Tretinoin topical and Acne: What Users Say

• 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."

• MMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2020

Tretinoin topical for Acne "33 yo/female. I had acne since I was 13 yo. I was diagnosed with PCOS. I took birth control for about 15 years, also Spironolactone. My acne is very persistent and mainly comedonal, especially on my jawline, cheeks, and upper neck. I stopped birth control and was tired of Spironolactone, as taken alone it didn't do much for me. I went on Accutane, which was a horrible experience to clear my acne, only for it to come back just 6 months later. I have been using Retin-A 0.01% for 2.5 months, and I can see a lot of improvement. My skin is still purging as it's really congested, but I can see it's improving gradually and clearing up. It was a real mess in the first 6 weeks. I'm getting less painful acne around my jaw area now, and my skin is much softer, the scars are also fading. I will continue the treatment for the rest of my life, I believe. I highly recommend it to anyone with hormonal acne who doesn't want to take medication."

• Cou...
• February 19, 2020

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I've been using Retin A Micro for about 4 months now. In the first week of use, I experienced dry, flaking skin. If any area was super irritated, I put Aquaphor on, it was healed overnight. The first 2-5 weeks, my skin broke out worse than before I started using it, however, the pimples were smaller than usual and would clear up quickly. Weeks 6-7, my skin looked like it was finally clearing up, with the exception of two stubborn areas. Those areas didn't improve in this time but didn't get worse. Weeks 8-10, the two problem areas cleared up almost completely, but unfortunately, I was left with hyperpigmentation. I had minor breakouts on my chin. Weeks 10-12, breakouts stopped. No more purging. Skin clear, with the exception of blackheads on my nose and chin. Weeks 13-16, still have the blackheads, although they seem to be dissipating. Skin texture feels AWESOME. Still have the hyperpigmentation on my cheeks. All in all, I LOVE this stuff."

• 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!!"

• 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."

• Acn...
• March 7, 2017

For Acne "Started tretinoin cream 0.025%. Three weeks out. Yes, you will get dry and peeling, and yes, possible breakouts. It's the cream working. I am 41 and have acne deeply embedded in my chin. With just three weeks on the cream, not only does the acne embedded seem to be loosening up and such, I didn't realize it also helps with the tone of your skin and fine wrinkles. I love this product. Would like to try a stronger percentage next visit. Follow instructions. I use mine at night, I do my cleansing as always, however, let your skin rest for 20 to 30 minutes as instructions recommend and apply. Pea size does work. Less is more in this case. You will waste product if using too much. Be patient, and results will follow. Love it."

• L4M...
• October 30, 2016

For Acne "I have recently finished a 9-month course of Roaccutane one month ago and will be beginning to use this cream (0.5%) to maintain my skin and help with marks left behind from pimples. To all the people that say tretinoin breaks you out, either in pill or cream form, that is its process. You cannot use it for 1 week, see pimples, and stop, it is not making your skin worse, it is getting anything underneath the surface of your face out to eventually clear it, that is what you want. I had an initial breakout for 3 months, everything pimple and gunk in my face came to the surface and eventually all went away. You need to have patience with your skin. It works, just not overnight."

• 36y...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 23, 2016

For Acne "I used the full Obagi package for four months and gradually stopped using their sunblock and skin correction lotions because the breakouts were 100x worse than before I started the treatment for mild acne. I did keep telling myself that my skin would have more breakouts and then improve, but four months was a long time to wait. Now I only use the tretinoin cream, and it has been great. I only have one or two spots max, but overall my skin is clear. I use the oil-free moisturizer by Murad to protect my skin against UV light, and I'm really pleased with the results."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2016

Tretinoin topical for Acne "2 or 3 months ago, I did a review for this product. It starts off around me saying that 'I'm 18 years old and started using Retin-A for 6 weeks or so.' So this is an update... I'm into my 5th month, and WOW! My skin is so much clearer. Trust me, no one likes acne, I've gone through it. But this cream has been helping me so much. The purging sucks! Whiteheads show up, but don't give up on it. After 1 month, you'll see a difference. When I started, I had red blemishes on my cheeks, and now it's long gone. Just some marks here and there. I still get pimples here and there, but not as much as I used to. This product is the best, I'm so happy using Retin-A. I recommend washing my face morning and night (Cetaphil Soap). Take antibiotics. Mine is (minocycline 50)."

