Acne.org Products
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
November 11, 2009
Cons:
It took a 1 month before it worked.
It made me break out more at first.
It makes your skin really sensitive to the sun and dry
I have been using it since July 09' and it's currently November 09'.
It works amazily to get rid of acne and acne scar. I had really bad skin but now all my blemish is almost gone.
Don't wax while using this product because it will burn your skin.
November 1, 2009
Pros:
Its been 3 months---way fewer pimples, texture of skin improved a lot (my skin is less oily now than before). I seriously doubt any other commercial acne treatment product can give me the same results! I got a prescription through my doctor.
Cons:
MINOR irritations the first 3 weeks, flakiness with some redness... but it seriously didn't look any worse than my pimples. Use jojoba oil as a moisturizer.
I wanted to share my positive experience with Retin A because initially I was so discouraged by the reviews and I was afraid to try it. I posted my experience on the message board. [link edited out] I've tried so many things within my budget and nothing has worked as consistently and long-lasting as Retin A. Every other product I've tried has always worked initially, but then slowly over time, the effects of the products wear off. I think Jojoba oil is a wonderful buffer to the irritations you get with Retin A. I have really sensitive skin that turns red easily. Just be smart and stay out of the sun when your starting this product and skip a day if your skin overly irritated. I don't really recommend using other acne products while your doing this because I didn't and I think it would add to the irritation. Be patient for the results! For way more details, read my post.
August 25, 2009
Pros:
reduced my acne by 50%
Cons:
makes your skin oily itchy and irritated
I used this for 14 months in combination with a prascion sulfur wash and it reduced my acne by about 50% so it did something, but it didn't solve my problem. It made my face much oilier, red and irritated. I'm also not a big fan of the fact that it increases skin cancer risk if you happen to accidentally get some sun exposure. I wouldn't recommend it.
March 24, 2009
Pros:
Helps skin renem itself
Cons:
Irritates skin. Causes a significant initial breakout lasting many weeks.
Began using two months before coming off Dianette bc. As skin became progressively more oily around 5 weeks after stopping Dianette the breakouts began and continued for 6 weeks. At this point begain taking spironolactone as acne getting progressively worse. Will use Retin A again once skin clears from the spironolactone in order to resurface the skin. Apply 20 mins after washing so that skin is dry and this will reduce irritation. For adult women with hormonal acne this is unlikely to work - although will have some use for improving skin texture once acne under control Would only recommend using in conjunction with an antibiotic to help with the initial breakout. Would not recommend use on own as breakout is severe and lengthy and extremely difficult to cope with emotionally. Available on prescription in the UK.
February 12, 2009
Pros:
Clears up skin after pro-longed use, smoother skin, clear complexion. Skin seems brighter, with almost no black heads and white heads.
Cons:
I got horrible dryness under my eyes and the bottom of my jaw. It wasn't just peeling, but unbearable flaking and dried up bits of skin. But I stuck it out. Now my skins very very clear.
I used to get horrible cystic acne, sometimes where it felt like a horn was growing out of my skin. HOWEVER, Retin A purges your pores. It promotes skin cell production, so there for, the dryness you get is from your skin renewing itself and removing all the gunk. STICK TO IT! Just moderate your usage. I didn't do that at first, I used it every night, and by the end of the week, my face was killing me. The second time around, I used it on every third night, then after a week, I went to every other night, and then 2 weeks later I made it to every night. My skin is much better now, less marks, less dark spots. You just have to wait out the dryness and moisturize. Visit their website for tips! But if you discontinue the product after a short period of time due to dryness or more breakouts, YOU ARE WRONG! Read the site, it gets better! Your skin is just purging all the bad stuff out, and after a month or so, you see great improvement! TRUST ME, IT'S WORTH IT!
February 4, 2009
Pros:
It works!
Cons:
flaking, redness..other wise its ok..
Ive been battling ACNE for 5 years , tried almost every products available in the market..PROACTIVE,MURAD, etc....
although i almost lost hope, i tried retacnyl .05% a branded tretinoin although my acne stops from coming out the redness , irritation are worst so i stopped it..
Im so desperate when i decided to see other dermatologist then seh gave me .025% tretinoin..i started using it everynight to my surprise no acne came out..
i used it in connjucntion with my new fave cleanser
GATSBY Clay scrub..its perfect..
November 11, 2008
Pros:
Clears up acne noticeably!
Cons:
Your skin gets really dry, "especially around your chin and mouth areas." You break out alot on areas you havent before and acne gets worse in the first 3 weeks or so.
Just stick with it, its disheartning at first, but by about wk 5, theres a big diference, I'll check in again at wk 12 at share my expierence!!
October 23, 2008
Pros:
clears skin, reduces redness, makes skin glow, makes skin very soft
Cons:
makes pimples realllly red at first, for about 2-3 weeks, causes sensitivity like putting a shirt over my head hurt when it rubbed against my face, caused me a minor breakout
ive been on retin a for exactly 8 weeks and see a major improvement. i used to be covered in cysts and had severe acne. one of my derms told me to go on accutane but i didnt want to. i started taking birth control and im sure that helped straighten out my hormones thus reducing breakouts. i use this with an antibiotic. i only have 2 spots that are going away now, and 80 percent of my redness has decreased. my friends have been complimenting my face along with my family. thats something i havent heard in YEARS. i love retin a and feel as though ill be using it for life haha. i missed one day out of the past 8 weeks and it didnt break out or anything, it improved a bit from the break. i HIGHLY reccommend using this product, and to not quit during the first month or two because it takes awhile to see the good, but once the good hits, it feels awesome. i feel like i have a new face, and i cant wait til the 4-5 month mark seeing as thats the peak of this medication. retin a = <3
April 23, 2008
Pros:
it works, and i can tell you that it will work for you 100%, but it takes TIME!
Cons:
takes a very long time. peels and burns
its the best thing ive ever tried. i've had bad skin since the 6th grade. i'm now a junior and this is the only thing that has ever cleared my face. better yet, its getting rid of my acne scars to! listen, this thing takes time. it gets worse before it gets better, but with the way it works its pratically guarenteed to work. it took me about 3 months for the acne, but i have SEVERE pimples. just try it. i promise you will like it. and it makes your skin so refreshed. i'm so glad my docter perscribed me this stuff. (btw i use the generic brand, trentinoin gel .025% works just the same as retin a.)
March 26, 2008
Pros:
So far, it has clear my pimples
Cons:
SCARES, DRYNESS, & REDNESS
I am not sure how well it is working since I am using DUAC as well. It seems to be getting worse, but I guess that is how it works.
Pros:
It works!
It clears up my acne and acne scars.