I wanted to use this to clear the sea of blackheads on my forehead, nose, and cheeks. Other than that, my skin is clear.

After 2 months of daily application (I used the 0.1% strength), nothing happened!!! No side effects and almost no results either. I followed the instructions carefully and I was diligent about applying only a pea-size amount to avoid all the horror stories on all the unbearable peeling and redness.

PROS: smoother skin and I stopped getting whiteheads.

CONS: The worst thing that happened was moderate stinging on those days where I applied too much. No peeling, no redness, no "purging" stage, nothing.

I think this is some of the best stuff ever. Ok, yes, it does cause you to peel, and it does cause redness at first, but the benefits are worth it! I have been using the .04 strength for over a year, and recently called my derm to ask if i could have stronger. she gave me samples of the .1 percent. i am now going through the adjustment stages, but i think my skin is brighter, and my pores are smaller (i think they are smaller now than they were 6 months ago on the lesser strength). i noticed smaller pores and fewer blackheads a year ago when i started using the .04 strength, and feel like i am getting even better results on the stronger stuff. my derm says to rotate between .04 and .1 while you are working your way up to using the .1 every day. anyway, i am going to use this forever as it is proven to stimulate collagen (actually, ill probably move up to tazorac once i get use to this as it is stronger than retin a).

I suffered from large, painful acne cysts for years. After I had my son the problem got much worse. I switched Dermatologists four times when none of them gave me anything that helped. Finally, after I stopped breastfeeding, my new Dermatologist gave me Retin A Micro. For the first three weeks I experienced skin irritation and a purging breakout. This was expected. After that my skin has been so clear. It has been over two week since I have had a single cyst. I used to get one or two every week. I still have a bit of redness, but I'll take that over breakouts any day of the week. Plus my skin looks younger than before. I would recommend this product to anyone who is tired of having their life revolve around their breakouts.

I got this from inhousepharmacy.com after having a horrible reaction to Tazorac. I used this years ago and the results then were amazing and they still are this time around. I suffer with dull, lackluster skin that doesn't hesitate to break out if provoked. I have been using this slowly but surely since August and I am sooooooo happy with the results so far. My complexion is more even toned. I have issues with hyperpigmentation and RAM helps a lot. My breakouts have completely disappeared. I understand that RAM takes a very long time to work, so I look forward to the glow I will have when Spring arrives. This product can cause extreme dryness and irritation, so start off using it every three or four nights and build your way up to every other night. Also, make sure your cleanser and moisturizer are mild and gentle so you don't irritate your skin. Oh and one more thing, you are going to need a manual exfoliant - a gentle cloth or so- to get rid of the dead, dry skin cells. RAM is magical, good luck!

I have been using this for almost 2 weeks. Prior to this I used the following: (In no particular order) Neutrogena Anti Wrinkle night, Roc Night Serum and Cream( Deep Correction), Aqua Glycolic Face Wash, and Jason's Natural Oil Free AHA Gel. I believe the only reason I have not suffered from alot of irritation and peeling is because of the prior use of the above products. My face looks more clear. I have had some purging. No severe peeling. I only wash with Purpose now. No iritation from that. Will keep using and update in a few weeks.

I just started using this product and so far I'm liking it. I use it every night and the side effects are tolerable. I do get flaking, peeling, slight burning, and dryness but I'm also oily on my t-zone. My skin is super sensitive right now and the only skin care line that I'm able to use is BOSCIA. Boscia seems to be working fine with retin-a micro. It also helps soothe my irritated face and I love it! I will update if things start to go down hill.

I got a prescription on retin-a micro from my doc for adult acne and it works incredible. My face is clear and radiant.. I used retin A 10 years back for the same reason and stopped during my pregnancies. I wear sunscreen often and am not a sun worshiper at all. I go to the beach at 6PM. Anyway, my insurance did not cover it after age 36! it was about $180! Recently, I was in europe and without a prescription I got it for 9 euros ($14). The U.S. insurance companies are pathetic. Anyway people think I am 28 years old until I say I have 3 kids. Then they say I am 32. Let them keep guessing.

I am on day 14 of Retin-A Micro and so far, I love it. My skin is super sensitive, with lots of hyperpigmentation from old acne. A month ago, I came off of Nuvaring after 4 months. It broke me out in huge, painful zits that would last for weeks with no sign of subsiding, so I was in desperate need of an effective product.

I have not had much luck with other topicals (Pro Activ, Staticin, tea tree oil, Differin, Neutrogena treatments, Clean & Clear), but I am so happy that my skin seems to agree with Retin-A! Since I started using it, my complexion overall has become brighter and clearer but yes, I have had a lot of purging. I have several large pimples on my face but I am pushing through because I can already see the marks on my face fading. I use Dormer 211 lotion to help with the dryness. This purging phase is bearable because the large pimples do not last very long (gone within 3-4 days).
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Update Nov 19 2010 - I began using it again about three months ago. I started on Alesse which broke me out like crazy, I had cystic acne all over my face and of course no matter how much makeup you put on those things, everyone can still tell you have them there. Retin-A only seemed to make things worse by increasing irritation, so I stopped using it and used Polysporin instead (since my pimples were basically open sores).

I went on antibiotics, which was the only thing that helped. My acne is mostly gone but if you were to look at me and you had no experience with acne, you would think I had a face full of pimples. This is because every pimple left a dark reddish purple hyperpigmentation spot.

I give Retin-A points because it is the only topical that has ever made a difference in my skin. I love how I can scrub my face in the shower with my fingers, and all of the old skin will come off, leaving me with super smooth skin when I come out of the shower. Combined with time, there has been slight fading of my hyperpigmentation (from purple marks to dark red marks). To reduce irritation, I now use Retin-A about 5 times a week as opposed to every night as my derm recommended. I also use Olay Complete moisturizer 30 minutes after applying the medication. I no longer experience the extreme flakiness that I did last year when I was on Retin-A, and I can use mineral makeup this time around! I highly recommend using a moisturizer either underneath or over your RAM, no matter what the derm says.

Jan 1 - I re-discovered RAM at the beginning of my no-buy, and it is almost done (it expires soon anyway). So for a while I will be taking a break from RAM to clear out other items. Here's hoping my skin doesn't miss RAM too much haha. I found it really satisfying to scrub off so much old skin because the RAM speeded up the cell turnover process so much, but it was difficult dealing with both acne AND super dry, peely skin.

I used the purple packaging product. I was aiming to get rid of my blackheads for once and for all. Unfortunately, it made my skin really sensitive, red and peeling. I wanted to continue using this product but I started the product during a vacation trip and I didn't want to to have pictures taken of me in such a horrendous state.

i love this stuff. got it about a week ago and my skin already looks amazing! was previously using differin and something else. my derm told me to switch to this and clindoxyl (i think that's what it's called - in the day, plus spf) after a year. and this stuff has me excited every morning to see how my face looks. i have combination light/olive skin with mild acne and frequent scarring, i only use it at night 10-20 mins after i wash my face and then 10-20 mins after i make sure to moisturize with a good night cream. therefore i also have no dryness, just better skin everyday including faded acne scarring. hopefully it will continue with my regular usage and my skin will be completely clear! definitely try it out if you get the chance :)