Tretinoin topical and Peeling: 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."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2024

"I suffer from severe melasma and recently started using tretinoin. Within just one week, I saw noticeable results. The treatment caused significant peeling, which is a normal part of the process, as it helps to shed old skin and promote the production of fresh, new skin. After one month of consistent use, my melasma is completely not visible. I am thrilled with the results! If you suffer from melasma, I highly recommend trying tretinoin. Just be prepared for the peeling phase. The results are absolutely worth it! Not only has my skin tone evened out, but my overall complexion looks healthier and more radiant."

• 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!"

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2020

For Photoaging of the Skin "I have almost a year since I am using Retin-A, and let me tell you that at the beginning, it's rough. When you just begin using it, start with 0.025%, and once in 3 days, after 2-3 weeks, do it once in 2 days, and always watch your skin, how does it feel. If it's okay, after about a month, you can use it every night. If you peel like a snake - YES, if it might feel like burning or sensitive - YES. But don't give up, I promise it is worth it. It's not going to pay off instantly, but in time you will see an improvement in your skin. Remember to use SPF on your face every day, because Retin-A peels off the first layer of your skin, and it's very delicate. Put your moisturizer at night, after applying Retin-A, and in the morning before SPF. After about 7 months, I switched to 0.05. My skin is glowing. And everyone thinks I'm 21, but I'm 31. I swear it's WORTH IT."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2020

For Acne "I started tretinoin 0.025 about a week ago for moderate teenage acne. So far, no new breakouts. Face is peeling, but not super dry if you know what I mean. I have always had sensitive skin as well, so my face is more red and splotchy than usual. I am using it every other day after showering and Cerave moisturizer. Seems to be helping so far. Will update each week!"

• Art...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 27, 2020

For Acne "I am 36 years old. I have been using this cream on and off for more than 10 years. And my skin looks amazing. I don't have any acne, and it glows. I am on 0.025 right now, and I never break out, and my skin never gets dry. 0.05 was a bit too strong for me, and my skin would peel. This is a miracle cream, and I love the fact that it is so cheap."

• Ell...
• January 11, 2020

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I have jawline acne, dark patches from pigmentation, and uneven skin tone and blemishes from years of cystic acne. I am 44 and Asian. Day 1 to 2, the gel stung like crazy, itchy and warm skin, and redness. Days 3 to 8, peeling skin, inflamed look after washing face. Stinging and itchy. Days 8 and 9, skin is very taut. I needed extra petroleum jelly plus my regular moisturizer, although my regular moisturizer. Days 9 and 10, skin is sensitive, shiny, that I need to use makeup. For peeling skin, I reapply petroleum jelly at the first signs of dryness or flakiness. I used hydrocortisone on itchy spots. On day 10, I stopped using soap to wash my face as it is drying. I use lukewarm water to wash off the petroleum jelly on my face and pat dry my skin. The dryness has reduced today, day 10. I can use the gel without it stinging my skin or being taut and dry. By day 10, my face appears to be clearer in some places, spots are fading. Skin texture is smooth, though tender."

• Pea...
• October 11, 2019

Tretinoin topical for Acne "This medication, Retin-A, has been a life changer for me. I was at an appointment, and I was complaining about hormonal acne flares before my period. My doctor started telling me about what Retin-A had done for her hormonal acne. She has flawless skin! She said, on top of clearing up those breakouts, it would help with the aging I was starting to see. I've been on this for two months now, and wow, the results are amazing! I have zero breakouts, and the fine lines and pores are shrinking. I will leave the house without makeup now. My complexion is glowing and even! My uneven skin and breakouts were a big source of embarrassment for me. I did have peeling, but this was expected. I also had worsening of acne for a few weeks as my skin purged what was already building in the pores. I pushed through, and I am so glad I did. When the dryness flares, I skip a night of Retin-A and use a heavier moisturizer. I also use an oil-free moisturizer every morning."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2019

