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
April 3, 2009
Cons:
BAD BREAKOUT. i got small zits every where on my face especially on my forehead which was the smoothest part of my face three weeks before i started this. SUPER OILY AND FLAKY SKIN.
i'm using 0.05% tretinoin right now and my dermatologist told me this is just normal and that i should just wait and everything will clear up. i trust her so i'm sticking with it for now.
March 26, 2009
Pros:
during the first month nothing really changed. it's supposed to start working after about 8 weeks, currently in the 6-7th week so i hope it starts improving soon!
Cons:
burning, irritation, redness, little bumps, more breakouts, peeling
decreases confidence! :(
my skin looks worse that ever right now due to the redness and rawness of it. i don't really break out anymore but my skin is so sensitive and i'm on the verge of giving up but i'm trying to reduce usage to every other day and hopefully it works. going to see the derm in a week so we will see! hopefully things start to improve soon. get a good moisturizer and build up your confidence because it will for sure bring it down!
March 24, 2009
Pros:
Helps skin renem itself
Cons:
Irritates skin. Causes a significant initial breakout lasting many weeks.
Began using two months before coming off Dianette bc. As skin became progressively more oily around 5 weeks after stopping Dianette the breakouts began and continued for 6 weeks. At this point begain taking spironolactone as acne getting progressively worse. Will use Retin A again once skin clears from the spironolactone in order to resurface the skin. Apply 20 mins after washing so that skin is dry and this will reduce irritation. For adult women with hormonal acne this is unlikely to work - although will have some use for improving skin texture once acne under control Would only recommend using in conjunction with an antibiotic to help with the initial breakout. Would not recommend use on own as breakout is severe and lengthy and extremely difficult to cope with emotionally. Available on prescription in the UK.
March 17, 2009
Pros:
smoothed out my skin
Cons:
peeling like a snake, sometimes itchy, tighntness, skin is so thin, it hurts, one slight itch and i scratch, it becomes a cut
Ive been using this thing now going on 5 weeks, my skin is still peeling like a snake. Im just hoping its worht it. I had to change my cleanser and moisturizer, to help calm the peeling, i have to even use a serum. Its awful make up make its worse with all the peeling. I guess i have to wait and see
March 13, 2009
Pros:
It makes my skin so much brighter!
Cons:
Well, i'm going through the initial breakout right now and it has done a really good job of killing my confidence :(
I've been on Retin-A micro for almost six weeks. At first my acne seemed to be getting better, but that was a trick. In the past week or two my face has been breaking out like crazy and makeup won't cover it! And i'm in high school which makes it extra embarrassing. I really hope this product ends up working because my acne is really dampening my self-esteem.
March 11, 2009
Pros:
It is well priced and started to clear up my cheeks.
Cons:
It made my skin extremely dry and flaky, and though it says it gets worse for a couple of weeks, it's been 6 weeks and I've seen no improvement. My chin is worse than it's ever been.
I used this product every day as prescribed, and I'm not seeing any results. Maybe it will work for someone else, but I'm just not getting anything out of it. My face is just red and dry, and I've gotten cystic acne on my chin quite frequently since starting it.
March 1, 2009
Pros:
smooths skin, slightly fades red marks
Cons:
makes skin extremely dry and flaky and causes peeling, even if you use a moisturizer, causes acne in places you didn't have it before, all new acne leaves scars
If I were you, I would try other products first. I am sticking with it now that I am already on it because it DOES make my skin feel smoother and slightly reduces the appearance of red marks and I find that when I try to get off of it, my acne gets worse. However, since I've been using it my skin has been flaky and peeling even though I moisturize and use only every other night, which is embarrassing and looks ridiculous especially when I'm wearing makeup. I have been on it 8 months and have been using it properly and am not happy with the results I have gotten. I would recommend trying other products first.
February 25, 2009
Pros:
i get acne scars, but they clear up faster than without retin-a micro, plumped up nasal labial folds, smoothed wrinkles.
Cons:
have used this for 1 year and 3 months, but still get acne!
skin was ultra sensitive for first 3 months. still get peeling on some days, but use aveeno foaming cleanser with salicylic acid and a wash cloth to exfoliate, which helps keep skin from looking dry and flaky. also use aveeno 30spf sunscreen moisturizer. still get acne, especially on chin, upper lip, forehead--basically where I did not get it before! pimples are smaller--never cystic, and have a small, hard kernel of oil in them. they leave scars, but these fade faster than without retin-a. even getting acne on my neck now, though, but don't use the gel there. scared to quit using it for fear that acne will get worse, but not happy with results after reading so many others no longer getting acne at all, or getting it less often, while i'm getting it almost daily, and in droves!
February 23, 2009
Pros:
my scars started fading
Cons:
new acne seen and peeling of skin
it will benefit but after 12 weeks lets see fingers crossed i am using it since 5th jan 09 and i fell 40% improvement
February 18, 2009
Pros:
Definately made an improvement in my skin
Made skin really soft
Zits dont stay up as long
Cons:
My face is really oily
I still break out
Peeling skin
I think this is a really good acne medication. My skin has shown dramatic improvment for the 4 months ive been on it. However, it didnt make all of my acne go away, and it leaves red marks sometimes, but those go away within a week. Sometimes i break out pretty bad even tho i continue to go on it, but i think its just a cycle. Give it time, it will help
Pros:
i'm not having any cystic pimples, just small, whitehead-like things, scars have lightened