Topical Retinoid
Reviews
3.4
1972 Reviews
Topical Retinoid
Efficacy
50%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Topical Retinoid
Side Effects
Low
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.
Read All About Tretinoin
Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.1%
4
32%
3
21.6%
2
14.9%
1
9.4%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
November 12, 2008

Pros:

It works well. Along with this product I also use a oral medicine, minocyclene.

Cons:

During my menstrual cycle, i still breakout. It makes my skin really dry! It leaves red marks after the zits/pimples are gone.

I put vitamin E lotion on my face every morning, and that helps the dryness. I use foundation on the red spots and my face glows.
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October 26, 2008

Pros:

Peels scars
Gets rid of pimples quicker

Cons:

Irritation
Dryness
Redness

Anyone who is brave enough to stay on a medication for 6 weeks straight should definitely see improvement if they keep sing this stuff.
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September 23, 2008

Pros:

Improves acne and smoothes ur skin! Its great and now i cant stop touching my face.

Cons:

Takes a while to see improvements...
Pores may get large..

This medication works well and u will see results in the first month! But u must be patient! Do not be discourage if it makes ur acne worst in the first 3 weeks! Its supposed to do that. Have patience cause its worth trying...trust me i love it.
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August 12, 2008

Pros:

None yet...I may be too early to start reviewing this product (3 wks in); thus far I have more break-outs than when I started. First week was terrible; dry skin, red, rashy --but I realized I was washing w/ Salycic acid, which you are not supposed to

Cons:

BREAKOUTS! Unless you have great insurance, costly.

At the ripe old age of 33, I suddenly broke out with adult acne. Having never more than two pimples at a time, and very infrequently, this sudden affliction has been very distressing to me. I notice that I try to avoid day-time interactions and hide behind my hair/hat/glasses. This from a previously super-confident beauty...I started Retin-A Micro and Duac 3 weeks ago, and after week two thought that there was improvement. On my 3rd week however, I have more breakouts than ever before, ranging from angry, red blisters to colonies of colorless, raised bumps. VERY unattractive and disheartening :(. I am going to stick to it because almost all the reviews state that this product takes time...every day drags on so slowly while waiting for changes.
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August 11, 2008

Pros:

The packaging is cute

Cons:

I clear up, then break out. It's a repetitive cycle.

I've been on and off retina since I was 12. Now I am 19. Maybe it's just me...but it's a cycle for me. I break out, use retina, clear, breakout. I've been religiously using retina. So I don't know. I just want to be break out free. =(
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August 7, 2008

Pros:

it kind of cleared up my acne

Cons:

it is not something to use if you have an emergency overnight acne problem..nope...it takes weeks to work...and it does not prevent acne...just gets rid of it eventually. and it dried up my face. so if u want to give it a dry...get a moisturizer.

its OK.
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August 1, 2008

Pros:

Acne and fine line reduction

Cons:

Irritation and redness

Its been a few months since I have started using Retin-a and I probably did everything wrong, so here is some advice. DO NOT use more than a PEA sized amount. During the first three days of use expect to see and feel very little, which may tempt you to use more but please DONT. By day 4 it will be very evident that the product is working. WAIT at least 30 min to an HOUR after showering or washing your face to put this product on. Warm moist skin is extremely absorbant and this only serves to make it worse. Use every two days to every other day to start with. And DONT pick at your face, especially the peeling skin. It drove me crazy and I picked until my I had bloody spots. In this case, I made it worse not the product. In a nut shell treat you skin gingerly, stick with it and you will be rewarded. Moreover, younger guys and gals starting the Retin-a regime early in life will have far better skin than their non retin-a using peers. OH and use SUNSCREEN spf 30+ PLEASE
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July 24, 2008

Cons:

dry, peeling, red, itchy, sensitive skin. All pimples popped on tretinoin will leave marks.

I see a lot of negative reviews for those who've used it for a couple weeks, but I tried it for a full 5 months. Didn't work for me, was sitll getting acne at the same rate, but each pimple was leaving a dark red/purplish mark in my skin now, not to mention increased fragility of my skin in general. Accutane only cost me $2 more.
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July 13, 2008

Pros:

-Removes dead skin
-Makes skin smoother
-Improvement after months of use

Cons:

-Acne got much worse before it got better
-Acne scars have beem left from the breakouts

I used this product for about 3 - 4 months before I saw an improvement. After about two weeks of use, my face was covered in pimples. After a few months, I stopped getting frequent pimples, but I was left with hyperpigmentation. Continued use of it helped the discoloration but there are obviously still a few noticeable pitted scars. Now my face is smoother and pretty much breakout free, but I am left with scars. I am on the fence about recommending this product. Although it works very well after a while, the scars are irreversible unless I seek treatment from a plastic surgeon.
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July 9, 2008

Pros:

his product has helped erase my hyperpigmentation and old acne scars.

Cons:

You must have patience through the 4-6 weeks of hell. Excessive peeling lots of new pimples.

If you are patient good things come from this product. I am on the .1% for the past 3 months and can tell you it's was well worth the wait. This stuff is peeling layers of skin off to get to the heathiest skin way underneath. I have read alot of complaints that it causes horrible breakouts but these pimples would have come out eventually. You must wait at least a month to see any improvement.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.