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

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2016

For Acne "I'm 18 years old and have been struggling with acne since I was 10. When I first started tretinoin, my skin broke out and was peeling for about a week or two. I started seeing a lot of improvement by the end of the first month. I've been on tretinoin for almost two months now and have barely any acne. Only one noticeable pimple next to my nose. I still have a few tiny white bumps along my hairline, but I'm sure they will go away with time. One thing I have to say is DON'T use more than a pea-sized amount. If you use more than that, it dries your skin out and it peels even more, especially around the mouth area. I wish you good luck and I hope you achieve the same results as me."

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2016

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I had clear skin up until about age 18 when I went on birth control, and my skin got pretty out of control. I'm 20 now and finally went to the doctor. They gave me Atralin and 14 days of 100 mg doxycycline once daily. I've been using Atralin for about 2-3 weeks now, I started seeing results immediately. My skin did get a little dry and flaky, but finding a good moisturizer really helped that. I quit using Atralin for about a week after getting really sick, and I did break out with some whiteheads once I started applying it again. Those went away pretty quickly, though. This stuff is AMAZING. I look forward to using it every night, and I don't get upset when I look in the mirror anymore! Definitely recommend this! I love it!!"

• Ann...
• April 11, 2016

For Acne "Holy crap. I don't write reviews, in fact, I'm pretty sure this will be the first and quite possibly the last, but I have to share this with you... Whatever you do, DON'T GIVE UP. The first 3 months of using Tretinoin are going to be hell on earth. Your face is going to hurt (all the time), you're going to want to hide, and you're going to want to cry yourself to sleep some nights. Acne hurts, emotionally, physically, and mentally. BUT Tretinoin DOES help. I've been using this cream for about 3 1/2 months, and guys, I have one zit. ONE. This cream 'purges' your skin, a.k.a. every zit you ever thought you had comes to the surface - at my worst I had 20+ whiteheads, not including the cystic bumps or tiny little red bumps. But now my face is clear!"

• Sam...
• March 22, 2016

For Acne "This medication does work, you just have to be patient. At first, you're going to peel and be all red in the face. Every time I woke up and saw myself in the mirror, I felt horrible from all the dryness, but after some time, it does get better. I can truly say my skin is clearer, and I see less acne as time goes by. The key point with this medication is patience, at first, you're going to look like a monster, but after a few months, you'll be looking like a princess."

• 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!"

• MLP...
• January 5, 2016

For Photoaging of the Skin "I'm 52, sought help from a dermatologist for under skin bumps, blackheads and oily skin. I've been using this product for a few months now and in the beginning, as stated in other posts, I experienced dry, irritable skin but in the past few weeks, I've noticed a noticeable change. My skin is radiant, even tone and the bumps are practically all gone. I use coconut oil as a night moisturizer and this cream daily. I also use a sunscreen. I have been getting very positive comments on the youthfulness of my skin. :)"

• foo...
• September 7, 2015

For Acne "Stick with this medication. I've never written a review before, but seriously, I am about 6 months in and am seeing really great results. In the first three months, I wanted to give up due to the clusters of huge, painful spots of acne on my cheeks. But I kept using tretinoin, along with Onexton, and I believe it was around month 4 that the breakouts subsided. I had moderate drying but got a good moisturizer that helped tremendously. Like many users have stated, the trick is to stick with it, and also use an antibacterial medication with it as well. At about 6 months, I am thrilled to say that I do not have a single active blemish!"

• Mas...
• November 10, 2014

Tretinoin topical for Acne "Amazing! It was very difficult at first - had a lot of peeling, dryness, and breakouts but I stuck it out. After about 4-5 months I started seeing a major improvement and now my skin is very smooth. Not only does it take care of acne but it smooths out fine lines. Great product, highly recommend. Try to stay patient through the first couple of months."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2014

For Acne "I have recently been prescribed tretinoin 0.25%. I have been applying it for about a month now. At first, my skin was terribly dry and painful. With the use of moisturizer, it's not noticeable. I apply the medication at night before I go to bed. My acne has not gone away yet, but my skin is much smoother, and any new zits that do pop up are gone immediately. From the experiences of other people, it sounds like this medication just needs time and a patient with patience!"

• nik...
• March 22, 2013

For Acne "I've suffered with moderate acne since I was 13 and tried everything, right down to home remedies, and nothing seemed to work until I was prescribed tretinoin 0.1 cream along with minocycline. But the cream did leave a residue on my face that would peel in the shower and left flakiness along with redness at first. But after a few weeks, your skin looks brand new, and all the unevenness goes away, and your skin just overall looks healthy. Aveeno lotion helps with the dryness! Highly recommend it!"

• Anonymous
• November 22, 2010

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I'm 20 years old and have mild to moderate breakouts that I've tried to fix with Epiduo and other topical creams. None of these creams seem to make a difference in my acne. I started using Atralin and Acanya about 2 weeks ago. At first, my skin broke out horribly, as I was told it would, the initial breakout period was pretty bad. I'm just about 2 weeks into using both of these products, and my face is already clearing! My skin feels different, and my blackheads and chin acne have started to disappear. My skin is a little sensitive and dry, but the Cerave moisturizer and wash that my dermatologist recommended definitely help. I'm very happy with the results from this product so far."

• Anonymous
• August 24, 2010

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I am 33 and using Retin-A. I have found the product to work wonders while using antibiotics as well. The cell turnover rate is so much faster and heals the acne like nothing I have seen. There is some dryness in areas, but overall has been my magic in a tube. LOVE IT!"

