Tretinoin topical and Acne: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Amo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2017

For Acne "I have had acne since I was 12 years old; now I'm 22 years old. I have tried every OTC product, I tried Proactive, Acne.org, natural home remedies, antibiotics, Murad, Clinique, etc., etc., etc. About 2 months ago, my PCP prescribed me Tretinoin Cream 0.5%, and I have been using it every day since then. I have to say that this lotion is a lifesaver; my face looks so much better, and I can finally go out without makeup. Even my family and friends see the results. I'm very happy to finally find something that really works for me. The only sad thing about this cream is that it can dry up your skin very badly, and sometimes moisturizers make my acne worse, but honestly, I prefer a dried face than a face full of ugly, nasty, red pimples."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2019

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I have mild acne and started using Retin A 0.025%. I've been using the cream for about three weeks now, and I didn't see much change in the first two weeks. I'm seeing much more improvement now. I still have a few small bumps and blackheads, but it's not as bad as before. My skin feels significantly smoother and softer than before, so I'm excited to see how much more it will improve."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2016

For Acne "I am the mother of a 13-year-old boy. His face was bad. I would say he didn't have a clear spot on his face or back. And he was prescribed the tretinoin cream 0.025 and also an antibiotic called doxycycline mono 100 mg. The doctor said to give it a month, and we would see a change. That was October 2015. It's now January, and month 3/4, and his scars from picking his pimples are so faded you can barely see them. And his back is clear. We use both every day. He will still get a pimple here and there, but it has given him back his confidence. The doctor said the longer you are on it, the better."

• cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2015

For Acne "After countless fails of using different cleansers and over-the-counter products, I was prescribed a combination of Tretinoin (0.025%) and Clindamycin, both topical medications along with 100 mg minocycline antibiotics. I have severe acne, cysts on my back, chest, and face. I use a pea-sized amount of Tretinoin at night before bed and the Clindamycin phosphate solution in the morning. I am 2 weeks in, and I have had some breakouts on my forehead only. I am an extremely active athlete, so that can be the reason. My chest and back, after week one, have gone through such drastic changes. Scars are minimized and red flares decreased. Just like any medication, you have to sacrifice through the initial phases in order for it to kick in and start working."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2018

Tretinoin topical for Photoaging of the Skin "I began using Retin-A 0.01% approximately 2 months ago. I have dark spots left from what doctors claim is atopic dermatitis coupled with hyper-eczema when I was younger. I have had these marks for over 20 years. I no longer suffer from breakouts, however, I do have the marks (front and back thighs). I started by specifically treating them spot by spot, rather than applying to the entire area. Recently, my husband disclosed that he is having a 'hard time' actually seeing the marks to apply the cream, they have lightened up, but I am not totally clear yet... I am on my second tube. When I complete this one, my intention is to increase to the 0.5 strength and observe those results. Will advise probably in another 2 months' time. What I can say with certainty is that it works, faster for some than others... but it works, consistency is key."

• Anonymous
• October 6, 2011

For Acne "I have had acne since I was about 12 years old. I am now 50. I have tried all acne medications out there. I am now using Doxycycline (oral antibiotic) twice a day, Clindamycin phosphate in the morning, and tretinoin at night. For the first time in my life, my face is as smooth as porcelain. Hope never to stop using this combination of medicines. No breakouts, peeling, or irritation. Please just try and see for yourself."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2017

For Acne "I am an 18 y/o female who has never had severe acne before. But in August of 2016, I broke out like crazy. I got incredibly painful cystic acne. In December, I was prescribed tretinoin 0.05%. I was on both doxycycline pills and the tretinoin for a couple of weeks. The first 2 weeks were pretty bad. I didn't want to touch my face from how much the acne hurt and because I was peeling so badly. But after the first couple of weeks, my skin started to clear up. It was nice to be able to wash my face without it hurting or feeling all the unevenness. I've been on it for about 3 months now, and I get breakouts on my period, but that's it. The scarring is fading away slowly, but I can't get over how smooth my skin feels. Just wait it out. It really does take time to work."

• fin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2015

For Acne "I am 31 years old and have suffered from acne since I was 13 years old. It's not horrible, but it was bad enough to give me low self-esteem/confidence, make me feel depressed, and not want to go out on bad flare-up days, etc. As an adult, I still get pimples and would usually wake up every morning with a new (or three new) comedones on my face, so frustrating! I found that using more natural skin products/makeup helped some but not enough. I've been on tretinoin cream 0.025% for three weeks, and my skin already looks amazing! At first, I broke out badly for a week and a half and had dry skin, but then I read that's normal and to stick with it. Three weeks in, clear skin, scars are disappearing, and overall my complexion is so much better. Finally! Stick with it!"

