Tretinoin

This cream actually works! I had my doubts in the beginning, but I really do see results. At first I didn't have that big of an initial breakout like I imagined, so I was glad. But then I started using MUFE HD powder with 100% silica and this made my forehead break out everrywhere :( It took a while for me to realize it was the HD powder, because I thought it was the medicine not working so I was really negotiating on switching creams. But I stuck with it and now ( a week later) almost half of the pimples are gone! Key things I learned from using Tretinoin cream ***wait 30 minutes after you wash your face before applying cream ***apply only a pea size! I used to apply a lot more but it made my skin reallly oily. you only need a pea size for your whole face. ***I switched my face wash to Purpose and it has also helped my skin. Use a face wash that doesn't have extra fragrances or ingredients. You just need the basic face wash that cleans, you don't need the added 'acne wash' or 'salicylic acid' or 'benzoyl peroxide'. Those extra ingredients may hinder the effect of the Tretinoin cream. ***get a full 7-8 hours sleep! the medicine works its magic on your skin while you are asleep and rested.

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antiDidactic

December 27, 2010

Pros:

Cleared up cystic acne in a matter of days.
Helped with deeper, more painful acne.
Helped my self-esteem.

Cons:

Dry skin. (To be expected, and could be fixed with moisturizer.)
Slight facial redness.
Could only be used at night.

This works. There's not much to say, but if you haven't given this a try, try it, please. I'm so glad I got this. But for the first week or so, just expect dryness/flakiness. But it's worth it, in the long run.

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Tracy

December 26, 2010

Pros:

Easy to use
Also prevents wrinkles
In expensive (with co-pay)
IT REALLY WORKS!

Cons:

Can be expensive (without insurance)
Can only be applied at nighttime
6-8 weeks before results

My doctor prescribed me generic tretinoin (brand-name Retin-A) for my severe acne. It took 6-8 weeks to see real results, but now my skin is 100% acne-free (something I haven't had since I was 13). It's very easy to use and works wonders if you're consistent. Just be sure to wash it off in the morning!

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Victoria

December 23, 2010

Pros:

It works (I use it at night); a little dab is all you need so tube lasts awhile; side benefit is it seems to improve fine lines and wrinkles

Cons:

Can be drying/irritating in the beginning, so apply with a light hand; Can be expensive if you don't have insurance that covers it.

I am using this for my acne at nighttime only. Has cleared up my skin in an amazing way. I had first tried the Micro .04% and it didn't work at all...once the doctor bumped me up to .1% it begin working. I use the Benzaclin in the am, so I assume between that and the Retin-A at night something is working. I pay $9.00 a tube and my insurance covers the rest (I think it runs well over $100 a tube).

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Verified Customer5465

December 15, 2010

Pros:

Exfoliation
Cell turnover
Speeds clearing

Cons:

Drying
Red skin
Sensitivity to sun/cold

I have such a love/hate relationship with this product! I have been using it for 5 years and in that time I have had perfect skin, problems with giant pustules, cracked skin, red skin, you name it. The condition of my skin changes with the weather, my hormones, and with my diet. I have tried every skin care system out there as well as every prescription and I know that retin a does work for me. I just really have to be diligent about using only as much as I need. When I use too much I can tell right away and my skin tends to fight back by being irritated and broken out. My "magical" combination is this: I wash with Neutrogena fresh foaming cleanser in the evening, and apply the retin a before bed. In the morning I rinse with water only and apply clindamycin gel followed by Olay moisturizer SPF 15 for sensitive skin. I am also on Ortho Tri Cyclen. I need to use this combination in order to achieve clear skin. Whenever I have tried to elliminate any of the products I have breakouts. I also notice that when my diet is poor my skin shows it. When I eat a lot of whole grains, lean meats and fruits and veggies I have awesome skin! I know that docs always say there is no evidence that a bad diet leads to bad skin but they are wrong. They just don't understand how it all works. I've struggled with my skin since I was 12 years old. I know what works and what doesn't. Retin a will work. I believe that retinols in general work. You just need to find the right strength for you and relax. Nothing makes skin worse than stress. Good luck!

