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

• JCW...
• January 16, 2015

For Acne "I am a 17-year-old girl, an acne sufferer for nearly 8 years now. This is the end of week 1 on tretinoin 0.025, and my face is peeling and itchy, but I know to expect worse breakouts before the better results. My problem area for acne, however, has not been my face in five years. It's always been my back and shoulders. While I'm noticing a fade in scars already, I'm going to keep an eye on it. I wish I'd been prescribed a moisturizer or at least told to find one."

• Ano...
• October 23, 2015

For Acne "This is my review so far :) So I started tretinoin 0.025 13 weeks ago. At first, my face broke out so bad and was peeling so much I couldn't even cover it with makeup. This happened around the first and second week. My acne then fluctuated from somewhat decent skin to having breakouts for the next 8 weeks. It was somewhat discouraging to see my face break out worse from how I originally started, but thankfully, this past week and a half I've had consistently clear skin with only a few blackheads on my chin area. My skin is very soft now, and I can go to school (senior in high school) and feel comfortable wearing no makeup. I only have a few scars that are noticeably fading each day."

• Anonymous
• March 6, 2010

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I have been using Atralin for about a month and a half now. I started out with very moderate acne, a few pimples but nothing substantial. I have been struggling with acne for five years, and I just wanted something to totally zap my acne. Well, Atralin is NOT that. I have very sensitive skin, and I am still peeling after all this time. When I started using it, it made me break out, and now my acne and red spots are worse."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2020

For Acne "I have been struggling with some adult acne, nothing too severe, but some whiteheads, mostly blackheads. Decided to try tretinoin after OTC washes, scrubs, you name it, did not work. Omg, my whole face broke out in huge, painful whiteheads, and my skin started peeling. I only used it twice a week to start, and still it was so horrible I had to stop using it. Not sure how people make it through the 'purge' phase."

• Cou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2015

For Acne "I've had mild acne ever since I was 11, but it started to get much, much worse when I hit 15. So, at 15, I went to a dermatologist and was prescribed tretinoin 0.025 cream. I didn't have an initial purge phase, but I did have really dry, peeling skin for the first month. I was using it for about 6 months, it worked miracles for my skin! It took about two months to really kick in. But then my tube of the cream got thrown away by accident, and I was off of it for three weeks. My skin got worse than it initially was within that time. Two months after that, I was seeing no results, so I went back to my derm and got prescribed the 0.05 cream. I've been on it for two months now, and my skin is mainly clear again. This cream does work. Give it time."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2015

For Acne "I've been using this for about 3 weeks now, and at first, there was a lot of peeling. One day I think I used too much, and my cheeks became inflamed and irritated. It looked like I had a really bad sunburn in the fall. As of right now, this gel has only made my skin worse. I have dark marks on my cheeks and in the corner of my mouth. I look horrible! These reviews say to keep going and be patient. But if I don't see results soon, I will be forced to stop."

• 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."

• Qan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 10, 2021

For Acne "The first couple of months on tretinoin were a little rough as my skin was adjusting to it - dryness, flaking, and redness, but that was expected. Definitely get your hands on a good moisturizer and consider using something like Aquaphor as a top layer at night. I started by applying every 3 nights, then every 2, etc., and I now apply daily, just taking a day off every other week or so when I feel my skin getting dry. Before I started, I had about 15-20 active acne spots at any one time and I now usually have 0-3! I haven't had this clear of skin in years. I have a lot of red scarring from old acne (I'm quite pale), but that is gradually fading. Overall, the best decision I've made for my skin and hoping to continue seeing progress!"

• Kar...
• September 4, 2015

For Acne "This is my third week of using 0.025% tretinoin cream. I am 18 years old and had always clear skin, would get the occasional zit, but until the end of my junior year started noticing my skin changing. I began to get bumps on my cheeks that didn't bother me, but up until my senior year, I had multiple bumps, little ones and big ones, on my cheeks and jawline. My self-esteem has gone down so much. I'm a freshman in college, and I have so much hope for this cream. I began peeling, and my skin got irritated by the first week. It's not so bad, not sure if I'm going through the purge phase, I think I am since I think I've been getting more bumps. So I really hope this works."

• 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!!"

• for...
• June 27, 2011

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I have been using Atralin for a month now. Though most users have seen significant improvement within 12 months, I've seen my face improved within the first week. I've always had mild to moderate acne since I was 12 for the past 20 years and had never thought of going to the dermatologist until a month ago when my esthetician tried to introduce Retin-A/Treninoid to me during a facial. My face did not have the initial breakout like most people and only a little peeling that lasted for a week, but of course, that was resolved with exfoliating my face. Though I still have some acne, my dermatologist saw me today and said that they will go away with time and not leave a scar. Since the first week, I have noticed the smoothness of my skin."

• Mic...
• April 21, 2016

For Acne "I've been on this Rx cream for almost a year now. I can say it has worked like a miracle on my acne and wrinkles. By the way, I'm 26, but I did develop wrinkles around my smile lines and under my eyes and moderate acne on both my cheeks when I was in my early 20s. The Tretinoin definitely will make your skin look worse than it originally was, but it starts to clear up after 3-4 months with consistency. There would be peeling, purging, and redness involved. Make sure to apply Retin-A 20 minutes after washing your face and apply sunscreen when you go out. I did not apply anything else on my face while working with my Retin-A at that time. But yeah, Retin-A or Tretinoin is a miracle product. I love it."

