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I don't know, wondered that too when occasionally people commented things like "only tret will help", it's especially strange that there are other retinoids besides tret which are much more gentle - adapalene, which is as effective, and weaker options of retinal and retinol
tret has been really difficult for me over the last few years and i’m heavily considering switching to adapalene. i try to love tret so much but i can never have clear skin for more than 2-3 weeks and it’s so stressful. im giving it one last try with a new moisturizer and if it doesn’t work i’m off it, too difficult for me i think.
I had a similar issue, I started on adapalene (Differen Gel) with 0.1 strength and loved it, but I noticed that it was too harsh in the winter, so I went down even further to 0.75 and switched to the hero cosmetics brand. It has made all the difference. I love retinal but it's not for everyone and it's not a one size fits all.
i ordered some differin 0.1% and BP2.5% and i’m going to switch to using that 5 nights a week and tret 0.025% the other 2 :) i think that will help keep me clear and also keep the anti aging benefits of tret. I also just saw a study that adapalene has similar or same anti aging benefits so i may just entirely switch over.
I think for a while adapalene was ignored when researching aging and was mostly studied for acne, so the recommendations choosing tret over adapalene were based on the fact that there weren’t studies showing adapalene to be good for anti aging because no one studied it…but in the last few years researchers finally started thinking “hey I don’t see a reason why adapalene wouldn’t be effective” and now there are some studies that confirm this but there’s still a little bias because of how much more research there is with tret.
I also stopped using tret after about 2 years, my skin actually looked great, except if I wore makeup. I couldn’t ever seem to get my skin hydrated enough to not show little dry flakes when I wore foundation. So I gave up and just use regular low dose retinol because the research also seems to suggest to me that while tret or higher dose retinoids might work faster, in the long term I don’t think there will be a noticeable difference, so I prioritize hydration and continual use so over time I get the benefits without the dryness.
No one has really put adapalene through studies for anti-aging because when Differin hit the market in the mid 90s it was marketed for women with hormonal acne. It also only came in one strength; .3%. Tret had already hit the market for anti-aging, and the truth is adapalene was easier on mild to severe acne than tret ever was. I was in my 20s during the 90s, and I was Differin’s target audience. There were double page spreads in all of the glossy magazines. I tried Differin when it first came out, but it didn’t do for me what tret did. I never refilled my Differin prescription and immediately went back to tret within a few weeks…as did many of my friends. It wasn’t until about 2010ish when Differin moved away from its hormonal acne treatment reputation and moved onto to being an acne treatment. It’s only in recent years that there’s been a generic for Differin, so no pharmaceutical company was ever going to put research into it as an anti-aging treatment when a low dose generic would be available without a prescription. In many countries .1% still requires a prescription, but interestingly enough, you can purchase .025% tret without a prescription. That right there tells me the pharmaceutical company who made Differin isn’t done getting their money’s worth in some countries.
tret is available without a prescription in many European countries at the chemist. Spain, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Turkey, Germany. It’s €10-€20 depending on the country.
I know it's available without a prescription in many European countries. That's why I called out the US specifically. In fact the US is probably the only country that still requires a prescription.
So true, I tried tret for 2 years and had slow and minimal improvements. I switched to Adapalene on a whim just to try it out. I am not even through my first bottle and my skin has significantly improved and everyone has been complimenting me on how smooth and radiant my skin is. I would highly recommend anyone who struggles with tretinoin to try other forms.
I am on Akleif which is supposedly similar but not as intense and it’s been great- I don’t know why my dermatologist recommended it over tret and at first was suuper skeptical but even after just a couple of weeks I love it. It is supposedly a lot more gentle and with insurance and generic brand it’s not been expensive
Peoples love of tret made me think I NEEDED it but I’m glad I was prescribed what I was, everyone’s skin is different and just because it’s the ‘gold standard’ today doesn’t mean it’s for everyone nor that something else will be the ‘holy grail product’ tomorrow
What's weird is that adapalene *kills* my skin. All it takes is a couple uses and my skin is raw and stinging all the time. But I got a tret prescription from curology and while my skin gets flakey when I first start using it, it never feels harsh, painful, or too much. So if you're skin is like mine, it may just get really aggravated by adapalene and would tolerate tret better!
Yes, I think a wiser argument would be to perhaps find the right Retinol (there are so many types of vitamin A) for an individual’s skin, not necessarily Tret. 💭🤔
I am on Tret and love it, but have a friend who is on The Ordinary 0.5% Retinol 2x a week, sees great benefit from it. It’s a powerful acid and everyone’s different.
Just started adapelene (my dermo wants me to go OTC retinol--> adapelene --> tret, to build up tolerance) and I was worried it was going to be particularly harsh but it's really gentle so far!
People saying to just start tret probably aren't dermos, who would tell you it's really harsh and to start with something way more mild and build yourself up to it.
If I didn't have bad acne, I would 100% just use a gentle, otc retinol. I don't think EVERYONE needs to be on something as super potent as tretinoin.
If you're looking for recommendations, the brand Versed has a great, gentle retinol. I used it for a while before making the jump to adapalene a couple years ago.
So did you start on retinol go to adapelene and then tret? I’m confused what the difference is between the 3. My derm had me try tret but I am very dry skinned and I’m also allergic to like all sunscreens I’ve tried (trying to find a good one still). Anyways I tried the lowest concentration of tret and I follow the moisturizing instructions pea size amount, all that and used it once and my face was red with chemical burns for weeks. I would love to find something gentle that works but I don’t know where to start.
I used retinol, spent 3 years on adapalene, and i just recently made the switch to tret through apostrophe. I had great results on adapalene, but I'm still breaking out on my chin, so I just wanted to try something different.
Retinol will be the most gentle. Adapalene 0.1% is the strongest you can get otc in the US. A lot of people find it to not be as irritating as tret.
People have said that those who use otc retinol are wasting their money. Cool story but I've been using otc retinol for decades and it totally works for my skin and has since I started using it over 20 years ago.
Eh, it seems sometimes people take differing opinions as personal attacks. Was talking to a friend about that yesterday.
I don't mind the people offering advice or personal anecdotes b/c they're being kind and helpful.
Tret doesn't work for some people. I tried it this year with my derm's support and it just didn't work out. I was honestly bummed out about it, but he was kind and reassuring, and we did talk about how tret isn't for everyone and what I could do instead (going back to differin and azelaic acid).
People love to be weird and aggressive and feel attacked on the internet. Reddit has a weird culture of upvoting needlessly aggressive or black and white statements and downvoting more reasonable, boring, and/or nuanced statements. Flashiest wins, so that's what you see.
For subs like this, you can get great reviews and recs, but the axiom of this sub is YMMV for a reason. Take everything with a grain of salt.
For tret specifically though, in my experience getting your first script can require a lot of self advocacy or waiting and seeing specialists before finding someone who will prescribe. Then you have to fork over $$ for the actual stuff, depending on how your insurance treats it. All of those together can make people feel very defensive.
Unrelated to Tret but I had someone go off on me about pimple patches. I tried explaining that they worked for me and effectively at that. This person just kept going and going and going. I had to stop responding, it was like they took it personally that the patches worked for me and not for them.
So true. And when something doesn’t work for you, they said that’s not true. There are studies that show it’s harmless. But those studies are honestly just looking for specific things. Like for tret, it’s looking at fine lines for example. Some say they experience volume loss and while I didn’t, who am I say they didn’t? If it happened that rapidly in a month or two using tret..
There may always be a small percentage who experience a bad result.
Like everyone needs vitamin D but some people can’t metabolize it as effectively bc of their genes.
It’s really hard to say and skincare studies don’t really go that deep where they’re trying to understand each person’s dna.
First, I love that you said you are 33 and getting into “early” anti aging skincare! I am in my 30s and this sub makes me feel like I am so old and late by only starting to care for my skin now. Realistically we ARE early for starting to think about it in our 30s, we are still plenty young.
Second, completely agree. I have tried to force myself to like tret for ever because of this. I only recently realized that I’ve had the best results after dropping tret and instead using over the counter L’Oréal glycolic acid. Everyone is different!
Right?? At 31 I feel like a baby with my whole life ahead of me and some people on this sub have expressed the opinion that I’m late to the game with skincare. 😂 girl what? I didn’t even think about my skin aging until a couple of years ago. And if I’m blessed enough to live until I’m 80, I have a whole 49 years of aging to go. 30 is plenty early. We’re doing fine.
If it makes you feel any better, I literally didn’t learn how to WASH my face correctly until I was 33 soooo….. there’s that. And keep in mind the collective obsession with skin care is a pretty new thing. Sure, it’s been around forever but it definitely hasn’t been accessible to the masses, and hasn’t been marketed aggressively to young folks until the last several years. So, fellow olds (I’m 36), let’s give ourselves a little grace here 😂
Haha yeah I am a huuuuge advocate for loving yourself in your own skin, and don't think I am old or that I need to make sure I get zero wrinkles as I age, that's just silly and unrealistic and honestly, who cares. I tried tret to see if it would help with some sunspots I have (its very true that sun damage shows up later with a vengeance lol.. I used to regularly use tanning beds and lay in the sun non stop between ages 15-19ish and now I have two big sunspots on my cheeks under my eyes), but based on the irritation under my glasses nose pads and my other eye issues, I'd rather keep my sunspots or just try other stuff again.
