I have PCOS and have struggled with adult acne for 8 yrs. I've tried Duac, Benzaclin, Finacea, some oral antibitoics, and I can't even remember what else. I have not yet tried the big guns' Accutane, Spiro, etc. My acne has ranged from moderate to moderate-severe. It is inflamed but not cystic. I've been on Retin-A off & on for several years. The only time I stop it is when I'm pregnant. Each time I start using it, I have a bad initial break out. It takes a solid 12+ weeks for me to see results with Retin-A, but I eventaully get them. For me, Retin-A brings my acne to a tolerable/manageable level. I wish it did more, but my acne is hormonal so I think there's only so much topicals can do. Retin-A did clear my forehead completely and almost eliminated blackheads on my nose. It also makes pimples heal and scars fade much faster. But I also battle a lot of dryness/flakes, despite the fact that I've used it for so long. So there are pros and cons. For me, the results I have are worth it even though my skin is not perfect. I wish I could say it worked wonders, but I think Retin-A is about as good as topical treatment is going to get for me. P.S. I started using jojoba oil 3 weeks ago and that has helped a lot with the flakes, so you might consider adding a few drops of that to your moisturizer if you are on Retin-A.

I started using Tretinoin about 10 weeks ago, after trying absolutely everything- over the counter products [Proactive, Acne Free, the Clean and Clear system], as well as prescriptions [Differin, Benzaclin, and orthotricycline]. Nothing worked. I would check this site obsessively during the first few weeks to see other people's progress and hope that I would someday see a change. I was told to hang in there, because my face would get worse before it got better-and this was no exception in my case. My initial breakout was horrible-my face got so red and dry that it was painful to touch it, or even put lotion on. I didn't think that my acne could get worse, but this medication proved me wrong-I had it ALL over my cheeks, forehead, and jaw line. I figured that I would just continue using it for 12 weeks, and if nothing happened, I would take myself off of it. I've finally hit the stage where the results are amazing. I still have one or two bumps, but I haven't seen my face this clear since I was about 13-and I'm now almost 23. You need to use this product consistently and for multiple weeks [I know it seems like forever, but you will see results, and they are way worth it, believe me.] I'd definitely recommend this product. Good luck!

It is great, great, great. It completely changed my life. I was such a recluse because my face was so HORRIBLE. All the doctors told me i was one of the worst cases they had ever seen. And they were amazed after just one month how much better my skin felt. It is so smooth, and soft. I LOVE IT. IT CHANGED MY LIFE. YOU WILL LOVE IT TOO.

I've been on Retin-A micro for over 4 months now. I've always had acne and unfortunately it runs in my family...in high school I would get the occasional zit and I never really followed a skin care routine. When I was about 19, I started getting horrible cysts and other types of acne all over my face....which then led to scarring for the first time. I went and saw a dermatologist once, but my hopes were too high and gave up after the creams she gave me didn't work. I would just cover my face in makeup since I thought there was nothing I could do since everyone in my family has had acne at some point in their lives and grew out of it...tanning seemed to be the only thing that helped, yet I gave that up over a year ago as well. I'm now 24 and I finally decided to find a dermatologist who would be determined to help. She saw my skin and immediately put me on Retin-A micro .1% to use at night and Acanya gel for the morning. Now I have heard horror stories about retin-A and let me tell you...they're 100% right. The first month was awful. I got huge zits that I don't even think there's a category for and I had to ice my face every night. I know I immediately started on the highest strength but I asked for it and I was aware of the pain I was about to endure...I was desperate! I felt insecure caking on makeup everyday (I only wear Clarins and MAC) and acne was the ONLY thing that made me feel this way. After the 2nd month, I started Photodynamic therapy which only led to more pain and icing my face....I waited a whole week to put my retin-A on again but I didn't give up and stuck it out. The second photodynamic therapy session wasn't as bad and I even applied my retin-A the night after the procedure. I started taking spironolactone since I was still oily and that helped IMMENSLY. I'm going in this week for my third photodynamic therapy session and my skin is better than its ever been since my teenage years. I only apply a little bit of powder for makeup now instead of caking on liquid foundation, concealer, powder, etc...I don't need all of that crap to hide my face anymore. I'll still get a small pimple here and there and I'm only 4 months in and I still have a long way to go. But it's true that it takes awhile to notice results and they're minimal at first. People are finally complimenting me on my skin and telling me how gorgeous I am....and it makes me want to cry since I'm FINALLY not hiding behind layers of makeup to make myself look good. BE PATIENT and yes, you are going to feel uglier and nastier during the first month or two....but stick it out b/c you WILL see fantastic results. Retin-A is always making magic and working underneath your skin so that's why you won't notice anything (positive) at first....but give the medication time to push out all of your impurities . We are all beautiful people on the inside.....give the retin-a some time so you can feel beautiful on the outside as well!!

