Tretinoin topical and Peeling: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 24, 2019

For Acne "I got prescribed tretinoin by my dermatologist when I was 15, and I had mild, normal acne. The side effects were so bad, but by continuous usage, it got better. I used it for about 6 months and stopped. My acne came back even worse, my face was covered with comedonal acne. I tried benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and so many different face washes, etc., it never helped. Then I decided to give tretinoin another try for 6 months, and it made wonders. It even faded my scars so amazingly. I'm still using it, but I don't have those side effects-just a minor peeling, but no problem. Tretinoin = amazing skin (mild acne)."

• Ski...
• November 16, 2011

For Acne "Results could be seen 2-3 weeks after using the cream. Complexion is clearer with more of a glow to it. Blemishes heal quicker. Skin does peel initially but is manageable and resolves fairly quickly, which means a lot coming from a person with OCD."

• Gcn...
• February 13, 2018

For Acne "I have suffered from acne since I was 12 years old. Now a junior in college, I still had bad breakouts from my period and acne scars from over the years. I decided to visit a dermatologist, and she recommended Retin-A. At first, my skin peeled from use every other night, but I decided to use it 3 times a week instead, and it helped my skin from the burning/peeling and was still able to get my skin cleared up. I use Cetaphil cleanser every day in the morning and night, then tone my face with witch hazel (super good on the skin and does not burn) and finish off with Shea Moisture problem skin moisturizer. Vitamin E oil also helps with the minor peeling if you are experiencing from Retin-A. It has been 4 months, and my acne scars have cleared up, I do not have any pimples, and it made my skin a more even texture. However, I have noticed that it has lightened my face a bit since none of my foundations no longer match my current skin tone."

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2015

For Acne "I started tretinoin 0.05% 6 weeks ago every other night. I applied right after washing my face. Big mistake. Very red with lots of peeling. My second mistake was to rub the skin off when it was softened in the shower. While skin felt smooth instantly, there was painful stinging the minute I tried to moisturize. I had to wash it off. Since then, I've started waiting 30 minutes before applying, and I definitely don't rub it off in the shower. I'm still just at twice a week and having dry, flaky skin within two days of applying-makeup looks awful. So I went to a derm who is also the owner of a med spa. She explained the difference between hydration vs. moisturizers and put me on hydration serums. So much better!"

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2015

For Acne "I started tretinoin 0.05% 6 weeks ago every other night. I applied right after washing my face. Big mistake. Very red with lots of peeling. My second mistake was to rub the skin off when it was softened in the shower. While skin felt smooth instantly, there was painful stinging the minute I tried to moisturize. I had to wash it off. Since then, I've started waiting 30 minutes before applying, and I definitely don't rub it off in the shower. I'm still just at twice a week and having dry, flaky skin within two days of applying-makeup looks awful. So I went to a derm who is also the owner of a med spa. She explained the difference between hydration vs. moisturizers and put me on hydration serums. So much better!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• May 13, 2015

For Acne "It's been about 1 month and 2 weeks that I have been using this cream, and it has worked wonders. It took about 3 weeks to completely see some difference in my face, but my skin now feels smoother, and I only have a few breakouts left to work on. But I can actually go out without having to apply makeup. At the beginning, your skin starts peeling off, but that's a good thing, meaning you are growing new healthy skin. I'm definitely sticking to this lotion!"

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 14, 2013

For Acne "I've been using tretinoin (0.05%) for one year now to treat acne on my back, which I had not been able to get rid of with any other topical cream for the past seven years. At first, the tretinoin cream dried out my skin to the point where it was peeling. I gently exfoliated every morning and used an oil-free moisturizing gel, which helped quite a bit. Then, my acne got worse for a month. However, since I do not feel comfortable using oral medication, I stuck with it, and after 6 months, my acne was 80% better! There are certain times of the month when some acne does come back, but in general, this medication has drastically improved the appearance of my skin. I continue to use it every evening because otherwise, the acne seems to return."