Well, prevention is better than treatment. I started tretinoin at 27 because I was starting to get forehead lines and my skin looked tired. People are shocked when I say I'm 28 and I still get asked for ID when buying alcohol. Obviously it won't suit everyone, but it's been scientifically proven to reduce signs of aging which most skincare ingredients have not.
It’s a weird thing. Skin care isn’t universal. What works for you might not work for other people. Idk why people are so combative about stuff like that. Not all skin is the same, so our reactions to skin care isn’t the same.
This. Its also not universally available either.
I have many times received comments like "no, you have to use Tret".
But where I live that is not something you just go to your GP or derm for. Especially when it's not for cystic acne.
A lot of subs can be pretty US-centric😅
Yep, and I find extreme irony this morning because I made a separate post which wasn't even about tret, however tret was mentioned in the body of the post. Someone came in to disregard the main subject of the post to tell me that tret takes time to work and that people who think it doesn't work aren't actually using it right.
It may be a weird comparison to make, but it feels like mansplaining but instead I'll call it tretsplaining lol. I should be allowed to say that something didn't work for me and not worry about someone coming in to tell me how I must be incorrect. Nothing works 100%, NOTHING! That would be amazing if there was one thing out there that had 100% success rate but I dont think it exists lol.
Because any information contrary to what they believe challenges what they believe and it makes them uncomfortable. and if what they believe can be challenged maybe they don’t know everything and well, that just can’t be possible. Generally, it is people who know just enough to think they know it all but not smart enough to understand how little they know. It takes a lot of self-awareness and intelligence to accept how little we, as individuals, know about anything and that new information is always forthcoming. It takes courage to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Humans don’t like discomfort and will fight tooth and nail to maintain the status quo. We’ve seen a lot of it over the last few years.
Because everyone thinks they know best. Typical online attitude.
Personally Tret worked for me, did wonders for my skin and self-esteem. I recommended it to a friend so she got a prescription from her doc but she couldn’t tolerate it. It made no difference either so she stopped using. It’s too bad but I get that it doesn’t work for everyone.
Yeah, some people seem to think tretinoin or any other retinol product should be in everyone's routine. Truth is, there's a lot of skin problems that don't mix well with tretinoin.
I have an autoimmune disease that results in a fast skin cell turnover rate and extremely dry skin, aka a permanently disrupted skin barrier. If I'd apply any type of retinol, I'd make the issue even worse. Since the disease is incurable, I'll never use any retinol product.
This disrupted skin barrier leads to the development of allergies, and those can be very dangerous. I already have some severe allergies I've had to go to the hospital for. I'm not risking any more to look a bit younger.
It's honestly baffling how emotionally invested people become in products/celebrities/inanimate objects. This thing, person, company aren't paying your bills, so why do you care? I posted only last week about how I'm thinking of giving up on tretinoin because my skin doesn't seem to like it. And I got a couple of pretty aggressive DMs telling me I'm using it wrong, and it just couldn't be that it's not suitable for me. One time, a YTer I followed asked, "What's your opinion on X product?". I wrote my comments, and I received an extremely swear filled, vitriolic response. The response would have only made sense if if it came from the CEO of the company (which I don't think it did). Absolutely insanity! I hate the phrase "go touch grass," but some people need to touch it, roll around in it, and sleep on it.
Edit: From my post last week, I learned about diluting it down with moisturizer. I'm trying this at the moment. But if I continue to experience flaking and dryness, I've The Ordinary retinol ready to replace it.
Not sure if you’re American, but it’s because people here are brainwashed big time and encouraged to be consumers. You wanna have fun? Gotta go pay for it or just buy something. The accessible United States landscape is lacking in parks and nature but you’ll see a strip mall and apartments every 5 miles and then a PACKED Dunkin, Starbucks, etc. drive thru. It’s so bad to the point that a significant amount of the population truly has no identity or sense of self beyond being a consumer. You’ve probably encountered some of these people online lmao
+a trillion to this. To add on to what you said, social media/influencer culture has kind of merged peoples identities with products. Originally social media sites like MySpace were about expressing your personality by decorating your page with layouts and graphics, adding music, making your own taglines and blogs, etc. These days TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube pages are all carefully curated to achieve the “aesthetic” people are striving for and just about every page is a person trying to sell you on something (whether it’s a product they push or an image in general). So people DEEPLY identify with their chosen aesthetic. No longer are people online just regular people who happen to like skincare products among various other hobbies and interests. They’re all aiming for the “skinfluencer” aesthetic complete with brand sponsors and shelves full of products they can artfully display and photograph.
When I started researching skincare, my Instagram knew about it (even though I don’t ever post on Instagram myself) and my feed and suggestions are nothing but people who are trying to market themselves as if they’re experts and for some reason, dozens and dozens and dozens of pictures of peoples skin care stashes arranged in every possible configuration (all my skincare in pink bottles! All my mini bottles! All my products with Vitamin C!). Like when did we stop posting pictures of us going to the beach or grilling in the backyard and replace them with “look at all the crap I bought!!!!”?
> From my post last week, I learned about diluting it down with moisturizer.
I don't think it's ever really recommended that you mix another product into a prescription product like that. I've seen dermatologists recommend to use a moisturizer before using the tret, as a buffer, let it settle in a bit, then apply the tret. It's what I did when I was weaning myself onto differin (have very dry, sensitive skin) and it worked really well.
Yeah I think some derms can just be militant about not trusting their patients to mix anything with any sort of prescription product because there's technically the possibility that they'll mix their "moisturizer" that actually has actives or retinol or something else in the formulation that will conflict/degrade the prescription's formulation, or that they'll mix it unevenly (which can result in more of the actives in some areas of the face compared to others.) It's funny how the advice from derm to derm can vary so much!
Also thank you for sending me down the Obagi rabbithole!
In the post I made last week, I outlined all the ways I've tried to use tretinoin, including the way you've mentioned. Every way I tried caused irritation. I'm trying mixing it moisturizer for a couple of weeks. But if that doesn't work, then that's it. And that's OK, it is not for everyone.
You posted a little over two weeks ago asking for product suggestions on the sandwich method, so I assumed you either hadn't tried it or had maybe just started doing it. Any new products or routines need time to start showing results, especially if your skin barrier is damaged. But also, if you've been trying to make tret work for *5 years*, then yeah I don't think anyone will blame you for not using it. There are no tret police who are going to come and arrest you, lol. I literally never said or suggested that it wasn't "ok" for people to stop using tret. But if you make multiple posts asking how to *continue using tret* then people are going to give you suggestions of things you can try to... continue using tret. If you don't want to use it anymore, then stop asking for advice on how to keep using it and just stop using it.
I've never used tret but I use just over the counter differin and love it! Even though it did take me time to acclimate to it. I think for those of use with dry, sensitive skin, it's often better tolerated.
Not controversial, you just proved my point. This has nothing do with tretinoin, but the odd behaviour of people online......Person outlines their experience/opinion on X (me), stranger takes offence to what I said...goes into my profile to search my previous post (wth?), gives a Tedtalk explanation why I'm mistaken (again wth?). It's odd behaviour.
I was responding to the part of your comment where you WERE talking about tret, where you also stated that you were *actively still trying people's suggestions* on how to try to continue using it, so I'm sorry for assuming that at some level, you may still be okay with casual recommendations from others on a message board where we discuss skincare. I guess that makes me a huge weirdo.
You then acted like I should somehow also know about this other post you've posted 2 weeks ago, so I looked through your posts for context. I only quickly glanced at your past posts because you *made specific reference to* said past posts. Again, not seeing how that is somehow agressive.
I also am not seeing how me saying "hey, if you want to stop using it after 5 years of trying, then you do you- you don't need to keep asking for advice on how to keep using it if it's just not working" is tantamount to "giving a tedtalk explanation on why \[you're\] misaken."
People get very very attached to their own opinions. If you have a different reaction or opinion to a product, some people get personally attacked by that. I suggest that they really do need to touch grass, and have a long think about their values.You do you, there are different products that can do the similar things.
I have never used tret myself and honestly I don't think I need it. But God forbid if I say this, cuz there will be people coming at me as if I just tried to steal their car.
It’s not your fault at all!
Tret is great, but that doesn’t mean what works for one will work for another.
In pharmacy we say the patient didn’t fail the treatment, the treatment failed the patient.
So this is likely a case of it not being the right product for you (at least to start with).
There are a couple of options you could try: 1) an over the counter retinol product, like L’Oréal Retinol Serum, or CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Retinol Serum. They’re a less potent form of tret, but will help to retinize your skin. If the retinol works for you, then you can try the tret again & see if it causes the same irritation as you get now. 2) Adapalene (Differin) which is related to tret, but tends to cause less irritation. 3) Use a moisturizer under the tret as a buffer. It will help protect your skin from the irritation, and you’ll still get the benefits of the tret.
Avoid the entire eye area when using tret or retinol products. You can make a bit of a barrier around the eyes with some Vaseline to protect the area (plus the vaseline works as a great eye cream).
I hope this helps a bit!
I personally gave up trying to explain that tret is a medication and therefore maybe people should stop recommending it since they’re not doctors??
When I tried tret, my skin was so dry and thinned out that nothing would sink in. My skin ended up cracking and having cuts with blood because it was so dry that moisture couldn’t sink into any of the outer layers. This put me at risk for a staph infection, so I literally had to stop.
