Tretinoin
Results
Side Effects

Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.

...

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.

 [more]
3.5
1649
Read All About Tretinoin
Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
March 9, 2012

Pros:

clears congested skin
minimizes break outs
helps with fine lines

Cons:

dry skin
takes time

I've been using this for more than 25 years. I use .025% but have used this in .05%, and .1%. If the strength is too high it can cause breakouts, bumps, and redness, not to mention you will be dealing with dry skin acne. Drs. like to prescribe this at .05% and .1% thinking that all people are the same, but I think they should start slow, and then work your way up, if needed. The if needed part is important. When I was in my 20s .05% was fine, but not so in my 30s. My forehead can handle the .01% but the rest of my face cannot. It causes worse breakouts on my cheeks, nose, and chin. Starting with the .025% will keep you from having a major purge, and redness. We all have to go out in public, and when your skin is bad, you just don't want to. I believe this doesn't work for a lot of people because the strength is too high. Between the redness, flakies, and cell turnover with the higher strengths, my skin didn't get better after 4 months, and sometimes it was worse. I stopped using Retin A when I was pregnant, and when I went back on it after I had my baby, my skin went haywire. I stopped using it because my skin was always inflammed, and my acne was severe. The dr. changed it to .05% and it didn't get better. I stopped using it for 6 months altogether because I couldn't handle the redness, and my acne was worse on it than without it. It wasn't until I agreed to the .025% that my skin got better. Less is more with this stuff. My skin finally cleared, and I didn't have the redness, congested skin, and bumps. I sometimes alternate nights with the .05% and the .025% if my skin gets a little oily, but not for long because my skin will get red. They say your skin gets used to this stuff, and I don't think it does if your on the wrong strength. My skin did not like the .1% and the redness stayed for months after discontinuing it. Less is more with this stuff.
This Was Helpful

29 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 6, 2012

Pros:

Works!
Reduces lines and oil on my face

Cons:

Driness,
Slow action

It really works, but require patience. I used this with Acanya, so.....? My face is clearer and glows, will continue using this.
This Was Helpful

Report
March 4, 2012

Pros:

none

Cons:

painful dryness and redness
more acne
takes a long time

I started having acne my senior year of high school because before that I pretty much had no acne. My dermatologist put me on tretinoin 0.05% starting in may of last year. In the beginning my face got so dry and raw it was very painful. Not only that but my face began to break out more. After a couple weeks the dryness went away and I now only had more acne. I used it for 6 months before finally stopping. I saw no improvement and honestly my acne was worst than it had been before and now I have horrible acne scars. If I could go back and choose not to use this I definitely would.
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 4, 2012

Pros:

Probably would have worked if I had the patience to wait a year...

Cons:

Just made it unbearable
Expensive with no insurance

I didn't put down any pros because I ended up not having any. I took it for 4 months and I imagine if I had maybe moderate or less acne then it maybe would have done the job. Topical treatment alone will not work for my coin sized cysts so I am going on Accutane. Although I left no pros, I might consider using tretinoin after I finish Accutane to keep the acne away permanently and also because it is supposed to work for scaring and wrinkles. This product was expensive though. Tretinoin is supposedly the generic and it cost me about $100 (uninsured). I got a very large amount though for that much money. I probably could have gotten a year out of that container.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 1, 2012

Pros:

-Cleared up most of my acne
-Lightens acne scars
-Dries pimples out
-Speeds up healing process of acne

Cons:

-Dries Skin out a lot
-Take a very very long time to see results

It took about 7 months to see real results using this product. I got hormonal acne in High School. It was never really bad, but moderate acne. I went to the Derm and he put me on tretinoin cream. I have combination skin but this dries up my skin pretty badly. I have learned ways around it for my skin though, which I will share with you if you are having the same problem. Now when I first started using this in August my skin dried out a lot but didn't notice a difference in acne. About October is when my acne got really bad! I wanted to stop using the cream because why would I want to use something that wasn't working? My derm told me to stick with it so I did. I'm glad I did too! Around January is when my skin cleared and I officially have no acne. I get acne around "that time of the month" but besides then I don't. Now for how I get around the dry skin. Here is my everyday skin routine. Night time. -I wash my face with cetaphil for dry skin -I apply Olive oil, yes olive oil (Don't knock it till you try it!!! It has done wonders!) -Then I apply my tretinoin cream -Then on my nose because it gets very very flakey I apply Vaseline. Morning Time. -I wash my face again with cetaphil -And just apply a lighter moisturizer so my face doesn't look shiny throughout the day! I use the neutrogena oil free moisture for sensitive skin. I also take fish oil pills which help not only with your health but your dry skin as well!!
This Was Helpful

23 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 28, 2012

Pros:

Don't see any yet

Cons:

I have been using this product for 7weeks now and my face is a disaster. I have such painful acne now that I have to take Advil to reduce the swelling in my face. Will this ever stop? I read mixed reviews about when the bream out period stops . It is so depressing , someone please let me know

It has not helped with any of my whiteheads
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 25, 2012

Pros:

- dries up swollen pimples within the course of a few days.
- has helped reduce the appearance of bright red scars.

