Ive tried every OTC acne medication you can think of.. from proactiv, acne free, BP, to oxy. nothing worked and most made my completion worse (anything with BP). when i first got retin a i only used it for a few days and stoped due to the redness and ib(or so i thought). Anyway about two weeks ago I decided to give it a try, i mean I didnt have anything to loose! The first few days I didnt see any results.. Around the fifty day my face was so dry and red i looked like a lobster shedding.. lol I decided to tough it out and by my 2nd week im almost completely clear! I still have to use moisturizer day and night but if thats the cost for clear skin i can live with it. I used a pea sized amout at bed time, wait an hr and use cetaphil an hr later. The cetaphil really works on the flaking skin and redness, its two oily looking to use in the day time so i use biore with 15spf during the day. NOTHING has ever given me the results that this has, I only wish I had have used it earlier! Oh ya and the IB wasnt really a breakout at all for me, more so of the acne under my skin coming to the surface! If your put on retin a tough it out, the results are amazing!!

Overall, I'd say that if this product is used correctly, with the minimal amount being put onto skin, then results are bound to come sooner rather than later. My skin has many small pimples and I've never had cysts, so perhaps this explains the difference in my experience with others'.

I'll begin by saying that I'm 12 Weeks into Rentin-A use (0.05% cream). My acne-type is mild to moderate, an issue since I was 15 but worsening as I entered my late 20's (I'm currently 28). As with so many here, I'm writing this review because I couldn't have made it through the genuinely grueling Initial Breakout period without the perspective of folks who'd faithfully trekked the same path; that might sound like grandiose language, but I've honestly never found myself in a position in which blind faith was more required. Here, I will do my best to break down my experience in weeks: Weeks 1-2: Mild improvement in both current and forming lesions, but benefits overshadowed by my skin's adjustment to the cream. I felt slightly itchy all the time, but I imagine this could be an easier transition for someone with less sensitive skin. I should add that, because of the sensitivity, I was only able to use Retin-A every third night at this time. Weeks 3-5: Itchiness reaches new heights! I recall thinking, and frequently: "I want to peel my face off!". Very Science-Fiction, no? And in a similar vein, the peeling and texture of my skin was similar to someone either freshly chemical peeled or sunburnt. At this time, I was using every other night (which I realize could have been a slower transition, but I was eager to Get On With It and Over It). Lesions at this time felt consistent with pre-Tretinoin use. To sum up: No improvement in acne, scary red monster face, and levels of itchiness that will require all the peaceful meditation skills one has. Weeks 6-8: The pinnacle, the worst. My skin blew up with the largest, angriest bumps I've ever seen on my face, clustered close together on my lower cheeks/jawline and sparsely on my forehead. It seemed cystic in spots, and this is definitely when I left the house as little as possible. My sanity was genuinely challenged, and I felt hopelessly depressed. On the other hand, I did notice that my skin was tolerating the Retin-A more gracefully around this time (less redness apart from lesions, less itchiness). Weeks 9-11: I still feel like I've bought into some snake oil. My skin is now tolerating use almost every night (with breaks, perhaps, every 3 nights or so), but I'm still waking up to new acne at a faster rate than is normal and the existing scars are fading slowly due to the severity of the blemishes that cropped up in Weeks 6-8. Positive aspects: There's something very smooth and bright about the areas of my skin that aren't affected by acne, and this only increases with time. Then, by Week 11, the new lesions have almost ceased. Week 12: Only two new pimples, both of which are very superficial and petite; they only last a day before Retin-A seems to dry them out. Acne scars from my huge breakout in Week 6-8 are healing, and there's only one lesion that remains scabbed-over (the rest are flat hyperpigmentation marks, and not terribly dark ones). The best aspect of my current state is the general feeling of healthfulness to my skin. I still have dry patches that need manual exfoliation every morning, but my skin looks like it's functioning NORMALLY. Does that make sense? It looks like oil production and skin-shedding are more normalized. There's a glow, but I don't look like an oil slick. As a Mediterranean gal with an olive complexion and oily-type skin, I'm not sure it's ever looked so bright. I'm far from perfect (although I'm excited to see where treatment goes from here), but I'm writing this to illustrate the sudden turns that can occur in Retin-A treatment. Psychologically, it's a fascinating drug. It asks people with already-battered self esteem to submit to further punishment. And from what I can tell? This faith and trial is not always paid back with results. But it's such an intoxicating idea for longtime acne-sufferers that we can't help but reach for the rings: Normalized skin, possibly perfect skin, FOR LIFE. And moreover, ipso facto, the ability to lead a normal life. I applaud anyone who is brave enough to take the gamble. Here now, I'd like to briefly list products that helped me: Cetaphil Gentle Daily Cleanser (and moisturizer): For the love of God, please ditch anything classified for acne-prone skin during this time! No fragrances, and no SA or BP. This cleanser feels like washing with a light lotion, and it was the only thing my skin would even halfway tolerate in its most irritated phases. Jojoba Oil: I added a couple drops to my Cetaphil moisturizer. Because it's so structurally similar to human sebum, you might find (as I have) that it's the least comedogenic oil. Cortisone 10 Cooling Effect cream: Any cortisone cream might block pores, but for red-face monster emergencies this was the best. The anti-itch/anti-inflamatory cortisone is paired with a mild analgesic that feels cool immediately (honestly!) on contact with skin. Fish Oil supplements: I didn't expect this to have any impact, but I noticed decreased dry spots just days after beginning use. 2000mg at least, 3500mg optimally. Beware, I've read this is not a winner for all! Do your own research before trying. Final Note: I will update this review at 16 Weeks. In the meanwhile, I invite anyone in the middle of this insanity to post or message me. Retina A affects everyone so individually, but I believe there's strength in commiseration and/or personal advice. Hang tough! Hang gracefully!

