Topical Retinoid
Reviews
3.4
1972 Reviews
Topical Retinoid
Efficacy
50%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Topical Retinoid
Side Effects
Low
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.
Read All About Tretinoin
Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.1%
4
32%
3
21.6%
2
14.9%
1
9.4%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

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October 20, 2007

Pros:

smoother skin, less lesions and cysts.

Cons:

burning sensation when put on, like rubbing alcohol. acne gets worse before better.

Give it time, be consistent, and this stuff works.
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October 18, 2007

Pros:

ive been using this product along with DUAC for the past 7 1/2 weeks, i have seen little improvement. my pimples have reduced in size but i still have alittle bit left, and i have a lot of acne scars.

Cons:

makes your face look really red, i feel like i have to avoid the sun.

i hope this works for acne scars too because i have soooo many.
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September 3, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up my skin for the most part.

Cons:

I tried to avoid extra redness by using less and after a couple days increasing and that worked pretty good for me. But after 8 weeks my skin has stayed red but foundation covers that.

I started with pretty mild acne and i still get spots here and there so im not really sure. I use tretinoin at night and clindamycin in the morning so hopefully within the next few weeks i will get fewer spots. For the most part i am satisfied with this. Just wash your face with mild soap then put on lotion and wait 20 minutes then at first reduce the amount of tretinoin for the first few days then hopfully you will be free of irritation! good luck!
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August 25, 2007

Pros:

It really works after a few weeks and I got great improvement with only a few acne spots here in there after 6 weeks.

Cons:

In Kaiser Insurance, it is only about 10$ but it is almost 80$ without insurance at all!

At first it gets worse. If you read their website it says why it gets worse in the first few weeks. It says that the tretinoin is pushing the acne towards the surface of the skin and it also dries it up. It may look worse, but if you keep on using it, it will get better. Then it gets washed away. After about 8-12 weeks you should have only few acne spots here and there. You really have to stay with the product till the end for it to work. You can't expect the results to happen in a few weeks. I was about to end it during the 5th week, but I still used it. By the way, I am only in my teens.
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August 18, 2007

Pros:

If used everyday consistently, great benefits. Be patient through the first few weeks, that's the only way to get through the redness and flaking stage. After that stage, you see the benefits. Much better skin texture too.

Cons:

I'm in my 40's so insurance looks at it as a cosmetic Rx instead of medically needed. I paid $82.00 for a tube of .1%, but it goes a long way. I would say four months.

I am on my sixth week of using it nightly. Personally, this is the best my skin has looked since I was a young child.
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August 15, 2007

Pros:

This stuff is amazinngggg. I had pretty bad acne on my forehead and my chin but since ive used retin-A my skin looks pretty good. My forehead is almost completely clear but my chin is not so much.

Cons:

It gets worse before it gets better, tiny bit of peeling around chin area

Super good product, i really recomned on using. I have really sensitve skin and this product seems to work good without irratating it. just a little bit of peeling but moisturizer helps with that. Use it at night though. about evry four months for a refill just use this product!
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August 11, 2007

Pros:

it is seeming to work

Cons:

expensive! cost 50 dollars with insurance

so far it has been working i hope it doesnt get any worse
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August 10, 2007

Pros:

cleared up skin a little...
USE cool air/fan and a mirror when using the gel... this helps the irritation cool down

Cons:

makes face very shiny, irritates, makes it a little red, makes it tight and hard to talk and eat. brings tears to eyes. flaky skin, peeling gets worse, you have to rub your face skin for the dead skin to peel away.

it works a little...give it a try..its better than other products i've used.
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August 7, 2007

Pros:

cleared up my acne. no more blackheads. evens out skintone. and it's a gentle exfoliant. it's the only thing you'll have to use in your skin regimen. once a day. i don't feel like i HAVE to wear foundation or make-up anymore to cover up. gentle.

Cons:

you have to watch your sun exposure. because your skin can get a little sensitive. When you first start using it. you may break out worse and you'll have itchy dry flaky skin for a few weeks but if you get through that stage. it's a miracle cream

If you have insurance it covers most of it. So it's not expensive. You only use a dime size every night once a day. It's so easy to use. Very low maintenance. The product is very gentle used in conjunction of maybe cetaphil or a non allergenic gentle face wash. and moisturizer during the day. I have used all kinds of over the counter products even pro-active. This has been the best. And actually i think it is a 2 in one at the least. It fights acne. and gently exfoliates, so it fights your fine lines dull complexion as well. great for late twenty early thirties and above. no more black heads either!It's just great. if you tried everything else before. you should give it a go! I am so happy it's one less thing to worry about.
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August 1, 2007

Pros:

This is a miracle drug! I have applied it faithfully every night for two weeks and my acne is going away slowly but surely. So are feckles and wrinkles! My skins looks as smooth, clear and evenly colored as when I use foundation.

Cons:

I do feel that some deeply hidden acne has been bubbling up to the surface since starting it, but mostly it is really clearing up. Much less acne than when I started two weeks ago.

If I had known how wonderful tretinoin was, I would have used it years ago! I will be 42 next month and I think by then I will be able to say my skin has NEVER looked so good as it does now!
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.