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
April 22, 2010

Pros:

Its ok didn't do much of a difference.

Cons:

peels skin really bad can cause the skin to become red.

It worked at first with benzaclin, my skin was flawless but after using it and changing from benzclin to benzamycin my skin was no longer the same since then retinA does not seem to work the same.Not that good turns the skin red and dark in some areas and can make skin patchy.
October 18, 2009

Pros:

my skin loves it. it doesn't go red or peel or dry

Cons:

takes a long time to work im on a month using it and no serious healing yet
new pimples did form but went away prety

im using this for acne scars and pimples and clearer skin because my skin is purple around my scars
February 14, 2009

Pros:

HATED IT and I'd have to stop it a lot because of the dryness was so bad they every morning when I tried to put on cover-up it'd peel right off! Differin practically the same thing and worked much BETTER!

Cons:

PEELING HORIBBLE PEELING!

Differin does the same thing and it makes you skip those gay side effects!
January 3, 2012

Pros:

clear face
clear acne scars

Cons:

$$

This is seriously crack for my face, started with Retin-A Micro .04%. I smoke so it messes with my hormones and this helps get rid of them and i have hyperpigmentation so acne scars are gone as well. I also have oily skin,so by far best product i've used. You can get a larger tube of this cheaper in Mexico, by just asking a pharmacist, just a tip.
November 11, 2011

Pros:

Skin felt smoother
Inexpensive with insurance

Cons:

Extreme redness
Horrible breakouts
Extreme dryness
Flakiness

My doctor recommend that I use Retin-A 0.025% to help clear my acne. He told me that it was the best thing to use and that it would be the "cure" I had been looking for. However, it wasn't. The cream irritated my face beyond belief and caused me to break out horribly (even in places where I never got acne before). My skin is very sensitive, though, so that's probably why I couldn't handle this treatment. What may not have work for me may work for another person. With that being said, though, I just can't recommend Retin-A.
April 23, 2010

Pros:

clears up chest, shoulder, back acne!

Cons:

reeeaally irritated my face. itchy, red, painful..the acne seemed to get worse.

i used this for 2 weeks. my face huurt and itched and was super red. i DO NOT reccomend it for your face..but maybe i just have very sensitive skin. who knows. BUT, works great for back, shoulder, chest acne. now i am using aloe with some lavendar oil mixed in for my face and it was such a relief.
April 9, 2010

Pros:

none

Cons:

made my skin worse

It turns out I was allergic to the Retinoid gels. If retin-a gel made your skin worse, try tazorac CREAM. something with gels irritated my skin until i found a retinoid in cream form
November 1, 2009

Pros:

I got this product on friday, put it on that night, and woke up with
a HUGE bump on my forehead! Im hoping this is part of the initial
breakout, cus i REALLY want to get it over with quick.

Cons:

(The above could also be considered bad)

Well, this product is supposed to get the crap (yes your acne is crap) out of your face, and so far i hope it is doing that for me. Haven't tried it on my back though... (im using the .04%)
August 29, 2011

Cons:

Not working well

I've been using this for 7 weeks and my skin in worse than ever. I wake up with hard pimples and have hyperpegmentation all over my face and neck. Very gross. But I'm going to keep with it.
August 6, 2012

Pros:

None!

Cons:

This was too irritating for my skin. It looked like it burned my skin off.

I do not recommend it.

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.