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
November 18, 2008
Cons:
takes a while to work (just like any other acne product), made my skin very irritated and red.
I've been on this for about 6 weeks now and i'm slowly beginning to see results. For everyone out there who wants to give up on those, DONT! Keep going! Trust me, I know it sucks! During the first few weeks, my skin got so bad I didn't want to leave my apartment. I was so embarrassed. My skin has never been like this and I'm not sure what's causing it, but this product is helping...it just takes a while. So please be patient. My skin is also VERY sensitive and dries out very easily. I recently started using facial products from burts bees (cleansers, scrubs, etc). I really think these products are helping too. I used so many different lotions to help moisturize my skin and only burts bees radiance day and night cream helped me. Go to their website ([link removed]) and you can make a profile for yourself and they will actually suggest products for you! Try it! It's helped me out a ton and worth the money! I've decided to go all burts bees!
November 9, 2008
Pros:
No huge pimples that hurt anymore
Cons:
little pimples (but i can deal with that)
that worst part is that my WHOLE face looks like i'm sunburnt!!!!
and i know i'm not cuz i haven't been outside for more then 5 minutes in awhile(cuz of school + winter)my skin is really dry and irritat
try it. if it seems like your getting horrible side effects, see your doctor. thats what i am doing in a couple days.
Apparently from everything i have read, it takes time but its awesome.
i don't even want to go to school, and show my face in public right now and i have used it for about 2 weeks, but in that time period only about 5 or 6 nights because of all the irritation.
October 21, 2008
Pros:
Honestly, I haven't had a pimple since I've been using the medication for only 2 weeks. I've read that you can see new break outs while using the medication after 6 weeks and at start, although this hasn't been the case for me.
Cons:
It does irritate the skin and you have to be careful to read the instructions carefully. I made the mistake of using it too often, I used it in the morning and at night which really irritated my skin to the point of it feeling like a sun burn.
This is a great medication. I have always believed that acne is both an internal problem as well as a skin issue for me. So I have been taking doxycycline along with this medication and has worked wonderfully. Just like all medications you do have to wait for results, even though I haven't had any new blemishes since the use of this medication it will take time for it to improve completely. I still have to watch what I eat but for the most part I haven't had to worry, drinking caffeine does affect acne, especially energy drinks which make my skin oily. Bottom line, at least for me it works. The combination of the two medications is working for me.
October 20, 2008
Pros:
Smooth Clear skin!!! Even complexion!!! Eliminates red marks within days.
Cons:
Dry skin until skin gets use to it. Sunscreen is a MUST. Acne will get worse before betting better. Your boby eventually will get use to it and will no longer work.
I have been suffering from acne for several years now. Almost 2.5 years ago I decided to do something about it because I did not want to have acne on my wedding day. My derm advised me that it will take 3 months to see the full results. She was right!!! My acne cleared 100% within 3 months. I would only get a pimple once in a while, but that pimple would cleared up within days because of the retin a micro. The day of my wedding, I looked and felt beautiful! Unfortunatly, my acne free face lasted only a year. For some reason or another my boby got used to the retin a micro. Since then my derm. have prescribed everything and nothing have worked. I am now looking for other orternatives, like blue light and levulan. Wish me luck!!!
October 1, 2008
Pros:
Clears your face and feels good
Cons:
First 3-4 weeks is a killer, Acne becomes worse, sore, peeling face, redness,
I have used the product for five weeks now and it has cleared my skin very well. Have to be patient with this product and let it take its toll for the first 3-4 weeks. After that time your skin feels smooth, and looks much better, iv still got a few tiny spots but I will carry on using for a few more weeks to completely clear.
September 9, 2008
Pros:
Affordable, works with proper use
Cons:
Dry, peeling skin
It did take awhile for this product to begin working for me. I actually had a really bad breakout period initially, but I let the product do what I know a lot of acne products do: bring out the bad in order to clear it up. And that's exactly what happened in the first 3 weeks. My face got REALLY bad, and then it started to dry out and peel. I would scrub my face every other day with a mild soap and wash cloth (typically, I was my face without a wash cloth and just use my hands). Then as soon as the peeling stopped, my face cleared up and most of the pimples were gone, along with a lot of scarring. I still have scarring, of course, but my face still peels here and there which helps with the scarring. I just continue to scrub every other day when it happens. Now when I get a pimple, it usually goes away within three days and they never get too horrible looking.
September 5, 2008
Alas, it did nothing for me. But it could work for you! I'm still glad I tried it.
September 2, 2008
Pros:
After 4+weeks, acne is clearing and previous scars are disappearing
Cons:
Product takes a while to work
Currently I'm on doxycycline (50mg 2x/day), erythromyocin (topical solution), and retin-a cream (generic). I've been using these products for the past month. My acne is clearing up and my skin has a better glow overall. Some advice: 1. This product takes 2-3 weeks to actually see some positive results...don't give up.
2. Use cream at night--pea sized amount and make sure you wait between 20-30 minutes after washing your face to apply. It doesn't work as well if your face is not completely dry (I've learned the hard way)
August 30, 2008
Pros:
Makes your skin tone more even. For a while (6 months into it), my face was amazingly clear..but that was a height of happiness that didn't last.
Cons:
Over-dries skin around nose and mouth..even after wearing moisturizer you can see flakies. Burned like crazy the first month I used it. It doesn't burn anymore but it still gives me annoyingly flaky yet OILY skin.
I've recently started breaking out around my chin and forehead and the acne is deep and painful. I'm using Steiva-A 0.05%. Maybe I should ask my dermatologist to kick it up to 10%
August 20, 2008
Pros:
It kind of clears up skin.
Cons:
It takes frickin' forever to work!! Also, it makes your face red and sensitive to sun.
I started using this in late June. I used it every night up until today. (August 19th) My face doesn't have any more acne but that's only from Doxycycline, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide and this combined together. This takes sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long for it to work, it feels as if it's not working at all! I have a LOT of hyperpigmentation from previous existing acne and eventually the pigments are going to even out. This is going to help a little, but what it's really supposed to do is prevent people from getting anymore scars. It's not that useful. Especially if it takes so long. It's just not worth it. Sooner or later, all those prescriptions add up and it'll be the same as getting a chemical peel. So, I kind of recommend it for the patient people who don't stay in the sun alot and can do nothing for a long time.
Pros:
affordable, skin is softer