• Mel...
• December 10, 2015

For Photoaging of the Skin "I've used this product for almost a year now. I experienced mild dry skin the first couple of days, which eventually faded. My occasional mild acne cleared up immediately and youthful, radiant skin appeared. I started getting compliments. Five months passed and my tube was coming to an end, so I called for a refill. Apparently, my dermatologist recommends a check-up every six months, so my refill was declined. The soonest I could be seen was 3 weeks later. As I started the new tube, I noticed extremely dry, flaky, red skin and acne in spots I've never had before on my face. This freaked me out! But I continued the cream, and it all cleared up after a week. I now have clear, radiant skin again. Moral of the story, don't lose hope. Give it time."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2015

For Acne "I just hit my three-month point on tretinoin .05%, and I'm so happy. I was really depressed about my skin during the first two months because I've never had bad acne, and the cream made me have horrible acne. But I knew that was the worst part of it, and after that was over, I would be fine. I've only had two zits since then, and I'm only left with scars, which is fine. Try it out even if you're scared because I was too, and I'm so glad I did. It's worth it!"

• 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!"

• Mon...
• September 21, 2015

For Acne "This stuff is magic. I was prescribed Tretinoin 0.05 over a year ago, and after months of skin torture and super low self-confidence, almost everyone said I had amazing skin once my face cleared up. This medication will teach you patience, but please, whatever you do, bear with it. It's so worth it, I promise. There are severe breakouts in the first 3 months, but it's totally normal - it means it's working. The medication gets deep in your pores and cleans out all the acne deep in your skin, which is why you break out severely in the beginning of this medication. Stay on this cream too, never stop using it or you'll regret it. Once your face is used to it and clears out, use it every other day."

• jus...
• August 13, 2015

For Acne "I have super sensitive skin, and I'm very fair, and this cream is the only thing that ever worked. At first, you get worse acne, but within two weeks or so, it's gone, and they didn't come back. Love this stuff. Also, helps with wrinkles a lot, it's very noticeable."

• 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."

• Tre...
• November 7, 2014

For Acne "I've been using tretinoin cream 0.05% for one month now. I've had a lot of itching, burning, peeling, and yes, a whole lot more breaking out. I bear the pain and suffering from this medicine, and I'm very happy I did because my face is looking so much better, and my acne is clearing up. I use it only at night, 20 minutes after washing my face with CeraVe face wash, along with CeraVe SA lotion in the morning as my moisturizer, and I have to say it's working very well. If you are using tretinoin and you're getting more breakouts, do not discontinue this medication, keep on using it, you will get great results."

• Car...
• September 26, 2014

For Acne "20-year-old female. I have been using this for more than 12 months. The first few weeks, my face was slightly red and irritated, so I added an oil-free moisturizer before applying. I also experienced an initial breakout, but after a little over 2 months, my face started to clear up. Now I'm 100% clear, and it's helping me get rid of scars and red marks. Patience is really the key with this treatment."

• 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)."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 24, 2011

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I am 21, and I had bumps on my chin every day since I was 16. I had tried EVERYTHING, including a Clarisonic, expensive face washes, creams, etc. Thankfully, my dermatologist prescribed me Atralin, and my skin is practically perfect. I had an initial breakout for about a week and a half, then suddenly my skin was perfect. No bumps and so smooth! It does make my face rather shiny, which I am not used to since I have dry skin. I am so happy with this product! It is so nice to wake up every morning with great skin. This is worth the price tag. I wash my face nightly with Bobbi Brown 'extra balm rinse,' use this gel, then apply a heavy moisturizer. Get Atralin! It will change your life!"

• Bri...
• January 31, 2011

For Acne "I will admit, I was worried about using this product. I use Tretinoin Cream 0.025%. At first, you will experience some dryness in your skin, however, if you skip a day and use an oil-free lotion, it does help. I've been using it for close to a year, and the results are amazing. Yes, I do get a few breakouts here and there, but it is to be expected. Wonderful product, though."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• May 6, 2010

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I love this product. It really cleared my skin up and it looks smooth, and makeup goes on so nice. Some comments talk about how their skin got worse...of course it did, but only at first. The doctor told me it brings everything to the surface and clears out everything, so of course it got worse before it got better. My skin looks great. This medicine rocks!"

• 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."