Tretinoin

Skin finally cleared around 9th-10th week of use. After that, I would only get a small pimple or two that would go away quickly (2-3 days) and usually only around my period. My skin is finally smooth and clear.

Cons:

Took 9-10 weeks until my acne went away. I went through HELL. I used it for 7 weeks and then quit because I was breaking out horribly. Worse acne in my entire life. Went on it again because nothing else worked. I stuck with it and finally saw the benefits. Bad news is that the bad acne left some red marks (hyperpigmentation) and scars, but I'm sure they'll eventually go away.

I was breaking out horribly for 3 months before improvement was seen. It was really hard to stick with tretinoin when I wasn't seeing any results. YOU MUST BE PATIENT with this product. You WILL see improvement if you stick with it. Also used Bactrim for two months, and Aviane since then. I used .05% every other day b/c my acne and skin was so bad, and then moved to every day when the redness and inflammation stopped. Use a cleanser without salicylic acid to prevent redness and over-drying. I use Neutrogena foaming cleanser and it works very well. Bottom line: Tretinoin cleared my skin, but it took about 2 1/2 months. If I would've stuck with tretinoin the first time I took it, it would've saved me an extra 9 weeks of acne hell. Be patient and don't give up. The weeks waiting will be worth the clear skin later.

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dan25

February 20, 2010

Pros:

working better than benzoyl peroxide less dry

Cons:

none

this is working better than bp less drying, bp made my skin too dry even if i moisturize, its snowy cold and its working better im also on a antbiotic so not sure if its just the gel but im clearer but not perfect.

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I-want-my-old-complexion

February 10, 2010

Pros:

Fades dark mark
Purges the bumps under my skin

Cons:

Initial breakouts
Burnt (skin if used excessively)
Peeling of skin

I used to have the complexion that people said they would die for.. But boom, at 23 years old, I suddenly get a sudden breakout that just won't stop! I'm now well into my second month of Retin-A (at night) use, combined with twice application of topical clindamycin in the daytime. When I first used it, I went a little overboard and thus experienced hell - my face became extremely irritated, red, burning, even badly abraded in some areas. I had some initial breakout as well due to the irritation. It was so bad it made me cry.. and I decided to off the Retin-A for a week to repair the damage. A week later, I started on Retin-A again, this time in very small amount, usually 1/2 an hour after I last washed my face. I slab on sunscreen wherever I go (I live in a tropical country). Good to say, my skin is recovering good.. The dark marks are definitely fading. It brings out a lot of the gunk under the skin I had (manifested as fleshy bumps), so it's good. Once the gunk comes to surface, it heals faster with application of Retin-A. I am still having maybe like 2 small pimples left.. with around 5-7 bumps under the skin that I still religiously apply Retin-A on. Oh, and still having some dark PIH marks, but they're definitely fading with time. I had one small punched-out scar, but now it's gone with Retin-A application. Side effects wise, now my problem is just the flaking.. It's less flaky now than when I first started.. I use Neutrogena Moisture with SPF-15, and it, for most of the time, kept the flaking and dryness in control. Bottom line.. it will get worse at first.. but stick to it.. It really works. I'm glad I read some reviews here that encourages users to stick through the hard times - I did, despite feeling horrible... and in the end it pays off! :) Will write again when I'm (hopefully) completely clear! :) Hope I'm clear before my engagement party though.. hehe~

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Sabrina

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.

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lovelee90

January 10, 2010

Pros:

Makes skin more smooth

Cons:

takes a while for results, peeling skin, redness, causes initial breakout

This product really does work! It takes time and the IB really gets aggravating!! but if you stick with it and follow the directions exactly, you will see results. I had almost given up on my Tretinoin in .25% but then after I stopped picking and actually read the specific directions I have noticed a significant difference. My skin is still peeling a little but the texture is so smooth and really healthy looking. Just DO NOT PICK!! you'll get scars.

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Nora Young

January 3, 2010

Pros:

-Fades Scars
-Gets rid of big pimples in about 1 week

Cons:

-Makes skins worse at first.
- Zits/Pimples get very sensetive and become a bright red
- Takes awhile

Why, no skin thing is over night. The first week was a nightmare. My skin was very red, my pores looked more clogged, and i started getting zits on my forehead which i never got before. But after like 2 and a half weeks my skin got a bit better, Im gonna continue using if for about 2 more months. Note: If your just starting to the product it WILL take time don't give up on it just because you didnt see results in a few days.

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Migs

December 14, 2009

Pros:

-Gives your face a nice glow
-Face is smoother
-got rid of big pimples (after a week or so)

Cons:

-acne got worst before it got better (still worth it though!)
-kinda itchy at first
-peeling

This product is the medicine that you NEED to stick to. It might make your acne a little worse at the first week, but after a couple of weeks are so it will improve a whole lot! it is itchy but its something that you can control. and important that you DO NOT pick at ur pimples because your skin is thin because of the medication.. but seriously, this is great!

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alexandra

December 13, 2009

Pros:

clears skin, fades scars, gives skin a "glow"

Cons:

extremely, extremely difficult to deal with at first, itchy, sometimes burning, excessive peeling and dryness of skin in the beginning. major breakouts that seem to come from nowhere

i've used tretinoin .1% for 7 months now. before i started using it, i would say i had moderate-severe acne, after using it for the first month, my acne became nearly unbearable, i felt it was worse than severe, no makeup could cover it because the bumps were so visible, and i could barely put on makeup because the texture of my skin was so completely irregular and uneven, the patchy spots of dryness just made everything look worse. it took a few months, but tretinoin has become honestly one of the best things that's happened to me....now i'm acne free...dealing with simple small pimples here and there that everyone has. at first, i know the feeling, it seems so hopeless and you feel like you can't deal with it but TRUST ME, this is a PROCESS and the hard work you put into surviving the initial effects will surely justify the means! good luck!!

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anna09

December 11, 2009

Pros:

clear skin, smoother acne marks fading

Cons:

redness peeling

This stuff works rather well. I use it with minocycline and for the most part im very pleased!!!

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Daniel61

December 11, 2009

Pros:

- It definitely works great, but you must use it right
- Only needs to be applied once a day
- A single tube goes a long way

Cons:

At first it causes extreme dryness, sometimes burning.

This product helped me and my skin change completely. Before using it, I thought I had light acne and would use OTC washes and creams. When I began to wake up with a new pimple every morning & my skin began to scar, I knew it was time to go to a dermatologist. So I went and it turns out I had moderate-severe acne and the scarring/redness needed antibiotics. So I was put on doxycycline, 5% benzoyl peroxide wash, and tretinoin cream .05%. At first, I broke out more because it brings all your blackheads and pimples to the surface, then I peeled and had very dry skin for a few weeks. Finally, after about 5 weeks, I had no new pimples and the scars were disappearing fast. Just use it right and it WILL work for you. Only apply a small amount at night before bed, AT LEAST 30 minutes after cleansing the affected area. Also remember to moisturize in the morning and during the day, but not right before or after applying tretinoin, that will only interfere with the medicine.

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