• Mar...
• November 18, 2017

For Acne "My acne got worse in my mid-20s, and after trying every tip I could find, I finally decided to go to the doctor, and he gave me tretinoin. After several researches, I found out that things might get worse in the beginning. And indeed, things got worse after a few weeks, and I broke out terribly; I cried when I looked in the mirror, but I thought, “just stick with it,” and trust me, it's worth it! I know it's really hard, but when it's over, it's getting better and better (took me 3-4 months to see first results). Also, don't pick because you will have a giant wound after it. Good thing about that: I am not picking anymore! I also use BP in the morning and zinc; after 11 months, I’m now getting compliments for my flawless skin! Don't give up; it's worth it."

• AvG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2014

For Acne "I was suffering from moderate acne from when I was 16, but I did nothing, and they cleared up in about 8-9 months. Then, after a year, my acne flared up again, and they were more bad cystic acne on my cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, and small whiteheads all over my face. The doctor gave me tretinoin cream with a cream called Fusate-B for a month. I have been using it for 2 weeks, and it has made my 70% pimples vanish. Yes, I get breakouts, but very small with small pimples. I have a wheat complexion, so those pimples left me with black spots, and they have also faded about 20-30%. I have never imagined this good results in 2 weeks. I will continue this for months and see what happens."

• AvG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2014

For Acne "I was suffering from moderate acne from when I was 16, but I did nothing, and they cleared up in about 8-9 months. Then, after a year, my acne flared up again, and they were more bad cystic acne on my cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, and small whiteheads all over my face. The doctor gave me tretinoin cream with a cream called Fusate-B for a month. I have been using it for 2 weeks, and it has made my 70% pimples vanish. Yes, I get breakouts, but very small with small pimples. I have a wheat complexion, so those pimples left me with black spots, and they have also faded about 20-30%. I have never imagined this good results in 2 weeks. I will continue this for months and see what happens."

• mpa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2019

Tretinoin topical for Acne "Totally worked, but didn’t like the process. I’m in week 5 of using it, and my acne is still getting worse (but not as much as in the beginning). I can clearly see a difference in my skin’s appearance. My skin got lighter, and pigmentation has diminished. Still have acne coming out in cystic form, but those small, annoying pimples that had been covering my whole face are now gone, and my skin is smooth and shiny. The only problem is those 4-5 cystic pimples that come out at random places, but I think that will come to an end soon. Totally recommend the try if you are brave enough to go through this."

• NAa...
• March 8, 2019

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I'm in my early 20s and have been applying Retin-A gel once a night for over a year now. Before starting the gel, I had what I would describe as moderate acne. During the first 6-8 months of Retin-A use, I had the most severe acne of my life, all over my face. It was painful and so embarrassing to leave the house. Not to mention the horrific dry skin that would just flake off my face, no matter how much I moisturized. But I stuck with it as the dermatologist suggested, and now my acne is mostly under control. However, I would not say my acne now is any better than before I started Retin-A, and on top of that, I now have deep, ugly scars on both sides of my face (not just a few... a LOT) from the severe acne. I have not had any acne scars in my life until now, and I have had moderate to heavy acne since I was 12. Now there are pit scars all across my cheeks. I have ruined my face by using Retin-A and would have been exponentially better off if I had never used it in the first place."

• Bro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2017

For Acne "When I first used this acne medication, I broke out like crazy. In fact, it made my acne worse. After I saw it getting worse, I debated whether or not to continue with this product. However, other users agreed that this product is one of those products that fits the saying of, 'it makes the acne get worse before it gets better.' After almost 3 weeks of using this product daily (once at night, I use Finacea in the morning), most of the breakouts have faded and soon will be gone. I do recommend this product, however, you may not experience immediate results, and I am here to tell you that if your acne worsens when first taking it, STICK with it."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2017

For Acne "I started tretinoin 0.05% almost 2 months ago, and my experience has been complicated and confusing. When I first started the cream, my skin immediately got sensitive to it, red splotches on my cheeks and chin (wasn't putting it there), and it dried them out a lot too. But after a couple of brutal weeks, my forehead and nose cleared up entirely, and the redness/dryness calmed down, and I was getting really excited. But, unfortunately, my period came, and my skin had a HORRIBLE breakout. My entire forehead was covered in bumps, and beside my nose, I got little bumps as well. Now, about a month later, my skin is clearing up somewhat, but still, I'm not sure what's in store for me. I'm hopeful for this product because I've heard many wonderful things!"

• cle...
• November 7, 2010

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I have a 13-year-old daughter, and she started to have acne. We went to a dermatologist, and they prescribed Acanya for the morning and Atralin for the night, and to use Cetaphil morning and night and the Cetaphil moisturizer at night. She started noticing a difference in about 4 to 6 weeks of using these great products. She has now been using this for about 3 months, and her face is as clear as ever. She still gets a few pimples here and there, but besides that, this product is great."

