Acne.org Products
Topical Retinoid
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Produces similar results to the two other topical retinoids, tretinoin and adapalene, which means only partial clearing, and comes with far more sensitivity and side effects when you first start using it. It probably won’t be a total game changer and don’t be surprised if it’s too much for your skin to take.
Topical Retinoid
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Tazarotene? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
November 30, 2014
A product that finally worked!
I have been using tazorac cream 0.1% for 18 days for papulopustular rosacea along with 200 mg. Doryx. I have been using a very small amount, about pea size, before bedtime. It made my skin extremely dry and flaky and, at night time, itchy. I did not use any moisturizer at all because moisturizers always make me break out but this would probably help if you apply moisturizer during the day. Also, I did not use foundation because of flakey & peeling skin. The first 11 days were the worst because of multiple breakouts (tiny pustules). In my case, this was the area under my nose and on my chin, which turned bright red after using it a few days. I guess this is the 'purging' other reviewers were referring to. A word of warning, do not begin using tazorac if you have a wedding, a reunion, or other big social affair to go to. I would highly recommend taking time off from work or school if you can. I had new breakouts every day and went into seclusion because I did not want to leave the house. After 14 days, I noticed a lessening of redness and breakouts except for a few large cystic breakouts on my chin, which I have been using ice on 2-3 times a day, for 3 minutes at a time, to help with swelling. Things seem to be calming down a bit. It wasn't easy sticking it out for the first 14 days but since I see improvement, I am hopeful tazorac is working its magic. Glad I hung in there!
August 13, 2014
Finally a product that is working!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Started: 7/31/14 Before I went on Tazorac I was using Atalin, which was working for me but after awhile it didn't do anything. So when I went to my appointment at the derm, she prescribe me Tazorac. At first I was skeptical because I have been on so many treatments for my acne. So just a little history, I am 21 years old, Male and started breaking out back in High School going into my junior year but didn't go to the derm until second semester of senior year. My doctor had diagnosis me with severe acne, so she put me on accutane, which was great clear it up fast. Then post-accutane she prescribe me Veltin, which was alright just greasy. I started breaking again in my second semester of college around February. So I back to the derm, she prescribes me Solodyn. which clear up my acne but after the second on it did not do a thing. So I go back again to the derm and tell her that this medication is not working is there anyway I can go back accutane. So I went on my second round of accutane which was awesome because my acne clear up faster than in the first round. So after i finished a couple months later I started breaking again in 2013 around the end of February. So I go back again and she prescribed me atalin, which did wonders for me for 2013. Then I went to a follow up appointment and she gave me aczone, which i am still using every morning and great product. That's my history a little long but am not including all the other medications tried which are OTC: Neutragena, Clean and Clear, Clearsil, Murad, Versa Foam Etc. Anyway so far I been using Tazorac for 13 days now I had my initial purge or skin turnover, which is healing up nice but it leaves behind dark marks. I want this product to work for me because I need to go back on Accutane once more. This is my last hope to getting clear skin. Ill keep you guys posted!!!!!!!!!!
July 13, 2014
Why?
Sweet Jesus PLEASE AVOID this product. My derm never mentioned an initial purge. If she would have, I never would have agreed to use this. Think about it, what other time time are you told to use a medication that will make you look and feel horribly worse before it gets better? Good medications shouldn't have a "purging" period--at least certainly not to such an extent. I should have stuck with my normal regimen. Yeah, I had some acne, but at least it was under control. This product blew my forehead up. It is the single most amount of acne I've ever had before. I've never even seen acne like this on my face. It's everywhere. It's so depressing. I'm stopping this immediately and going back to my old regimen. Looks like I'm going back to growing my hair out and hiding my forehead again. :(
May 29, 2011
Cons:
Flakiness
Dry skin patches
Slightly painful face
I love this product! I suffer from eczema on my face AND acne. So I have suffered through a cycle of using acne meds, my eczema breaking out, applying eczema meds which cause more breakouts then applying, well you get my vicious cycle. I found moisturizing BEFORE putting on Tazorac and then mixing it with Azone works well for me. My skin did dry out somewhat, but I have not had an eczema outbreak, which are extremely painful. My first week did not come with a breakout, but I was broken out when I started so maybe that is why? I love this product and my dermatologist. I have been fighing acne for a long time!