So I went to the dermatologist about 2 months ago, and he prescribed me a combination of antibiotics and Retin-A Micro. After the first week of treatment, my skin started to flake and peel especially around my mouth, nose, chin, and the area in between my eyebrows. No big deal, but after peeling, the area would turn bright red and wouldn't subside until about a week later. Now the second week, I definitely saw an improvement in my acne, the large bumps on my face got smaller and the scars from previous breakouts lightened slightly. As the third week came around, my face was 80% clear, primarily made up of scars and a minor breakout on my right cheek. Now the fourth week was disappointing, because it appeared that it lost it's effectiveness and I started breakout out badly on my chin, forehead, and cheeks. Would I recommend this product? For people with light or moderate acne, yes. For people with severe acne, no.

This is my first product review EVER.I used this product for 5 months. I went through the initial break out for about 5 weeks. After that, I had a pretty clear face, and my scars were starting to disappear. About 2 weeks ago, I started noticing huge bumps and my skin was constantly itching. I was still using the tretinoin and they were not disappearing. My confidence went to an all time low. I then learned that tretinoin was horrible for rosacea, eczema, and those with other sensitive skin issues. Those with eczema should not use tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide or a negative reaction will result. 3 days ago I stopped using the tretinoin, and began using sulfur sulfacetamide. My skin has drastically improved. If you are experiencing harsh effects such as hives and severe itching/irritation stop treatment immediately! There are a percent who have bad reactions to this medicine, and you could be part of that percentage. I hope this is helpful to some.

I used Retin-A for 10 months now and before I got acne frequently. I also had a lot of hyperpigmentation caused by the acne. I use the product every night (my dermatologist told me to), after cleansing with a mild cleanser, right before I go to sleep. During the first few months I noticed my skin was peeling and dry all the time. By the 9th month, I noticed my skin was generally clearer and a lot of my hyperpigmentation was fading. So I guess the bottom line is that you have to be really patient when using this product to truly see the benefits.

I used to have the complexion that people said they would die for.. But boom, at 23 years old, I suddenly get a sudden breakout that just won't stop! I'm now well into my second month of Retin-A (at night) use, combined with twice application of topical clindamycin in the daytime. When I first used it, I went a little overboard and thus experienced hell - my face became extremely irritated, red, burning, even badly abraded in some areas. I had some initial breakout as well due to the irritation. It was so bad it made me cry.. and I decided to off the Retin-A for a week to repair the damage. A week later, I started on Retin-A again, this time in very small amount, usually 1/2 an hour after I last washed my face. I slab on sunscreen wherever I go (I live in a tropical country). Good to say, my skin is recovering good.. The dark marks are definitely fading. It brings out a lot of the gunk under the skin I had (manifested as fleshy bumps), so it's good. Once the gunk comes to surface, it heals faster with application of Retin-A. I am still having maybe like 2 small pimples left.. with around 5-7 bumps under the skin that I still religiously apply Retin-A on. Oh, and still having some dark PIH marks, but they're definitely fading with time. I had one small punched-out scar, but now it's gone with Retin-A application. Side effects wise, now my problem is just the flaking.. It's less flaky now than when I first started.. I use Neutrogena Moisture with SPF-15, and it, for most of the time, kept the flaking and dryness in control. Bottom line.. it will get worse at first.. but stick to it.. It really works. I'm glad I read some reviews here that encourages users to stick through the hard times - I did, despite feeling horrible... and in the end it pays off! :) Will write again when I'm (hopefully) completely clear! :) Hope I'm clear before my engagement party though.. hehe~