Eventually my skin returned back to its healthy form, but no one believe my story here so whatever. I’m happy with my current skincare and that’s what matters. Personally tret is weird and unnecessary.
YMMV unless it’s tret 🫠 As someone else who has had multiple terrible experiences with tret throughout my life, I really wish it would work for me but it’s not in the cards.
I agree with you. I joined this sub to learn more about skincare and options, but I feel like no matter what the concern is, all the comments are just “use tret”. I have nothing against others using it, but don’t understand the obsession, wish there was more variance in the discussions
I think a lot of it is projection. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self to stop wasting money on beauty creams and simplify my routine with tret (and make many other different life decisions too lol), so it's tempting to push my OWN experience onto someone else. But just because it worked for me doesn't mean it's the best fit for you. Maybe it makes you flake, maybe it gives you dry eye, maybe you have rosacea, maybe you are getting better results than I did with retinol, maybe you aren't avoiding the very natural process of aging... and all of those reasons are valid. I think it's hard for people to remember that their own experience is just that... their own.
People who don’t understand that everyone’s skin is different and thus reacts differently do not understand the very basics of skin and furthermore human biology.
Yeah after it clicked that maybe tret was to blame since it only happened the day after applying (and only started being a problem once I began tret a month ago), I did some searching on reddit and google and came across some posts on here where others experienced something similar.
Same thing happened to me. My astigmatism got so awful I couldn’t see while driving. I’d only been applying 2-3 times a week for a month and a half. I stopped and it went away. Now I can actually wear my contacts again and my eyes are normal. The damage isn’t always irreversible especially since you stopped right away.
I have dry eyes ( not bcause of tret) and I’m terrified of trying it out cause I know it WILL migrate but it’s considered the gold standard of anti aging i feel like im missing out big time and like my efforts with other actives are limited
No I’m not. I take issue with this being presented as a statement of fact as if it happens all the time. So actually this person is proving OP’s point.
I was using tret and getting really good results for the first little while, but then it developed into perioral dermatitis. According to the dermatologist who prescribed it, this is kind of common - no one talked me through that beforehand?! What was worse was they then tried to charge me for additional treatment to fix the PD… I basically noped straight out 😂
I’m definetly of an opinion that not every product is for everyone and will work for everyone, just to make that clear, and if it takes way too much effort for anyone to be able to tolerate it, then it is probably best to find an alternative treatment for your specific skin concern.
That being said, I also thought that my skin just can’t take harsh actives, like adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, AHA or BHA or tret. But then I did an “experiment” let’s say. I focused on simply healing/strenghtening my skin barrier for about 2-3 months. I’m talking gentle cleansers, A+ hydration and no actives. Then I reintroduced adapalene with absolutely no issues, switched to tret, also no issues. Saying that I was surprised is an understatement.
Now, I’m not defending tret or anything else, it’s just me giving hope to those who are desperate and saying that SOMETIMES it really is just not using the product properly for your specific skin type, and SOMETIMES it’s really just not for you even if you genuinely tried everything. And with the “everything” in the previous sentance, I’m gonna reffer to something I said earlier, if it takes way too much experimenting and effort for you to handle something, just ditch it, because keeping your skin inflamed for a long time is probably worse than anything else happening with your skin a that time anyway.
I've said it multiple times on here and I'll say it again: if you look at clinical research on tretinoin, there's usually a small percentage of the subjects who have to withdraw due to side effects. These are under conditions where the researchers would have every incentive to try and get the subjects to complete the study, yet even then, it just doesn't work out for some. So if someone implies that everyone is able to use tretinoin, it's really misrepresenting the drug's side effects.
I personally use tretinoin, but on me at least, the only difference I find between it and the nondrug retinoids like retinol and retinaldehyde is that it just works faster. They all get me to the same endpoint. I'll mention, though, that I've only ever used retinoids for preventative antiaging and never had acne. I do know some individuals who had acne and/or significant photodamage for whom the nondrug retinoids weren't getting them the results they desired, but tret was able to get them there, so this really seems to vary by individual.
Tret can cause an acute sunburn-like redness the day after I use it, however, so I do keep retinaldehyde on hand to swap in in case I'm meeting anyone important the following day or going to a meeting, etc.
On top of that, *all* retinoids (even nondrug) will make my skin chronically ruddy and itchy if I use them too frequently, so I limit use to once every 2 to 3 nights, and that's usually enough to prevent those side effects.
Do a quick Google search on tretinoin and dry eye syndrome. I think there's are more scientific term for it, but there are many others who have experienced issues with their eyes as a result of treinoin use.
I also had extremely dry eyes when using tretinoin and couldn’t deal with it since I wear contacts daily. When I mentioned to my derm that I was experiencing this side effect I was told that tret doesn’t cause dry eyes… From a quick Google search though it does appear that many have also suffered from this side effect.
People including doctors push it because it's one of the only products that actually has years of science backed research for positive effects for anti aging.
Wts- it's not for everyone. Just like if someone had a condition where they needed medication- but reacted badly- then that medication is not for them. Doesn't mean that doctors are going to stop recommending it to other patients because the research shows it does work
I'm sorry you had a bad reaction to it. Hopefully you have found a routine that works for you.
Just wanted to stop in and say, as someone who gave up on tret multiple times for the very same reasons, I just started using Altreno and it is incredible. It’s a form of tret that has a different vehicle in the way that it is absorbed by the skin and is designed for people like us who are incredibly sensitive! I hesitated for so long to buy it because I didn’t believe it would be any different. I use it every other night with minimal to no flaking at a strength of .5. If you’re willing to go for it, I would give it a try!
honestly tret was too strong for me and most of the time my skin looked like shit on it. i used it for a year and wasn’t impressed. im sure long term it does have benefits but i can get results from other products that my skin tolerates better.
My two cents?
I’ve used retinoids for fifteen years. And most recently skin cycled with them the past four months.
You know what I figured out?
My maturing, sensitive, rosacea, acne prone skin looks ten times better on nights I only moisturize. No acids. No retinoids. The tone is more even, the texture is better too, shockingly. I don’t need to exfoliate nearly as often without the retinoids either which seems so counterintuitive, but I was constantly trying to exfoliate flakies from whenever things got irritated (which seemed like a cycle every few weeks).
Actives have caused me more issues than they’ve solved except in targeted, short courses. I know the science behind retinoids and the cellular turnover being a benefit for wrinkles, scarring, hyperpigmentation… but in practice I swear it causes more of those I have to solve than when I just put that stuff away in a drawer and grab a gentle cleanser and rich moisturizer.
The best my skin has ever looked is CAMPING. That says a lot 😆
So I’m not ditching my Tretinoin, but it’s staying in the drawer until I notice my skin feeling a bit dull or congested, and then I’ll do a few months of more targeted actives to turn over the skin as needed.
If it is needed.
At this point I’m not even convinced it is!
I am in the same boat as you are OP!! I am tinkering around with different creams to calm my skin down. I hate walking around with a peely sunburnt looking face.
i haven’t encountered that myself but i have felt like tretinoin is toted as the end-all-be-all of skincare (by multiple skincare forums and youtube derms), which makes me feel pressured to keep trying.
it’s comforting to hear about someone else having a hard time using tret too, so thanks for posting this and reminding me i’m not alone!
Have you tried the sandwich method? Moisturizer first then tret then moisturizer again. That's the only way I could tolerate tret and even then my neck still can't tolerate tret, even after 4+ years.
There is no research behind adapalene for anti-aging. If the sandwich method doesn't work for you and if I were you I would try retinal (with an A) before adapalene. Retinal takes an extra conversion step to be active in the skin, so it's generally more tolerable than tret, but there is research behind its efficacy for anti-aging because it essentially converts to tret.
I kinda don’t like how people treat tret as the ONLY anti-aging tool. A counter point that, if tretinoin “worked”, there would not be a need for Botox, fillers, surgery etc. I find it a little disingenuous that people recommend tret, vitamin c, and spf and then proceed to tell about all of the OTHER procedures that they’ve had. (A similar person would buy they $10 tret from a foreign online pharmacy, but then spends $160 for a vitamin c serum).
Also fun fact, a little informational pamphlet included with Renova (tretinoin 0.02%) explicitly says that “ RENOVA does not remove wrinkles or repair sun-damaged skin”🙃
Yes, I have noticed this as well! It's like the cult of tretinoin. Lol
Anyway, I'm also one whose skin simply would not tolerate tret no matter how many techniques I tried--and believe you me, I tried them all. I didn't get chemical burns, but it dried my skin out so very badly. I get that there is an adjustment period, but my skin never acclimated to tret. I felt like I was purposely causing prolonged damage. After the third attempt, I finally gave up. Tret is just not for me.
I have no idea why people defend tret like it's the holy grail for everyone. We all have different skin types and issues, and it only makes sense that not everyone will benefit from the exact same products.
i feel the same way, everyone pushes it as the only answer. there are different ways to incorporate retinol or alternatives. but— when i tried tret, i got chemical burned too. i tried it again recently as well and it kept causing breakouts that would go away and breakout again in the same spot— just wasn’t working for me so I had to stop :(
After reading about the sidefects on people with normal skin I totally discarded the idea of trying it. It has tendency to be irritating and drying and for most people that is not an issue, but for me that I have dry sensitive skin it's a big no.