It has been one year since I began retin a; 3 mo of .025% followed by 9 mo of .05%. With the exception of a small monthly breakout related to my menstrual cycle, I am CLEAR. I have tried: benzoyl peroxode, salicylic acid, glycolic and lactic acid peels, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, birth control, food elimination diets, lifestyle changes, vitamins (fish oil, zinc, vitamin c). The purging period lasted 8 months for me. My clogged pores turned into horrible acne of all varieties within a month of beginning retin a. I didn't think I would survive the first 6 months. I cried, my self esteem reached an all time low, and I was completely humbled. It was a blessing in disguise. My skin completely cleared around month 9, when I began drinking 1 qt of fresh carrot juice (5lbs juiced) daily. I had the same results as a course of Accutane, and now my hyper pigmentation is finally fading. It has been a long road and retin a requires COURAGE. The best thing I have found for my skin is to treat a breakout like a cold sore. Any manipulation of my skin spreads it, and even if I have a gross whitehead, if I leave it alone it will dry up and quickly fade without consequent breakouts. I wash my face with African black soap now, with a spray rose water-glycerine as my moisturizer. I apply hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball to any breakouts then LEAVE IT BE. It will pass!! Just survive the transition (easier said than done) and draw on your inner strength. I know how difficult it is and I pray for relief for all of you.

I've been using this for more than 25 years. I use .025% but have used this in .05%, and .1%. If the strength is too high it can cause breakouts, bumps, and redness, not to mention you will be dealing with dry skin acne. Drs. like to prescribe this at .05% and .1% thinking that all people are the same, but I think they should start slow, and then work your way up, if needed. The if needed part is important. When I was in my 20s .05% was fine, but not so in my 30s. My forehead can handle the .01% but the rest of my face cannot. It causes worse breakouts on my cheeks, nose, and chin. Starting with the .025% will keep you from having a major purge, and redness. We all have to go out in public, and when your skin is bad, you just don't want to. I believe this doesn't work for a lot of people because the strength is too high. Between the redness, flakies, and cell turnover with the higher strengths, my skin didn't get better after 4 months, and sometimes it was worse. I stopped using Retin A when I was pregnant, and when I went back on it after I had my baby, my skin went haywire. I stopped using it because my skin was always inflammed, and my acne was severe. The dr. changed it to .05% and it didn't get better. I stopped using it for 6 months altogether because I couldn't handle the redness, and my acne was worse on it than without it. It wasn't until I agreed to the .025% that my skin got better. Less is more with this stuff. My skin finally cleared, and I didn't have the redness, congested skin, and bumps. I sometimes alternate nights with the .05% and the .025% if my skin gets a little oily, but not for long because my skin will get red. They say your skin gets used to this stuff, and I don't think it does if your on the wrong strength. My skin did not like the .1% and the redness stayed for months after discontinuing it. Less is more with this stuff.

Okay, so my acne was pretty bad. There was far to many pimples and white heads and cystic bumps to count. I had a lot of deep cystic acne on my forehead only at first. But soon I started to get white heads on my right cheeks. And to make matters worst, I popped them. I know you shouldn't, but they were so ugly and they really bothered me. I was on Proactiv, and saw almost no results. I have pretty oily skin and I don't think Proactiv was strong enough. I also started developing small bumps on my temples which spread to my cheeks and chin. I started getting acne around my lip especially on the corners. I started getting deep pimples on my back which really hurt and I also started getting small white head type things on my chest. I was getting really insecure and I hated how I looked. So finally I asked my mom to go to a dermo. I went to my dermo and she gave me a prescription for Retin-A Micro 0.04% and Plexion was and an Antibiotic. I was happy because I had read Retin-A Micro works miracles. I used Plexion both morning and night and applied Retin-A at night. At first my skin got worst, but I kept using until I reached the one month mark, and then my skin started getting better really quickly.It would peel everyday but it wasn't too noticeable, and when it peeled in an area with a scar, the peeled skin would be noticeably darked and my own skin was noticeably lighter and the scar was less visible. (Okay, so I'm calling them scars but my dermo said they hadn't reached that point. She said they were hyperpigmentation marks where the acne had been. Whatever they're called, Retin-A really helped them) Now my skin looks amazing and I have absolutely no acne or small bumps. Just a few of those marks left, and they are all really healing quickly. Just remember to apply sunscreen every time you'll be somewhere with sun like the beach. I was going to get a chemical (Glycolic Acid) peel I had scheduled once a week for the next month, but I don't know if I need 1 now