• Lau...
• July 25, 2019

For Acne "Have been using it for approx. 2 weeks and experienced absolutely zero irritation or dryness using it (I have normal/dry skin which has had issues with flaking in the past). I did use some retinol for a month or so prior, which might've helped. So far, I cannot comment on acne yet as I only just got off the pill (which cleared my acne). However, little individual pimples I have had have healed really quickly, so I suppose that's due to tretinoin and I'm hoping it'll help my acne too when it breaks out again. Just decided to comment on this so people know, irritation and dryness don't always happen. I started using 0.05% every night straight away due to no irritation, and the first night or two nights I moisturized right before, then moisturized an hour beforehand, and now I apply it to a dry face and wait 20 or so minutes before applying Nivea crème and almond oil over the top."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2018

For Acne "I decided to give this treatment an 8/10 because I have only been using it for about 3 weeks and have not yet seen the full results. However, so far this cream has been amazing! I can really see the difference in my skin. The first couple of weeks, your face will become extremely dry, begin to flake, and even burn a bit, but after, your skin will get used to it. I apply the cream every other night and usually try to moisturize with CeraVe SA cream (although meant for the body). This has helped tremendously with the dry skin. I broke out a little the first week, but after that, I have had no issues. I also see my blackheads going away as well."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 15, 2016

For Acne "To avoid serious dryness and peeling, I started off using this product (0.025) every 3rd day for the first two weeks. I have oily skin prone to blackheads and medium-sized pimples in my T-zone. I never experienced the 'purge', however, my skin certainly didn't get better for around 4 months after adding clindamycin. Now I rarely experience breakouts (except occasional hormonal) and have an overall better complexion. I would suggest washing your face before with Cetaphil because it is so gentle and moisturizing every morning."

• Sar...
• August 22, 2016

For Acne "HAVE PATIENCE!! I am not one to write reviews, but I feel like I needed to, as reading these are the only things that encouraged me to stay on this cream. I am 28, and one day out of the blue, developed cystic acne around my chin and jawline. The dermatologist suggested it was due to hormones and stress. She prescribed me tretinoin 0.025%. I started using it every night, but the dryness and peeling became too much, so I switched to every other night. The first 2 months were absolute hell. My face broke out more than ever in places it never did before. Every morning I woke up, I would have 1-2 new cysts. I am on week 10 and am finally starting to see an improvement. It gets better, just stay patient!!"

• Acn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2016

For Acne "Okay, first off, you ain't got patience keeping that acne! Like, boy, I started breaking out in the beginning of 7th grade, then my face started being so greasy, and you could easily see my pimples. My doctor recommended the tretinoin cream, and so I didn't worry much about my acne at that time, so I only applied it like once a week because I kept forgetting. But when I actually applied it each night, my face started being so dry and peeling, it was embarrassing. It lasted for about a week. So then, in the middle of 8th grade, I still had that same acne, so I actually got my lazy butt off every night to apply it, and let's just say it takes about 1-2 months depending on how bad your acne is to see results. Just takes time, don't give up."

• bye...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2016

For Acne "I started using this cream about 5 months ago for my moderate acne (0.025). I started using it every day after I washed my face before I went to bed. For the first 3 months or so, my face became dry, red, and irritated. I used moisturizer to combat the dryness, but it was irritating. Using my old s acid face wash stung so bad. My acne also got worse during these first three months. A lot of whiteheads and bumps that never fully emerged. I pushed through thanks to these reviews, and by the 4th month, things started looking up. Now my face is mostly clear, and scars are beginning to fade, and the irritation and dryness have improved a bit. To all you struggling, keep it up!"

• 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 :)"

• Eli...
• March 22, 2015

For Acne "I love this cream. My doctor prescribed this to me for acne (cystic and blackheads). This was a dream cream for me. I am 23 years old and have been suffering from acne since about 14. I've never had clear skin since using this stuff - and I've tried every product - even expensive luxury products. This smoothed my skin after 2 weeks of use and made my hyperpigmentation from years of acne drastically improve. I do understand this is very drying because it is speeding up creating new layers of skin. Because I don't want to be blotchy with dry patches all the time, I use this cream every other night and moisturize thoroughly the next morning. I couldn't be happier with this cream because I'm finally able to not wear as much makeup!!!!"

• Soo...
• November 6, 2013

For Acne "I've been using tretinoin the last 3 months, and this worked great on my face, but now little pimples are back and go away quickly. My only problem is my face gets so much dryness. I don't know what I should do? Please help."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2012

For Acne "Effective but causes dryness. My doctor informed me about it, also about sunburns. I recommend this medicine."

• acn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2022

Tretinoin topical for Acne "Been using it for 2 months. Acne cleared up. Been having the occasional painful cyst(s), though. Skin burns and stings quite a lot, and moisturizer is a lifesaver. My skin has been so dry! It's peeling and flaking, and no matter how much moisturizer I use, it stays dry. I've even tried Vaseline, which is a big no-no for acne-prone skin. It's currently one of the only products that don't sting as much and provide the needed moisture."

• tre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2021

For Acne "I just wanted to write a review in hopes that it motivates people to continue their tretinoin journeys. I began tretinoin over 18 weeks ago. I purged for the entirety of those 18 weeks. I had painful, under-the-surface cysts, and my face was red and inflamed. I stuck to my simple skincare routine, and now, at 18 weeks, my skin is beginning to heal. Don't give up hope! Keep going - it absolutely gets better. Also, I found that salicylic acid was causing my inflammation and dryness. After I stopped using a salicylic acid face wash, my skin began to heal at a faster rate."