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
February 28, 2012
Cons:
I have been using this product for 7weeks now and my face is a disaster. I have such painful acne now that I have to take Advil to reduce the swelling in my face. Will this ever stop? I read mixed reviews about when the bream out period stops . It is so depressing , someone please let me know
It has not helped with any of my whiteheads
February 9, 2012
Pros:
-cleared up 70% of my acne
-insurance covered cost(s)
-lightened dark spots
-brighter complexion overall
Cons:
-doesn't COMPLETELY clear up everything (at least for me it didn't)
-takes at least 4-6 weeks to see results
Retin A is a good starting point. For some, it'll be the only medication they need to clear up their skin. For others, its a starting place to try others topical creams or oral pills. For me, I had moderate acne. The first week of Retin A and Clindamycin I didn't notice much. Oh, the 3rd day, I felt like my skin was smoother. But, of course I got the initial break out from week 3 to week 7. Then, slowly my skin starting improving.
I recommend using it every night, I wouldn't skip. That's not going to help you in the long run. It will just slow down the healing process. Bottom line: Retin A does work! It will have a positive affect on your acne, if you use it correctly and for long enough. It might clear you up, it might somewhat clear you up. If I had to do it all over again, I would.
By no means, at 4 months am I satisfied with my skin, but I know now a little bit more about my skin than I did before!
January 2, 2012
Pros:
Clears a little acne
Red marks fade slightly
Cons:
In the long term, didn't do much
Peeling
It is good for a while, spots get less big and red. However, it did sting a little and it hasn't really helped my acne.
December 24, 2011
Pros:
-Less oiliness except for in the t zone
-Much less acne than previously starting
-More confidence
Cons:
-Dryness
-T zone oiliness by the end of the day
-Pricey
-Take a long long time to work
It is a great product but if you have hormonal acne like me you will still break out. I am going to go on ortho tri cyclen lo in about a month and think pairing them together will be perfect but for now I am genuinely satisfied with the results but am not as clear as I would like to be.
December 15, 2011
Pros:
I think it works.
Cons:
It may take a long time for this stuff to really kick in. It is also expensive without the discount card.
This is a long-term solution. It may work well if you have a persistent trouble area.
December 13, 2011
Pros:
Helped improve skin tone and texture
Cons:
Doesn't help much with acne, irritates skin A LOT, and dries it out pretty bad even though I use lotion and have been using it for months.
A nice product to use in conjunction with others, but not much of an acne treatment.
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
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..
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.
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
Pros:
Don't see any yet