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
January 29, 2013
Cons:
Requires patience (cannot stress this enough).
Flakiness due to cell turnover.
Redness.
Tenderness.
Sensitivity to the sun.
I have been on Retin-A for about a year and a half and let me tell you, it really works! I had normal pimples here and there during my early to late teens. At around 20 to 21 I noticed my acne getting worse. Cysts began forming underneath my skin and it became painful. That's when I first saw a dermatologist. I began using Retin-A in the 0.1% strength and within days saw improvement. One and a half years later and I continue to use it religiously. It works wonders but the key is consistency.
January 27, 2013
Pros:
Clears skin
Minimal pimples
Soft skin
Skin glows
Cons:
Makes skin dry
Expensive without prescription
This stuff WORKS! I struggled with acne for most of my young adult life and started using this with low expectations. My skin has NEVER looked better. It just takes time to work so STICK WITH IT!!!
January 21, 2013
Pros:
This product has really changed my skin, not only has it boosted my confidence by it has healed my acne so quickly. When my dermatologist first recommended retina-micro .1% I was extremly nervous and terrified that my skin would peel like crazy and the initial breakout would be awful. When I first tried it I did get pretty dry skin and it was slightly painful, but after about a month of using this product I never had an initial breakout.. just results! he majority of my acne is gone and the acne
Cons:
can be drying
Amazing product and keep with it, even it your skin is dry you will see results
January 17, 2013
This is my second review. My last one was on 23 Jul 2012. My face has been 100% clear all the way from my last review to today. Last time I didn't have enough space for my daily routine, so here I go:
AM
1. Wash face w/ St. Ives Makeup Remover & Facial Cleanser
2. Apply clindamycin gel
3. Wait 20 min
4. Apply a tiny pea size of tretinoin 0.01%
5. Apply Physiogel AI cream (massage gently)
6. Apply makeup PM
Step 1 to 4
Sleep! I also have AMTS (Auto Microneedle Therapy System) once a month for about 5 months now and my scars are now fading.. almost 60% now.
January 16, 2013
Pros:
Smoother skin
Fades scars
Bye bye black heads
Fades lines
Cons:
Flaky skin
I'm on 8 weeks, I wrote a review in December. I'm so ecstatic to say I just about have CLEAR skin! My confidence is up, I had 3 dates last weekend, I'm more upbeat to start my day! Some things that worked for me. I mix 1 pea drop of retin a with 3 pumps of cerave pm face lotion every night after letting my skin relax from washing (good old ponds cold cream, massage onto dry skin for a min and then gently remove with warm water And wash cloth). When applying the retin a/lotion mix I work from my neck up and keep it away from mouth, corners of nose, and eyes/eyebrows. Once every day in the am I will use my clarisonic to help lift away dead skin. I do the believe this treatment has lifted all the clogged pores and dead skin and now I'm just in the process of watching my scars disappear. Good luck everyone, don't give up on retin a and be VERY gentle to your skin! I also began using smashbox BB cream which my healing skin loves!
January 9, 2013
Product used: Atralin (Tretinoin (.05%) Gel)
Pros:
At nights I take an antibiotic called Bactrim in addition to the Atralin gel. Before I apply the gel I wash my face with Purpose (which I highly recommend instead of Cetaphil). In the morning I take Spironolactone, a testosterone blocker for hormonal acne, and use Clindamycin pledgets (more effective than the gel version).
Cons:
The first two weeks of using Atralin my face broke out significantly. But, I've used this product before and I expected this to happen knowing that it would soon get better and it did after about a month, its still not all the way there yet. If you do break out BareMinerals foundation works much better than liquid foundation and it allows the skin to breathe. Your skin might be dry so use a moisturizer (I use Neutrogena SPF 30) and then apply a primer.
Overall, this routine works for me. In order for Atralin to work you and your dermatologist need to figure out the right combination of products for your skin. I see many complaints about the gel not taking effect, the product may be colliding with your choice of make-up or moisturizer. Experiment with different products until you find the right one. It will take a lot of trial and error, but once you figure it out it will be gratifying.
December 14, 2012
Pros:
Smoother skin, faster healing, makeup go ones better
Cons:
Flaking, dry skin
I have been using the .1 for 3 weeks now. I am 29 and started developing moderate jawline acne after ditching birth control. My mom and aunts use this for wrinkles so I grabbed an almost empty tube in a desperate attempt for clear skin. My goodness, I do believe its working! ADVICE, stay away from harsh cleansers. The first week I used nothing but my ponds cold creme and things were okay. I got daring and busted out my clarisonic with neutrogena naturals cleanser. That was a mistake! After a breakout I'm back to ponds and my skin is much happier. Fingers crossed for clear skin!
December 10, 2012
Pros:
Clears Hyperpigmentaion
Clears little white dots under skin (called comodones or something)
gets rid of black heads
Improves skin
Improves Acne Alot
Cons:
When you put too much your skin gets red
Sometimes will make chin flake grossly
My dermatologist gave me this in combination with minocycline and some acanya as a spot treatment, I really did not see a huge difference until they went to the higher dosage of minocycline except for clearing up my blackheads and small white heads but by SO MUCH and your skin feels really good, hyperpigemnation is reduced alot and i sleep with it on every night, not that much flaking and no breaking out because of this product, do not wear under makeup will make you extremely shiny
the acanya is a good spot treatment and the minocycline is working but the white head in my cheeks havent gone away yet, this takes patience but it works well
December 2, 2012
Pros:
It clears acne & lightens scars. It is an effective treatment for wrinkles.
Cons:
It really dries your skin out in the beginning.
Stick with it, it will work.
October 27, 2012
Pros:
It works!
Perfectly clear, smooth, even-toned skin
Smooths wrinkles
Cons:
First two months are bad
Need sunscreen all the time
Not most elegant texture
I have used Retin-Am Micro Gel 0.1% for two months. Before that I used Tazorac Cream 0.05% for four months. Both are prescription retinoids. As with any retinoid, your skin will look worse for about two months, on average. There is no point in writing a review during this time because your skin is not supposed to look good. You just have to be patient and let the medicine do its thing. Your skin will turn red, hurt, flake, peel, itch, and develop lots of bad pimples. This is all part of the process. You can minimize this by starting slowly - only apply the medicine every second or third day for a few weeks, and slowly work your way up to every night. Use a good moisturizer (with Retin-A Micro, you cannot use the moisturizer at the same time as the medicine) and many people will also need something to kill bacteria to help reduce the breakouts at the beginning. I hate antibiotics because they always stop working, so I used benzoyl peroxide 2.5% in the morning and the medicine in the evening. Tazorac was great, and gave me really smooth, glowing skin that was not red at all, but it didn't kill all the pimples, and even after four months, I still had one nodule at any time. My doctor switched me to the Retin-A Micro, and that got me completely clear. I have zero pimples. Zero. My skin is perfectly clear and I don't need makeup at all. The only drawback is that I am slightly pink, unlike with the Tazorac, which made me totally white, but I have grown to like that bit of color and choose not to wear foundation as it kills the rosy glow. It also smooths wrinkles, which is nice as I am 34 and vain as ever. You can see it working - anywhere on your face that there are old acne scars will peel more, as though the medicine somehow can target those damaged areas and peel them away. I do use SPF 30 every day to prevent sun damage, and a good moisturizer in the morning. I highly recommend this product to anyone who can be patient and wants
Pros:
Smooths out skin's texture.
Provides consistent acne fighting results.
Eliminates blackheads.
Calms the appearance of redness.
Fades dark spots.