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.
Used Tretinoin? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
June 3, 2009
Cons:
Bad breakouts, it made me sun sensitive, takes a long time to "work", and dry skin.
I would not recommend this, I used it for non-inflamed mild acne and now my acne is moderate to severe I actually got cysts while on this medication! I kept waiting and waiting for three months for this stuff to work but it never did. My acne got so bad I was put on accutane. Your derm may trick you into using this but do not unless you want your acne to get worse.
May 26, 2009
Pros:
Works after long-term usage.
Cons:
DRY SKIN!!!
If you are patient enough to wait it out and go through the worst and make it in the end looking gorgeous then you should use it. The first few weeks it is absolute hell. It dries out your skin horribly. But it is all worth it in the end!
May 24, 2009
Pros:
regular is great micro sucks and gives you oily skin
Cons:
just doesnt really do what it's meant to do
Make sure you get the right brand for you and the right percentage and the right vehicle (gel or cream). I started with Retin-A gel .01% and after a few months it was my best friend. Worked wonders. all i had was light scars then i ran out, and my dad or pharmacist gave me Retin-A micro cream .1%. a different brand (micro) different vehicle (cream) and a different percentage (.1%) It's terrible. Worse skin of my life now and super oily because it's a cream and so bottom line don't be fooled-micro doesnt mean its better and neither does a higher percentage. Personally, I can't wait to get my old medication back when I go home from boarding school for the summer.
May 11, 2009
Pros:
eventually shows 'some' results
Cons:
takes a LONG time to start showng any sign of improvement
doesn't work for very long
took a long time to work, and then it only lasted for about a month and then my face was worse then what i started with
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
May 6, 2009
Pros:
Starts working quickly to get rid of blackheads and other types of spots-have had no cystic or sore spots while using it. Also makes the skin appear really smooth.
Cons:
Skin seems to be much oilier and very itchy. Little whitehead pimples appear in place of previous type spots.
For the first few months I thought this product was the best thing ever. My skin was a little drier than usual and the 'purging' phase was not half as bad as people have made out (I had it for months before I actually used it because of this fear!).
However after 7 months my skin is still itchy. The Retin A has done nothing for the oilyness. The little whitehead pimples still appear and I still seem to be getting blackheads. I don't understand why it's stopped working so well...I am now going to try Duac Gel in conjunction with Retin A.
May 4, 2009
Pros:
reduces lines and pore size, even complextion, clearer skin.
Cons:
When you minimize the usage, and use it again out of the blue, it causes a shiny face and evokes breakouts. Less time in the sun. :(
I've been using Retin A Micro for close to two years now. I wrote a review when I first started using it on July 17th 2007. At first I hated it, but it takes time to purge your skin. I stuck to it. I did, however, eliminate the sulfer wash and Doryx after a few weeks. I felt like the Doryx pills caused body acne, which I did not have initially and the sulfer wash was irritable to my skin. I opted for cetaphil face wash instead. I lightly pat the retin A on my skin and in the morning I wash it off with the cetaphil again. I find that my complextion and fine lines are freshly evened away. I also treat my black heads with rubbing green tea bags on my face and I spot treat with Burts Bees Tea Tree oil blemish stick. Simplicity is key. I think the worst thing you can do is over treat your skin out of frustration. In my experience, all treatments cause a few months of break outs, if you can fight through those moments you'll be one step closer to finding out what works best for you.
May 2, 2009
Pros:
Brought out blackheads and whiteheads in a week or so. Skin felt smoother
Cons:
Drying, flaking
Works well, best for me if used alternate days 4x weekly.
April 27, 2009
Pros:
Helps clear up moderate acne
Cons:
Makes me oilier than I have ever been in my life!!!
Still get a few, minor breakouts - initial breakout AWFUL
Haven't really noticed a change in skin texture
Eh....it's just ok in my book. I've been using this fro 4 months now. The initial breakout was awful (~3 months of use for me), but I was expecting it and stuck with it. I started noticing less pimples around the time of my cycle when I get the most cystic acne which was a huge plus. However, I don't see a change in getting rid of the brown and red spots that I have now due to that really nasty breakout. The other odd thing is.....everyone claims that this makes them so dry. Not me. I have never been oilier in my life. I am oil slick. I wear all matte make-up with a primer and I still am oily within minutes! I have tried to go down to using Retin-A every other night, but still the oiliness is just awful. I am struggling with continuing this product or not.
April 5, 2009
Pros:
worked to a point....after 3 months
Cons:
terrible initial breakout after 3 weeks, another bad breakout after one month, another bad breakout at 6 weeks. takes FOREVER to work.
in the end it woulda made more sense to jus start on accutane and have 3 months down the drain but this did move my acne from moderately severe to mild moderate...after 3 months
Pros:
Pretty cheap and easy to apply.