• Soo...
• February 11, 2016

For Acne "I am 43. I've had acne since I was 12 and was very self-conscious-especially at my age. I mean, how crappy is acne in your 40s and wrinkles? Ugh. I started taking tretinoin 0.05%. I had terrible peeling and dryness for a few months, but I noticed my face starting to get clearer. Was the drying and peeling worth it? To have dull skin is not cool. So, I used an exfoliating face wash each morning and once a week used one of those face scrubby things in the shower. Also, I put on a moisturizer with SPF 30-that's important because this stuff will make you burn in the sun! That all worked for me! At around the 6-month mark, there was no more acne-only a few zits around the time of my period-and I get compliments on my youthful skin!"

• Ash...
• January 12, 2016

For Acne "I've dealt with mild hormonal acne for the last 3 years. I've tried everything, but nothing seemed to prevent my breakouts. My doctor prescribed tretinoin cream, and after doing some online research, I was terrified of 'purging.' Within a week of use, I could tell that it was working. I had minimal redness and peeling. This drug has improved the overall tone of my skin also. It's been 3 months now, and I haven't had any purging. This stuff is seriously amazing. My skin looks better than it has in years."

• rma...
• October 25, 2016

For Acne "I'm 28 years old and I had pretty good skin until I took hormonal birth control 3 years ago, and I am still trying to repair the damage to my skin. I've been using a combination of benzoyl peroxide .25% cream in the morning on cleansed skin and tretinoin .05% cream (not the gel) before bed. My skin is very fair and sensitive, but it's finally looking better after 2 weeks. So far I've experienced mild purging by the chin and cheek, but they are not the huge cystic pimples I used to get before. I think the peeling and redness are worth clear skin in the end."

• 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!"

• Zit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2017

For Acne "I began breaking out once I started my junior year of high school. It affected my self-confidence a lot, and I am very much into makeup and all that. But after breaking out, I rarely wore any due to embarrassment. I went to my annual physical, and the doctor prescribed the tretinoin cream. I avoided it at first, but I am about two months in, and my terrible acne is going away, along with the peeling and dryness. New skin is under the shell, and I am in love with it!!"

• Vic...
• April 5, 2017

For Acne "I suffered from chin acne for about 5 years. The spots (I think hormonal) varied from the big under-your-skin ones to whiteheads, and I would literally get a new one every few days. I'd tried loads of different treatments from the docs, including antibiotics, and even went for face peels, but nothing helped long term. My brother recommended tretinoin, and I was dubious at first but decided to give it a try. Bought the gel online (but I think you can get it from your doctors too). The first few weeks I saw a huge improvement in the amount I was getting, although my skin did peel a fair bit. I started moisturizing on alternate days, and two months later the difference is incredible! Had no new spots for a month, and even my acne scars are fading!"

• dan...
• February 10, 2017

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I've read so many reviews about Retin-A being amazing and working almost immediately, but I have been using this gel for about 7 weeks, and my skin is still so much worse than before I started using it! I broke out in deep, painful acne almost immediately, and it still hasn't gone away. Breakouts all over my face, and my skin is red and very, very noticeably dry and peeling. Hoping it will start to work soon, I'm getting pretty discouraged that it's taking so long! :("

• 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."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2016

For Acne "I've struggled with acne for about 4 years, and I've been using Retin-A for about 4 months now. At first, I was unsure about it because I have such sensitive skin, and it would burn my face and my skin would peel. But my advice to people that have acne and scars is to start with the 0.05%, you may not see the results at first, but don't give up! I promise it works. I recently asked my doctor to give me a stronger dose, 0.1%, and although it burns my face a little, I wake up in the morning and my scars look lighter and my face feels smoother. I look back at my before pictures and already see a really big difference. Highly recommend!"

