Topical Retinoid
Reviews
3.4
1972 Reviews
Topical Retinoid
Efficacy
50%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Topical Retinoid
Side Effects
Low
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.
Read All About Tretinoin
Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.1%
4
32%
3
21.6%
2
14.9%
1
9.4%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

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June 26, 2011

Pros:

- Gets rid of all of the big, nasty bumps that usually take FOREVER to heal.
- Leaves skin glowing!!!
- Pores seem to just magically shrink in size.
- Definetly took away almost all of my cheek acne!
- Takes a really long time to work!

Cons:

- It took away my big bumps, but now I have really annoying ones all over my forehead ^__^.
- Makes skin EXTREMELY oily!
- Doesn't give off drastic results ( I got my hopes up from using so many crappy products in the past.. -sigh-)
- Makes skin sensitive to the sun, wear a high SPF.

Okay, so this is week 7 and a half, and I STILL have acne. I know, I know, it will take probably a few more weeks to fully clear up, but..oh well. I am currently using Retin A cream in conjunction with Clindamycin 1% topical lotion. I hope, that in the next few weeks I will see more results than I have been.
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June 23, 2011

Pros:

Definitly helps scarring
absorbs quickly
helps prevent acne
^^^^(not guaanteed bc im using another acne product as well)
lasts a long time

Cons:

Dryness at first
slowly improves skin
can irritaate skin more

so i HAD cystic acne appox. 4 months ago now i have MAJOR scarring and my dem. perscribed me this. im very thankful because along with doxy, and minocycline i had claered up completely and am now slowly riding myslef of the after math of the acne. the scars i did not notice any worsening of my skin like my derm said could happen thankfully i would reccomend this to anyone who is trying to get rid of scaring but not if your skin in inflamed
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June 14, 2011

Pros:

Told it will help clear and prevent future break outs.
Killer on cystic acne.
Said to help with scaring, I think I believe this, maybe a little.
I wear it only at night before bed

Cons:

Dryness around affected area
Redness
Scabbing over healing areas
The scabbing makes me want to pick at it

I had an Implanon which is a form of birth control and had it in about 1.5 or a little longer and over that time I got mild break outs around the back of my jawline which over time turned into sever cystic acne along my jawline and on my neck and then moved into the left side of my face, very painful. I also always had little white ones that were never white heads but were under the surface and would pop easily they were everywhere..... Once taken out was put on Yaz and given Retin-A which I used religiously and then also incorporated emu oil into that equation every other night to help with the healing process. I still have a lot of scaring but the cystic acne is gone and I still get a few of those other ones around my mouth but really very unnoticeable. I like this stuff because it tingles so I feel like its killing the acne lol, as far as scaring goes I don't reallly notice a difference as to that when I use the emu oil which I always wake up and my face is smooth and the redness is significantly reduced in my face. I will stick with this as well as with the emu oil
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May 20, 2011

Pros:

-Helps acne marks

Cons:

-Very drying. Skin began to flake
-Initial break out

This product did not work for me however do not be discouraged to try it. It did work for me at first but then stopped. It also made the color o my skin darker for some odd reason. I recommend staying consistent. Keep using this product for three months before making a final decision in it.
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May 6, 2011

Pros:

Eventually made my face clear.
Made skin smoother.

Cons:

Very harsh.
Painful to go in the sun while using it.
Face was red and sensitive the entire time.
Burned my face pretty bad.

Tretinoin burned my face badly for about 2 weeks but after the burn healed my acne scars peeled off with it so it helped but not before putting me through pain and suffering.
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April 20, 2011

Pros:

effective
has anti wrinkle proporties
cheap

Cons:

it takes time and it works slowly

I live in iran,my derm recommended this for me and told me to use it not only for acne also to have a younger looking skin,its really effective,I use 0.05 percent as named locacid and it hydrates my skin! interesting but it really does.
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January 4, 2011

Pros:

-Faded scars
-Cleared up skin
-Face is smooth and gorgeous

Cons:

-Took almost 3 months to begin to work.

I first got prescribed Tretinoin in August. At first, I was nervous to try it. For the first week, I saw no change, then out of nowhere, I began to see breakouts. After 3 months, my breakouts are almost gone, however I have been getting underground, painful pimples on my forehead. It has really lived up to the beautiful skin deal, scars on my face have faded and my skin is unbelievably soft! I was recently prescribed the .1%, moving up from the .05%, so hopefully that will fix the problem of the underground pimples. Definitely worth sticking through, I love that my skin is brighter and my horrible scars have faded from my cheeks. The first month or two arent exactly wonderful, but it's worth waiting for. Love it.
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August 6, 2010

Pros:

*good long term solution to acne
*Smooths out skin texture
*fades marks over time
*doesn't dry out skin if used correctly

Cons:

*will irritate at first
*works slowly
*need to give its a few months to work (and to purge

I think the reason most ppl dont stick with retin-a is b/c it takes a long time to work - but I also think its a very good permanant solution. Problem is must use religiously for months and even as you purge & breakout - you can't mix with other acne products, only a gentle cleanser (purpose). I think that is where most ppl go wrong. I have been on Retin-a micro and tazorac several times during the past few years, the first time I went on my skin responded the best, I was also on minocycline & used as directed religiously for several months. But, do not wear in the sun, and if u spend alot of time outside in the winter too, you will get irritated from cold dry air. Only use once at night and only the little pea size amt they direct, any more will resuly in a very red flaky mess.
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July 16, 2010

Pros:

Only mildly drying, doesn't bleach fabric, improved skin quality and lessened acne for a few months

Cons:

Worsened acne after month 4... and not just "the old breakouts are back" routine. This product caused me to break out in a way that I never had before.

Here was my experience with retin-a micro: After years of failed "treatments", I was convinced this was my ticket home, and after 4 months on retin a (started with .25% then increased to .1%), my skin looked better than it had in a while. I have sensitive skin but I hardly experienced any drying effects, and my skin actually even started to glow. The pimples I did get were smaller and went away faster, and it worked better on blackheads than any other product I've used. Around month 5, and almost overnight, my skin began to break out in a way it never had before. I started getting clusters of small, highly inflamed acne all around my mouth/chin. Within 2 weeks, it had spread up my cheeks. These pustules would creep up constantly, hurt like mad, fade (but leave red marks) in a day or two and then reappear another day later. I've suffered from acne for close to 10 years now and this was one of the worst times of all. I kept telling myself that it was just the medicine working because so many reviewers say to "just stick with it and it'll work". Finally I couldn't take it anymore and quit using retin-a - I noticed an immediate improvement. It took 2 months for my skin to get back to any version of normal, and my skin still acts differently than it ever did before. Please please please pay attention to your gut while using this product because for some people, it can have a really adverse effect. I wish I would've stopped sooner. Disheartened by what chemicals did to my skin, I started researching and reading everything I could about holistic approaches to acne. I came across Seppo Pussa's book Clear For Life, and I can't recommend it enough. If you're tired of treating the symptoms without addressing the cause and if you're ready to actually work for clear skin, it can change your life. 1 month into this new approach, my skin is on the road to amazing. And what's crazy is that I'm not using any chemicals, topicals or pills to do it. Ser
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November 15, 2009

Pros:

clears skin, helps acne scars

Cons:

drys skin to a point that was unimaginable to me before

I love retin A, but it is intensely drying. I do use retin A .1 micro, which is the strongest one, but I have very oily skin and it still dries my skin like I've never seen before. I love this stuff, but it can be a pain in the butt.
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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.

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.