Tretinoin topical and Acne: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Sev...
• June 14, 2016

For Acne "I had mild acne, which I now know was not that bad. When I first started this medication, my skin became discolored, sensitive, and it broke out. My relatives told me to stop using it, but I read reviews and figured it would get better. I have now been using it for about two and a half months—nothing has changed. It just made my even brown skin patchy and gave me pimples in formerly clear places. I forgot to use it last night, and I am debating on whether or not I should continue. I miss my old skin more than ever. I wish I had never gotten this medication. I am now more insecure than ever before. What should I do?"

• Shi...
• July 31, 2016

For Acne "4 weeks of using tretinoin 0.025%: it has been a hell of a journey. I have had severe breakouts, peeling, and dryness. In the 3rd week, I got dark pigmentation all around my lips and further above the lips area. Completely disfigured my face. Probably feels like I permanently spoiled my face. So confused as to continue or discontinue as I haven't seen any results, and it has just worsened everything. #depressed"

• Cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2015

For Acne "I have been using Retin A 0.025 for a little over 10 weeks. I'm 33 years old, and I've never had acne until the past year. I'm assuming it may be hormonal. I didn't experience the terrible skin peeling and burning most talk about, but I'm definitely breaking out more. I'm going to stick with it until the 12-week mark, and then I'm done. I know it may take longer, but because I only had mild acne to begin with, it's very hard to see my acne worsen. I've had some really hard days, but I've stuck with this far. I'll see how the next couple of weeks go! One thing I have noticed is my acne lesions seem to scab over and go away pretty fast."

• Cup...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2015

For Acne "I just started tretinoin cream, and I am starting to get the dryness, peeling, and breaking out! But I think it's normal, and everyone gave me so much confidence to keep using this because it will eventually all clear up! I can't wait to see the results :)"

• Kel...
• February 5, 2016

For Acne "My self-esteem is non-existent right now! I have been using tretinoin .025% for nearly 3 weeks now for cystic acne on my chin. While it has helped the cysts on my chin, my entire face has broken out. I'm getting pimples on my cheeks, and I have never had a problem with pimples on my cheeks! About 2 weeks ago, my skin was flawless, and I was so excited about this medication, but now I don't know what to think. I am hoping this is just the 'purge' stage that so many have mentioned. And that it ends soon. I am miserable! I am going back to my dermatologist in a week, so I'll see what he says."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2021

Tretinoin topical for Acne "Took this for two months (topical cream), and my face broke out the entire time. Tried to wait it out as much as possible, but I have never had worse acne in my entire life. After not using it for about two weeks, my skin cleared up. I will NEVER take this medication again."

• Kim...
• March 3, 2021

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I’ve been using Retin-A for the last 5 months now. The first 3 months were awful as I got the worst acne breakouts of my life, and they came in the form of cystic, pus-filled, painful acne spots. My face looked horrible, I dreaded going out. It was a nightmare, but after reading reviews of people's experiences, I decided not to stop. Fast forward to 5 months now, and there has been tremendous improvement, most especially in my skin texture. My acne is now 80% under control, but I am dealing with intense hyperpigmentation, but overall my skin has never looked better. My skin texture is really amazing now. So my advice to anyone about to start: stick with it and buffer with a heavy-duty moisturizer when you’re about to start to minimize irritation and purging. And lastly, don’t rely on tretinoin alone. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide in combination with Retin-A would give you better and faster results, so talk to your dermatologist about what works for you."

• Mis...
• March 14, 2017

For Acne "I am 16 years old and have bad acne on my face, especially on the forehead and nose area, and deep pigmentation around my lip area, and extremely oily skin. My dermatologist recommended tretin 0.025, and I've been using it for about 4 days now. I am also having breakouts and skin peeling, but as my mom has used it, it's very normal for these things to happen at the start. To keep my skin moisturized, I use Cetaphil moisturizer and Suncros sunscreen, and it keeps my skin protected and also keeps it from drying out completely. Can't wait to see amazing results after about a couple of months."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2016

For Acne "RETIN-A 0.025 cream/female - New update...currently on my 8th week now, and results aren't so well. Lately, my acne on my forehead has been appearing again, but now they are small and come in large numbers. My cheeks are still pretty smooth, but acne has been appearing on my left cheek. My cheeks are very red right now because of the acne scarring. I guess this week is another purging week, so that sucks. Anyways, will keep updating."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2016

For Acne "RETIN-A 0.025 cream/female - New update...currently on my 8th week now, and results aren't so well. Lately, my acne on my forehead has been appearing again, but now they are small and come in large numbers. My cheeks are still pretty smooth, but acne has been appearing on my left cheek. My cheeks are very red right now because of the acne scarring. I guess this week is another purging week, so that sucks. Anyways, will keep updating."

• Fra...
• November 28, 2011

Tretinoin topical for Photoaging of the Skin "This medication may be great for those struggling with extreme oiliness and acne, but it actually caused me to break out! I wanted the benefits of its ability to help strengthen collagen and help with evening out skin tone, etc., but I got overly dry, super sensitive, acne-ridden skin instead. I recently waxed areas of my face that needed it, even after not using the product for a couple of days, and I was bleeding! I've never had this problem before. My skin has always been very resilient and able to handle most anything. But it doesn't seem to agree with this product. I will have to find a different approach to maintaining my youth."

• Chi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 6, 2021

Tretinoin topical for Acne "My dermatologist prescribed me Retin-A, and I feel like my skin has been the worst it’s ever been. I don’t even know why they keep this stuff in circulation. I literally had the worst breakouts ever on this. I did research, and most people said that you have to wait a few months to see results. But after 6 months of trying this stuff, I’m done. My bottle is almost empty, and it’s been a couple of days since I’ve used it, and of course my skin has been clearing up. If you get prescribed this, don’t take it because it’s going to wreck your skin. I have so many acne scars now."

