for this Retin-A work. I think I will switch to something else soon.
December 3, 2006
Pros:
works amazingly well, it's been the only thing that has consistently worked and at the moment i have beautifully clear skin -- somone actually complimented my complexion the other day (AND I HAD TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE SKIN)...
Cons:
extreme flakiness in the winter, sometimes it burns if your skin is sensitive
use in conjuction with a good moisturizer (i used SkinMedica) and stick with it, it will definitely clear up your skin...this last time i needed skin attention i had used tazorac for a long time instead of my usual retin a and while it helped, my skin was not *clear* until I started the retin-a (a plus side was that since the Tazorac had been in my system for so long, I had minimal initial breakouts). pair it with a Vibra Derm facial and you're all set
November 22, 2006
Pros:
Less oil production, rather have really dry skin than oily skin, and ultimately has reduced my acne.
Cons:
Has not ceased my acne completely, and sometime causes peeling.
Retin A has done much more good than bad throughout the 8 months I have been taking it. I like the fact that it reduces oil, because it is more or less like accutane in a cream form. Anyone that has moderate to severe acne, and does not want to try accutane, I would highly recommend Retin-A.
October 14, 2006
Pros:
it shrinks pores, tightens up your skin(good for people with wrinkles),and helps scars.... im using it for acne though of course..my acne probably wouldnt even be considered 'moderate'.. its just mostly comedones(blackheads) and a few pimples
Cons:
peels skin, its been making me break out big time the last 3 weeks but it will be worth it.. its better to push the junk out of your face anyways then keep it in there..
people dont notice acne on your face anyways.. its all in your head so dont freak out and keep at it!
February 2, 2012
Pros:
-Noneeee
Cons:
-So much more acne
-Dries my skin out
So I've been using this for a few months and I understand there is an initial break out period, but it just hasn't stopped. I've been using it for three months and all it does is dry my skin out and give me like seven new pimples for every one it eliminates.
September 20, 2011
Pros:
Easily applied
Only once a day
Cons:
still haven't seen results
I'm 16 and I've been using this product since mid-May after i got a really bad breakout. -The initial breakout was from week 2-4ish and wasn't bad for me.
-At around mid-July my acne was really clearing up and i thought i'd finally have clear skin like my peers.
- Unfortunately in mid August i began getting really deep and red pimples on my jaw and lower cheeks, and i pick at them so their pretty scarred.
-But I plan on waiting it out, some people say it can take 9 months to see results
June 3, 2011
Pros:
helped with scaring
slowed down acne
skin tone more even
Cons:
dries skin out, turns skin red
started getting my skin under control with Bp(acne free sport, the other products from the acne free line didnt work but this one is amazing!!!) started off very slow with the retin-a using it only once a week for a month and then slowly adding it in more(didnt get the HUGE breakout that everyone else has talked about) if my skin was too dry i skipped that day or a few days until my skin was more normal. i also started out with the lowest dose. i am still on the lowest dose(7 months so far and still one the first tube) and do it at night as often as i can without wreaking my skin, also usually after i use retin-a the next night i use glycolic acid on my face( some derm doctor on you tube said to do it lol) I use one from makeup artists choice "gly luronic serum" seems to work well with it. and am loving the results. doing it this way is very slow and results may take longer but my skin is very sensitive and i think if i used it too often it wouldn't help me stay clear but the opposite. Honestly i think it all balance with helping your skin get clear. if you skin gets to dry you'll break out if its too oily u'll break out so i think just listening to your skin and watching it closely is really the key(whether your using this product or anything else)....too much of anything is often times a bad things...so dont just slap anything on your face just because your doctor told you that you had to use it 4 days a week or the package said so...it is okay to give your skin a break(just wash it and tone it)(aka think of cancer or drinking) use aloe vera to moisturize and avoid the sun as much as possible
May 3, 2011
Pros:
None found in my experience.
Cons:
Very long IB.
Does not help.
Creates red marks.
Very oily skin.
Very drying also - peeling, etc.
Taken with Doxycline for a school term (10 weeks). Absolutely Pathetic. Turned light-moderate acne into moderate-severe acne. IB is horrible and lasts for many months. Now on Accutane.
Pros:
none