Tretinoin
Results
Side Effects

Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.

...

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.

 [more]
3.5
1649
5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
Number of Stars
Choose All That Apply
Clear All Filters
Done
May 6, 2011

Pros:

Evened out skin tone
Cleared a lot of the acne
Starting to fade scars and wrinkles
Pore size has become smaller
Less white and black heads

Cons:

Mild skin dryness and peeling
Initial breakout

I am getting married in 4 months and went to the Derm to see if there was anything I could do to improve my complexion for the wedding. I have been applying clindamycin (spelling) in the morning and trentinoin .025 at night. I had a pretty bad initial breakout around 2.5 weeks and almost gave up, thank goodness I didnt! My skin hasn't looked this good in a long time! I cant wait to see the improvements over the next few months! I gave the product a 4 as the dryness and mild peeling doesn't make it perfect.
This Was Helpful

17 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 26, 2011

Pros:

Get rid of pimples quicker than other products
Fades hyperpigmintation i think
Helps with scarring too i think

Cons:

Dries out skin
Takes for ever to work
Makes skin uneven if you dont put it all over your face.

I bought this for 10 dollars since it is covered by insurance and before it i had not much acne just lots of hyperpigmintation and hypertrophic scarring and i have been using tretinoin 0.01 for a month now and im pretty sure its working. I got an initial breakout around the 2nd week and i think it lasted for about 2 weeks and now im starting to see better results. Im not getting pimples as much and my hyperpigminatation and hyper strophic scarring is fading i think. The weird thing is that the first week i started using it my skin looked pretty good, i thought the tretinoin was working really fast but i guess it has to get worse before it gets better. My doctor told me to wait at least 6 weeks for best results but i doubt it will work that fast maybe a few more months like everyone else on here. Hopefully by the second month my scars will fade, sucks i got acne about a year ago at age 18!! Wish i got it earlier like normal people when they were young.
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 21, 2011

Pros:

Starting to clear
Brings stubborn ones to surface

Cons:

Dries out skin
Flaky
IB (Extremely bad)
Still have white head (early days though)

I started using this Tretinion 0.05% back in FEB but after the initial breakout, I freaked out and stopped using it. I had huge, massive ones and they just didn't want to pop. I was only using it for a week before I stopped. I discovered this website and started reading most reviews. I must say the reviews have helped me get back on it. One week back on it and I must admit that the stubborn ones are quickly finding their way to the surface. My skin is still very rough and bumpy at the moment but I expect that at early stages. Morning skin is flaky and has redness, I assume this is due to sensitive skin. Routine: At night,after washing face with gentle cleanser and I wait for 20 mins. Then I apply a small amount of the gel all over face and jawline (wait for 20 mins). Then wash off. Apply generous amount of moisturizer and go to bed. In the morning, wash face with gentle cleanser and moisturize daily. So far there are still are few stubborn ones (Cystic ones), skin is still blotchy, little bit itchy, dry, redness and scabby. Fingers crossed they these will all disappear in time. I can feel my face tightening up and some places are really feeling smooth. Any suggestions would be great.
This Was Helpful

14 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 20, 2011

Pros:

effective
has anti wrinkle proporties
cheap

Cons:

it takes time and it works slowly

I live in iran,my derm recommended this for me and told me to use it not only for acne also to have a younger looking skin,its really effective,I use 0.05 percent as named locacid and it hydrates my skin! interesting but it really does.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 14, 2011

Pros:

-better skin texture
-cleared up even the big, deep pimples
-feels light on your skin

Cons:

-took almost a full month to really get things to start to clear up
-mild burn sensation during second week of applicaiton
-cannot put lotion on top of product, will peel up and look like dry skin

you have to be patient, very patient. it took the full 5-6 weeks of consistent use (1-2x/day). It seemed like nothing was happening and then all of a sudden my skin cleared up. It's no completely blemish free but what remain are small and hardly noticable and i assume they will eventually go away too.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 4, 2011

Pros:

shrinks zits
lightens scars
soft skin

Cons:

dry skin
kinda itches
hard to tell if inital breakout?

My doctor suggested this to me for me to unclog my pores and lighten post acne hyperpigmentation. At first I was hesitant to use this because of the intial breakout I read about, I was already breaking out 1000x's worse than usual and couldn't deal with more acne. However, much to my suprise I didn't notice much of an I.B. at all. Yes, I still got new pimples, but nothing crazy like I thought. It made my current zits less red, imflammed, and smaller. I was so excited! Make sure you wait 20 minutes after washing your face to apply this. It is a little drying but not too bad. I notice it after a while, but doesn't 'flake off'. My scars are lightening, finally! And overall my skin looks healthier. I've only been using this for about two weeks, so I'm excited for the future!
This Was Helpful

13 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 3, 2011

Pros:

*clears up acne
*fades hyperpigmentation

Cons:

*initially, very drying (expect flaking)
*takes weeks, if not months, to work

I'm not sure if it was a new med I started or the tremendous stress I was under, but I started breaking out with bad acne last fall. This shocked me since I'm 40. I finally went to the dermatologist in November; he prescribed Tretinoin Cream .025. In the beginning, I had tremendous drying with flaking so I only used it every other night. My skin eventually adjusted. Still, I continued to have bad breakouts which was incredibly discouraging. I read reviews of the product - they all said to be patient. I also read to wash your face and then wait 20 -30 minutes before applying the cream. I started doing that 2 weeks ago. It's made a significant difference. My skin is now clear and has been for over a week. IIn addition to acne I also have melasma (skin discoloration on my cheeks and forehead). I'm starting to see a slight improvement with it but think it will take more time. My skin gets CRAZY shiney from the cream. I've been using blotting papers from Boscia (you can purchase at Sephora for $10) to keep it under control.
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 28, 2011

Pros:

*lightens marks from acne
* speeds skin turnover
*gets rid of dead skin to reveal new nice skin

Cons:

*burns if you apply to much (first degree)

i love retin a but had a bad experience when it burned an area in which i applied to much but healed with aloe neoporin and vitamin e :) and i think it works by burning layers of skin. but anyways it has smoothed and lightened my skin & redmarks and i'm very happy love it
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 26, 2011

Pros:

-IT Works .
- very easy to use
- insurance covers it
- it would also do a little for scars. and smooths out complexion.

Cons:

-expensive without insurance but one tube last about 3 months
- works slowly
-dryness
-not 100 percent effective
- Got initial breakout the first month but it subsided with time.


-

It didn't work for cysts that well but i was about 80 to 90 percent clear all year and there were even instances where i was clear all the way. but my graduation is this year so i insisted my doctor to prescribe me antibiotics along with retina to clear me up totally. btw if u dont get cysts then this alone would be the best thing.
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 24, 2011

Pros:

Shrinks zits overnight
Effective

Cons:

Extremely drying
Makes skin peel
Harsh

Good for spot treatment, but is too harsh to use all over so it doesn't really help to prevent acne from forming, but really useful on trouble zits
This Was Helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 12 13 14 15 16 … 47
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

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.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website