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
October 11, 2010
Cons:
I have sensitive skin so I got a mild rash initially which is now gone. It stings, burns, itches and dried out my skin which then flaked off. It was quite painful. I had to take painkillers. Disclaimer: I started using 2.5% salicylic acid wash and clindamycin solution at the same time per my doctor
great product, I have very high hopes based on the improvement I have seen in only 1 week. Maybe one day I'll be able to leave my house without make-up on!
October 10, 2010
Pros:
- works on acne and acne scars.
- clears out pores
- increases cell turn over rate
- softer smoother skin
- not as harsh as Benzoyl Peroxide!!!
- stops break outs
Cons:
acne will get worse before it gets better so be patient. It will dry out your skin but no more than any other topical acne med and also makes your skin a bit sensitive so moisturize to conbat irritation.
THIS WORKS. It will take some time. For me the first sign of releaf came at about the 3 week mark, but I am also on antibiotics. I REALLY recomend you start on some antibiotics when you start using this to keep the intial break out to a minimum, mine wasn't that bad. DONT stop using. Your ance will inprove dramaticly only with consistency... trust me! My ance was bad I had whiteheads, blackheads and deep painful cyst and nothing worked. My doc gave me a prescristion of Doxycycline and Tretintoin .025% cream and this super combo work amazingly attacking my acne from the inside and out. Its been about a month and my face is much clearer and is contiuning to improve. I also see my scars and flesh colored bumps slowing fading. It usually takes as long as 3 months to see an improvement on scars. But for me after only a month I see a small improvment. For those of us who have scars we know how big a difference even the smallest improvement can make and it reassures us that it is working even if its at a slow pace. Also if you start this while your breaking out your current acne will have to heal so give it time.
October 2, 2010
Pros:
It gets rid of mostly all acne types. works pretty quick. covered by insurence.
Cons:
no cons from me...yipeee!!!!
The bottom line is it is a great product and does what its suppose to. But I would recomend using minocycline. ( its a pill) Minocycline works from the inside out to ge t rid of bacteria and the tretinoin work from the out side in so that way your able to get the inside and out side at the same tome instead of just one at a time. Hope these products work as well for you as they did for me! :-)
September 30, 2010
Pros:
- promotes cell turnover, leading to smoother skin overall
- really purges out your pores
- clears skin over time
- breakouts that form take less time to heal
Cons:
- dries out skin + makes it extremely oily
- I experienced all the side effects! (itching, redness, flaking, stinging, etc.)
- takes a long time (in the meantime, you have tons of breakouts and raised bumps)
- initial breakout phase
I used tretinoin cream 0.05% for four and a half months before calling it quits. It took about four months for my skin to even begin getting used to the medication - my skin is extremely sensitive and this is a harsh medication. I never quite got to the point of applying it every night because my skin simply couldn't handle it. For the first two months or so, my skin was the worst it had ever been, but after four months, I started to see some improvements. I've had consistent breakouts for a few years (never a clear day), and while I was using this medication, I had a few, which was enough to keep me going. One thing it DID do was clear up all the flesh-colored bumps on my forehead. It was never really something I minded since there was no discoloration, and I could cover it up with my hair, but it cleared up within a month or so and my forehead was soooo smooth compared to before! (Unfortunately, my problem area became my jawline/cheeks, which had lots of underlying plugged comedones). In the end, I did have lots of hyperpigmentation from previous breakouts, but my skin was somehow more manageable, since any big pimples always went away within a day or two without my touching it or popping it. Plus, I no longer got cystic acne (just the wide/red/painful ones, which don't scar as easily). Eventually, my dermatologist and I decided to change to a different retinoid (Differin) - simply because it's a less harsh form. I do plan on going back to the tretinoin in the future because I believe it will be more effective. However, when I do end up trying it again, I'm going to use the gel form because although it's more drying, it doesn't have the comedogenic ingredient found in the tretinoin cream. (I don't know how much this factored into my breakouts, but I'd rather err on the side of safety)
September 16, 2010
Pros:
The medication does what it says it does - it increases cell turnover, which, over time, gives the complextion a soft, even tone. A side effect of this process leads to a reduction.elimination of acne **IF** the lack of cell turnover is the primary factor contributing to ones acne. With that said, I do beleive that this medication will "help" (i.e. a little or a lot) the condition of "most" acne sufferers, assuming one adheres to the treatment consistently for 3 months.
Cons:
The initial break out is horrendous and can last for weeks, even into the 2nd, possibly third month. It lasted a long time for me. It almost always gets WORSE before it gets better.
Irritation, redness and increased skin sensitivity lasted almost as long as the initial break out.
It was very expensive for me because I have an ugly deductable quota.
I've been using this product for 3 months exactly. It is key to use a mild cleanser and moisturizer, such as Cetaphil, while on this product.