Cons:

- very drying and makes skin peel. Other than that, nothing really.

I was put on this by my dermatologist when I had about 25 bumps on my face. When I first started using this, I noticed that it had a nice "Clean" tingle to it, but now it just burns and leads to dry skin in the morning. I like this product a lot and I use it before bed, after washing my face. When I went back to my dermatologist about two months later, he said my acne had reduced down to about four active pimples and he said that was way better than expected. I use this with mincocycline, which I just started using a few days ago. My scars have also depleted. One side of my face has rolling scars that have a purple hue to them, which is way better than the red that they were. The dermatologist said they would fade to white in time.
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 22, 2012

Pros:

clears skin
softens skin
reduces wrinkles
lightens dark marks

Cons:

redness
dries skin
peeling
initial breakout

i started using tretinoin .025% about 5 months ago. i have used every acne product under the sun..every salycidic acid & benzoyl peroxide product, proactiv, glycolic acid, differin, retrinal, etc. i have had acne for 15 years ( half of my life! ) and nothing has worked better on my skin. after a few months i met with a facialist who recommended that i up the concentration, i called my dermatologist and asked him to up the tretinoin because it wasnt clearing my skin 100%. ive been using the .05 % for a month now and its working so much better. a few tips...meet with a great facialist! facials can be expensive but save up and go to the best one in your city and ask them what they reccommend. usually dr's will prescribe you a pill to try to fix everything and you should try topicals first before taking a pill everyday! antibiotics cannot be good for your system. use a gentle face wash 2 times a day, use a micro derm scrub and gently buff peeling skin in the AM. moisturize! one of the biggest faults wth having acne for me is i never used a moisturizer because i was scared it would cause me to break out more.use an oil free moisturizer. i love laura mercier's tinted oil free moisturizer because its light, has great buildable coverage, is nongreasy and has sunscreen in it. make sure to wait at least 30 minutes to apply the retin a! it wont work if you apply it while your skin is still moist and only use a little bit. i really think it works when its used properly. you will breakout when you start, but do not get discouraged, it means its working and bringing all the sebum to the surface. i hope i help someone, as dealing with this condition is so difficult. this regimen worked for me and i hope it does for you too!
This Was Helpful

28 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 10, 2012

Pros:

It REALLY WORKS!
Helped fade scaring
Skin is soft/smooth
Skin feels tighter

Cons:

Takes a very long time!
The initial break out period is long
Made mild acne serve
Redness, peeling, no sun activities

I'm 19 years old and never had bad skin in high school. When I went to college I suffered from hormonal acne on my chin. I went to a doctor last summer (July 2011) and he put me on tetracycline (pills) for 4 months, and tretinoin 0.025%. My skin broke out the second week and continued to break out for four months! It was so disgusting at one point I didn't leave my house for a whole week! My acne was no longer just on my chin but ALL over my checks. After about 4 months my doctor then put me on clindamycin phosphate tropical gel 1% during the day and continued me on tetracycline 0.1% in the evenings. By christmas I had noticed a change in my skin and so did my friends and family. My scars were still healing but no huge zits were on my face. My scars remanded pretty red till recently. I haven't broke out for the first time in over a week now! My skin is finally starting to look healthy again and I'm talking about WITHOUT makeup! I would definitely recommend staying with tretinoin. Its been 7 months so far and I've been told it will take a full year for your scars to go away. STICK WITH IT, the results are definitely worth the wait!
This Was Helpful

16 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 9, 2012

Pros:

-cleared up 70% of my acne
-insurance covered cost(s)
-lightened dark spots
-brighter complexion overall

Cons:

-doesn't COMPLETELY clear up everything (at least for me it didn't)
-takes at least 4-6 weeks to see results

Retin A is a good starting point. For some, it'll be the only medication they need to clear up their skin. For others, its a starting place to try others topical creams or oral pills. For me, I had moderate acne. The first week of Retin A and Clindamycin I didn't notice much. Oh, the 3rd day, I felt like my skin was smoother. But, of course I got the initial break out from week 3 to week 7. Then, slowly my skin starting improving. I recommend using it every night, I wouldn't skip. That's not going to help you in the long run. It will just slow down the healing process. Bottom line: Retin A does work! It will have a positive affect on your acne, if you use it correctly and for long enough. It might clear you up, it might somewhat clear you up. If I had to do it all over again, I would. By no means, at 4 months am I satisfied with my skin, but I know now a little bit more about my skin than I did before!
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 25 26 27 28 29 … 134
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website