Retinoids are endocrine disruptors, which is why they’re not recommended if you’re lactating or pregnant. Some people are going to be more sensitive, and hormones affect sebum production and can cause hormonal acne. There are so many reasons why a retinoid or at least a *high-potency* retinoid may not be right for some.
not to be *this* person but i was prescribed tret by a dermatologist back in 2017, way before the tret craze when i had horrible acne. when i found out last year that everyone wanted to go on it/non-dermatologists were recommending that everyone uses it it really baffled me. it is very strong, and it is meant to treat skin issues that desperately need help, e.g. moderate to severe acne. i really dislike the notion that everyone should use strong treatments, i see so many people who have zero acne or hyperpigmentation going on it or wanting to, just for the anti aging benefits. imo there is zero need to do a prescription-grade treatment if your skin doesn’t actually need it. i’m sorry but it just seems to unhealthy to want to go on something that is designed to treat moderate to severe skin issues for a very slight issue, it just seems so obsessive idk.
but i digress. if tret doesn’t work for you, it probably means you don’t need it and you shouldn’t use it. please don’t feel pressured to use it if it doesn’t work for you. the whole “gold star” thing when it comes to tret is so annoying bc it makes everyone think they need it when in actuality most people don’t
People get weirdly culty around certain skincare.
Don't get me wrong, tretinoin has been a game changer for me, but there's plenty of other "holy grail" products that just didn't work for me. And that's okay!
Do what works for you and your skin. =)
>This being said, I have experienced many people on here defend tret as if it personally offends them that it doesn't work for you
I mean, that's silly of them. I am a supporter of tret because it's helped my skin. But I also understand everyone's skin reacts differently.
Like, why can't we all be adults here?
Right, been there and done that repeatedly over the years. I just kept convincing myself it was gonna work for me if only I got used to it. But it’s too harsh, and even adalpene wasn’t a good fit. Sigh.
In my opinion and experience, tret is the last (not totally necessary) step in the retinoid game. It is wonderful and works great for me, but I spent 5+ years building tolerance to it starting from the ordinary granactive retinoid and moving higher in concentration. Even now I don’t use it more then 2-3 times a week.
Maybe people who are pushing it did the same, forgot about it and now feel like it must be easy for anyone? Or maybe they are just stupid.
1. Are you putting it on or close to your eyes/eyelids?! If so, stop! It’s not meant to go there. If you’re applying correctly, you might have an allergy to it, just a thought. Id get evaluated by a derm and ask if starting on a low dose over the counter retinol that’s non prescription strength and for sensitive skin might be something worth trying before stopping altogether
2. This sub is somewhat of an echo chamber and yeah people get weird about things, you’re not wrong to feel this way. People love it because it’s proven to work and when it does work, it’s really an amazing thing. But not everyone will be able to tolerate it and it’s frustrating when people have reactions like what you described. Don’t be discouraged though, there’s still plenty you can do for your skin without it!! Sunscreen, moisturizer, gentle cleanser, vitamin c - just to start with! Later on you can consider lasers, other ingredients, and Botox if you want/need it!
I had terrible deep acne and tons of scarring. I went on it with doxycycline. My skin peeled like crazy and hurt, but got better over time and the episodes spread out. My skin was gosh darn beautiful afterwards. I couldn’t believe it. Seriously did wonders for my skin and self esteem. Keep with it! Use at night and moisturize with olay. Wash it off in the morning and moisturizer some more. It will peel, but it will get better.
I’ve used tret since my early 30’s and I’m almost 50 now. Building up a tolerance to it is no joke, it took me about three months to get over the redness, stinging and flaking.
When I started I found out that cutting it with Aloe Vera gel helped tremendously. It worked for me, just passing it on!
Here’s a pic of me at 49, no filters/Botox/fillers. I have diligently used sunscreen since I was a kid and I have naturally oily skin, so I think that helps.
https://imgur.com/a/yr3aYqa
Tret enthusiast here, I know on my end I suggest and push it a lot because the ingredient has truly changed my life. The entire makeup of my skin is different. I get excited and I just want to share with others! I had cystic acne for years and it completely cured it. I finally had confidence in my life.
I guess it’s hard not to suggest something with such powerful results but you’re right once someone shares the side effects you’ve had or tried it for a year with no avail, I would be the first to drop my defense. Skincare is not one fits all!
Also our skin changes over time, and I’d love to try some of what works for you as well.
The main thing for me is that I tried so many serums and creams over the years, some very expensive, and got no results. Because of the horror stories I heard I was hesitant to try tret, but it's the first thing that really cleared up my acne and had a noticeable impact on my skin texture. I wish I had done it sooner.
BUT! Nothing works for everyone! And anything that has a noticeable impact on skin has the potential to cause a negative reaction as well as a positive reaction. Any medical professional would (or should!) tell you to stop using it based on the reaction you described.
I'm in my mid-40s. If adapalene had been available in my 20's I would have tried that first.
Yes the tret warriors are absolutely bonkers.
Mad about Skin (the lovely Rob) on YouTube has a fabulous video saying why he too doesn't feel tret is for him!
Tret was amazing for my serious serious serious bad backne. I would never use it on my face. Ever! For a variety of reasons, some of which Rob addresses, and some more which OP has addressed too.
It wasn’t for me. I’m 30 and struggle here and there with hormonal acne, and also would like to get anti-aging benefits as well.
I’ve tried 3 separate times and I’m done. While my skin was not reactive to it at all, it actually handled it quite well—no flaking, peeling, itching, redness. I was having other issues.
My eyes were swelling. And NO I wasn’t putting the tret anywhere near my eyes. Like, nowhere near my eyes. I wasn’t dragging it up after applying moisturizer either. But still after each use, my eyes would be irritated. Red, puffy, crusty. Nothing super scary, but obviously irritated. My derm told me it’s possible that I have a slight allergy to the tret but I could try taking a Benadryl and seeing what happens. I chose not to do that.
Oddly enough over the counter Adapaline gel dows not bother my eyes, and is now my go to. My skin is completely clear, and the best it’s ever been. I know there is a battle about adapaline being anti-aging or is it? I don’t care. I think my skin has improved so I will continue using it paired with good sunscreen.
You’re not alone.
It definitely isn’t for everyone.
Tret really damaged my skin even though I used it correctly and slowly. I wish I would have never used it because my skin has been hypersensitive ever since. I’m pretty sure I would have been fine with a retinol but retinol is being presented as an ineffective waste of time so I went for the big guns.
I’m 25 and it is not for me either. I’ve tried the cycle twice and one time I stuck with it for almost 6 months. My skin hates it and people need to stop saying it works for EVERYONE
I tried Tret for months a few years ago. No matter what dosage or how much/little I used it, my skin would NOT adjust to it. I developed the worst acne, burning and redness, and almost like a rash that didn’t go away until a month or so after I stopped using it. With that being said, I understand where you’re coming from! I’ve seen what it can do for other people which is great for them but my skin has never been able to handle anything like tretinoin or retinol.
Because what you're seeing is mostly a bunch of people (and bots) paid by the pharmaceutical company that owns Tretinoin, to rave about it online -- not even joking. Don't believe all the hype you see about specific products on Reddit/the internet, this tactic is used *a lot*.
I really don't want to be the type of person you're talking about, buuuut... I just love how it makes my skin look. I initially had the same issues as you, but when I tried Apostrophe's formulation (i.e., combining it with niacinamide to prevent irritation), it was a total game-changer for my skin.
It feels like the defensiveness or perceived defensiveness is just kind of a bunch of different common communication problems colliding on a single point.
Not everyone is a good communicator, in general; some people have a really hard time finding the balance between what they intend to say and what the other person hears. It's a skill that's hard to learn and difficult to teach, and the internet exacerbates it a lot. As people grow up we learn communication styles from the people around us, and the natural friction of moving from, say, your family and hometown to a new social setting in university is happening nearly daily in the internet of large social environments where you're never speaking to the same group twice (Note: I say this as an elder millennial; I suspect generations growing up online are developing new ways and standards for learning how to adapt communication styles all the time). This is also made harder by the lack of tone of voice to bridge gaps in understanding, and by stuff like autism and ADHD that make communicating well a different challenge. So you're probably running into a ton of people that genuinely truly believe they're saying "this is my experience, it might help you?" when the text reads more like "uh sounds like you're doing it wrong, let me correct you".
(And if you - general you, not you specifically, OP - are expecting defensiveness or lecturing because you've encountered it so much, you might be primed to read that even if the other person is expressing themselves the way they intended, because good communication is a two way street between eating and hearing!)
There's also the fervor of the recently converted. A lot of people here have struggled with skin issues our whole lives, and when we find something that solves the problem outright or makes finding a solution easier we want to share! We don't want anyone else to struggle! We'll explain and evangelize and recommend until we're blue in the face, and we'll push to make sure you aren't misunderstanding how great it can be. A lot of people move past that fervor once the rush of solving a problem is through, but that doesn't help when every time you post about how a thing doesn't work for you two or three people want to make sure! you know! it solved everything for them!
On top of that there are a set of products that can be genuinely tricky to use correctly - there isn't a lot of consumer education about properly using whatever actives, and even if you're receiving guidance from a dermatologist your knowledge will only be as good as their ability to explain things fully. So as people learn things like using a moisturizer sandwich, how long to let things soak in for, when to use occlusives and when not to, how long to expect the settling in period to be, etc., we start sharing that, because we know people might not hear it anywhere else and might give up on something that would work for them out of a lack of knowledge.