My main problem is raised, flesh-colored pimples on my lower cheeks and jawline. Retin A helps with my old PIH and heals new red marks within 3-5 days. The non-problematic skin areas (forehead, upper cheeks, temples, chin) look amazing. My lower cheeks and jawline, however, still present with those dang flesh colored bumps. There is probably a 75% reduction in those bumps, however. I must point out, though, that my acne appears to be hormonal, and Retin A just can't keep up with those particular bumps. I am on the weakest strength and plan to move to .10 next month. I really feel that a stronger strength will work. Also, I am now on Spironolactone to help combat the hormonal acne.
Retin A appears to work as intended (promote cell turnover) which should lead to a reduction is pimples (minimally or extremely). Its effects can take longer to notice in some people, which is why I'm not giving up at the 3 month mark even though I'm not completely clear. As long as you're seeing continual improvement at the 3 month mark, I would suggest giving it another 3 months and possible increasing the strength of your dose at that time if you're improved, but not completely clear.
September 1, 2010
Pros:
Having used Retin-A 0.01% Gel for a week now, I have been startled at the speed of my recovery. Other than a couple of new pimples, my skin tone has improved, existing pimples have dried out and my skin is generally improved. I have experienced no redness, however dryness around my mouth/chin area is present, but this is alleviated with moisturiser.
Cons:
Slight dryness, possibility of bad IB (but not for me)
Overall, I'd say that if this product is used correctly, with the minimal amount being put onto skin, then results are bound to come sooner rather than later. My skin has many small pimples and I've never had cysts, so perhaps this explains the difference in my experience with others'.
August 27, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up face alot, really worth it in the end
Cons:
takes along time to work, IB is terrible
When I first started using retin A gel .025%, I was horrified by all the reviews on this sight of the terrible initial breakout. As expected, for the first like 6 weeks I used it my acne got worse and worse. Then suddenly, over the coarse of maybe 2 days, my acne almost vanished. The best thing I can reccoment to you is to KEEP WITH IT!! I was so close to quitting it because I couldnt see how something that made me break out so bad could work but then out of the blue my face became almost completely clear. i strongly reccomend this product to anyone with a little patience, don't just use it till your face is at its worst and then give up.
August 25, 2010
Pros:
-Fades red marks
-Makes my pimples come to a head
Cons:
-Dryness
-Makes my eyelids a little red and irritated (although most acne products do that to me at first so I guess I really can't complain)
First of all, I should mention that I've already been taking Bactrim for about 3 months, taking birth control for almost 5 months, and using BenzaClin nightly. My skin is, except for 2 small but painful pimples and 3 almost invisible bumps, clear. But that's only if you don't count the endless red marks all over my skin because any pimple I do get, I get a lasting spot on my face. I used this last night (Put on BenzaClin first, waited 15 minutes while I curled my hair, put this on, then 5 minutes later put on a sensitive skin lotion), expecting nothing but dry and painful flaky skin, like what happened last time. Wrong. Already after one day, my red marks are starting to fade, and my two ouchie pimples came to a head so I was able to pop them. One is already flat, the other slowly shrinking. Looking in the mirror this morning was a beautiful thing. I didn't look like someone had splattered me with red paint. Just pinkish spots. Beyond happy right now. I'm not saying this stuff is a miracle cream, because I have already been actively fighting my acne and I am using Atralin .05% for red marks only. So I'm not sure how this works if you have lots of acne. If you have light acne like I do, and are just trying to get rid of the marks, USE THIS PRODUCT. My skin is smoother even after one day. Try it. Use a pea-sized amount. You will love. I'm only going to use this 2-3 times a week for two weeks, then every other day for 2 weeks, and finally to daily. I don't want to shock my skin into hell. But really, guys. With Tretinoin, happiness is only an application away ;)
August 11, 2010
Pros:
Definitely cleared up my skin, but patience is key. Worked well to fade old scars.
Cons:
Dried up skin like no other. Lips were chapped and skin was red. Once stopped, your acne might come back, like mine did.
Definitely worth giving a shot. I recommend however to be on it as long as you can, because once you stop, your acne might come back.
August 6, 2010
Pros:
*good long term solution to acne
*Smooths out skin texture
*fades marks over time
*doesn't dry out skin if used correctly
Cons:
*will irritate at first
*works slowly
*need to give its a few months to work (and to purge
I think the reason most ppl dont stick with retin-a is b/c it takes a long time to work - but I also think its a very good permanant solution. Problem is must use religiously for months and even as you purge & breakout - you can't mix with other acne products, only a gentle cleanser (purpose). I think that is where most ppl go wrong. I have been on Retin-a micro and tazorac several times during the past few years, the first time I went on my skin responded the best, I was also on minocycline & used as directed religiously for several months. But, do not wear in the sun, and if u spend alot of time outside in the winter too, you will get irritated from cold dry air. Only use once at night and only the little pea size amt they direct, any more will resuly in a very red flaky mess.
Pros:
I get very dark spots from my acne and after 1 week they are fading :) I haven't had any break outs since I started using this product last week