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
February 17, 2011
Cons:
Some dryness but not bad
I started with .5% but it didn't work. Then last month I switched to .1% cream and it has worked wonders. No pimples, cysts, anything! I also upped Spiro to 100mg so that might have helped too but I think the .1% tretinoin cream has made my skin look so much better. I didn't have any problems with this product except on the lower dose which was ineffective. Follow the directions on how to use it and you shouldn't have any problems!
February 16, 2011
Pros:
i have been useing retin-a 0.1 %..for many years...it is the only product that
keeps those uninvited bumps away..
since being on retin-a...no more pimples..plus
my skin is softer & smooher...
Cons:
i too went through the red dry scaly ..
ugly skin thingy for about 2 months..
but have to say it was really worth all the sobs ...
pricy ..even with insurance..
nontheless..the benifits are exceptional !
February 10, 2011
Pros:
Cleared up acne
Pore size decreased
Takes two months to actually notice any difference but stick with it.
Haven't had a major break out since
Cons:
Can dry out skin
I've been using Retin A for over a year now and I absolutely love it. I started breaking out last winter terribly and tried benzoyl peroxide and other prescribed medication but the only one that actually works in Retin A. It took awhile to actually work and I was worried at first but in the end it's well work it!
February 8, 2011
Pros:
+ The stuff's amazing. I barely break out any more, and get very few, if any, cysts.
Cons:
- It made me flake, though not in a big way. This isn't a huge con... in fact, it's sort of a sign that the Retin-A is doing its job. That said, if you get too dry, move to a lower concentration or buffer with a moisturizer.
- It took a long while to work. Stick with it. Look at these reviews. A majority of the people who have used Retin-A for an extended period of time report favorable results. The disappointed ones seem to be the impatient ones. Coincidence?
I use really strong Retin-A gel (0.1%), and it is the only topical that has had a considerable effect on my skin. My skin, in addition to being clear, is soft to the touch! The doctor initial gave me a low concentration cream. Wrong wrong wrong! The cream version makes me break out terribly. I eventually found that only gel did the trick, and only the 0.1% concentration worked on my uber-oily skin. ***However, I should note that the cream worked really nicely on my chest, where I had some really nasty hyper-pigmentation from previous cysts (and also some active cysts). The get proved to be too harsh for this area. Give this a try for a few months. If you really need to speed up the process, try an antibiotic at the same time (I'm on minocycline).
February 7, 2011
Pros:
~Smooth skin
~Only use once a day
~Got rid of acne
~Soft skin
Cons:
~Took a while to work
~Initial breakout was horrible
~Expensive, even with insurance
I started using Tretinoin about 10 weeks ago, after trying absolutely everything- over the counter products [Proactive, Acne Free, the Clean and Clear system], as well as prescriptions [Differin, Benzaclin, and orthotricycline]. Nothing worked. I would check this site obsessively during the first few weeks to see other people's progress and hope that I would someday see a change. I was told to hang in there, because my face would get worse before it got better-and this was no exception in my case. My initial breakout was horrible-my face got so red and dry that it was painful to touch it, or even put lotion on. I didn't think that my acne could get worse, but this medication proved me wrong-I had it ALL over my cheeks, forehead, and jaw line. I figured that I would just continue using it for 12 weeks, and if nothing happened, I would take myself off of it. I've finally hit the stage where the results are amazing. I still have one or two bumps, but I haven't seen my face this clear since I was about 13-and I'm now almost 23. You need to use this product consistently and for multiple weeks [I know it seems like forever, but you will see results, and they are way worth it, believe me.] I'd definitely recommend this product. Good luck!
February 6, 2011
Pros:
completley cleared my horrible blackheads and whiteheads that i struggled with for the past eight years....no more cysts either and my face hasnt looked this good since i was a freshman in high school
Cons:
took three months to work
initial breakout was bad but only lasted a week
leaves red marks that take a while to heal
took three months to see results but they happened kinda overnight
made the pores on my nose bigger
great product but u have to be patient and consistent
January 19, 2011
Pros:
- It works (unlike everything else I tried).
-You only need to apply it at night before bed.
- I found it to be not as irritating as benzoyl peroxide (which didn't work for me).
-You only need a small (pea-sized) amount
Cons:
-I think it needs to be combined with an antibiotic, either oral or topical, to be effective.
-Can irritate the skin if you apply too much.
-It took me months of consistent use for me to see results, I only became completely clear when I started taking minocycline.
-Initial breakout is not great, but don't give up!
It works but only if used with an antibiotic. I tried taking antibiotics alone before I was using tretinoin and they did nothing, but I found using tretinoin 0.05% cream at night and taking minocyline in the morning to be really effective. I also wash my face morning and night with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. Minocycline, Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser and 0.05% tretinoin - Please try this combination, I can't recommend it enough. Good Luck!
January 16, 2011
Pros:
Clears acne
Gets rid of acne scars
Cons:
Takes a while to start working
Dries out skin
I started using Tretinoin a few months ago, my acne was at a pretty normal amount but I was so sick of it (I tried pretty much every drug store product I could get my hands on) I decided it was time for a prescription product. So far Tretinoin has worked great for me, I did not have a bad initial breakout at all, my acne level stayed the same for the first few weeks.The only thing that I don't like about it now is that it dries out my skin very much and makes it very sensitive.
Tips:
Only apply a PEA SIZE or it will make your skin worse.
Use a gentle face wash (I use cetaphil and highly recomend it)
January 15, 2011
Pros:
Clear Skin
Scars are disappearing
Confidence
Keeps my face dry (Usually very oily)
Cons:
Initial Breakout
Minor Sensetivity
I am still celebrating the fact the I have found something that actually works and stays working. I've tried almost everything and I ended up having to go to UofM Dermatology to try prescription since Proactive and Clean and Clear aren't consistent. I was prescribed Benzoyl Peroxide, Minocycline and TRETINOIN. I can not explain the frustration and anger I had the first three weeks. I wanted to throw this stuff all in the trash. I had a really bad initial breakout. I ended up logging on to www.acne.org. What do you know? Most people are experiencing the same issues with these prescriptions. BUT when I started to come across some of the positive reviews about these prescriptions I noticed a pattern. They all had the same initial breakout but then finally after a month or two the cleared up. That was all I needed to continue Tretinoin and Benzoyl Peroxide use. About two weeks later and I feel like my face is clearer than a baby's. My face is now smooth, the scars are less noticable and I've had no pimples for a week now. I feel like a new man. Acne can really affect someone's self-esteem and confidence. It sure did effect mine. The results are so unbelievable that I had to take time to come back and register so I can share my experience. No one has to live with acne. If you really wanna be clear then just give it a try. You just have to be strong during your initial breakout because your skin will breakout more than ever. Anyway I know some of you visit this site for help on acne. Theres no need to read another review. Go to your dermatologist and ask for Trenitoin and Benzoyl Peroxide. It will change your bumpy life.
January 15, 2011
Pros:
CLEARS ACNE
LIGHTENS SCARS
Cons:
Initial Breakout =(
I was so depressed about a year ago with my acne, it was horrible! I would cancel plans with friends because i just didnt feel like going out. I've been on Tretinoin(.025%) for roughly 7 months and my skin is seriously AMAZING!! Smooth and I get a occasional pimple, but who doesnt? I don't get deep ones, i actually have NO pimples right now which is something i couldn't say 7 months ago. Stick through the initial break out, put it on every night. Also, start with a low concentration, irritation doesn't mean it's improving any better. There was a research that actually said that the .1% vs. .025% had the same results just varied in irritation. I love my skin now =)
Pros:
Skin is soft and clear