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
October 2, 2009
Cons:
Incredibly drying, need to wait 30 minutes after washing face to apply, takes a long time (8 weeks) to work 100%, need to wear sunscreen daily, cant use moisturizer at night
I have had moderate acne my entire life, but it became severe on my cheeks, jawline and chin after I went off birth control in my late twenties. This product does take a long time to work and it is drying but at only 4 weeks in, I see improvement in my skin's texture already. My pimples are far fewer and my scars are healing. I am so happy i tried this product and look forward to seeing it work even better in the next few weeks. Stick with it!
September 24, 2009
Pros:
Has cleared acne on my cheeks, parts of my forehead, chin, sides of mouth. Effectively working on other parts of face. Skin looks less damaged. Really brought out those black heads that are so deep in my skin.
Cons:
Dryness, peeling. I don't mind much; as long as it's working.
It works. It works. It works. It works. Please, try this. At least once. It seems to make things worse at first, but keep going and don't stop. I have only been using this stuff for a month, and I'm already seeing a big difference. I'm really excited to see if it can clear up the sides of my face, around my temples and jawline. It's the worst around there. If it can do that, then it's the best thing that has ever happened for my acne. I use this, and wash my face with PanOxyl, and use a light-weight moisturizer. I'm very happy with the results I have, and with further use I hope to have a clear face by December. :D
September 11, 2009
Pros:
Works! Gets rid of acne!
Cons:
easily sun burnt, have to wait half hour before putting moisturiser/make up on
I have used this product for about 7 weeks, I had a mild breakout in the second week which consisted of 3 massive cystic boils on my right cheek. these dissapeared within about 1 week but left 3 red scars behind which are slowly fading with this product. I use the 0.025% gel, I have experienced very very mild peeling around chin/mouth area but nothing a bit of moisturiser cant sort out, combined with bare minerals make up this stuff is amazing! the only product that has worked ! im 26 and believe me I have tried it all apart from accutane as I was a bit scared after reading all the reviews! and I am so glad I tried this before even contemplating taking it. This gel however has not helped with my greasy skin but I find bare minerals mineral veil works well to stop my shine. I just hope it gets rid of my wrinkles now from overuse of the sunbed as a kid! (this was the only thing that would dry my spots and reduce the appearance of scars!!!)
August 28, 2009
Pros:
-helped improve acne tremendously
-helps with hyperpigmentation
-clears active acne fast
Cons:
-expensive without insurance (however, each tube lasts at least 3-4 months)
-didn't help me with excess oil
-still experience breakouts, especially during menstrual cycle
This product is amazing. I've been using it for 5 months now, and it took about 3 1/2 months to really notice a big improvement. It's the only thing that has consistently worked to help keep my acne under control. I've tried Benzoyl Peroxide, and it always worsens my hyperpigmentation, and I still would experience deep pimples. Though Retin-A has not completely cleared me (my skin is so oily, I'm pretty sure I'll break out here and there no matter what), I now only get a few pimples each week, whereas before I would get that many each day. A few weeks ago, I started using Oxy salicylic acid pads (2%) during the day. This is probably way too drying for most people, but my skin is so oily, it hasn't made me oilier, or break out more, or peel. This routine, in combination with St. Ives apricot scrub (2% salicylic acid), and a no-picking policy, has left my skin extremely smooth. Not to mention, it helps with fine lines and wrinkles.
August 26, 2009
Pros:
great for scarring and hyperpigmentation and acne
Cons:
skins gets resistant eventually, IB sucks but doesnt last too long ( about 10 days for me)
Not sure how people are using this but when i got it my derm advised to me wash my face at night, apply the retinol for one hour and then wash it off, i did this for a week, the next week i left it on for 2 hours then washed it off after that i started applying it nightly and it was fine i did have an initial break out but absolutely no redness, drying, peeling anything,....so if you are worried about that i suggest you let your skin get used to the product a little bit instead of leaving it overnight right away.
August 25, 2009
Pros:
Some improvement to skin noted. As far as I understand, this product works by speeding up the rate at which your skin sheds... hence the flakiness. My skin was noticeably softer and smoother. Worked reasonably well for cheeks and forehead.
Cons:
Skin was dry and flaky, did not prevent oiliness or those annoying hormonal flare ups along the jaw line. Definitely not the 'miracle cure' we've all been waiting for.
Very expensive, takes a long time to see results, can cause skin irritation. Works well for minor lumps and bumps but not so much for the deeper stuff. Does not change oil levels. Causes drying. I think that the amount of moisturiser you need to use to balance out the flakiness negates the whole point of using the medication.
August 7, 2009
Pros:
It works - bottom line.
Cons:
Using a pea sized amount causes too much irritation.
For those experiencing a lot of irritation using Retin-a please try this method. Instead of placing a pea sized amount on your finger and dabbing on your face, DAB your finger over the opening of the tube instead. This way you end up with just enough ( thin film ) to place where you need it. I found that putting a pea size amount on my finger always lead to using more than needed, and due to the cost I always felt obligated to "use it all". Give this method a try before giving up. Using the aforementioned method has greatly reduced irritation, I barely have any at this point. It is the only way that I can continue using this product comfortably and I need to due to melasma and chin acne.
July 30, 2009
Pros:
clears your skin
Cons:
dries your skin
the first 3 months were horrible.. i was getting discouraged but i kept using it and after 4 months, my skin looked amazing! i have NO acne at all and my skin is very soft. at the beginning of the treatment, do NOT pop your pimples
i did and now i have scars all over my face
July 27, 2009
Pros:
Clear skin in weeks. Diminishes blackheads and whiteheads.
Cons:
Acne comes back if stop use, became resistent to it. Bad breakouts after sometime
I am on this and my acne has been clearning very well, but acne can come back fast. Try it, nothing to lose except acne.
July 25, 2009
Pros:
Made my skin clean almost completly after one month.
Cons:
The first week iyou break out really bad. Makes my skin peel a little.
This is the best acne cream I have used. The first week or two are going to be hard because you break out, but after that your skin is clear. My skin peels a little with it, but I put on mostirizer in the morning.
Pros:
Improve skin appearance, reduces inflammation, prevents additional pimples, heals scarring and dries up existing pimples