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
June 1, 2009
Cons:
I had such a horrible experience with that topical, I can't believe I was ever prescribed it.
I'm so very lucky right now that all the damage Retin-a caused is all cleared up from taking Claravis! I had what looked like giant strawberry marks all over my right cheek, which would continuously explode with whiteheads throughout the day (which were most definitely caused by Retin-a during the "purging" phase). I also had cracked, old looking skin near my mouth and I'm only 23...I was distraught and livid with the idea that it would never go away. But Claravis has fixed everything and I'm back to looking very pretty again :) Please, if you get the "IB" chances are it's not initial and will possibly be permanent for quite some time...STOP using this cream if you have a terrible reaction, I beg you! Unless you want to do the Accutane route which for me has been the best decision ever regarding my acne
May 29, 2009
Pros:
none this thing sucks, im going back to stievemycin; i thought retina a would help get rid of my redness but it did no such thing.
Cons:
i am sooo angry, i went through weeks of my face peeling and having dry and flaky skin, which you cannot cover up with makeup. having to sleep every night with a mask of moisturizer, all for NOTHING.
This product is awful, would not recommend to anyone with problem acne, because it only made me break out more. and i mean ALOT more. im throwning away my tube in case i get tempted and think hmmm maybe it wasnt so bad.
May 29, 2009
Pros:
dries pimples up that would normally take longer to heal
Cons:
dry skin, doesn't work
The zits still come but they go away faster than without it. However, dry scaly patches make skin look red and splotchy. I've stuck with this product for too long and am ready for something new.
May 8, 2009
Pros:
Helped acne somewhat
Cons:
Made my face so red I looked worse than I did with the acne.
People don't generally comment on your acne. But when your face gets this red, people always ask "Why do you wear so much blush?" or "Why do you put blush all over your face?". I would always snarl through my teeth "I'm not wearing blush!!!!"
Not worth it to me.
March 30, 2009
Pros:
Exfoliates rapidly.
Cons:
Redness, dryness, peeling, cannot wear makeup because it increases visibility of flakiness, sensitivity to sunlight and cold, makes breakouts worse for weeks and weeks, skin tender, cannot use benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, vit. A or retinol.
My dermatologist prescribed .025% tretinoin and told me to gradually work my way up to using it 2/3 times per week. I followed her instructions and after 7 weeks I could not even use it twice a week without having massive peeling. My breakouts increased rapidly, as warned, and they did heal within one or two days, BUT every place I broke out has remained very red for several weeks. It has been very frustrating and my confidence is shattered. I know most people say you have to stick with it but I cannot any longer. I am going back to using Proactiv because it is the only thing that has worked for the most part. Retin-a only tackles one aspect of acne: sloughing of dead skin cells. I feel that in order to battle acne you must take care of all the factors; oil, dead skin that clogs pores, and bacteria.
March 25, 2009
Pros:
its ok, it helps minimizes acne growth
Cons:
though it minimizes acne formation it brings with it severe itchiness leaving scars.
since I am living in a tropical country I think this is not the product for me, the medication sure is sensitive to heat leaving you compications
March 24, 2009
Pros:
Smoother skin
Cons:
Started out with .1%, face peeled very badly and was red. It hurt to open my mouth to eat food, I could only drink liquids. After about 2 weeks all hell broke loose on my face, cystic bumps and whiteheads EVERYWHERE. Discontinued use.
I lasted for 5 weeks before I had to stop. I was taking antiobiotics and still had a hellish initial breakout. My derm currently has me on Prednisone to calm my face and Bactrim to decrease acne. So I guess the bottom line is, this stuff may work for some people if you are able to get through that initial breakout, but for me it just made my acne worse and now I have a bigger mess than when I started 5 weeks ago. :(
March 16, 2009
Pros:
Helps acne a little.
Cons:
Made my skin so dry that my whole face was flaking uncontrollably. NO LOTION WORKED. I tried many! I had to discontinue using it, and it took about 8 days to stop being flaky! I applied lotion multiple times a day and it didn't work.
Exfoliating didn't even help. Makes the skin too dry.
March 10, 2009
Pros:
none so far
Cons:
extreme dryness
I've been using .05% Tretinoin daily for the past two and a half weeks. I apply a very small amount everynight before bed. I didn't notice a single change in my acne for the entire first two weeks, but the last couple of days have been brutal. The entire area is extremely red and dry. No amount of moisturizer helps. I had been applying it on my chin area and inbetween my upper lip and nose (the only areas i break out in) and suddenly those areas are extremely red and dry. It hurts just smile and i feel the tight skin when i talk and i can't even look at it in the mirror its so bad. If this is the path to clear skin, i'm not sure its worht it. I doubt i'll be applying any more of this to my skin tonight.
March 6, 2009
Pros:
it works!! it gets rid of your acne within a few months
Cons:
it takes a while, and you have to follow a set of rules that go along with the medication
i used this product for several months and saw absolutely no effects, in fact, my acne probably got a little bit worse; eventually, i saw my doctor and he had me use an antibiotic with the medication, which helped a little but did not completely heal it; then, i figured out the real key was to do the following things religiously:
1.) no desserts, i ate saltine crackers, bread, etc. all day, every day
2.) drink A TON of water, we have 7 classes per day, i drank a bottle a class, then like 3-4 glasses at home, in addition to the water i had during meals (NO SODAS, FRUIT DRINKS, etc!!!)
3.) make sure you change the detergent you are washing your pillows with so that it does not cause acne break-outs, if you are using bad detergent, it will work with the retin-A to make your acne much worse
4.) quit using cologne/perfume if you do these things this product WILL WORK!!! if not, you can expect prolonged acne
Pros:
NONE, none, none!