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.
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 22, 2011
Pros:
none
Cons:
-does not clear up acne
-youll get huge undergrounders
-makes face EXTREMELY red and shiny
-redness stays even after you stop using it
I used this for around 6 months and it made it worse and shiny and red and did not help at all!!
December 6, 2011
Pros:
None for me personally.
Cons:
Developed severe chemical burn that has persisted for over a month since discontinuing the treatment.
I don't doubt that this is an amazing drug for most people, but I just want to post a word of caution for those with very sensitive skin. My doctor gave me samples, and I therefore I didn't have a package insert or know any of the precautions or side effects. I had no idea how harsh this drug was. I used only a TINY amount on an old acne scar. Even though I only used it a few times, I developed a SEVERE burn about an inch away from the acne scar. I am upset that the dermatologist never asked anything about my skin type, or gave me any instructions whatsoever. I stopped using the cream over a month ago, yet still have this terrible burn that doesn't want to heal. I went back to the doctor, and even he was stunned at how bad it was. He currently has me using a steroid regimen with hopes that this somehow brings it under control. I don't want to discourage anyone from trying this, but do be aware of it's harshness if you have very sensitive skin, and if you get samples, make sure to read how to use it properly in order to avoid unwanted side effects.
November 11, 2011
Pros:
Skin felt smoother
Inexpensive with insurance
Cons:
Extreme redness
Horrible breakouts
Extreme dryness
Flakiness
My doctor recommend that I use Retin-A 0.025% to help clear my acne. He told me that it was the best thing to use and that it would be the "cure" I had been looking for. However, it wasn't.
The cream irritated my face beyond belief and caused me to break out horribly (even in places where I never got acne before). My skin is very sensitive, though, so that's probably why I couldn't handle this treatment. What may not have work for me may work for another person. With that being said, though, I just can't recommend Retin-A.
October 17, 2011
Pros:
None for me.
Cons:
-Reddens Face A LOTTTT
-Did not do much to help my acne...
I used this all of last year before I went to bed. Now, Ive started using other things and none of this. I don't remember what % my tretinoin cream was but I believe it was a lot. Now when I see pictures of myself from last year my face looks like a red balloon. I DO NOT reccomend this. When I would go to pool parties I had to bring moisturizer for after getting out of the pool. I have naturally dry skin though, so, that may be why it hurt my face so much. It took me about a month and a half to recover after a year use of it. Now my face isn't red. But, if you do use it, and its hurting, dont think it will get better if its been a month... it wont.
October 16, 2011
Pros:
helps heal scars quickly
Cons:
extremely dry, red, flakey skin
even cracked skin at times
expensive
prescription only
I have been using for 7 weeks and have seen no improvement. My skin is bright red, even after i wash it off and put lotion on in the morning. I read lots of reviews saying to wait it out, but honestly I can't go anywhere because of how terrible my skin looks from using this. It has made my acne even worse than before, because now do I not only have pimples, I have bright red flakey skin. There is no amount of makeup to even make my skin look half way decent. If you are thinking of trying retin a, I would consider using dan's regimine before ever using it.
October 12, 2011
Pros:
None
Cons:
Dried out my skin really bad
Feels too tight and dry, also sticky
I used it couple of weeks twice in my life and so far I hated it. It dried my skin very bad and gave me more breakouts. I will not use it again.
October 11, 2011
Pros:
NONE
Cons:
WORST ACNE OF MY ENTIRE LIFE
I applaud those of you who can stick through the weeks of bad acne. I'm on week 4, and I'm discontinuing usage of my tretinoin .1% cream. My acne has NEVER been this bad in my entire 22 years. People say it takes up to 3 months, but how can I possibly have 3 months of bad acne??? It's incredibly embarassing that my teenage students have clearer skin than I do. I'm going back to the acne.org regimen. My acne wasn't even that bad before I started tretinoin. Bottom line: Use it if you can stand the worst acne of your life for at least 6 weeks.
September 5, 2011
Pros:
Maybe starting working 3 months in?
Cons:
Broke me out TERRIBLY for 3 months straight. So bad on my forehead I cut myself bangs.
Before retin-a micro, I was doing okay just using BP but I really wanted something that would keep me consistently clear. Retin-a micro started breaking me out within the first week... I kept it up thinking intial break out but it lasted for around 3 months, until finally I seemed to start clearing up a little bit.. and then went on vacation to Hawaii and broke out teerribbly again (maybe due to the sun too?). I promptly stopped. And cleared up sort of using just bp... which is only moderately satisfying. Regardless, this product was an awful experience for me.
Pros:
None