For Acne "I’ve always had mild acne, redness, and blotchy skin. I started working at a derm clinic and had heard great things about tretinoin from working there. I started using it on the lowest dose (0.025%) and the results were nice, not too overwhelming but nice. I’ve been using the higher dose now (0.05%) for a little over a week and OH MY GOD. My face is definitely flaking and dry, but it has never, EVER in my life, been this soft. I can’t stop looking at myself in the mirror, feeling how smooth it is, AHH I’m so happy. I still have minimal redness and discoloration, but bumps?? Nope. Not one. I have ditched all other skin care items over the counter that claim to work because nothing has ever given me results like this."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2019

For Acne "So I’ve never had acne in my life besides the 1-2 pimples I would get on my period. I started breaking out Oct. 21, 2018, and it was small inflamed bumps on my forehead, and it got worse every day! After a week, it was drastically worse, and I went to the derm & got tretinoin & never used it because the reviews scared me bad because of the purge. After a month, my skin got so bad, and the acne migrated to the side of my face, so my forehead & side of my face were covered in acne. The forehead was inflamed, pus-filled acne, & my side of my face was comedones that looked like sandpaper. I finally used the tretinoin, and within a week, my skin improved. I used clindamycin every morning and tretinoin every other day. Within two weeks, my skin looked 80% better. Now, 2 months later, it looks 100% better. I never experienced severe dryness/flaking. I started using it every day after 2 weeks. I never experienced a purge either. Now I'm left with scars, but they've gotten so much lighter with this cream! Just try it! Not everyone has a bad experience!"

• Csc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2018

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I am in awe of how well this product works! I’ve been on it for 1 week, and my skin is so clear I don’t believe it’s possible! I’ve struggled with acne since I was 12 (I am now a 21-year-old female), and I’ve tried just about everything, including Accutane, but nothing made a big difference. My acne has ranged from moderate to severe. My biggest struggle was the texture-my face was covered in tiny bumps and clogged pores. My derm now put me on .08%. Not only are the pimples gone after a week, but my whiteheads and blackheads have disappeared almost like magic. There is dryness and peeling, which I’m hoping will go away over time, but I’m fine with it because it’s left me with fresh, new skin. I highly, highly recommend this product!"

• Yas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2018

For Acne "After having acne almost all my life, as a child and now as an adult. My face has always been super red and low self-esteem, even with makeup on. At first, I discovered lavender oil on pimples will dry them and slowly kill the bacteria. It did work wonders, but pimples kept coming back, and my face was uneven, red, and still not beautiful. I needed more! I then got prescribed tretinoin and started using it 2x a week for a few weeks. The first few weeks, I was peeling, and anything on my face burned, even water. I almost gave up. My face was dry. Eventually, my skin got used to it after a little over a month of light use. Now I use it every night, and my face is smooth, no acne, and barely any scars. I want to cry. Tears of happiness, of course. Acne is the worst for your confidence. Struggling with acne is no fun. Whatever you do, just don’t stop. Keep going. It will get better, and you won’t regret it."

• DDF...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 30, 2018

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I am a 72-year-old woman who has been using Retin-A for thirty-four years. I started using it because I had adult acne at the same time my teenage son had acne. I routinely am mistaken for being twenty years younger than I am. I have very few wrinkles. My skin still has dry patches occasionally but they are short-lived. I have tried to get several people to use it, but they always get discouraged with the redness and peeling in the beginning. This phase does not last forever. Please continue to use it, you will never be sorry."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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!!"

• Mla...
• April 13, 2017

For Acne "I've been using the 0.05 percent (worked my way up from 0.025) for almost 2 years now. I started off with it because my usually very clear skin started developing small spots that just weren't going away. They weren't very visible, but I have grown up with people complimenting my skin all the time, and to me, the small spots felt like a blow to my self-confidence. My doctor recommended the cream to me. Within 2 weeks of usage, my skin cleared up. There was some peeling, but that went away after my skin adjusted to it. Anyway, I continued with the use for almost 2 years now because my skin has never looked this beautiful and glowy as it does now."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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!"