EXCELLENT! I noticed results within a month. It never dried out my skin because i have really oily skin, and my skin stayed really oily but my acne cleared up pretty fast anyways. I would still get cysts but instead of lasting for a month or longer it cleared up in a few days, less than a week. The cysts are hormonal, I am using Spironolactone to clear them and together with retin A my skin is 99% clear. If your skin can tolerate retin A definitely try it!

In the beginning of January, my acne had become moderately severe to severe. I went to a new dermatologist in the city I moved to and he prescribed me Aczone for the morning, Tretin-X for bedtime, Solodyn (monocycline 55mg) orally, Neutrogena fresh foaming facewash, and CeraVe (in the dermatologist's words, "If you must use a moisturizer, I recommend you use this"). I will begin this next part by saying that I am an inconsistent person when it comes to routines; however consistently, Tretin-X may have saved my life. I'm not sure which part of my new regimen made my acne severely, suicidally worse after 2 weeks, but it certainly did get worse. Stick with this miracle cream. It's a godsend after 2 months. I took photos and documented my routine or lack thereof in a journal and reflected on the last 3 collective months that I have spent on the medicines. I attribute much of the improvement to Tretin-X. My acne went from seas and oceans of cystic waves to purple ugly patches to... well, nothing. Nothing but a tiny prick of hyper-pigmentation. After wearing this at night (with a bit of CeraVe), I wake up glowing. My skin is soft, not peely, not flaky (after about a month), and perhaps it's my imagination, but more even toned. Especially now, after my acne seems to have subsided, the cream seems to be lightening my complexion and evening it out. I sincerely hope this review helps you stick with it through the rough parts.

Wow this product has been the best ever! I live in California, and I'm an 18 year old Japanese boy who's been suffering EXTREME acne with so many clogged pores with clear comedones and black heads.. I used to use Japanese acne products.. but it didnt really do much for my face except get rid of the big pimples, not the small clear ones. and I've tried all sorts of acne products and lines for over 3 months of EACH product. Really nothing worked for me, proactive, exposed, natural treatments, lemon juice.. " even though ive been on the products for more than 5 months, nothing seemed to really work. now that i went to the dermatologist, she reccomended me retin-a. At first I was a little pissed because she told me that it would take 6 months to work.. and the first 2 months were HORRIBLE. :[ There was a huge outburst! But after the 3rd month my face seemed so much better, before ever single spot on my face had a little small comedone pimple, but now.. nothing!! This product really lightened all my acne scars, and this is finally my 8th month of use and I have absolutely no acne at all! Only minor scarring, but you can barely tell unless under a bright light. :] I got one large tube or retin-a for only 10 dollars since I have insurance.

when i had bad acne, i hated this stuff. i felt like i had no hope. when you have new inflammatory pimples popping up every night, this product is useless. it doesn't stop them from coming. i had to quit dairy completely and start drinking tons of green tea to slow down my acne. what this stuff IS good for is damage control. make SURE you wash your face at night, dry it completely, wait about 20 minutes for your skin to feel really dry, THEN apply the medication. start with a small amount, and THEN move up if necessary. it says use a pea size for your entire face, but i use a pea size for each cheek, and i use the .1 gel, so it's some pretty strong stuff. i used to follow this routine and then wake up with dry skin that would peel horribly and in patches (sometimes deeply, to the flesh, UGH!!! PAIN)...but now, i've learned to slather a thick layer of cetaphil cream on top of my medication, about 30 mins after applying the tretinoin. the damaged skin still sloughs off, but much more evenly and more safely since the cream seems to decrease the strength. this routine works like a dream, but it does kinda ruin my sleep at night, b/c i'm conscious to not roll over on the side of my face...but it's totally worth it. my dark marks are fading so quickly, and my acne seems under control. i do still get pimples every day, but small ones that are barely noticeable (for the most part). my skin isn't perfect by any means, but i'm much happier about it, and i suggest you try this product along with playing with your diet and seeing if it's causing your acne. quitting dairy was a face-saver for me, and i highly recommend a trial period of no-dairy if you're at your wit's end. best of luck! sorry this is so scatterbrained and disorganized...i typed it up really quickly while watching tv. ALL THE BEST!