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Side Effects
Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.
Tretinoin is usually applied once a day around bedtime.
Used Tretinoin? Rate It:
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July 25, 2011
Cons:
Some side effects - if you use too much and too often, your face peels - which - may not look all that good, however, it's simply doing it's job. If you can't tolerate this, switch to Retin-A Micro, or blend the cream with a moisturizer and use every other day.
I use Retin-A in cycles. A couple years on, a couple years off. It always does it's job. I usually use it for a few years - and get tired of the routine of using it. When I have an acne outbreak (especially cystic) - I use it again! It's the king of medicines for the skin - if you have too many side effects, use one of the retrinol products - they take longer to work, however, they are more mild.
May 26, 2011
Pros:
-Face looks clearer and softer in parts where I didn't have acne before!
-Blackheads disappearing on nose!
Cons:
-Red marks just dont disappear
-Wrinkles around eyes
-White heads
I started using proactive about 3 weeks ago and that broke my face out bad, before my face wasnt that bad only a few pimples and white heads, but I still wanted to clear it up completely. After using proactive for two weeks i quit when i started using retin a micro .01% a week ago. I havent really noticed an IB because proactive did that for me I guess. I use it at night before i got to bed, waiting 20-30 mins before applying retin A after washing my face with cetaphil or purpose. In the morning i wash with cetaphil or purpose and moisturize with purpose with SPF 15. (Trying to decide which one i like more- cetaphil or purpose) Im also taking tetracycline twice a day, multivitamin, fish oil, vitamin d (cut dairy out of my diet) and protein (post workout and morning shake) Im hoping this stuff works in the next few weeks! Hope this review helps and I'm not giving up on this until it clears me up. Wish me luck!
March 8, 2011
Pros:
This def worked on my cheeks and jawline
Smoothed skin
Helped hyperpigmentation from old breakouts.
Lessened wrinkles.
Decreased pore size a bit
Used for about 8 weeks so far...
Cons:
Doesn't work on my hormonal acne on my chin. But cleared everywhere else on my face.
Used in combination with Doxycycline which didn't work at all...so now on combo with clindamycin lotion.
This is a good cream, I would recommend but still have breakouts on my chin
December 9, 2010
Pros:
-It cleared me up during the summer, but useless during the winter. (Utah anyway)
-It minimizes/gets rid of the worst zits.
Cons:
-can leave behind the small zits
-makes me look like I have a sunburn
-forces you to apply a lotion = shiny face.
-slightly irritating
-over dries in Winter
It makes you clear but leaves you with a face that looks sunburned and shiny due to the irritation in the summer, and can make it worse in winter. So overall, it is recommended.
November 6, 2010
Pros:
gets rid of your acne!!!!
Cons:
the initial breakout!!!
Well, at first i got it for my pimples on my forehead i wasn't expecting my forehead to look SO HORRIBLE !!! luckily for me ALL MY ACNE ON MY FOREHEAD WAS GONE IN A WEEK AND A HALF!!!! i was extremely happy!! i totally think everyone should use it! the intial breakout made me extremely sad!! but the end was sooo worth it!!!! i haven't had a single pimple on my forehead in about 5 months!!! yay(:
April 17, 2010
Pros:
Easy to put on
Cons:
Very drying
Initial breakout gave me worst acne in my life
My acne wasn't very severe, but my derm prescribed Atralin. She said it would help remove all the whiteheads I had under my skin. I read the reviews on here before I started using it and I thought I was ready for the IB. I was definitely wrong. This product made my acne probably 5 times worse than it had been, no joke. It wasn't bad a first, but the second week it turned into hell. I stuck with it thinking the IB wouldn't last much longer, but 4 WEEKS later my acne was the worst it had ever been and didn't show any sign of improvement. So now I'm stuck. I stopped using it and my face has been improving a little, but I have horrible hyperpigmentation from the IB. Maybe I should have stuck with it longer, but the initial breakout was just too severe and lasted too long for me to handle. I would only recommend this product of you're sure you don't have sensitive skin, and only as a last resort.
April 5, 2010
Pros:
dries out acne, tightens skin, good on wrinkles!
Cons:
skin sort of hurts at first, flaky dry skin but still oily :'-(
I wasn't sure at first but I've been really happy with it so far. I've tried, benzoil,clindamycin,epiduo,egg mask,tea tree oil, Tretinoin is the first thing to actually dry out my acne and it's slowly starting to smooth out my insane bumpy pimple face! I'm getting an at home blue light in a couple days will use them together, tretinoin exfoliates and encourages cell turnover where the blue light kills bacteria, wish me luck!! Oh and by the way, I read it's good to switch off every other night between Retin A and a light glycolic gel, and I've been really happy with the results, didn't see results until after the first week
March 15, 2010
Pros:
no IB, acne would last maybe 2 days, smoother skin, good for post-acne redness
Cons:
made my entire face one big crusty scab (even with moisturizer)
i have extremely oily skin and this definitely dried it out. however, i couldn't even leave the house for 3 weeks after i started it because my entire face was flaking and wearing makeup was impossible. i tried using less, switching moisturizers (i used cetaphil and olive oil), applying it ever other day.. but nothing changed. it didn't reduce my chances of getting acne but it did make it go away quicker, and it was good for the red marks from my cystic acne. i suppose it would be good for anti-aging effects too, but i would only use it for spot treatments.
February 20, 2010
Pros:
working better than benzoyl peroxide less dry
Cons:
none
this is working better than bp less drying, bp made my skin too dry even if i moisturize, its snowy cold and its working better im also on a antbiotic so not sure if its just the gel but im clearer but not perfect.
November 1, 2009
Pros:
-eventually clears up most acne
-less oily skin, skin regularizes
-softens and smooths skin, clearer texture
Cons:
-takes 2-3 months for it to really start working
-at first, causes painful cystic acne
-leaves a bunch of scars :(
Definitely use this product if you have the patience. I used coverup so it didn't effect my self-esteem too much, it was just annoying to see all the acne scars left from the cystic acne that Retin A gave me the first month or so. After a while, however, my skin really started to improve--the overall quality along with the acne. Just remember to regularly apply it but only enough to cover a thin layer on your face. The only big con is the acne scarring, but that will eventually go away. It's worth the clear skin.
Pros:
Pros are - it works. Clears acne. Makes the complexion better. All sorts of scientific goodness in a tube. Price is reasonable.