So this was actually my second time on tretinoin cream. The first time was around 2.5 years ago when I was a sophomore in college. I was extremely stressed out and it showed in my face. Deep pimples began appearing and my doctor put me on tretinoin cream 0.1% immediately. It worked wonders but left some scaring near my temples possibly due to 0.1% being too strong of a prescription to start off. Soon after my face cleared up (6-9 months) I completely stopped using tretinoin cream. I thought that it was over but little did I know my acne would return with a vengeance. So this brings me to my junior year of college. Once school started and side effects of school (stress, sleep deprivation, eating unhealthy food, etc) appeared, my face broke out badly everywhere except my forehead. This time, my face broke out much worse than the first time. I'm talking like all over my cheeks, under my chin but especially bad along my jawline line. They were very painful too and I was miserable and self-conscious once again. So I waited a few monthes until I had a doctors appointment with a new doctor this time and I told him about my problem and he put me on tretinoin cream 0.1% again. Knowing I had to wait around 6 months to see results was a huge bummer. I would look at myself in the mirror and feel like sh*t. But I persevered and used the cream. My routine consisted of washing my face with alba botanica natural hawaiian facial wash around 30 mins (have to make sure your face is dry) before I would apply tretinion cream. I would also wash my face with the same facial wash in the morning. At first, washing my face was a hassle. Scrubbing my broken out face hurt so badly and my pimples would pop leaving my face a bloody and puss filled mess. This purging period will leave your skin extremely sensitive and your face will hurt but after you get past this period, you are in the clear. I did not see result until around 3 months after I began using it and almost full results until 6 months. The point is to be patient! This stuff works but it takes time for your body to push the gunk up from deep underneath your skin. During this purging period, apply sunscreen to prevent sun burns. Do not listen to those that bitch about this stuff not working. Most did not give it enough time to work. I still get a couple pimples every now and then when I eat greasy foods but I could care less about them because they clear up very quickly. It has been almost 13 months since I started my second round of tretinoin cream and now, I am much more confident and could care less about the minuscule scar marks on my face that are essentially too small to notice. Stick with your routine and keep applying the cream. Oh and drink lots of water keep you body hydrated and try not to eat too much greasy food. I also found the other positive reviews on here very inspirational in my own journey. I hope that my story can inspire and help others to persevere. I wish you all the best of luck through your own journeys and remember to keep your heads up, things will get better!!

I have been using retin A for just over a year. I had moderate-mild acne, most of which were whiteheads and blackheads and the occasional red pimple every month. I had A LOT of blocked pores, and so, my initial breakout lasted a looong time (7 months in total), consisting of irritated, red, peeling skin and not to mention, red, INFLAMMED acne (very much like cysts... never had I experienced these before, at times I just wanted to stay at home and cry). My body was in inflammation mode, to the point, that blood tests actually alarmed my doctor, because my white cells were constantly in low numbers. But after a lot of mistakes, I finally got the rountine which worked for me and ofcourse my skin gradually adjusted to the Retin A. My advice: Don't use too many products, just wash your face with mild cleanser (I use Proactiv Cleanser... this is considered mild for my skin) 2-3Xdaily. Don't over scrab your face, gently exfoliate with your fingers in shower/bath. Use a little bit of Retin A to start off with and then gradually you can use more, but remember less is more (trust me, I never could stick to this advice!). If your skin turns really red and inflammed, take 1-2 nights off. Take some fish oil, and try to eat healthy (this can help reduce inflammation in the body), don't pick at your pimples (I am a hypocite for saying this, becuase I always picked at them...and prob still would if I saw anything in my face!). Lastly, have loads of patience. I waited 13 MONTHS to see results. Now, I have almost completely clear skin, I have no active pimples, 3-4 very small whiteheads. Retin A worked for me, but in reality all Praise and Thanks is due to God alone.