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
July 22, 2010
Cons:
takes a few months
I have only been on Tretinoin 0.1 for a few months (the dermatologist said to use it for about 6 months then see how it is going) it seems to work I will probably write another review later on
July 21, 2010
Pros:
My acne definitely has gotten better, I have had significant less systic acne. I still get some blackheads, but blackheads are better than systic acne.
Cons:
It will dry out your skin - I'd never had to use moisturizer before because my skin was so oily, but now I have to slather it on daily.
It is expensive - Although one prescription will last you a couple months, the initial price is expensive.
It is a good product to try, but I am using it with Azone and Minocycline - so I don't know if it would be as effective without these.
July 20, 2010
Pros:
Skin seems clearer
Dried up my pimple and drastically reduced the inflammation
I think new Blackheads are not forming and existing ons have reduced but cant say for sure
Cons:
Nothing so far other than I hope it clears my blackheads
Have been using tretinoin 0.025% for 2 weeks now. Dried my skin but no adverse reaction, no peeling, redness or stinging, no breakouts nothing!!!!!! I think it works well for acne, my skin is smoother and I do think it looks clearer. Since it also has reduces fine line I shall be using this regularly. I am keeping my fingers crossed when it come to blackheads!!! I am hoping like mad that it works. Will increase to 0.05% after a few months of use.
July 16, 2010
Pros:
I just started using it but I can feel it drying out my acne!
Cons:
Don't have any complaints yet
The bottom line is that I really have high hopes for this and hope that this is the answer to my prayers, because its been hard lately to have so much acne!
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
July 9, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up skin, fading scars, evened skin tone.
Cons:
Initially very drying, but improved over time.
After using Retin-A for 7 months, I am extremely happy with the results. It took 3 months to see a noticeable difference in my skin, but I'm glad I stuck with it. No more whiteheads, acne cysts, blackheads, or general pore infections. Initially it was very drying to my skin, but over time the dryness went away completely. I highly recommend this to anyone fighting acne.
July 7, 2010
Pros:
Diminished fine lines and acne greatly. Can't even be compared with any other skin care products.
Cons:
None.
Feel sorry for the people who can't use it because this product does miracles for acne and fine lines!
July 5, 2010
Pros:
Clears up your skin
Apparently decreases wrinkles
Cons:
Initial breakout
Irritating
I waited a full 3 months before reviewing. I read everyone elses reviews and knew the initial breakout would be bad and it was. I took time off work, cried almost daily, hated the way I looked and wouldn't go out for about 8 weeks.
My skin was never great but never bad until this year. I'm 34 and my hormones went nuts and made me break out in moderate acne, hormonal, the worst I've EVER had. I saw a derm and was prescribed Retin A 0.05
After 8 and up to 12 weeks my skin became better and better. I now get the tiniest little pimples here and there, nothing to even worry about, they aren't even red.
I am taking minomycin antibiotics and am on estelle contraceptive pill as prescribed by my derm.
All I have now are left over red marks but I'm sure they must be fading because it's getting easier and easier to cover them with makeup.
Most people who don't know wouldn't have a clue I had moderate acne just 2 months ago.
I bought Da Vinci mineral makeup and wear it daily and it has been fantastic, doesn't clog my pores so I swear by it!
I saw 2 dermatologists after the first 10 weeks for the red marks and both were insisting I had to go on Roaccutane but I refused. Why go on Roaccutane when my skin was steadily improving??? I'm so glad I went against everyone's advice and stuck with the cream because I'm now clear and have better skin than before.
My advice is be ready for the initial break out and persevere with it like everyone recommends. Don't give up just because you start breaking out, it WILL pass. You have to be very patient and very strong.
All I'm reading tells me it will also work on getting rid of my wrinkles between 6-12 mths so I'm looking forward to that now!
July 1, 2010
Pros:
i don't know yet :(
Cons:
really dry.
sunburn feeling.
i started using this june 4th along with minocycline. all i see is dryness, itchyness, sunburn feeling. i use it every night but.. nothing. am i using this stuff right? i just need my face clear in a month, well i would be happy with semi-clear. i'm just getting down about this.. :( i gave it '3 stars' because i have hope this will work!
June 28, 2010
Pros:
-Cleared all my white heads
-Clears dark spots/ acne scars
-Works FAST for white heads
-People noticed the first *week* that I had clearer skin!
Cons:
-Makes your skin easier burned by the sun
-Dries out skin
-Does not work as fast for scars
-Can be expensive
My dermatologist prescribed my Tretinoin Retin A cream and it literally cleared 95% of my white heads the first week! I do still have scars and redness, but they are fading. I have to wear a sun screen everyday, and get burned much easier. I would definitely suggest this product! It has done wonders for my skin, and I hope you can get the same results.
Pros:
Seems to work