Acne.org ProductsResults
Side Effects
Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.
Tretinoin is usually applied once a day around bedtime.
Used Tretinoin? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
January 14, 2011
Cons:
Initial peeling, redness and breakouts
-Use a moisturizing oil to help (Clarins' Santal Oil helps A LOT)
I have been using this for over a year. I used to have frequent breakouts and heavy congestion in my skin, with acne bumps under my skin on my forehead (like little closed clogged pores really) as well as black heads. I started with .025% for the first month 2-3 a weeks. The redness and A LOT of peeling (like my face was chapped) started at the end of week 2. Then on week 3 I broke out like crazy people at my job kept telling me to stop using it b/c I couldn't even cover up anything with makeup and they were worried that I was damaging my skin. TOTALLY the opposite! After about a another 2-3 of redness and peeling, it slowly started healing, then the redness went away. And VOILA baby smooth soft skin and NO MORE CYSTIC ACNE! or really much of any acne, plus my blackheads we're extractable (TMI I'm sure). I have tried to stray from my HG regime and have always come back to this :) I am now using .05% routinely now. #1 STICK WITH IT
#2 Wait 20 mins after cleansing before you apply
#3 SUNSCREEN ppl
#4 Moisturizing oil (Clarins' Santal Oil is my fav) for your 'off nights' (fot the nights you aren't using the treatment, it helps marvelously!) I liked this 100x more than any lotion or cream, b/c your face will be SUPER sensitive, and a lot of thigs (even water sometimes) will burn!
November 27, 2010
Pros:
-removes acne scars
-baby-smooth skin
Cons:
-did not do anything for my acne
-dry/itchy skin
I am a junior in high school and have been struggling with acne since seventh grade.I have tried every face wash/cream/lotion at the drug store. I came across this website in search of something to try as a last attempt, when I read the reviews on tretinoin. So I went to my doc and tried it out. Started using in june, finished in november. Basically, my acne stayed the same. I had no initial breakout which everyone keeps talking about, but my acne did not lessen. I knew it was doing something, because my acne scars were going away, and the surrounding skin felt a lot smoother. After using it for about 4 months, I decided to give up. I also noticed that most of my breakouts came around the time I was about to get my period, so I figured my acne must be hormonal. I decided to try Zinc, as it suppresses testosterone from being used in unnecessary ways. I started taking it two weeks ago, and my skin is now as smooth as it was before I got my first zit. I will continue using tretinoin for its anti-aging properties and to get rid of the remaining scars, but if you notice that no face washes/creams are quite working for you, or they only work for a short period of time, then the cause is probably internal, and topical treatments will only help you with drying your existing acne out.
November 15, 2010
Pros:
reduces acne
Cons:
some redness
It works for me, but I've also been doing a number of other things.. eating healthy, birth control, 10% benz wash, SPF 15 every morning.. I only use RetinA at night, and a very small amount- as directed by my dermatologist. Once in a while I use a nice scrub too. BUT, overall I would recommend it. I had HORRIBLE acne, and with all the things I've been trying, I'm finally starting to clear up!
I also had NONE of the side affects other people listed... :P
October 11, 2010
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
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!
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.
August 25, 2010
Pros:
Clears skin
Fades dark spots and scars when nothing else works!
Makes skin very smooth and dewy
Fades wrinkles
Cons:
Initial ugliness!
Drying and peeling at first
Expensive (not cov by my ins)
Takes a little time to work
Ok, here is the skinny on this stuff! I was terrified reading some of the posts on here regarding an initial breakout. Who wants to break out when that's the reason you're using this stuff to begin with?!! The truth is, I didn't break out bad at all. I did get some pimples for the first couple of weeks but they were really up close to the surface and were gone in a day or two. It brings a lot of white heads to the surface, and I was stupid to try to go after some before they were ready, hence resulting in a huge monster the next day! Don't do that! My feeling is the pimples that came to the surface were going to erupt anyway, this just speeds up the process and therefore clears skin faster. You will get some peeling and redness, but mine was gone before a week, just make sure you use a good moisturizer and *gently* exfoliate when needed to get rid of flakes.
Here is the regimen my derm has had me on since May and I have not had a deep cyst or bad pimple since: AM: wash w/ Olay foaming cleanser
Tretinoin .1%- a pea size amount for first 5 weeks, then increased to about dime sized amount after that.
Cetaphil moisturizer (too greasy for me so I use an oil fee Kate Sommerville one instead, but good for when you're initally peeling from the Tretinoin because it won't burn)
Spironolactone (water pill) 50mg PM: wash w/ my derm's brand foaming sal/tea tree cleanser
Cetaphil moisturizer
Spironolactone (water pill) 50mg
My derm's own brand 20% benzoyl peroxide (comparable to Benzaclin but a little stronger)applied wherever you usually get zits, even if you don't have any at the moment. So, the combination of the water pill and tretinoin together has not only cleared my skin up, but has left it more beautiful than ever!
May 21, 2010
Pros:
-Clears Acne
-Lightens & fades blemishes
Cons:
-Very drying
-Peeling
-Irritation
-Sensitivity to the sun
At age 8 I began going through puberty and began developing blackheads,whiteheads and cystic acne.Of course,being so young,my mom though nothing of it.In 5th grade,my mom finally took me to the dermatologist because she knows there's history of bad acne in our family,she had bad acne,my sisters did and my grandpa did.They prescribed me this.It did take a while to help,and my skin eventually began clearing up very good.Then the first day of 6th grade hit,I broke out horribly and my acne went out of control and this actually began to burn my skin and made my blemishes worse,although I was very young so I don't count that as a negative.I do recommend it.Now I'm currently on Accutane,but in the future when I'm older,I'll go to this for wrinkles cause I've heard it works.
February 9, 2010
Pros:
clears acne,gives you confidence back...
Cons:
flacking and breakouts...
you should be patient while using retin.a ,i m on retin.a 0.05% for almost months.it has cleared my acne marks are still there but i m gonna stick to it coz i know it would fade marks as well..now i apply a little make up and my skin looks flawless,all bumps are gone!!!
January 15, 2010
Pros:
-Gets rid of bigger, evil pimples in a week or 2 for me.
-Took my very red irritated pores and zits to a nice pinkish tone
Cons:
-Feel like sh*t after looking in the mirror for 2 weeks
- Dryness and pealing skin,
- Reduces pore size for a bit, but it comes back
I used to have moderate-ish acne on my chin, which i started to get in 5th grade [early] and still have, I have tried benzoyl peroxide and all they did was make it worse and never got better, So far, Retin-A has been one of the only products to slightly reduce my acne. Its a pretty good product, Only big flaws for me were Dryness.
May 16, 2016
good
i used to take roaccutane to treat my skin, and it lasted only for 2 months as it caused severe dryness to my skin. i stopped, and changed my skincare routine. i use cetaphil cleanser and retin A at night only. give it 2 weeks and u will see a lot of difference in your skin.
Pros:
Clears up acne
Strengthens skin
reduces pore size
softens lines
A LOT of other benefits