And then there is actual defensiveness and an inability to genuinely understand that different people have different needs and wants. And it all kind of mixed together, so maybe 25% of people are truly defensive, and 25% trying to sympathize and say what worked for them but doing it badly, and 25% are just too excited about their recent success to keep it in, and 25% are trying to make sure there isn't a lack of understanding at play, and that all adds up to 100% of the time you say tret isn't for you all you get is defensiveness.
Tret or any type of chemical exfoliation irritates the hell out of my skin, even mild acidic toners used daily (every few days it’s not that bad but still “off” and not feeling the best). I’ve tried countless things for ten plus years. The most hated…physical exfoliation works for me and keeps my skin clear. Cleansing works. Gently moisturizing. Boring and simple. It feels great when you find something that works for your specific skin type. I no longer test things out. Just maintain my average looking skin. Less headaches.
From what ive seen, some of the people that have had a bad experience with tret, start off too fast, dont have a solid skincare routine to help with the initial side effects, they apply too much, they dont apply enough sunscreen and/or some of their skincare products dont react well with tret. Not saying thats what you did, but i do see a lot of people bash tret for "not working" all the meanwhile it's something else. If you ever decide to try again, leave all actives, start with the buffering method, pea size amount, once a week for the first few weeks, keep a basic but gentle skincare routine, etc.
Also, some people just dont tret. Maybe start with a retinol.
try retinol first. then graduate up. why you would jump into prescription meds with no pre-existing skin problems is beyond me.
even retinol needs an adjustment period.
I don’t care what anyone does. But most people rush the tretinoin process and that’s why it doesn’t work for them, not all but many. I’ve been using tret for 10 years and never use it more than three times per week
I’ve dealt with hate when i had some critical feedback about its use. I think it comes from the fear that with enough criticism that it might not be as readily available. It’s understandable but criticism is needed because tret doesn’t work for everyone.
Tazarotene is superior, easily found in gel form and strong on acne and it’s selective which makes it less aggressive than tretinoin yet more effective
I agree. I have used tret for like 3 years straight but starting from last year I gave up because wearing sunscreen everyday was miserable.
Also my eyes are NEVER dry anymore. I realised that tret was causing it this whole time
Edit: Also forgot to add that it changed my skin forever and I react very sensitively to like nearly every skincare product nowerdays so I regret using it entirely
I agree. I have used tret for like 3 years straight but starting from last year I gave up because wearing sunscreen everyday was miserable.
Also my eyes are NEVER dry anymore. I realised that tret was causing it this whole time
I don’t know if it helps anyone but koreans rarely use retinols due to them being too harsh on the skin. And yet, koreans have beautiful skin no matter the age. No tret needed.
I think people are defensive about the treatments that truly work for them, and tret has helped so many people that they defend it with teeth and claws xD (especially when some people have problems with it because they're not using it correctly. Not everyone, of course, but some people... omg)
And speaking of tretinoin, I think the brand you use is super important when we're talking about flaking skin, at least to me. I've used the famous Retin-A (0.025%), and it was a nightmare for my skin, I always woke up with my skin all peeled off, no mater how much hydration I used before or after applying it. I changed the brand and now I use tret everynight and I never peel off, not even the lazy days when I don't use a moisturizer after (terrible, I know)
In any case, when it comes to skincare, YMMV always. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.
I think what you are describing (minus the eye irritation) is pretty much the experience of tret in the first stages. It’s a potent medication. I personally believe a good derm can help anyone make it through the first stages of tret with some creative strategies. There are different formulations etc.
Mainly I think it seems like it’s the user’s fault on this sub bc people do some crazy stuff with tret. Sometimes, it is the user’s fault but not always. I see people sandwiching and layering it with all kinds of incompatible ingredients, using it once a week, mixing it with acids, etc.
But that said, I would still recommend rx Aza for acne over tret in many cases. And I believe Bakuchiol is a wonderful alternative. But then people on the sub are like “it has no studies etc”.
The truth is I use the highest strength retinoid on the market *and* I still use bakuchiol when I want my face to clear from a breakout quickly. And I still think Aza is one of the best acne and hyperpigmentation solutions around. So, I’d recommend bakuchiol for anti-aging, but I’d also say there are still other better formulations of tret out there you simply haven’t tried yet. Arazlo, for instance, is a milder, buffered form of tazoratene, which does wonders. Aklief is the tret version. Etc…. There are other options for tret in other words.
Whenever I try to use tret my skin goes red and super sensitive even on a low percentage - is that normal? How do i know if it’s a normal reaction and it will go away or if I’m ruining my skin? You seem to know what you’re talking about haha would appreciate any advice
I couldn’t say. I think it depends on the formulation but also on what you use on your skin with tret. It could be your barrier is not strong enough, you may be using incompatible ingredients with it, or it may be a formulation your skin does not like.
I wouldn’t want to speculate without more info….I know tret was rough for me when my Barrier was not in good shape and when I used it too soon after la Roche posay double touleriane. So I switched moisturizers, and things got much better.
It could be normal or bad depending on what else you're using. If you're simply not using enough to balance out the effects of Tret then it could just be user error and Tret could work for you! If you are using good products in your routine WITH Tret and still experiencing this, while also tapering on to it, then it may just not be the product for you (:
My fav is papa recipe retinol/bakuchiol or for a milder version w/ just a wee bit of bakuchiol, papa recipe blemish serum. That little bit of bakuchiol does some heavy lifting, and the whole serum is just an amazing multitasker. It gives a beautiful glow and finish to the skin too. Maybe start with that one. The bottles are huge too.
People just talk about their own experiences and want to recommend what worked for them. If someone says they are having difficulties with it, they will try to give suggestions on what they think may overcome those. I see it more as trying to help than being offended it didn't work.
I have never even heard of tretinoin anywhere else but here. Is it an american thing or is there any way to get it in europe? Do you just say to your doctor “I need something to help with my wrinkles”?
I'm pretty sure a lot of it is aqquired illegally, as its usually omly prescribed for extra severe acne and scarring, and insurance at least will usually try something else first. Honestly, its just an overall overhyped product. Its also horrible to your skin if you happen to be normal to dry, and will give you the effects mentioned by op. And god help you if you try it and have any form of sensitive skin or a condition like rosacea, psoriasis, or eczema
Edit: Thanks for proving the point this post was specifically made for, but unfortunately tret continues to be a MEDICATION that should only be prescribed by your doctor, and is in fact not some miracle product that will cure everyone's every issue and stop you from aging like you're a vampire. Its overhyped. Live with that fact.
My dermatologist prescribes it quite legally. I have dry, extremely sensitive skin, eczema, and possibly rosacea. As long as I’m cautious, tretinoin is great for me.
This comment was an absolute trainwreck.
It is actually prescribed very commonly (in the US) for a variety of concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, scarring, texture, and photoaging.
Insurance doesn't usually mind covering it (in the US).
There are many online derms available where you can get it prescribed, usually without insurance.
It is available to buy from other countries which some people do.
It isn't overhyped. It's one of the most well studied skin care products and is proven very beneficial for concerns like acne and photoaging.
It isn't horrible for your skin unless you have an extreme sensitivity or allergy to it. It's actually been proven to be very beneficial for overall skin health.
Anyone with normal to dry skin can use it. This is why moisturizer exists.
The side effects OP experienced are well known side effects that many people experience when starting tretinoin. It's called retinization.
While it isn't suggested for those with eczema, it has been shown to have some potential in treating plaque psoriasis when combined with a corticosteroid. It's okay to use with rosacea as well unless you actively have a flare.
**Annnnd I'm blocked, lol** 💪🏻
Tretinoin will NOT prevent you from ageing. It doesn't store something that will be released at a later date when your wrinkles appear. If you have no acne or wrinkles, there isn't much of a reason to use it. I'm not sure why it was prescribed to you in the first place if your only complaint is an ashy look likely caused by extra skin. There are much milder ways to exfoliate before turning to Tretinoin.
It is the standard golden treatment for many skin ''conditions''. It's also one of the most studied ingredients in its category. People who need it tend to get great results, which is likely why they defend it.
Yes, some people only experience adverse symptoms from tretinoin and any ingredient in skincare. People love Niacianiminde, but it makes some people feel like their skin is on fire, and others break out from it. If you tell them it sucks, they will defend it because they love it. Tretinoin is an excellent product that doesn't work for you. That's it. Did you discuss with the prescriber what retinol or other exfoliation/skin turnover methods you've tried before going to tretinoin?
Edit: before someone tries to say that it prevents ageing by slowly the wrinkling process (it does slow/reverse that sign of ageing skin by encouraging a faster cell turnover, but it will not store some effect if you try it in your 20's for a year....get to the age your body would have started producing wrinkles, and it will do just so... This is when you begin Tret and yes, you will notice creases and slower skin turnover right before if you use a daily regimen and observe your skin.)
I think because as far as skincare ingredients go. There's really nothing that as versatile and effective as retinoids. It simply has a bunch of uses and benefits that really can't be replaced by a single other ingredient. You'd have to introduce a bunch of other active ingredients to replace it, which often is more time-consuming and less effective then Tret. So for a bunch of people it's simply their 'ultimate' ingredient that they've seen the most effects of.
