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
July 19, 2012
Cons:
Redness and peeling intially
Dry and oily patches
I hade moderately severe cystic axne, and nothing seemed to work. Retina-A has definitely improved my skin. I found the my problem had to do with oily skin, persistent blackheads and large pores. The cream helped shrink the size of my pores, and has reduced the blackheads and whiteheads on my skin as a result. The frequent peeling action has also drastically improved the tone of my skin and has faded my scars. I would highly recommend first determining your type of skin and your main problems and then choosing the product the suits your skin best. Discussing your concerns with your doctor and considering all your treatment options should help too.
March 3, 2012
Product used: Atralin (Tretinoin (.05%) Gel)
Pros:
Clears acne, smooths skin and fades dark spots (over time)
Cons:
Takes a long time to work
I have been on atralin along with finacea for about 4 months. My derm just added finacea about a month ago. I have to say that my skin is a lot smoother I have been having less break outs and my marks are fading slowly but surely. I would definitely recommend using these to products together.
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 27, 2012
Pros:
Smoother skin
Removes scars
Cons:
Leaves skin sensitive when using
Dry flaky skin
I was prescribed this medication for pilaris keratosis. It left my skin really red and very irritated. I rubbed a layer on my arms. It disappears very easily so I kept applying. When your doctor says just a pea size, Listen! I was anxious to remove the bumps on my arms. Kept applying and in combination, wore an unwashed shirt. My arms broke out in a horrible rash. I avoided the cream for a week and it cleared up. Now, I'm starting the treatment again using only a pea-size.
August 11, 2011
Pros:
SKIN TONE GREATLY IMPROVED
SKIN TEXTURE FEELS AMAZING
WORKED QUICKLY FOR MY COMODONEAL ACNE
Cons:
FLAKEING AND BURNING
WAS WORTH THE PAIN
EXTREAM COMODONAL ACNE ON ALL MY FACE CHEST AND SHOULDERS...NOTHING WAS WORKING...TRIED RETIN A MICRO WITHIN FRIST 5 DAYS I SAW VAST IPROVEMENT...I WAS FEELING BETTER ABOUT MYSELF ALREADY.
SO FAR SO GOOD. I DIDNT HAVE INSURANCE SO I HAD TO PAY THE RETAIL PRICE FOR IT..I ABIT EXPENSIVE...BUT WORTH IT
August 10, 2011
Pros:
Lighten up scars
No severe break outs
Acne is cleared up
Cons:
Initial break out
Irritates skin for a couple of weeks
Ive been on Retin- A for 4 months now and I WAS happy with my results. It made a great improvement to my skin. Scars weren't there. No more pimples. But now my acne is starting to come back.. i think im not immune to retin-a and it wont stop my breakouts, HELP and P.S recommend this item
September 7, 2009
Pros:
newer blemishes are smaller, they go away much faster. My skin's texture has improved.
Cons:
Dryness, redness, lots of peeling in the first few weeks. I've been using it about two months, and havent had the so callled "initial breakout" so we'll see.
Basically it takes all the junk out from underneath the skin. However, it severly irritated my skin the first week. BUT THEN, i mixed the Retin-a cream with the moisturizer, about a pea sized amount of moisturizer to half that amount of retin-a. Then, the irritation went away! Since i've been using it only two months i hope im past the initial breakout. When using this product, don't use too much and have a good moisturizer! It has helped my acne!
September 2, 2009
Pros:
Evens out skin out, helps to fade acne scars.
Cons:
Can cause extreme irritation in the beginning if not used appropriately.
I have very sensitive normal-dry skin which breaks out regularly. Tretinoin was recommended by my derm and she asked me to use pea size three times a week. After the first week my skin became severly dry and I had to use heavy moisturizer several times a day to bring it back to normal. I did not want to give up and started using the product again but this time half the pea size three times a week and I slowly increased the frequency. Now I use half the pea size every day and my face looks clear and lot more even. It is amazing how a little goes a long way. I have been using this product for a month now and I hope the condition further improves with continual use.
August 31, 2009
Pros:
clears existing breakouts, prevents new breakouts from forming, evens out skin tone, makes skin brighter, and makes skin less oily.
Cons:
skin peels slightly at first. can be taken care of by using a moisturing in the A.M.
I tried Retin-A a bit skeptically, expecting extreme dryness and redness. Sure, my skin was a little dry the first week, but i used Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser (which is alcohol, oil, and soap free), and Purpose Lotion. This evened out the dryness and soon my skin became clear, bright, and much less shiny! I had tried both Differin and Benza-Clin before but neither worked.
August 9, 2009
Pros:
did clear up my white heads
Cons:
initial breakout of 7 weeks was horrible
The initial breakout was terrible. left me with big red pimples which i never had previously. they all cleared up and now i have acne red marks and scaring thanks to retin a. yes it does clear up your pimples, but its too heavy a price to pay. the scars are gonna stay for a long time.
Pros:
Shrinks pimples overnight
Reduces occurence of blackheads and whiteheads
Improves apperance and tone of skin