• Noo...
• December 19, 2015

For Acne "I have to keep this concise since I can only type so many words. I used this for acne. Using it every other day left my skin oily and peeling. I switched to every 3-4 days, and the flesh-colored bumps on my forehead went away. The problem? This stuff will dry out your skin. I used this followed by a thick moisturizer. Still had super tight skin. After doing some research, I learned that this stuff thins your skin out. The cleanser that I used for 7 years started to burn. Every moisturizer (even Vaseline) made my face burn. I trashed any product that had exfoliators (i.e., microbeads, acids). I started washing my face with oatmeal and applied a sunscreen moisturizer. The severe dryness went away. The bumps have not returned."

• Lea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2017

For Acne "Prescribed well, given to use by a face surgeon for acne, and used 3 days. I basically ended up with a home chemical peel, meaning my face was dry, flaking, and shedding old skin off, lol. Applied and treated, and now only use when I see a pimple coming. I dot it on, and it takes care of it ASAP without my face peeling. I found this works best for me. I only wash my face with PCA Skin line face wash, works great for makeup and everything. Buy online, costs way too much at the doctor or spa, etc."

• Lea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2017

For Acne "Prescribed well, given to use by a face surgeon for acne, and used 3 days. I basically ended up with a home chemical peel, meaning my face was dry, flaking, and shedding old skin off, lol. Applied and treated, and now only use when I see a pimple coming. I dot it on, and it takes care of it ASAP without my face peeling. I found this works best for me. I only wash my face with PCA Skin line face wash, works great for makeup and everything. Buy online, costs way too much at the doctor or spa, etc."

• 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 :)"

• 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."

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2016

For Acne "I started using tretinoin cream occasionally a few months ago. My skin started getting really bad, so I started using it every night (as told by my doctor), and I saw a big difference (other than my skin peeling every other day). It was clearing up finally, and I barely had any breakouts until two months later, and now it's like my skin has become immune to the cream. I am now experiencing horrible acne all over my chin area and upper forehead. Planning to set up a new appointment with my dermatologist to try another prescription. Do not recommend."

• Mel...
• August 30, 2016

For Acne "I don't normally write reviews, but like another reviewer said, these were absolutely necessary for me to read so that I would stick with this medication. I've had bad acne since I was a teenager, now I'm 20 and getting married in November. I'd tried basically everything else under the sun to get rid of them. I started using Stieva-A 0.1% at night, and that first week was absolute hell. My acne was painful, itchy, inflamed, and way worse. After about 2 weeks, my pimples were the same as usual, but I would peel so much every morning, and moisturizer didn't help. Now it's been 1 month, and I'm starting to see results! My skin hasn't been this clear in years! The peeling is less each day, and the pimples I do get usually disappear after 1-3 days."

• Jad...
• February 25, 2021

For Acne "COMPLETELY cleared my skin. I used to have severe and persistent clogged pores, but ever since I started using tretinoin, my skin has 100% cleared up. Be warned, though, because this stuff is super strong and will make you peel a bit!"

• My...
• March 25, 2021

For Acne "After just one week off of oral isotretinoin (Epuris), my skin started getting small, tiny bumps along the hairline and then gradually started moving to the rest of my face. At two months post-isotretinoin, I was terrified of my before skin returning and asked my derm for help. He gave me Aklief, 0.025% tretinoin... because of my age (37), he said it works for wrinkles too. How excited I was to start! I have read every single blog and post there is on how to correctly apply tretinoin. I was given one of the lowest doses, and after 5 months, my skin is dry, red, flaky, and the worst part... my acne is as bad as before my 8 months of oral isotretinoin. I’ve never felt so defeated. I would take red, dry, flaking, painful skin if I had no acne - but it’s continuing to get worse and I’ve given it WELL over the 6-12 week trial. I am done. Tretinoin is not for me. I will be begging my derm to put me back on oral isotretinoin, the magic pill."

• 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."

• jaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2016

For Acne "I'm 13 years old with lots of acne. I do lots of sports, and I got back acne very bad. I became self-conscious. It really sucked. I didn't wear muscle shirts for months because of the embarrassing acne on my back. I told my doctor, and she told me about tretinoin cream, which I've been using for a few weeks. It has been working great. The only thing is I'm peeling and itching bad at times. I see lots of improvement, but this is something you have to be patient about. Summer is coming, and I don't want to be covered up all summer, lol. I recommend the product, just remember to stay patient and calm, and it will clear up in no time."

• May...
• November 19, 2017

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I’m 49, with hereditary cystic acne with a hormonal component. I’ve tried everything with various degrees of success for a limited time. Birth control pills; Accutane; Minocycline, which helped but caused teeth discoloration! Topical washes, BP, Proactiv—everything limited. Blue light therapy seems to help but caused hyperpigmentation for me. My sister recommended 0.04% micro gel, which I have been using for about 3 weeks. Redness and bumps ensued but didn’t know to wait the 20 minutes to apply after washing! Also using 302 (brand) for inflammatory skin, which is helping (recommend). My skin is still breaking out but healing way faster with some peeling, but pitting is improving! I’m hopeful at last. Definitely, the cystic pain is better. Clarisonic at PM helps."