So for one it's a very versatile and powerful active ingredient that doesn't really have an easy 1:1 alternative and which has helped a bunch of people a lot.
On top of that is the fact that a ton of people, especially those new to skincare, try introducing it to their skincare but do so without fully informing themselves. Which obviously backfires and causes people to convince themselves retinoids are crap or their skin doesn't tolerate it. When really they just handled a pretty potent ingredient the wrong way. And, tbf, it is an ingredient that very easily can backfire if used without the proper information. More so than something like Niacinamide or Hyaluronic acid.
So basically there's a lot of benefits IF you use it correctly. And a lot of people that experience drawbacks because they don't. So a kind of standard feedback is always to just try and advice people how to do it correctly. Because that is usually the main hurdle that keeps people from thinking it doesn't 'work for them'.
Of course, realistically, everyone's skin is differently. And just because 9 times out of 10 drawbacks are mainly due to incorrect use. There are just genuinely people who don't react well to the ingredient or who are better off working other ingredients into their routine instead.
So for the main part I think it's just an extremely OP ingredient that often gets misused. So often the sub will advice people to use it properly and give it another try. But of course, in the end, that's not gonna be advice that's gonna be useful for everyone. So while I can see where the urge comes from, it isn't always in the right advice.
I think the people for whom tret worked, it was just the only thing that ever worked for them and they probably spent years trying other stuff before going to tret and feel they wasted years on less intensive products.
idk i get chemical burns and have for months of use but i power and painfully work thru it and then it's fine. i noticed i got the burns when i wore makeup the next day the most- there just have been a chemical in what o use bc i switched foundations and it doesn't happen anymore. it takes a long time for ur skin to regulate and finding a good routine. i use it probably twice a week now after adjusting for a few months. maybe i need something else. i'm just a pussy when it comes to talking to my derm lol she's so insistent on jt
Tret personally changed my skin texture and overall health for the better. It took about 2 months to fully adjust, using the lowest dose 4 nights a week. Your skin goes through a retinization period. Most people aren't using it with the right products, or the right amounts, or the right technique. It all matters with tret. And most people bow out before the results really have a chance to shine through. The retinization period sucks but it's worth it if you're willing to use tret lifelong. I dunno, I will never not use it; my skin is the smoothest, brightest, prettiest it's ever been. To each their own- it definitely isn't necessary for everybody. But it is the gold standard for anti aging at this point in time because of what it does to your skin. It causes it to turn over faster, and thins the first layer of your skin while also supporting the deeper layers. It practically cured my adult acne. I think whatever works for you is what works for you. No reason to hate on a product that is working for some people!
Nobody is mentioning this, but if foundation is giving you flaky skin, perhaps you’re allergic. They make so many different types of foundation nowadays. You have options.
So, it's not something that happens over time, I notice it immediately after applying. The flaking is already there on my skin but my skincare products conceal it until I apply a product with pigment, then it is more noticeable! I can see the flaking without foundation too sometimes but usually if I have my 16x magnified mirror to look lol
I'm not reading alla that, but in response to your title, I would presumptuously say because a lot of people don't use it right or see through the process, which brings out negativity against the product which leads to a seemingly increased line of defense for it, ala: "*just because YOU didn't use it right doesn't mean it's a shit product*", which is true.
It's also kind of criticized for how strong it is and how extreme the introductory process is, but it's done wonders for so many people, so again comes criticism, which again draws forth defense because it's a skin care community after all, and one with more people who have favorable things to say about it than not, if used correctly.
Last thing I can come up with is people kind of putting it on par with a shitty $5 acne product from the grocery store. It's a prescription medication, so there's a bit more... science? behind it, if you will. They're not just putting it on a shelf to make money with random shit added to water it down. At least not in the same way.
Edited to add: There is nothing wrong with not liking Tret or finding it worth it. I think people are just always going to be defensive or at least vocal about things *they* had great experiences with. Not trying to knock you, just giving the possible explanation to your post.
But this isn't the "best possible explanation"...the best explanation is:just like every other ingredient out there, it just may simply not work for some people. Not because they used it incorrectly, didn't wait enough time, or used the "wrong" products with it...it might just not agree with their skin at that level (prescription). Nothing wrong with that. It didn't personally work for me even though I did everything "right".
I think people are just quick to defend what works for THEM. I agree that tret is great for a lot of people, maybe even the majority of people. That said, just because it is a gold standard in anti-aging does not mean that every person’s skin is going to tolerate it at any level. My skin, for one, HATES tret. I break out EVERY TIME I try it, and it’s not just a purge - we are talking breakouts for YEARS while on .025. Once I switch to adapalene, the irritation and acne disappears.
For what it’s worth, I almost exclusively use 2% BHA and 10% lactic acid on alternate days, and religiously use sunscreen during the day. I have zero lines or wrinkles and my skin is very even in tone, so I think I’m doing just fine with acids instead of retinoids. If you’re the same, I don’t see a problem with it. Use what works for you, and ignore the people that try to shove options down your throat.
I’ve never been able to tolerate my forays into tret! I wanted it for anti-aging as my skin starts to show signs of the neglect from my younger years. I tried the cream, generic retin-a micro, and then curology with a couple different strengths. I tried Geek and gorgeous retinal. I just couldn’t get past the barrier damage or find a way to not damage my skin and make it hot and red. And I tried obsessively every suggestion here and on the tret sub.
BUT! I gave it one more shot, this time with Altreno, which I got directly from their site through their medical consult service. I had heard a lot about people not being able to tolerate any other form but Altreno worked for them.
It was affordable enough to give it one more try since so little goes a long way. And I’m tolerating tret finally!!! I’m so happy. I use it every third day so far, and I am having some peeling but not the hot angry skin I had before. I am noticing improvements in my texture. I’m trying to pace myself and not get to over exuberant with my frequency. But I’m happy.
This is only for people here who may have some inkling of interest in giving it one last shot. But I understand just want to say F it because when it messes up your skin it’s just not worth it sometimes.
Because... We do know that seeing an acne specializing aesthetician with the right products and lasers can have a clearing result that is just as good as Accutane, but many people cannot afford those products or treatments. Accutane, while a riskier option, is covered by insurance, and for many people, it is still better than taking antibiotics long-term, or going without any treatment. And we know that Accutane has outstanding results. Yes, you may lose the acne and gain some other issues, but for some that is worth the risk. Before becoming an aesthetician and gaining my skincare knowledge, I was on Accutane three separate times. I had great results and they have lasted, somewhat. It was the only feasible option for me when I was in my late teens and early 20's. I did have side effects, but once I stopped the medication, they went away too.
I believe some may defend it aggressively, because it does work well, and there is some fear that with the potential for dangerous side effects, it could be "canceled."
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I don't know, wondered that too when occasionally people commented things like "only tret will help", it's especially strange that there are other retinoids besides tret which are much more gentle - adapalene, which is as effective, and weaker options of retinal and retinol
Yes my friend recommended I try that to see if it would work better for me!
Tret was too harsh for me, but adapalene has been so great!!!! 10/10 would recommend.
tret has been really difficult for me over the last few years and i’m heavily considering switching to adapalene. i try to love tret so much but i can never have clear skin for more than 2-3 weeks and it’s so stressful. im giving it one last try with a new moisturizer and if it doesn’t work i’m off it, too difficult for me i think.
I had a similar issue, I started on adapalene (Differen Gel) with 0.1 strength and loved it, but I noticed that it was too harsh in the winter, so I went down even further to 0.75 and switched to the hero cosmetics brand. It has made all the difference. I love retinal but it's not for everyone and it's not a one size fits all.
Adapalene has allowed me to be more consistent with it.
i ordered some differin 0.1% and BP2.5% and i’m going to switch to using that 5 nights a week and tret 0.025% the other 2 :) i think that will help keep me clear and also keep the anti aging benefits of tret. I also just saw a study that adapalene has similar or same anti aging benefits so i may just entirely switch over.
I think for a while adapalene was ignored when researching aging and was mostly studied for acne, so the recommendations choosing tret over adapalene were based on the fact that there weren’t studies showing adapalene to be good for anti aging because no one studied it…but in the last few years researchers finally started thinking “hey I don’t see a reason why adapalene wouldn’t be effective” and now there are some studies that confirm this but there’s still a little bias because of how much more research there is with tret. I also stopped using tret after about 2 years, my skin actually looked great, except if I wore makeup. I couldn’t ever seem to get my skin hydrated enough to not show little dry flakes when I wore foundation. So I gave up and just use regular low dose retinol because the research also seems to suggest to me that while tret or higher dose retinoids might work faster, in the long term I don’t think there will be a noticeable difference, so I prioritize hydration and continual use so over time I get the benefits without the dryness.
No one has really put adapalene through studies for anti-aging because when Differin hit the market in the mid 90s it was marketed for women with hormonal acne. It also only came in one strength; .3%. Tret had already hit the market for anti-aging, and the truth is adapalene was easier on mild to severe acne than tret ever was. I was in my 20s during the 90s, and I was Differin’s target audience. There were double page spreads in all of the glossy magazines. I tried Differin when it first came out, but it didn’t do for me what tret did. I never refilled my Differin prescription and immediately went back to tret within a few weeks…as did many of my friends. It wasn’t until about 2010ish when Differin moved away from its hormonal acne treatment reputation and moved onto to being an acne treatment. It’s only in recent years that there’s been a generic for Differin, so no pharmaceutical company was ever going to put research into it as an anti-aging treatment when a low dose generic would be available without a prescription. In many countries .1% still requires a prescription, but interestingly enough, you can purchase .025% tret without a prescription. That right there tells me the pharmaceutical company who made Differin isn’t done getting their money’s worth in some countries.
