Tretinoin topical and Acne: What Users Say

• rya...
• April 29, 2020

Tretinoin topical for Acne "Prior to using this cream, I checked reviews. I saw a lot of negatives, people complaining about a face purge. I was highly discouraged. After a while, I said, 'Screw it.' I’ve been struggling with acne for a long time now. I’m a 22-year-old African male, been struggling with acne since I was 11, that is half of my life. I ignored the negatives and decided to give it a shot. Week 1 and 2 were calm. The purge started on week 3, and it was horrible! I couldn’t leave my house, my face was a mess. I was nearly compelled to quit but I persevered. The purge lasted through until week 8. On the 9th week, I noticed fewer breakouts. I’m on my 11th week now, and man, my face is as smooth as a baby’s. I honestly can’t believe this. This is the best my face has been in more than a decade. I'd highly recommend. The purge period is absolutely hectic and discouraging, but do not give up. Stick to it, I promise. Advice: Take pictures to track your progress."

• AG1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2013

Tretinoin topical for Photoaging of the Skin "I'm using Retin-A 0.025 gel version of tretinoin. My review is more of an encouragement rather than a full review. My full review will happen after at least a year of usage. Current usage - 2 months. So, you see, within 2 months of usage already deserves an 8 score rating from me. I could easily give it higher, but I'd rather wait for my full review. Now, I have read many of what the users said here and on the internet. It will be best for new users not to pay too much attention to users below 2 months of usage. Because all you hear is pain, breakout, worries, and eventually the key way they use = give up. It's your choice. But please read those who have actually used tretinoin for at least 6 months."

• 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."

• EPP...
• March 9, 2014

For Acne "I started breaking out when I got to college. I decided to address the problem before it got worse, even though the acne wasn't that bad. She gave me a prescription for Tretinoin cream. I put it on every night. The first week, I felt like someone had rubbed sandpaper across my face. It was AWFUL. My skin was red and irritated, and it hurt like hell even when nothing was touching it. The next week, the pain and irritation slowly subsided. The following week, my face erupted in pimples. That lasted into the fourth week. It was worse than it had ever been. After that, my face magically cleared up. It was amazing. Except for a very few minor spots, my skin is nearly flawless. The beginning sucks, but STICK IT OUT. You won't regret it."

• 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."

• Ann...
• August 7, 2015

For Photoaging of the Skin "I have been using Retin-A (Tretinoin) 0.1% cream for a little over a year. I had used milder products prior to using this to even my skin tone as well as diminish some enlarged pores but wasn't getting the result I wanted. Within weeks of using the Tretinoin, my skin tone evened out and pores began to shrink. The first week, I did experience some breakouts which for me had never happened before but I was informed this could happen by my doctor because the skin is expelling all impurities. The breakouts cleared and beautiful skin appeared. I've read horror stories but in each it's been clear that either their doctors failed to properly counsel them on this medicine OR they purchased online with little to no knowledge of how to properly use it."

• 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."

• Bno...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2020

Tretinoin topical for Acne "When I was 5 weeks into using this topical Retin-A, I headed to the internet to figure out why my acne was 5 times WORSE than when I started it. I would honestly just look in the mirror and cry. I picked at all my pimples, and it made it even worse. The purge is real, but if you can make it past it, I promise it’s worth it. Do some research on why the purge happens. I am 10 weeks in, and all that I have on my face is scarring due to the picking, which will go away over time and with the help of other topicals. My advice is to stick with it, do not pick, and trust the process!"

• 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."

• pnw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2017

For Acne "I've been using the 0.05% tretinoin for 4 months now. I would apply a pea-sized amount every single night 20 minutes after washing my face. I read a couple of pages of the reviews down below, and the people who've complained about their acne getting worse or not seeing any improvements are the ones who haven't been using the product consistently and only reported their 'results' after a couple of weeks of using it. YOU MUST BE PATIENT AND DEDICATED. My acne got a lot worse and fluctuated quite often during the first 3 months, but I stuck with the medication. I used to have clusters of closed comedones and whiteheads that would sometimes turn into hard, painful bumps. As of now, my face is 80% clear! I just have to deal with the hyperpigmentation."

• pnw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2017

For Acne "I've been using the 0.05% tretinoin for 4 months now. I would apply a pea-sized amount every single night 20 minutes after washing my face. I read a couple of pages of the reviews down below, and the people who've complained about their acne getting worse or not seeing any improvements are the ones who haven't been using the product consistently and only reported their 'results' after a couple of weeks of using it. YOU MUST BE PATIENT AND DEDICATED. My acne got a lot worse and fluctuated quite often during the first 3 months, but I stuck with the medication. I used to have clusters of closed comedones and whiteheads that would sometimes turn into hard, painful bumps. As of now, my face is 80% clear! I just have to deal with the hyperpigmentation."