• NHg...
• April 3, 2017

For Acne "I read all of the reviews - I don't have acne and never had. What I do have is an immune problem that creates cysts. I have been using this cream 0.1% for almost a week. All the bumps under my left breast are gone. I am hoping with time the burning/peeling/redness will go away too, but I am extremely happy with my results in the week I have been using it."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2017

For Acne "Aczone 7.5 gel at night, wait 20 min, then apply a light oil-free gel moisturizer, then tretinoin gel 0.5% worked for me. Been doing this for a year, and acne is gone. Had some peeling and redness for the first 4 months, but so worth it now, and great for wrinkles too!"

• 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."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2018

For Acne "I know very little about skin care and have tried a few products to treat what I thought was scarring, but nothing worked. Instead of shopping around (because skin care products can be expensive, especially when you don’t know what you’re doing), I decided to go to a dermatologist. Turns out I have acne-mostly near my chin. I was prescribed tretinoin and was told to start off using it 3x a week until I got used to it. It started off rough, with the burning/peeling/flaking of my skin, but after reading these reviews and applying oil-free moisturizer after the tretinoin, it only lasted about a week or two. I am now past that phase of the medication and worked my way up to daily use. Thankfully, I stuck with it because after 6 weeks, I am starting to feel confident, even after just washing my face. Do not feel discouraged when it gets rough in the beginning-it is so worth it!"

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2018

For Acne "I know very little about skin care and have tried a few products to treat what I thought was scarring, but nothing worked. Instead of shopping around (because skin care products can be expensive, especially when you don’t know what you’re doing), I decided to go to a dermatologist. Turns out I have acne-mostly near my chin. I was prescribed tretinoin and was told to start off using it 3x a week until I got used to it. It started off rough, with the burning/peeling/flaking of my skin, but after reading these reviews and applying oil-free moisturizer after the tretinoin, it only lasted about a week or two. I am now past that phase of the medication and worked my way up to daily use. Thankfully, I stuck with it because after 6 weeks, I am starting to feel confident, even after just washing my face. Do not feel discouraged when it gets rough in the beginning-it is so worth it!"

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2018

For Acne "I started using this for adult acne. But I've been on it a little over one month. Noticing a persistent age spot has most definitely started to fade. I did not experience any purging or worsening of acne, as I was warned. It does take the oils out of your skin. The places that were on my face when I started have all gone. The extra benefits of clearing up my face are wonderful. The first couple of weeks, my skin was really peeling. Now my skin seems to have adjusted. I always use the cream at night, then moisturizer + sunscreen every day outside to keep the results I’m getting. Oh, and remember don’t put Retin A on your damp face, for some reason, it’s so much worse on peeling and itching if you do. I am using a very small amount, like the size of a pea. Overall, I’m very pleased and plan to continue."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2020

For Photoaging of the Skin "33 y/o male here. I've been using tretinoin 0.05% for just over a month now. I have yet to have any negative side effects I've read about from others; this had me wondering if Walgreens gave me a fake Rx, haha. I haven't had any peeling, sensitivity, or any type of reaction. Fingers crossed. That being said, I have been using it every night by itself and then moisturizing in the a.m. and putting on Strivectin's clear sunblock every day before I go out. I'm hoping I won't have any purge as I've gone this long without any negative side effects. I can't help but wonder if the fact I follow a keto diet and take supplements keeps the purge at bay. Perhaps many people have a bad or prolonged purge due to their diet? Try it and see if a change helps since we know sugar induces AGEs (Advanced Glycation End products affecting collagen)!"

• Anonymous
• July 12, 2009

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I started out on Differin, Duac, and an oral skin antibiotic, which improved my acne about 90%. About 2 weeks ago, my dermatologist took me off the oral antibiotic and switched me over to just Atralin. So far, I am breaking out again, but I am hoping it is just the initial adjustment period causing it to do this (getting better before it gets worse). I will give it another week or two, and then I will probably go back in if it doesn't improve. The upside is that it does not cause a lot of peeling or irritation, as did the other creams. I have very sensitive and maturing skin, so I thought this would be a great choice for me."