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
June 28, 2008
Cons:
Scars remain, crazy breakouts, skin peeled like crazy until I started using Oil of Olay Moisturizer and Facial cleanser and switched to Retin A Micro from tretinoin gel
My GP recommended this product, but I'm not sure it was the best thing for me. Acne has not been a problem for me during high school, but I began to break out in the middle of my senior year. Some of the acne seemed deep, perhaps cystic, and was located solely on my lower right cheek. I feel that my case may not have been severe enough for this product because it "purged" my skin by making it break out like crazy. I'm talking about perhaps 100 pimples over the first months. Now, my acne is gone and my skin feels smooth, but I am left with somewhat extensive scars (I picked at the acne initially,however).
May 30, 2008
Pros:
helps blackheads and whiteheads, seems to help pimples dry up faster, supposedly great to use long-term, my derm loves it for non-inflamed acne
Cons:
won't work on its own if you have acne that is inflamed; usually causes an initial breakout; takes at least 12 weeks to see results
The first time I used Retin-A was a disaster. I used it for 9 weeks and in that time my skin went from bad to worse. I had huge red spots all over my face that looked like welts or hives. In a panic I saw a derm (my GP had given me Retin-A), and she said Retin-A alone only made inflamed acne worse, and is made for non-inflamed acne. For the inflamation she prescribed azelaic acid to be used twice daily, and had me stop Retin-A for 6 weeks. Now I use azelaic acid morning and night and Retin-A at night, waiting at least an hour before applying Retin-A. The inflamation has really improved, but I've been using Retin-A again for 4 weeks now and have experienced a bit of an initial breakout again. Mostly I wanted to post on here to warn users not to use this alone for inflamed acne. My derm says she loves it and it will be great in the long run, but that I need something for inflamation too. Also, I used way too much at first-- a tiny pea size really is enough! Any more will irritate skin!
May 27, 2008
Pros:
Smooth skin, evens out skin tone, pimples last only 3-4 days
Cons:
Leaves scars, flaky skin, LOTS of redness, gets worse before it gets better, seems to increase oil production
I used 0.025% cream for about a month, then switched to 0.05%, and then 0.1% for the last month. Before I used this product, I had mild acne, but wanted to get rid of it, so I was prescribed this. After taking it for a few weeks, I started getting all these whiteheads on my cheeks and forehead--basically everywhere. Now I have moderate acne, and am left with scars from previous breakouts. There were some days I'd see improvements, and other where my skin looked terrible. The positive things though are that it has made my skin smoother (aside from the bumpiness I feel from all the whiteheads) and has evened out my skin tone. With this product, though, the negatives outwiegh the positives. I now have acne where I've never had it before. When using this, my cheeks and forehead were always brihgt red--especially when I was embarassed, which just made it worse. When I stopped using it for a few days, the redness subsided. I am now switching to Accutane.
May 21, 2008
Pros:
dries up acne quickly and make them peel off quicker than it would take normally.
Cons:
makes my skin dry and itchy all the times, my skin is always flakey and red, I can't really wear foundation or makeup.
It doesn't help with all of my acnes, probably reduce my acnes to about less than 50% than what it use to be before, but it's alot to pay for the other side effect, which didn't go away even after 4 months of usage. I'm going stop using this as soon as I start on another method, but I'll still use it in the meantime to reduce the acnes.
April 3, 2008
Pros:
Clears up skin, leaves skin feeling baby soft, reduces acne scars, discoloration, etc. This product, used at night, along with Benzaclin/Duac (I've used both)in the morning, was my saving grace.
Cons:
It leaves skin sensitive so you need to treat it well. When you first begin using the Retin A, REMEMBER, it will get worse before it gets better. DO NOT give up, it took me a good 4-5 months to see true results. You will peel, itch, etc. apply lotion
Patience is key and don't give up on it. This product has truly been my savior after years of battling acne. My skin is now 97% break out free.
March 9, 2008
Pros:
it reduced my acne forever
Cons:
left so many scars (pitted).. that wasnt there before applying retin a and benzoyl peroxide..
If i were you guys you should first try all the natural stuff before trying this harsh chemicals.. Now i speak to you to share my experience for other people to realized what you have before its like too late....
February 28, 2008
Pros:
This acne medicine completely cleared my face. My skin is nearly flawless, and it was all thanks to this. I have to admit, that I had a microderm procedure done. If you don't have it done, it'll take longer for the medicine to work. Try microderm too
Cons:
Try using it every 2 or 3 nights. Not every night. It'll burn your face and make it red. Your skin will probably peel. Wet your face and kinda rub the dead skin off for best results.
If your not too worried about peeling skin or anything, this medicine is perfect. It works, and it will help your skin look great. It even helps wrinkles and scars. You should have the mircroderm procedure done at your dermatoligist office first. It helps the medicine work better and faster. If you don't have insurance, the procedure can be very expensive, and so can the medicine. I hope this helps someone.
February 18, 2008
Pros:
Have started to see an improvement
Cons:
Severe worsening during initial application.
I am a 23 year old guy and i suffer from acne on my back which has made me uncomfortable over the years when swimming, on holiday or with the opposite sex. I have tried many treatments that havn't worked for me but my GP has just prescribed me RETIN-A which after a couple of weeks MIGHT, isay MIGHT be starting to work. After my initial few applications my skin became red, more spots appeared and my skin became very dry. Now after a few weeks the redness is beginning to fade and my skin seems to be clearer where my acne was bad.
At this stage i will say that i recommend this product although i will see how i feel in a few more weeks.
February 17, 2008
Pros:
It really cleared up my skin. I used to have moderate inflammatory acne and now I just have one or two pimples. I still break out sometimes, but my skin is so much better. I use the .05% cream every night.
Cons:
It can be a little drying. Be sure to use sunscreen if you go outside. You need a prescription and it's expensive if you don't have insurance.
Try it!!! But don't use anything else too harsh on your face in order to avoid irritation.
February 11, 2008
Pros:
easy to use, minor side effects
Cons:
expensive
I have only been using this for about 3 weeks. In accordance to what other people have said, it immediately got a little better, and then got worse, I am assuming it's because the grime under my skin is making its way out. I'm keeping hopeful--people say it takes time to work. My skin was really sensitive at first, I almost cried. I had extreme dryness, redness, cracking, and I felt like a reptile. It did get better in a few days. I wish I would have started putting on much less the first few days--even less than pea-sized. Of all the moisturizers, Neutrogena's Intensified Day Moisture SPF 15 worked best. With cetaphil, eucerin, neutrogena combination skin, neutrogena regular SPF 15, I had to keep reapplying it, and it was still flaky. Whatever you use, make sure it says non-comedogenic (won't clog pores). Praying this works!
Pros:
My breakout has stopped by now, after using tretinoin gel and then retin-a for a combined five months.