• pnw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2017

For Acne "I've been using the 0.05% tretinoin for 4 months now. I would apply a pea-sized amount every single night 20 minutes after washing my face. I read a couple of pages of the reviews down below, and the people who've complained about their acne getting worse or not seeing any improvements are the ones who haven't been using the product consistently and only reported their 'results' after a couple of weeks of using it. YOU MUST BE PATIENT AND DEDICATED. My acne got a lot worse and fluctuated quite often during the first 3 months, but I stuck with the medication. I used to have clusters of closed comedones and whiteheads that would sometimes turn into hard, painful bumps. As of now, my face is 80% clear! I just have to deal with the hyperpigmentation."

• Edd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2019

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I was put on Retin-A 0.5 gel to help manage my moderate acne. So far, I have been using this medication for about a month and two weeks and have noticed great results. At first, I broke out more and my skin looked worse. But just a few weeks ago, I noticed my skin starting to really heal a lot. I use this in combination with Cetaphil face wash. I do have some scarring from acne (mainly leftover red marks) and it really helps with that. My skin texture is a lot smoother and more even. I have only had a few new pimples arrive since starting this medication. I continue to keep using it for a very long time to manage my acne and for its anti-aging benefits. If you're curious about starting this medication, don’t be, I wish I had started it years ago when I first got teenage acne."

• 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)."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2017

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I was on Accutane (isotretinoin) from December 2015 to July 2016. I had severe acne all over my face, chest, back, and shoulders. Post-Accutane, my skin was clear as water, and I got so many compliments on my skin. My skin was clear, and I never got one pimple until mid-April 2017. I noticed pimples reappearing on my skin. I got in touch with my derm, and she prescribed me tretinoin 0.025% and a face wash-sodium sulfacetamide with salicylic acid. I am now on 0.05%, and I have been on the gel for a little over 8 weeks. I have seen significant improvement since I started, and I did experience about a month and a half of initial breakout. I highly recommend this gel, and don't give up! It takes time, and my skin is still clearing up. Patience!!!!!"

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2016

Tretinoin topical for Acne "I have posted early before about my 1st and 2nd week using Retin-A 0.025 cream. My 3rd week was much better than my second week, some of my acne started to calm down, and my face felt less bumpy. During this week, I started to use the cream 4 times a week because my cheeks were hurting. My 4th week was the most improvement. I started to use the cream every night again since my face had stopped hurting. During the 4th week, most of my pimples disappeared, and my skin felt smoother. I still had some pimples popping up, but not as much. Now my cheeks are pretty smooth with a couple of pimples, but my cheeks are really red from the scars that were left behind from the pimples. I'm hoping they will slowly fade later. Will keep updating!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Hmm...
• August 16, 2014

For Acne "I've been using Tretinoin for a week now, and it has only made my face break out more. Still using it to see if it gets better. My doctor told me it pushes out all of the gunk out of my pores, which makes sense to why I'm breaking out. Hoping it gets better in the next 1 to 2 weeks from now. Will keep updated. Pray for my skin!"

• Jes...
• November 20, 2016

For Acne "I started using this cream 0.25 about 2 months ago. It's not fun, you will have a huge breakout more than one time. I personally experienced the right side of my face (which was the worst side acne-wise) break out insane. I almost stopped, then it started to clear up (don't give up). Now, my left side is doing the same, and it wasn't even that bad. BUT my skin is so much less oily, pores are smaller, and things are starting to clear up. It sucks, but my skin sucking for a few months and clearing up vs. sucking forever, I'll stick with the cream!! Also remember to use non-comedogenic and oil-free makeup/lotions!!! I can't say much more yet, but I will review in a few months on how my experience is going."

• 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."

• Tan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 25, 2019

Tretinoin topical for Acne "In the first 3-4 weeks on Retin-A, it was horrible, I had horrible acne almost everywhere on my face, especially on my cheeks, and it's painful. But after 1 or 2 months, I noticed a big improvement on my face. Trust me, it's worth trying."

• Hik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2019

For Acne "I have hormonal acne, am EXTREMELY oily, and very acne-prone around my period. Three months ago, I went on Yasmin for my moderate acne, and it ruined my skin: terrible cystic pimples all over, irritated red/brown marks, and even some scars. Once I stopped last month, I was desperate for a quick solution. After 1 month of tretinoin cream (apply once per night of 0.025%), my acne has cleared by 85%. I also had no initial breakout phase, so don’t get scared to try because of that. If my skin sounds like yours, TRY THIS. Make sure you get the cream version, though."

• 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!"