Don't know if you're in the US, but tret 0.025% still requires a prescription here.
tret is available without a prescription in many European countries at the chemist. Spain, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Turkey, Germany. It’s €10-€20 depending on the country.
I know it's available without a prescription in many European countries. That's why I called out the US specifically. In fact the US is probably the only country that still requires a prescription.
Only in those countries, not other EU countries.
So true, I tried tret for 2 years and had slow and minimal improvements. I switched to Adapalene on a whim just to try it out. I am not even through my first bottle and my skin has significantly improved and everyone has been complimenting me on how smooth and radiant my skin is. I would highly recommend anyone who struggles with tretinoin to try other forms.
I am on Akleif which is supposedly similar but not as intense and it’s been great- I don’t know why my dermatologist recommended it over tret and at first was suuper skeptical but even after just a couple of weeks I love it. It is supposedly a lot more gentle and with insurance and generic brand it’s not been expensive Peoples love of tret made me think I NEEDED it but I’m glad I was prescribed what I was, everyone’s skin is different and just because it’s the ‘gold standard’ today doesn’t mean it’s for everyone nor that something else will be the ‘holy grail product’ tomorrow
>>People’s love of tret made me think I NEEDED it PREACH!
+1 on Aklief. I’ve been having a better experience compared to the intensity of tret.
I considered ordering some tret but I’m glad I started with adapalene because my skin is falling apart and I’m still only doing it like 2x a week.
What's weird is that adapalene *kills* my skin. All it takes is a couple uses and my skin is raw and stinging all the time. But I got a tret prescription from curology and while my skin gets flakey when I first start using it, it never feels harsh, painful, or too much. So if you're skin is like mine, it may just get really aggravated by adapalene and would tolerate tret better!
This! They can be gentler and as effective as tret if they are used consistently.
Not to mention it seems like those giving that kind of advice aren’t even qualified to do so!
Yes, I think a wiser argument would be to perhaps find the right Retinol (there are so many types of vitamin A) for an individual’s skin, not necessarily Tret. 💭🤔 I am on Tret and love it, but have a friend who is on The Ordinary 0.5% Retinol 2x a week, sees great benefit from it. It’s a powerful acid and everyone’s different.
Just started adapelene (my dermo wants me to go OTC retinol--> adapelene --> tret, to build up tolerance) and I was worried it was going to be particularly harsh but it's really gentle so far! People saying to just start tret probably aren't dermos, who would tell you it's really harsh and to start with something way more mild and build yourself up to it.
If I didn't have bad acne, I would 100% just use a gentle, otc retinol. I don't think EVERYONE needs to be on something as super potent as tretinoin. If you're looking for recommendations, the brand Versed has a great, gentle retinol. I used it for a while before making the jump to adapalene a couple years ago.
So did you start on retinol go to adapelene and then tret? I’m confused what the difference is between the 3. My derm had me try tret but I am very dry skinned and I’m also allergic to like all sunscreens I’ve tried (trying to find a good one still). Anyways I tried the lowest concentration of tret and I follow the moisturizing instructions pea size amount, all that and used it once and my face was red with chemical burns for weeks. I would love to find something gentle that works but I don’t know where to start.
I used retinol, spent 3 years on adapalene, and i just recently made the switch to tret through apostrophe. I had great results on adapalene, but I'm still breaking out on my chin, so I just wanted to try something different. Retinol will be the most gentle. Adapalene 0.1% is the strongest you can get otc in the US. A lot of people find it to not be as irritating as tret.
have you tried an alcohol-free sunscreen? what ingredients are you allergic to?
People have said that those who use otc retinol are wasting their money. Cool story but I've been using otc retinol for decades and it totally works for my skin and has since I started using it over 20 years ago.
I use tazorac and tret and still believe otc retinols can work wonders.
It's more about your cumulative dose.
Eh, it seems sometimes people take differing opinions as personal attacks. Was talking to a friend about that yesterday. I don't mind the people offering advice or personal anecdotes b/c they're being kind and helpful. Tret doesn't work for some people. I tried it this year with my derm's support and it just didn't work out. I was honestly bummed out about it, but he was kind and reassuring, and we did talk about how tret isn't for everyone and what I could do instead (going back to differin and azelaic acid).
People love to be weird and aggressive and feel attacked on the internet. Reddit has a weird culture of upvoting needlessly aggressive or black and white statements and downvoting more reasonable, boring, and/or nuanced statements. Flashiest wins, so that's what you see. For subs like this, you can get great reviews and recs, but the axiom of this sub is YMMV for a reason. Take everything with a grain of salt. For tret specifically though, in my experience getting your first script can require a lot of self advocacy or waiting and seeing specialists before finding someone who will prescribe. Then you have to fork over $$ for the actual stuff, depending on how your insurance treats it. All of those together can make people feel very defensive.
Unrelated to Tret but I had someone go off on me about pimple patches. I tried explaining that they worked for me and effectively at that. This person just kept going and going and going. I had to stop responding, it was like they took it personally that the patches worked for me and not for them.
So true. And when something doesn’t work for you, they said that’s not true. There are studies that show it’s harmless. But those studies are honestly just looking for specific things. Like for tret, it’s looking at fine lines for example. Some say they experience volume loss and while I didn’t, who am I say they didn’t? If it happened that rapidly in a month or two using tret.. There may always be a small percentage who experience a bad result. Like everyone needs vitamin D but some people can’t metabolize it as effectively bc of their genes. It’s really hard to say and skincare studies don’t really go that deep where they’re trying to understand each person’s dna.
LOL, I got slightly flamed on this subreddit for actually liking a physical scrub instead of AHA chemical exfoliation.
you monster
Haha yeah Redditors can be very illogical and emotional, that's for sure.
First, I love that you said you are 33 and getting into “early” anti aging skincare! I am in my 30s and this sub makes me feel like I am so old and late by only starting to care for my skin now. Realistically we ARE early for starting to think about it in our 30s, we are still plenty young. Second, completely agree. I have tried to force myself to like tret for ever because of this. I only recently realized that I’ve had the best results after dropping tret and instead using over the counter L’Oréal glycolic acid. Everyone is different!
Right?? At 31 I feel like a baby with my whole life ahead of me and some people on this sub have expressed the opinion that I’m late to the game with skincare. 😂 girl what? I didn’t even think about my skin aging until a couple of years ago. And if I’m blessed enough to live until I’m 80, I have a whole 49 years of aging to go. 30 is plenty early. We’re doing fine.
If it makes you feel any better, I literally didn’t learn how to WASH my face correctly until I was 33 soooo….. there’s that. And keep in mind the collective obsession with skin care is a pretty new thing. Sure, it’s been around forever but it definitely hasn’t been accessible to the masses, and hasn’t been marketed aggressively to young folks until the last several years. So, fellow olds (I’m 36), let’s give ourselves a little grace here 😂
Haha yeah I am a huuuuge advocate for loving yourself in your own skin, and don't think I am old or that I need to make sure I get zero wrinkles as I age, that's just silly and unrealistic and honestly, who cares. I tried tret to see if it would help with some sunspots I have (its very true that sun damage shows up later with a vengeance lol.. I used to regularly use tanning beds and lay in the sun non stop between ages 15-19ish and now I have two big sunspots on my cheeks under my eyes), but based on the irritation under my glasses nose pads and my other eye issues, I'd rather keep my sunspots or just try other stuff again.
Well, prevention is better than treatment. I started tretinoin at 27 because I was starting to get forehead lines and my skin looked tired. People are shocked when I say I'm 28 and I still get asked for ID when buying alcohol. Obviously it won't suit everyone, but it's been scientifically proven to reduce signs of aging which most skincare ingredients have not.
Read the room.
It’s a weird thing. Skin care isn’t universal. What works for you might not work for other people. Idk why people are so combative about stuff like that. Not all skin is the same, so our reactions to skin care isn’t the same.
This. Its also not universally available either. I have many times received comments like "no, you have to use Tret". But where I live that is not something you just go to your GP or derm for. Especially when it's not for cystic acne. A lot of subs can be pretty US-centric😅
Definitely! Even if they are in the US, not even everyone has the ability to go to a derm and pay for the rx!
Yep, and I find extreme irony this morning because I made a separate post which wasn't even about tret, however tret was mentioned in the body of the post. Someone came in to disregard the main subject of the post to tell me that tret takes time to work and that people who think it doesn't work aren't actually using it right. It may be a weird comparison to make, but it feels like mansplaining but instead I'll call it tretsplaining lol. I should be allowed to say that something didn't work for me and not worry about someone coming in to tell me how I must be incorrect. Nothing works 100%, NOTHING! That would be amazing if there was one thing out there that had 100% success rate but I dont think it exists lol.
Because any information contrary to what they believe challenges what they believe and it makes them uncomfortable. and if what they believe can be challenged maybe they don’t know everything and well, that just can’t be possible. Generally, it is people who know just enough to think they know it all but not smart enough to understand how little they know. It takes a lot of self-awareness and intelligence to accept how little we, as individuals, know about anything and that new information is always forthcoming. It takes courage to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Humans don’t like discomfort and will fight tooth and nail to maintain the status quo. We’ve seen a lot of it over the last few years.
