Tretinoin 0.1%
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Tretinoin 0.1% is a high-strength prescription retinoid frequently used for its "heavy lifting" capabilities in treating acne, texture, and fine lines. While many users find it effective for hyperpigmentation and anti-aging, others report mixed results, noting it may be ineffective against diet-induced acne or persistent small clogged pores even after months of use.
Pros
- Effective for improving skin texture and hyperpigmentation
- Minimizes the appearance of fine lines
- Serves as a potent 'step up' for users who have plateaued on 0.05% concentrations
- Simple and effective for general skin maintenance when tolerated
Cons
- May not resolve persistent small whiteheads or blackheads
- Reported as 'useless' for acne primarily caused by diet
- Can worsen skin condition if combined with too many other active ingredients like Benzoyl Peroxide
Caveats
- Requires a strong skin barrier to use nightly
- Often requires several months of consistent use to see results for clogged pores
- Commonly recommended to be paired with other prescriptions like clindamycin for better results
Best for
- Users with a strong skin barrier
- Addressing fine lines and forehead texture
- Treating hyperpigmentation
Avoid if
- You have highly sensitive or dry skin that hasn't acclimated to lower retinoid strengths
- Your acne is primarily suspected to be diet-induced
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is based on 10 mentions from early 2026 with a median age of 189 days, primarily sourced from skincare-focused communities.
Sentiment
5 positive (50%) · 3 mixed (30%) · 2 negative (20%)
Trust + time weighted score: +28% · raw score 30%
What redditors said (10 of 10)
I'm on tretinoin 0.1% but it's pretty useless for (likely) diet induced acne, only helps with clogged pores and healing.
Its simple but it works
My derm prescribed me tretinoin 0.1% and I've been using it for 3 months but the clogged pores still persist, tretinoin got rid of the big ones but there are plenty of smaller ones left. They look like whiteheads and blackheads.
-Tretinoin 0.1% OR First aid AHA pads (switch every other night)
Previous routines with BP and more Tret only worsened it.
If you have used tretinoin 0.05% every night for 2 months ask your doctor to step you up to tretinoin 0.1% and whether it is advisable to add a topical prescription like clindamycin to your morning routine.
Some have to step up to 0.1%.
I see a dermatologist and currently use Tretinoin 0.1% every other night and clindamycin gel and the Ordinary’s azelaic acid suspension 10% in the morning. This routine doesn’t seem to be helping.
Stop the BHA unless it's solving a specific problem and work up to nightly tret usage (unless you have already tried and ruled that out). You can also try upping the azelaic acid to twice a day if your skin can handle it, but I wouldn't do that before trying out nightly usage with tret for at least a few weeks or months. That's what will do the heavy lifting here.
My main goals are to improve my texture, hyperpigmentation, and minimize the appearance of fine lines on my forehead. My skin is generally dry, but I have a decently strong barrier and have been using tretinoin 0.1% (prescription) nightly in the PM...
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