January 27, 2011
Pros:
it works
Cons:
takes a long time to work
I have been using the 0.05 taz and I've just upped to 0.01. The 0.05 worked well for me. As opposed to many users on this board, my skin tolerated the medication extremely well (no flaking, no burning, nothing...)After about two weeks of applying a heavy cream to my skin first before applying the taz, I realized that I didn't have to , so I applied the taz directly to my skin for about 2.5 months. Everyone else is saying my skin is clearing up and I have to admit that is it is. Right now I mostly have acne scars that are fading away. I broke out like usual (not more or less) for the first couple of weeks but now when I break out the pimples aren't as big. So here's my regime.
In the morning i use apricot scrub and an over the counter benzoly perioxide wash (PanOxyl). After drying my skin, I apply over the counter benzyl peroxide medication. And lastly, I apply neutrogena or Oil of Olay lotion for the face. The nights, I just apply taz(no cream or lotion) and go to sleep. Disclaimer: I'm also on birth control so that may be a confounding variable.
October 11, 2009
Pros:
Clears up acne fast, gives you a really smoothe complexion, gets rid of fine lines and dark spots. I look 5 years younger! Very happy w/ the results.
Cons:
Very oily first 2 weeks. Dries out skin. Must follow directions exactly and you need to moisturize alot. Don't go in the sun without protection.
I am an older user of Tazorac. I am 51. I have suffered with adult acne since I was 18. I was on birth control pills for 35 years! Had to stop 4 months ago because of my age. I was very concerned about what my skin would do without the bc pills. It was not that great on them. I have moderate acne that I fight w/ daily. I told my derm to put me on something aggressive. She put me on Soloydn & Tazorac. After 2 weeks I developed every symptom you can get from Soloydn. I had a fever, terrible chills, body aches no energy and hives. I thought I had the flu until my husband said it might be my new medication. I stopped using it (my derm swears she's never had a patient w/ side effects!) I then continued w/ the Tazorac. I am so happy w/ the results! I actually looked in the mirror and said to myself "You are really pretty!" This is definetly my new best friend. Pretty much stinks that even at this age I still have to worry about acne! Hope this has been helpful.
January 26, 2015
Love it
I have been using tazorac for almost two years now. I ended up getting acne out of nowhere at 21 it was moderate acne but it was the cystic painful kind all over my face. I went to the dermatologist and she prescribed be tazorac .05% cream. I didnt have the initial purge people mention or the super awful red skin. My skin did become a little more sensitive but with more moisturizer it was perfectly fine. I saw results after 6 months my face was almost completely clear with one pimple left behind. Then my dermatologist had me using tazorac with aczone and i was also put on birth control but my face is amazing now. I never break out or have a pimple anymore!! My skin looks amazing but i still have some dark marks and my skin can get a dry and flaky so i have to exfoliate often. Overall this product is amazing and also prevents wrinkles so thats a huge plus i definitely recommend it.
April 28, 2013
Pros:
Effective
Improves scarring
Improves skin texture
Cons:
Expensive
I am shocked to see the relatively low average rating for Tazorac, as this is the ONLY product that has helped my acne. I am 23 and have had moderate to severe acne since I was 12. I have tried the following products: Over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide (from 2.5 to 10%)
Over-the-counter salicylic acid products Prescription products:
Ortho tri-cyclen
Benzaclin
Retin-A (Tretinoin - highest strength available in USA)
Differin (Adapalene - highest strength available in USA)
Clindamycin
Doxycycline
Tetracycline Tazorac is the ONLY product that has made a SIGNIFICANT improvement in my skin. Other products controlled it, but only Tazorac has really improved it. After about a month I noticed that I was no longer getting whiteheads or cysts. I also noticed that the overall quality of my skin improved and my scars were beginning to (slowly) fade. I am really surprised to see that it has low reviews but perhaps people are not waiting long enough to see an effect. In any case, if your dermatologist recommends it, I would strongly suggest this product.
November 19, 2011
Pros:
SHINY SKIN, NICE SKINE TONE, SOFT SKIN, FADES LITTLE RINKLES AND SCARS, AND GETS RID OF ALL ACNE PIMPLES :)
Cons:
dries out a little sometimes, wish the price was lower
I give it 5 stars! :) I had acne all of my life. I've tried every acne product on stores shelves, and nothing EVER worked. :( I went to a good dermatologist, and she told me to use tazarac cream ..0.1% AND WORKED AMAZING!!!!!!! I am so happy! Everybody compliments my skin
September 26, 2011
Pros:
-Reduces oiliness
-Prevents future break-outs.
Cons:
-May cause dry and itchy skin
I've been using this product for years at night (although I would alternate due to weather change). Never had a complaint about this product other than causing dryness when the cold weather kicks in. If you have moderate-severe acne, I would definitely recommend you ask your doctor about this!
Pros:
Shiny skin
Clearer skin
Acne disappearing