• Chi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 6, 2021

Tretinoin topical for Acne "My dermatologist prescribed me Retin-A, and I feel like my skin has been the worst it’s ever been. I don’t even know why they keep this stuff in circulation. I literally had the worst breakouts ever on this. I did research, and most people said that you have to wait a few months to see results. But after 6 months of trying this stuff, I’m done. My bottle is almost empty, and it’s been a couple of days since I’ve used it, and of course my skin has been clearing up. If you get prescribed this, don’t take it because it’s going to wreck your skin. I have so many acne scars now."

• Rac...
• December 17, 2015

For Acne "This medicine has ruined my life. I hate myself when I look in the mirror. I am on my fifth month of 0.05% tretinoin cream, and I am still getting acne and dry skin. During the two- and three-month part, my acne was horrendous. Now I'm left with deep scars and self-hatred. It's not worth the emotional damage at all. I don't even care about acne that much, but this has made me depressed and miserable."

• Tir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2016

For Acne "So I just recently got done being on Accutane for six months. My derm told me to start applying tretinoin cream (0.05%) onto my face every night. I'm three weeks post-Accutane/into using the tretinoin, and it has been awful. I thought after Accutane I wouldn't break out hardly at all. However, that's not even close to the truth. I've gotten at least two cystic bumps/pimples/red marks on my face PER DAY for the last TWO WEEKS. It's beginning to cover my face, and it is getting continually worse. I have never broken out this much in my entire life. I use a Cetaphil face wash and moisturizer. I really thought after six months of Accutane, my skin would finally be clear for the first time ever, but now it's simply worse than ever."

• Imy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2021

For Acne "Tretinoin is not a good pharmaceutical. In fact, I think it's a mediocre pharmaceutical. My skin has gotten more acne scars than ever before. The only good results I've had are that it made my skin look 'newer' in some areas. Overall, it was a terrible decision to start using this product."

• Sab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2016

For Acne "I developed cystic acne, I'm guessing as a result of hormones, stress, and genetics. My doctor and I changed what we were using during the second visit, since we were doing some trial and error (figuring out what works). Since my skin is not sensitive, we went from a combination of doxycycline, tretinoin, and clindamycin (I don't know how to spell it) to a combination of tretinoin of higher strength, erythromycin/BP gel, and minocycline. My skin has cleared up in a matter of 2 months with the occasional pimples and some acne scarring. As far as the tretinoin goes, my derm said that it was supposed to clear up my whiteheads and blackheads, but it has only made my pores seemingly smaller, not cleared them up."

• kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2020

Tretinoin topical for Acne "This was the worst experience of my life. It made my face break out, and I had big red dry patches on my face that burned so bad. I still have red scars from those spots that I didn’t have before. Do not use this, I suggest Accutane. I have done that before also."

• Ret...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 19, 2024

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I have been using Retin A Micro for about three years and love it! It is so much better than the normal Retin-A that I was prescribed for the past 20 years or so. I do get many whiteheads and Retin-A does keep my face with less acne in general. I do notice that Retin A Micro does not dry out my skin and my skin does look more smooth and less dry and flaky. I am 63 years old and look my age. However, my skin looks great! Thanks to Retin-A Micro and exercise."

• mqu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2016

For Acne "I'm on my first week of using this. I don't have bad acne, I just wanted the blackheads on my nose to go away. The first week has been awful. My skin is so dry, red, burning, and now I have so many pimples. I never have pimples. My dermatologist said this would make my skin worse, but I'm starting to wonder if this is worth it. My skin is disgusting. The other reviews say to keep using it, and it will get better. I'll keep updating."

• Shi...
• September 5, 2016

For Acne "I used tretin 0.025% every night for 30 mins for almost 8 weeks. I hardly had 5-6 pimples on my cheeks and a few brown spots, but then the cream made me have a severe breakout and infection, which made my cheek swell with the abscess. I consulted another doctor and was advised to stop the product, and I am on oral antibiotics for the infection. My cheeks are normal. My pimples are healing on their own. It's been a week since I left the cream, and my skin shows great improvement. No new breakouts at all. Please don't struggle with the cream and keep pushing through a point where you have totally ruined your skin and can do nothing about it."

• nyc...
• February 13, 2014

For Acne "I used to use Retin A, but the side effects were so bad. My dermatologist recommended the Lady Soma Serum and Lady Soma Somatique Face Wash. It has Retinol Vitamin A in it, WITHOUT the side effects of Retin A. For those of you actually using Retin A, here is my routine: wash with Lady Soma Somatique Face Wash, then apply the Lady Soma Renewal Serum. In the morning, I wash again with this Lady Soma Wash. The Lady Soma stuff also seems to be helping with the initial breakout I got from the Retin A (have not had acne in years! Was put on the Retin A for sun damage and fine lines)."

• The...
• November 22, 2015

Tretinoin topical for Acne "So I started with this 2 weeks ago, and it SUCKS. I have had maybe one big pimple on a cheek per month or two, and a little around other parts of my face, but now I have full-fledged acne on my cheeks and jawline. This is terrible!"

• Goo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2017

For Photoaging of the Skin "This stuff is the spawn of Satan. I began using this to reduce minor sun spots and fine wrinkles. This stuff made the amazing skin I had into a housing unit for acne. It literally brings tears to my eyes the damage this has done. If it can be avoided, do not use. I would never recommend medication... ever."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2016

Tretinoin topical for Acne "Stick it out. How long? 3-4 months is the magic number! It takes 3-4 months to see any improvement. Up until then, expect more acne, dryness, peeling. However, the results are worth it. Good luck!"