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
January 12, 2012
Cons:
Pimples in areas I never had before all over my face that would not go away
Made my skin oily
The pimples that I got ended up looking scabby, and rough
Left me with lots of red marks because of all the breakouts I experienced
This was the worst product I have ever used on my face. I had mild/moderate acne at the time, but it was persistent and I could never get it to go 100% away so I decided to give this a try because of all the glowing reviews. However, I greatly regret that I ever used this. I used it for 8 months, and finally just gave up. Even though my acne was not improving I was still so hopeful that it would eventually get clear while on this medication because I heard so many great things about this medication. But, it just did not work for me. I got terrible pimples all over my face, in places I had never had acne before. They were very painful, and they were difficult to get rid of. They would last for weeks and once they went away they would come back again. It was a never ending cycle that I could not get rid of. I finally stopped using it and started to use BP and my skin started to improve immediately. It has been about a year since I stopped retin-a and my skin is in much better condition than it was before, but it still has a little ways to go.
January 11, 2012
Pros:
It helped a lot with acne in a short amount of time.
Cons:
It REALLY dried out my skin. I got to the point where my acne was getting so bad right underneath my nose and down to my upper lip, that I put a ton of this stuff on every night. The acne went away days ago, but my skin is terribly chapped. It appears dry, it looks disgusting, and it burns extremely bad. It hurts to move my mouth anymore. This alone makes the medicine not worth it. I would rather have acne than have this.
It's not worth it because of how dry it makes your skin. It is especially not worth the money.
January 5, 2012
Pros:
Making My Face Very Smooth
Maybe Making My Cysts Redness Smaller
Cons:
Takes Awhile I Guess
Redness
Okay so I been dealing with acne for about 2 years now and ever since football season from last year i've gotten it acne. First my acne was just bumps and stuff nothing really huge winter got worst then got better in the summer because i started to use proactive........little did i know this fall got horribly bad bad cysts and my both my checks are now to date red but there no more bumps on it. Its just like a flat red mark idk whats happening but i only been on retin-a 0.5% for about 3 weeks but my skin on the red marks are really smooth now idk if that a good sign just hoping for the best if any have any advice for me i would highly appreciate it ANYTHING!! All people with acne out there i know how you feel i'm always depress and dont even want to go in school looking like this :( so im hoping this will help if not then im on acctuane
January 3, 2012
Pros:
clear face
clear acne scars
Cons:
$$
This is seriously crack for my face, started with Retin-A Micro .04%. I smoke so it messes with my hormones and this helps get rid of them and i have hyperpigmentation so acne scars are gone as well. I also have oily skin,so by far best product i've used. You can get a larger tube of this cheaper in Mexico, by just asking a pharmacist, just a tip.
January 2, 2012
Pros:
Clears a little acne
Red marks fade slightly
Cons:
In the long term, didn't do much
Peeling
It is good for a while, spots get less big and red. However, it did sting a little and it hasn't really helped my acne.
January 1, 2012
Pros:
Acne 90% reduced
Smoother skin
Reduces scars
Cons:
Tough Initial breakout
Dryness (to be expected)
Flakiness
I began this treatment mid November, it is now Jan. 1. My acne was severe a year ago but has gone down with other treatments to a moderately severe type. I get cysts in three main areas of the face and regularly have 3-5 pustules on my face. Not to mention redness and scarring. My treatment is as follows: Apply Retin-A cream every night before bed and then follow with a moisturizer (Avene Clean-Ac). In the morning rinse with water plus apply moisturizer. Additionally receive dermabrasion once a month. In the first month I broke out severely, worse than what I looked like when I began the treatment. It is enough to make you doubt the medicine but stick with it! Now, on my second month, cystic acne is almost non-existent and skin is clearer than it has been in months. My skin is not as sensitive to the cream as others have posted. I find that applying a good amount (more than a pea) is very effective without causing irritation *for me*. I have zero pustules on my face (such a rare yet welcome change). I'm still in the early stages of treatment but so far so good. I'm hopping this will be my answer instead of having to go on accutane. I give this product 4 stars because I am still in the beginning stage of using it, but am happy so far. Best of luck to all~
December 25, 2011
Pros:
Reduces oil
Cons:
Bad breakouts
Peeling
Redness
Sensitivity
Used the 0.5 cream version alone for 3.5 months and my face actually worsened. I experienced bad breakouts AKA cystic acne that I have never really experienced for a looong time on my trusty sage advice stuff and some peeling and very reddened skin. I also had red, scaly patches that I feared would remain forever if I continued using. Finally after more than three months of cringing in the mirror when I look in my face I knew it was time to throw down the towel. I'm sure my experience would have been different and much better if combined with an antibiotic and/or abx topical cream. I would not recommened this product on its own.
December 25, 2011
Pros:
-Cleared acne
-Clearing previous scars
-Bright and glowing skin
Cons:
-Redness and peeling
-Takes time, very gradual healing process
-Initial breakout and breakout after 2nd month
I've been waiting to review this product for fear that I will have another breakout, but here goes...I have been using this product for 3 months now in conjunction with 100 mg per day of spironolactone. I started out with Retin-A Micro .04% for 1 month, then moved up to Retin-A Micro .1% for the last 2 months. I have had chronic acne since I was 13, and cystic acne since I was 18, am now 26 years old and have finally found a product that works for me. The spironolactone stopped the cystic acne from returning, but the Retin-A has changed the texture, appearance and quality of my skin. It will take a long time to work, and if you try and use a lot of product at once, you'll get a bright red burned face. Be patient and stick with it, it will be the best choice you ever make for your acne. Few important notes to share with you:
-I had a terrible, awful initial breakout, worse than I've ever had. However, I stuck with it and things started improving. I had 2 more serious "breakouts" since starting the product, but seem to be over the major hurdles after about 3 months. STICK WITH IT, it will get better.
-I have some occasional redness and peeling, but I would simply recommend using a good moisturizer at night and during the daytime and a little gentle exfoliation to help get rid of any flakiness.
-It is clearing my overall skin tone and previous scars, I hope that if I stick with it, they will all fade.
-For women with cystic acne, highly recommend pairing with Spironolactone.
-Also, my doc gave me antibiotics for the first month and also for the week during my period when I am prone to breakouts which very much helped to reduce additional breakouts.
December 24, 2011
Pros:
-Less oiliness except for in the t zone
-Much less acne than previously starting
-More confidence
Cons:
-Dryness
-T zone oiliness by the end of the day
-Pricey
-Take a long long time to work
It is a great product but if you have hormonal acne like me you will still break out. I am going to go on ortho tri cyclen lo in about a month and think pairing them together will be perfect but for now I am genuinely satisfied with the results but am not as clear as I would like to be.
December 23, 2011
Pros:
cleared skin quickly
made skin vibrant, and glowing
easy to use
reasonably priced (with discount card)
Cons:
takes 3 to 9 weeks for results to show
hard to come by
The first time i used Retin-A was over the summer, and the combination of the resulting dryness and the heat made my skin so oily, i wanted to stop using it.I constantly had to blot my face, and i felt that i was just covered in grime. Washing had little effect, as the oil came back in around 15 minutes. but, i kept at it, and the oiliness went away in the fall. I am unsure if this is related but if it is,then the weird side effect only applies for people who have combination/oily skin. eventually, i ran out and had to wait on my doctor to re-write my prescription. I got the retin-A, but i didn't use it for about 5 months because i felt i was fine without it.now i use it once in a while some for maintenance. note: i did get this as a prescription, and as a result it was covered by insurance. the original price was around $50-$60.
Pros:
None