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
August 1, 2014
"Maybe I Just Need to Keep Hopeful?"
I've been using Tretinoin .05% cream for a month and a half and I know off the bat that some people will say that that's not even a long enough period for it to work for some people but so far no good. I hate this concept that you have to use a product for a couple of months to actually see the "possible" effects that it "might" have. Right now I've been on Doxycline, Tretinoin, and Clindamycin for almost two months and I'm no better than I was before I walked into the Derms office. I'm really hoping that I'm one of the people I've read about that just take longer to see the results they want but after repeatedly being let down everything I've ever tried I'm conditioned to believe this concoction that the Dermatologist has cooked up is no different. I fear I'm one of those people who will never beat acne and honestly that just makes me really sad. Still, I'm hoping I can come back to this website in a while and update or change this review to 5 stars...
December 19, 2013
not even going to try it
The ingredient list on my tube has stearic acid and isopropyl myristate high on the list (first and second ingredients behind tretinoin)..both are very comedogenic ingredients. Many other people have said this product has broken them out...so to me it's not worth the risk.
June 28, 2013
Broke me out.. but for aging benefits would be a very useful product
Cons:
Broke me out
Irritating
Retin-a both cream and Gel broke me out quite significantly, and continued to break me out for 5 months until I discontinued usage. This product is not for everyone.. but the aging benefits would be very useful for someone clear of acne.
June 15, 2013
Meh
Cons:
Side effects
Burning skin
Ineffective
Ive been prescribed retin a for years and years now and never had success with it. It causes a very bad purging stage in the beginning which I am fine with. But I could never use the product as recommended because it would make my skin raw from the extreme peeling. I got chemical burn when I used it as recommened and didn't realize what was happening with my skin. It makes my skin very sensitive and burns when ever I use it. It's not the product for me..
May 30, 2013
Didnt do anything...
Pros:
Makes skin shiny/glossy
Cheap
Helps with Hyperpigmentation
Cons:
Did not work
This product did not do anything for my skin. I guess it was like putting on lotion or something, because this made your skin shiny and a bit moisturized. My hyperpigmentation improved a little. My mom likes this product, because she says its helps get rid of hyperpigmentation and helps with wrinkles. This product did not harm nor benefit my skin. This did not work for my acne. It did not solve my problem at all
May 17, 2013
Cons:
Dries out skin
Pricey
Irritating even in low doses and diluted
Everyone told me how amazing this product is. All it did for me was make me incredibly sensitive, and dry out my skin.
November 25, 2012
Pros:
seemed to help at first to clear up some acne
works sometimes as a spot treatment
Cons:
visible line between redness of face and normally coloured neck (made my face REALLY red), skin became flaky, sore, itchy, irritated
After a while, acne started to get worse than before
I started using this on the advice of a doctor in combination with Clindoxyl. One in the morning and one at night. I can't be positive which was causing the flakiness and terrible redness that couldn't even be covered up with makeup, but they probably both contributed. Please don't use this if you have dry or sensitive skin!
November 21, 2012
Pros:
long term help somewhat
Cons:
took a really really long time to do anything
smells somewhat weird
feels heavy on skin
Perhaps because I have the weakest version .025%, it didn't do much for me. at all.
November 20, 2012
Pros:
Deep acne lesions heal faster.
Cons:
Breakout in areas I didn't breakout in before
Red marks/scars
I went to the dermatologist with mild/moderate acne and was prescribed retin a micro. I was keeping under control with epiduo but was looking for a way to control it even more. I was informed that it may get worse before it gets better and have now been on it for 4 months. I have used it every night within the four month but I still have yet to see any improvement and have red marks from the retin a breakouts and scars that I have never experienced before. The initial breakout doesn't seem like it will ever stop. My skin is very tight during the day as well. I am going to continue for another month to see if my skin is just taking a while to respond.
October 3, 2012
I used the generic cream and I have to say... do NOT use this if you have acne prone skin... use the gel. This changed the texture of my skin and made the texture of my skin a lot better but after 5 months of use, continued to break me out. That's when I found out the base of this product contains ingredients that clogs pores. This cream would be better for those who are fighting wrinkles, not acne. Plus, the cream made me peel and flake for months, not weeks.
Pros:
Aging benefits