Tretinoin
Results
Side Effects

Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.

...

Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.

Tretinoin is usually applied once a day around bedtime.

 [more]
3.5
1649
5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
Number of Stars
Choose All That Apply
Clear All Filters
Done
December 10, 2011

Pros:

clear skin somewhat
smooth skin

Cons:

acne gone and then back again
redness

I've been using retin a cream 0.025% for about 4-5 weeks. In 1-4 weeks, my skin clears up and it's so smooth, but somehow in week 5, my skin begin to feel very raw and very red, it hurts to touch and use moisturizer. Currently i'm using etude vitamin c 02 white tone up toner and capsule cream in the morning, i don't know if this is supposed to happen while using retin a, but i think I'll stick with it to see if the redness will gone
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 29, 2011

Pros:

Really works!
Reduces acne upto 95%
smoothen skin

Cons:

Takes a lot of time
scars are still there
initial breakouts
redness, dryness, flakiness

I have been using this product from last 3 months.. I am on .025% cream.. The first month was horrible..my acne got worse.. I hate to go out of my house as i was depressed.. People only stares at my acne.. I just can't tolerate it. Every night i thought of committing suicide.. (I was mad I know) but then i came across this site. I read reviews of different people and this really helped me. So first I had breakouts then dryness and flakiness.. And after crossing 3 months mark my acne started to heal. Now i only have scars left.. And i think these scars will also disappear in a month or two.. I highly recommend this..
This Was Helpful

22 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 21, 2011

Pros:

Fewer Blackheads

Cons:

Makes Skin Peely
Doesn't get rid of all whiteheads/cysts, so you're left with peely zits.
Prescription
Expensive

I've had lifelong acne. I took Accutane at the age of 16 in '97 and at the age of 28 in '09. Accutane worked better for me the first time...I attribute this to the fact that the second time I took it, I took the generic (which studies show is less effective). Anyhoo, I had leftover problems after my second round of Tane, and was put on Retin-A as soon as I got off. I didn't have an IB b/c I'd already had it with the Tane (Tane is the internal form...Isotretinoin). However, my acne came back, and the Retin-A didn't seem to be doing much except reducing blackheads. The Retin-A Micro did seem to work better than the generic Tretinoin, but it still didn't do me much good. I stopped using it about a month ago, and began using an over-the counter Retinol product. My skin is MUCH better...I think for me, maybe, the Retin-A was too harsh and caused more acne, whereas the Retinol is not as strong, and doesn't irritate my skin causing more acne.
This Was Helpful

Report
September 20, 2011

Pros:

Easily applied
Only once a day

Cons:

still haven't seen results

I'm 16 and I've been using this product since mid-May after i got a really bad breakout. -The initial breakout was from week 2-4ish and wasn't bad for me. -At around mid-July my acne was really clearing up and i thought i'd finally have clear skin like my peers. - Unfortunately in mid August i began getting really deep and red pimples on my jaw and lower cheeks, and i pick at them so their pretty scarred. -But I plan on waiting it out, some people say it can take 9 months to see results
This Was Helpful

Report
September 9, 2011

Pros:

Difference is not yet noticeable.

Cons:

After 4 days of continuous use, the skin around eyes started burning even though I do not apply near eyes
Acne seems a lot better in the morning but charm goes away as soon as I wash my face

I have been using this since about a few days. I am still not sure if it is causing any difference with my acne. I have some cystic acne and I sometimes just pop them which might be why it is not getting better. Also area around my eyes seem very sensitive and they were puffed up this morning with a burning sensation even though I apply no where close to the eyes. I strictly stick to just the cheeks and the forehead.
This Was Helpful

Report
September 8, 2011

Pros:

Smooth skin
unblocked stubborn blocked pores (very slowly though)
controls oiliness++
Cheap! (get a perscription from your doc and purchase online from Alldaychemist).

