Retin-A Topical Cream (all strengths) review

Quick View: Please never use this product without a valid prescription and use ONLY as prescribed. Your issues could get much worse if you don't follow directions precisely. If you do, this is a really awesome cream for troubled skin.

My Sordid, Secret Retin-A Story

I suppose I can tell you. It's just between us right?  A couple of years ago, just after passing the dreaded 40 mark,  I looked at my face and thought, man, I am OLD. So I went to my doctor and demanded Retin-A. Never mind that I didn't know much about the stuff. I knew it helped skin to look better and I wanted it. My doctor was puzzled and said no. After I basically staged a sit in, he gave me a prescription but my insurance wouldn't cover it because I hadn't tried other acne products first. Oh, I had never had acne. I didn't even know it was for acne. With that avenue closed, I did what any crazy old lady would do. I got some Retin-A via a Mexican pharmacy online. I had no idea what strength to get – it comes in several strengths - so I got the most potent. Hey, why not right? When the stuff came – three tubes of .10% Retin-A, the directions were in Spanish. DOH. I had no idea how to use it or how much to use. But like any crazy old lady, I glopped the stuff on and waited to look 15 years younger.

Let me just say that this is NOT a medication to be taken lightly. It is definitely one to use under a doctor's care and should never, ever be used like I used mine. I would use it twice a day almost like a moisturizer. That is NOT how it is intended to be used. After about two weeks of use, my face started to look red. Not bad red, just sort of sunburned red. Then it started to peel. Like sunburn peel. A LOT of peeling. I remember being on vacation with my family and my kids would tell me my face was falling off. I would be at dinner and, when I laughed, pieces of skin would fall off onto my plate. SICK!

I wasn't sure what was happening but I backed off the Retin-A to once a day or every other day and let my face fall off. The good news is, after it DID peel, the skin underneath was amazing. My skin totally glowed like never before. The tone, texture, and color were really beautiful. I didn't know it then, but I had basically given myself a facial peel almost like what a laser would do.

However, the results were short lived. My skin felt very dry from using Retin-A and, if I stepped in the sun, I burned like crazy. Even with sunscreen. My face also felt tender and sore. I stopped using the stuff for a while but I longed for the rosy glow so I started using it again once a day. Again my face peeled, although not quite as badly. I had my rosy glow back but this was getting old. Using the stuff, basically burning off my skin, getting a great complexion, then having my face dry out and feel tight and sore. I stopped using Retin-A after several months. Sometime after that, I saw a dermatologist for an unrelated issue and mentioned what I had done and her jaw dropped. She scolded me for using online pharmacies and for putting such strong stuff on my face. I didn't need it and I was using it all wrong. She said I was very lucky to have gotten away with using the stuff without major issues. Oops.

**But if YOU need it… **

Having told you my story, I will say that IF you need this product for acne, uneven skin texture or tone, or bad sun damage, this does seem effective. However, it is very harsh and the peeling process is unattractive and somewhat painful. Your doctor will best advise you how to use this and how to lessen side effects. And he or she will make sure you do not go into the sun without a very high SPF on your face because your face will burn to a crisp otherwise. A better choice is Renova, which is gentler but still gives people in need good results. Retin-A is nothing to mess around with. If you long for the benefits of it without the side effects, look for products with Retinol which is like Retin-A junior. ROC is a good brand to try. Retin-A is not really for wrinkles (or perceived wrinkles). It is for other problems but the cell turnover does make the skin smoother and more vibrant.

This is good for its intended purposes but should be used under the care of a knowledgeable doctor and all instructions should be discussed. Side effects should also be discussed because there are some really nasty ones that can crop up. Also, you may have a medical condition that prevents you from using this product so **see a qualified doctor and let him or her make the prescribing decisions. **I have never "self medicated" my face again and never will. I have a non-prescription skin care regiment that works well for me and I don't want to mess with the heavy-duty stuff. I simply do not need it. My skin is in good shape and I am super lucky that it is. If you need this, though, I say go forth and use it. Just follow instructions and precautions and know that more or stronger doesn't mean faster or better results.

My Viewpoint

Retin-A has a place in some people's skincare routines. Those people have serious skin issues that require a doctor's care. Newer and less harsh formulas have come out that have many less side effects than Retin-A and that work as well but, if your doctor wants you to use it, you should. If you use this as prescribed, I believe you will see dramatic results. I did and I didn't use it as prescribed. If only I could read Spanish! I give this medication 4 stars based on my own experience which leads me to believe people in need will benefit from proper usage. I recommend it but, as always, your doctor knows better than anyone writing a review on the net who went to a Mexican online pharmacy and smuggled Retin-A into the country (It is actually legal.) to turn back the hands of time. What a dork I am.

Edit: I want to CLARIFY that I strongly believe that Retin-A and Renova are wonderful products when used correctly under the supervision of a doctor. I know that they can clear acne and smooth the skin and even reverse sun damage. I wrote this review to warn others that this product is NOT an OTC product and should be used exactly as directed and monitored by a doctor. I am actually considering trying it again IF I can get a valid prescription and medical supervision. If not, I will continue using retenoids (Retinol products) which are lower concentrations of Retin-A but do work to even skin tone and soften lines.

Update: June 19, 2010: I have been using Retin-A .05% about four times a week since February, 2010. My dermatologist caved and gave my prescription but cautioned me not to use more than a pea sized amount and to skip a day between applications. I did peel at first and have stinging but that is pretty much a thing of the past. My skin looks good. I don't see HUGE results but I do see results. I also now use it on my chest and neck mixed with a bit of moisturizer. I never peeled on those areas but did itch a bit. Under the care of a doctor and applied correctly (and sparingly), Retin-A is effective and can reverse sun damage, lighten dark spots, even skin tone, and smooth wrinkles as well as address acne. Just be careful and use sparingly. Good luck!