• ste...
• October 4, 2014

For Acne "I have been using since the first week of August, and now it's October. I see improvement, but I still have scars and get pimples here and there, and all my breakouts are gone. Hopefully, after 12 weeks, I see more improvement."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2010

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I'm a male, 29, and have used Retin-A Micro gel 0.04% for 3 years now. I've tried everything from Proactiv, Accutane, and over-the-counter medicines. Nothing helped me like Retin-A Micro gel. Sure, there was an initial breakout in the beginning, but now my skin is so smooth, acne-free, healthy, and bright that I don't even care about the initial breakout. After 3 months of use, I am acne-free thanks to this medication. I will not stop using it."

• Hal...
• October 11, 2015

For Acne "I just want to say that I read all these reviews when I first started using Tretinoin 6 months ago, and it gave me hope that my skin would be normal. And I can honestly say that it worked wonders on my skin. I was having trouble with my acne again, I've always had skin problems. I've taken Accutane, and it worked for a little, but my acne came back with a vengeance. When I first started tretinoin, it was rough, my skin was very dry, and I broke out really bad. It lasted for about 3 months until I stopped having bad breakouts, and my skin started feeling smooth, and my scars were fading as well. If you are on this cream and wanting to stop, just keep going! Now that I have been on it for 6 months, my skin is normal, and I'm happy with the results."

• Aut...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 19, 2019

For Acne "I am 18 years old and have been on tretinoin for over a year now. I have moderate/severe acne. I first got put on a 0.025% dosage. At first, I did experience a breakout due to everything coming out, but over time it got so much better. Pimples never really appear on my face like they used to since I started it. If I do get them, they are very small. However, tretinoin never helped with the accumulation of blackheads all over my face. So I just recently got put on 0.1%. :) Hopefully, 0.1% will fix my problem! I’ll let you all know what I think of it."

• Gri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 13, 2015

For Acne "I've been using tretinoin in the 0.1 gel form for almost 2 years, and let me tell you, it is possibly the best skin product you will ever own. The beginning is hard, naturally, the skin needs time to adjust, so for the first few months of treatment, you will experience a lot of redness, patchiness, and obviously, flaking, and you may also experience periods of very ugly breakouts if you have many clogged pores hiding under the surface, as the retin A will exfoliate the skin and slowly 'activate' your pores to enable them to unclog without the need for manual extraction and without scarring. The key with retin A is patience, SPF, and lots of moisturizing. Do not quit before your skin gets better, and resist the temptation to extract acne yourself. Good luck."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2019

For Acne "I never had skin issues till my last pregnancy. Wasn’t till I started breastfeeding that it got out of control. It wasn’t even improving once I stopped BF. So went back to the dermatologist. Have only used tretinoin cream for three weeks, and I cannot believe how much better my skin looks. Breakouts still occur but clear up in a couple of days, where they were lasting a week or more. I had lots of skin damage from past breakouts, and that has diminished dramatically!! I expect even better results with longer use!!"

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2016

For Acne "I am 28 years old. I have always suffered from acne since I was in middle school. My pores are clogged, they just look like bumps on my face. My dermatologist prescribed me tretinoin 0.025 cream and phloretin. I have sensitive skin, so I use the tretinoin every third night and the phloretin every morning. I am on week 9, and I have noticed changes for the better. I am experiencing redness and dry patches, but it's tolerable. I do have breakouts in different spots than where I usually do. But my skin is clearing up. I am also getting compliments on my skin. I have now been using it every night because my doctor said 0.025 is a low dosage. It's definitely worth it to stick it out. Looking forward to the next couple of months."

• Nic...
• October 17, 2015

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I'm 16 years old. I'm a boy who suffers moderate acne. I have blemishes of previous acne. The downside is that I'm really white. I've been on Retin-A since September 1st. I'm on week 5 or 6, but my face is getting better. Acne decreasing much more. I still have the red blemishes and marks on my cheeks, but I'm excited to see the result people say they see in 3-6 months. I'm prescribed clindamycin phosphate and antibiotic pills with Cetaphil wash. I use Retin-A at night and then moisturize 30 minutes after, then apply clinda when I go to sleep. So stick to this cream, the whiteheads and stuff will suck, but my acne bumps/marks are slowly disappearing even though they are still visible. Can't wait till I can clear up and feel happy."

• Jus...
• May 25, 2018

Tretinoin topical for Acne "32-year-old female. I'd been on Acanya (benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin) for about 3 years before it stopped working very suddenly. Like, one day my skin was clear, and the next, I had breakouts on my chin and cheeks again. Anyway, I'd ordered a tube of 0.05% Retin-A online a while ago and used to use it as a spot treatment, which worked for a bit. I think that was too strong for me. Just starting prescribed 0.025% Retin-A and the morning after use on my entire face, my skin was less inflamed. I noticed 2 new pimples surfaced, but they were easily extracted. I use Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser and then a toner + moisturizer in the mornings. Cetaphil cleanser - wait 20 mins - Retin-A - wait 20 mins - and Neutrogena Hydro Boost moisturizer at night. I have noticed some blemishes come to the surface and minor peeling. But my general skin tone looks so much better than when I was using the Acanya, despite those two drawbacks. Will keep using and see what the long-term results look like!"