Cons:

Redness
Burning (if you put on too much)
Flaking
Constant inflammed pimples (may be just me)
Need lots and lots of patience

I started using retin A gel in March 2011. I have played around a bit with my regimen and have just started to get some consistancy going. First 3 months was really bad, I was not working so I could handle staying at home during that time. I was experiencing a lot of red, angry pimples that would take a while to fade and being impatient I would sqeeze tham and make them worse, or else have the same pimple come back again and again. So I learned to control the picking habit, and limit it only to pimples which had surfaced. 4th month was really good, nice and calm skin, I thought, the dreaded initial breakout was over... boy was I wrong... 5th, 6th month... started getting more breakouts, these were different, they were very deep and very stubborn. So, this is almost the end of 6 month of using retin A. So far, most of my pores have cleared, there still remains some active buggers mainly on my cheeks, but they will hopefully fade too. Bottom Line: Don't expect miracles, this is serious stuff and its takes a loooong time. So, if you are not seeing results after 3 months, don't be surprised! I hope to stick with it another 6 months, if my acne is not under control by then, then i will quit. I hope to post another review 6 months later.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 15, 2011

Pros:

Gets rid of current pimples quickly
Cheap with insurance
Use at night
Purges skin (also sort of a con)

Cons:

INITIAL BREAKOUT
Dryness
Redness

ATTENTION: Read this, it really may help. For those of you who are thinking of starting or who have started and are not seeing any results after a decent amount of time: Before you start retin a, start eating healthy because the skin will be purging itself and if you are not eating healthy, you will definitely have a bad break out because it is removing those toxins through acne on your face. Think about it, if you don't have toxins in your body creating new blemishes under the surface, there won't be as much to purge out of your skin. Continue to eat healthy throughout this and then reintroduce your favorite snacks slowly back into your diet to see what causes break outs for you. Yes, it's hard to do but I have been on retin a for almost two months, eating all sorts of fast food and junk food and getting nothing but a constant break out and it has been awful. Then i decided to try to start eating healthy and here I am, on the 4th day of eating healthy and I've already noticed a big improvement. It is actually getting better now!! No more new pimples every morning, I just have a lot of hyperpigmentation. There are those people whose diets don't affect their skin apparently or this either works for them regardless of diet, but don't chance it, new beginners! Just cut out your chips, pops, ice creams and the such and you should experience great results sooner. This will take care of your acne topically, and your healthy diet will greatly help reduce the acne waiting to pop out. I hope this helps you all, I will do another review when I have seen greater results, but it seems that eating healthy has been the only thing that has helped so far.
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 13, 2011

Pros:

-gets rid of acne fast
-not too hard to apply

Cons:

-stopped working
-kind of expensive
-drying
-leaves pitted marks

I started using the 0.10% gel about 10 months ago. The initial breakout wasn't so bad, maybe because I didn't notice it since I had a lot of acne to begin with. I was surprised that it actually cleared up my cystic acne and my blackheads within a month. I did get a few breakouts from time to time but nothing too bad. I used it every night, without missing a use and without any change in my routine and it suddenly stopped working. I have noticed that it caused pitted acne scars but I didn't care too much as long as it's clearing my acne. But now it's not even doing that! I started to get the same type of acne on my chin like I used to get prior to using retin-a.
This Was Helpful

11 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 9, 2011

Pros:

Not too expensive
Lightens scars a bit (over time)
Dries out pimples fast

Cons:

Initial Breakout
May make scars more noticeable
Skin peeling
Must use Sun Screen

I started out with moderate acne and my doctor prescribed me this in conjunction with doxycycline pill for a month. For the first 2-3 weeks, I broke out and I was on the urge to quit using this but I knew I had to keep using it in order to benefit. After about a month and a half, I stopped breaking out, I have little to no pimples but I am left with many acne scars. (I stopped pills) Now I am just applying this every night hopefully it will lighten my PIH and scars. I'm still unsure about this product though... Hopefully I will see better results in a month or two!
This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 26, 2011

Pros:

- Gets rid of all of the big, nasty bumps that usually take FOREVER to heal.
- Leaves skin glowing!!!
- Pores seem to just magically shrink in size.
- Definetly took away almost all of my cheek acne!
- Takes a really long time to work!

Cons:

- It took away my big bumps, but now I have really annoying ones all over my forehead ^__^.
- Makes skin EXTREMELY oily!
- Doesn't give off drastic results ( I got my hopes up from using so many crappy products in the past.. -sigh-)
- Makes skin sensitive to the sun, wear a high SPF.

Okay, so this is week 7 and a half, and I STILL have acne. I know, I know, it will take probably a few more weeks to fully clear up, but..oh well. I am currently using Retin A cream in conjunction with Clindamycin 1% topical lotion. I hope, that in the next few weeks I will see more results than I have been.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 4 5 6 7 8 … 26
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

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.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website