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Angela

December 14, 2010

Pros:

- BABY SOFT SKIN!
- blackheads are gone
-pores are smaller
- deep pimples are gone
-hyper pigmentation/ red marks significantly faded

Cons:

- dry around mouth area for the first week, that's it

OMG. i love this product with all my heart. I was so reluctant to use it after reading all these reviews about the initial breakout and what not. But honestly, whatever it is, it's all worth it. Im a 16 year old girl and I've been on Minocyclin (tetracycline) for almost a year now. That reduced the big HONKERS...but i mean, i still had the pigmentation that was almost as bad as the pimples. and id still get 4 or 5 pimples. The dermatologist gave me retin A micro .04% in September, and im telling you it was the best thing that's ever happened to my face. The pigmentation was the biggest thing on my face, like red marks everywhere. And after consistently using it for 4 months, my face is about 95% clear. I can only say good things about this product. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed. :)

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Liam464

December 6, 2010

Pros:

-Soft Skin
-Clears break outs fast

Cons:

-flaky skin
-burning

I have bad acne since I was about 23, after trying all of the over the counter stuff and proactive I saw a doctor who prescribed me differin and minocycline.....I used it for two years and the pills helped me alot! but after two years it made me really sick and induced lupus....I stopped taking it and just using differin but my skin got really bad again so two weeks ago my doctor prescribed me retinA. I have been using it for a week, everynight and on the fourth night all the big pimples on my forehead popped and my skin has no bumps...only the redness and scars which I am hoping will go away soon! So as you can see it worked really fast!!! my skin feels super soft and it has only been a week!!!! On the negative note....I used it everynight so on the fifth day I woke up with the whole lower part my face burnt!!!! super red like if it caught on fire.....I didnt use it on that part of my face for a couple of days and put the "Expert anti-blemish night moisturiser" from Boots on it....even thought it was for night I used it during the day...this thing is amazing...in two days the redness and burnt look are gone and now I use it as my main moisturizer during the day because it makes all the flakes go away...my skin looks super healthy! you can buy this at Target its only like $5...... Bottom line is...use it once every 2 to 3 days at night and a good moisturizer during the day...I totally recommend the night moisturiser from Boots ...this thing does take about 95% of the flaky look away! I havent had the initial breakout, my face is super soft the only thing are a few red spots from the pimples I had but it is slowly fading away!

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Yoel

November 26, 2010

This is my first review i've ever written. I'm doing it to help people. I struggled with acne since age 12. Im now 20. Nothing has worked. Except tretinoin. Oh, and the pills worked too, the doxycilin or wat ever u call them. But they had bad sideaffects. Tretinoin leaves my face looking amazing. The scars fade and i have alot! Im on benzoyl peroxide 10% face wash, tretinoin cream 0.1%, and clindamycin phosphate topical lotion 1%. This is my second day on this regimen and acne is healing, you can see flexibility in my skin again. Almost as if i never had acne. This worked where proactive, murad, duac, benzoyl peroxide, acne free, did not. Im sorry but u cant compare other products to this. This stuff is amazing.

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Rue07

November 24, 2010

Pros:

Got rid of acne
Got rid of most scars
Prevented immediate breakouts

Cons:

Made skin sensitive
Made skin very flaky
Dried out skin

My dermatologist prescribed me Retin-A Micro (grey tube) then once they saw it was hardly working they gave me the purple tube; slightly stronger. Well, after a month of use it finally worked. Almost 6 months later and I'm starting to get used to waking up most mornings with no acne! More importantly, I've stopped using it for two months already and I can count the number of zits I get every month on one hand; for me that is a big difference from getting 5-6 new zits every week. Before it would take almost a week for my acne to disappear and a month for the scars to, now it only takes a few days for the acne and a week for the scars depending on how well I take care of it. I think the medicine plays a large role in the reduction of my skin problems but I believe the larger reasons are due to my increase in hygiene. I used to only wash my face once a day, now I do it twice. I change my pillow cases at least once a week. I wear a cap at night to keep the oil from my hair to come in contact with my skin and I drink lots of water, hardly any vitamins are included. Oh, and I don't use soap on my face, just water. Find what works you. btw: am I they only one that paid

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Emen

November 22, 2010

Pros:

Cleared my skin
Hyperpigmentation is fading
Pores tightened
Younger looking skin

Cons:

Inital dryness, peeling, red skin, break out (which wasn't that bad because I was also started on Doxycyclin oral and Clidamycin), but with time I don't experiance ths anymore.

I started using 0.5% Retin A in March of this year, my skin was terible. I had cystic acne, large pores oily skin; my skin was tender to touch because of my pimples. So I saw my Dr. and she prescribed 0.5% Retin A, and oral and topical antibotics. 9 mos later I can not belive how good my skin looks. My doctor told me to wait it out because the results would be amazing (she herself stated she has been using retin A for 5 yrs). I don't have to wear make up unless I want to, just some spf 30 and I'm good. With my insurance it cost $10.00 and I am just finishing my first tube.

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