Retin-A Micro .04% vs. .1%.. what's better?

JuiciCouture · 04-17-2005, 06:01 PM

I'm using the .04% and I love how it makes my skin feel. It's so soft and smooth.. It's also helping with red marks, But- Unfortunately it isn't stopping my cystic breakouts. (which are probably hormonal, seeing as how they worsen around and right after my period.)

Anyway.. I'm not having any dryness or irritation from .04%... Should I switch to the .1% to see if it can knock these breakouts away? Has anyone switched from the lower strength to the higher with good results? Will I have another purge period?

What birth control pills are good for skin? Has anyone broken out worse from Ortho Tricyclen? Thanks.

dfwgoodguy · 04-17-2005, 10:28 PM

Retin-a really doesn't prevent cysts. Especially hormonal acne. Id stick with the .04 and give birth control a shot. It will control your hormones, which in turn should stop the cysts.

Since the retina is removing and keeping your pores clear, any acne/cysts are either old ones being forced out or caused by your hormones. Which is what im thinking.

Remember, stronger isn't always better. Stay with .04 and give BC a shot.

Good Luck

kHan artist · 04-18-2005, 01:01 AM

i would stay with the 0.04%.it sounds like its working and not causing any irritation of the skin. I agree with the previous poster in regards to cysts. I speak from experience, I used .1% and it was too harsh on my skin. It made my skin so dry and irritated. Before using it , i never ever broke out on my forehead or nose. After using Retin-A .1%, It broke me out in my T Zone like crazy! I should've never been using it as much as i have. I blame it on my stupidity for not realizing what I what doing to my skin. Don't risk it!

JuiciCouture · 04-18-2005, 01:30 AM

Hey thanks guys!

Well, The thing is- I am on a BC pill right now. It's called Estrostep FE. Ive been on it for 4 months, and it says it could take up to 6 months to see the benefits from it. Im trying to wait it out, since I just started month 5 tonight. I figure, one more can't hurt. If it doesnt work by then- I will get another pill and try to keep looking for one that works. I do have points in the month where my skin is acceptable to me. Basically its mid-cycle. My derm and Doctor both agree that my acne is probably hormonal..since it is mainly on my chin, and came on suddenly. They also both told me that Accutane would *help*, but it wouldn't take it away because no matter if you take accutane or not- your hormones are still produced, which will still produce the same acne. Hormonal cysts are different than cystic acne, apparently. So yeah- Maybe I should stick with the .04% because I really do like it. I just wish that it controlled my skin more. I thought maybe a little stronger would work well.