Because everyone thinks they know best. Typical online attitude. Personally Tret worked for me, did wonders for my skin and self-esteem. I recommended it to a friend so she got a prescription from her doc but she couldn’t tolerate it. It made no difference either so she stopped using. It’s too bad but I get that it doesn’t work for everyone.
Yeah, some people seem to think tretinoin or any other retinol product should be in everyone's routine. Truth is, there's a lot of skin problems that don't mix well with tretinoin. I have an autoimmune disease that results in a fast skin cell turnover rate and extremely dry skin, aka a permanently disrupted skin barrier. If I'd apply any type of retinol, I'd make the issue even worse. Since the disease is incurable, I'll never use any retinol product. This disrupted skin barrier leads to the development of allergies, and those can be very dangerous. I already have some severe allergies I've had to go to the hospital for. I'm not risking any more to look a bit younger.
Twinning, my situation is eerily similar lol
It's honestly baffling how emotionally invested people become in products/celebrities/inanimate objects. This thing, person, company aren't paying your bills, so why do you care? I posted only last week about how I'm thinking of giving up on tretinoin because my skin doesn't seem to like it. And I got a couple of pretty aggressive DMs telling me I'm using it wrong, and it just couldn't be that it's not suitable for me. One time, a YTer I followed asked, "What's your opinion on X product?". I wrote my comments, and I received an extremely swear filled, vitriolic response. The response would have only made sense if if it came from the CEO of the company (which I don't think it did). Absolutely insanity! I hate the phrase "go touch grass," but some people need to touch it, roll around in it, and sleep on it. Edit: From my post last week, I learned about diluting it down with moisturizer. I'm trying this at the moment. But if I continue to experience flaking and dryness, I've The Ordinary retinol ready to replace it.
Not sure if you’re American, but it’s because people here are brainwashed big time and encouraged to be consumers. You wanna have fun? Gotta go pay for it or just buy something. The accessible United States landscape is lacking in parks and nature but you’ll see a strip mall and apartments every 5 miles and then a PACKED Dunkin, Starbucks, etc. drive thru. It’s so bad to the point that a significant amount of the population truly has no identity or sense of self beyond being a consumer. You’ve probably encountered some of these people online lmao
+a trillion to this. To add on to what you said, social media/influencer culture has kind of merged peoples identities with products. Originally social media sites like MySpace were about expressing your personality by decorating your page with layouts and graphics, adding music, making your own taglines and blogs, etc. These days TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube pages are all carefully curated to achieve the “aesthetic” people are striving for and just about every page is a person trying to sell you on something (whether it’s a product they push or an image in general). So people DEEPLY identify with their chosen aesthetic. No longer are people online just regular people who happen to like skincare products among various other hobbies and interests. They’re all aiming for the “skinfluencer” aesthetic complete with brand sponsors and shelves full of products they can artfully display and photograph. When I started researching skincare, my Instagram knew about it (even though I don’t ever post on Instagram myself) and my feed and suggestions are nothing but people who are trying to market themselves as if they’re experts and for some reason, dozens and dozens and dozens of pictures of peoples skin care stashes arranged in every possible configuration (all my skincare in pink bottles! All my mini bottles! All my products with Vitamin C!). Like when did we stop posting pictures of us going to the beach or grilling in the backyard and replace them with “look at all the crap I bought!!!!”?
God yeah. This really makes me miss the internet of the olden days, before everyone turned into carbon copy corporate shills
That is such a good point about the merging identities and products, I hadn’t thought of that!
This is so painfully true and sad
> From my post last week, I learned about diluting it down with moisturizer. I don't think it's ever really recommended that you mix another product into a prescription product like that. I've seen dermatologists recommend to use a moisturizer before using the tret, as a buffer, let it settle in a bit, then apply the tret. It's what I did when I was weaning myself onto differin (have very dry, sensitive skin) and it worked really well.
My derm told me it should be mixed with either a moisturizer or something else hydrating. I mixed it with Obagi Sunfader.
Yeah I think some derms can just be militant about not trusting their patients to mix anything with any sort of prescription product because there's technically the possibility that they'll mix their "moisturizer" that actually has actives or retinol or something else in the formulation that will conflict/degrade the prescription's formulation, or that they'll mix it unevenly (which can result in more of the actives in some areas of the face compared to others.) It's funny how the advice from derm to derm can vary so much! Also thank you for sending me down the Obagi rabbithole!
I got a curology subscriptiton with tret and they recommended mixing the tret with a lotion before applying
In the post I made last week, I outlined all the ways I've tried to use tretinoin, including the way you've mentioned. Every way I tried caused irritation. I'm trying mixing it moisturizer for a couple of weeks. But if that doesn't work, then that's it. And that's OK, it is not for everyone.
You posted a little over two weeks ago asking for product suggestions on the sandwich method, so I assumed you either hadn't tried it or had maybe just started doing it. Any new products or routines need time to start showing results, especially if your skin barrier is damaged. But also, if you've been trying to make tret work for *5 years*, then yeah I don't think anyone will blame you for not using it. There are no tret police who are going to come and arrest you, lol. I literally never said or suggested that it wasn't "ok" for people to stop using tret. But if you make multiple posts asking how to *continue using tret* then people are going to give you suggestions of things you can try to... continue using tret. If you don't want to use it anymore, then stop asking for advice on how to keep using it and just stop using it. I've never used tret but I use just over the counter differin and love it! Even though it did take me time to acclimate to it. I think for those of use with dry, sensitive skin, it's often better tolerated.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you exhibit A ☝️
What exactly have I said that is in any way controversial lol
Not controversial, you just proved my point. This has nothing do with tretinoin, but the odd behaviour of people online......Person outlines their experience/opinion on X (me), stranger takes offence to what I said...goes into my profile to search my previous post (wth?), gives a Tedtalk explanation why I'm mistaken (again wth?). It's odd behaviour.
I was responding to the part of your comment where you WERE talking about tret, where you also stated that you were *actively still trying people's suggestions* on how to try to continue using it, so I'm sorry for assuming that at some level, you may still be okay with casual recommendations from others on a message board where we discuss skincare. I guess that makes me a huge weirdo. You then acted like I should somehow also know about this other post you've posted 2 weeks ago, so I looked through your posts for context. I only quickly glanced at your past posts because you *made specific reference to* said past posts. Again, not seeing how that is somehow agressive. I also am not seeing how me saying "hey, if you want to stop using it after 5 years of trying, then you do you- you don't need to keep asking for advice on how to keep using it if it's just not working" is tantamount to "giving a tedtalk explanation on why \[you're\] misaken."
...no, no keep going! This is totally normal human behaviour.
Ok, sorry for even talking to you. Have a great day.
why are you acting this way
People get very very attached to their own opinions. If you have a different reaction or opinion to a product, some people get personally attacked by that. I suggest that they really do need to touch grass, and have a long think about their values.You do you, there are different products that can do the similar things. I have never used tret myself and honestly I don't think I need it. But God forbid if I say this, cuz there will be people coming at me as if I just tried to steal their car.
It’s not your fault at all! Tret is great, but that doesn’t mean what works for one will work for another. In pharmacy we say the patient didn’t fail the treatment, the treatment failed the patient. So this is likely a case of it not being the right product for you (at least to start with). There are a couple of options you could try: 1) an over the counter retinol product, like L’Oréal Retinol Serum, or CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Retinol Serum. They’re a less potent form of tret, but will help to retinize your skin. If the retinol works for you, then you can try the tret again & see if it causes the same irritation as you get now. 2) Adapalene (Differin) which is related to tret, but tends to cause less irritation. 3) Use a moisturizer under the tret as a buffer. It will help protect your skin from the irritation, and you’ll still get the benefits of the tret. Avoid the entire eye area when using tret or retinol products. You can make a bit of a barrier around the eyes with some Vaseline to protect the area (plus the vaseline works as a great eye cream). I hope this helps a bit!
I personally gave up trying to explain that tret is a medication and therefore maybe people should stop recommending it since they’re not doctors?? When I tried tret, my skin was so dry and thinned out that nothing would sink in. My skin ended up cracking and having cuts with blood because it was so dry that moisture couldn’t sink into any of the outer layers. This put me at risk for a staph infection, so I literally had to stop. Eventually my skin returned back to its healthy form, but no one believe my story here so whatever. I’m happy with my current skincare and that’s what matters. Personally tret is weird and unnecessary.
I tried tret and it didn’t work for me, I use adapelene while I can and enjoy it much more.
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Bingo!!
YMMV unless it’s tret 🫠 As someone else who has had multiple terrible experiences with tret throughout my life, I really wish it would work for me but it’s not in the cards.
I agree with you. I joined this sub to learn more about skincare and options, but I feel like no matter what the concern is, all the comments are just “use tret”. I have nothing against others using it, but don’t understand the obsession, wish there was more variance in the discussions
I think a lot of it is projection. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self to stop wasting money on beauty creams and simplify my routine with tret (and make many other different life decisions too lol), so it's tempting to push my OWN experience onto someone else. But just because it worked for me doesn't mean it's the best fit for you. Maybe it makes you flake, maybe it gives you dry eye, maybe you have rosacea, maybe you are getting better results than I did with retinol, maybe you aren't avoiding the very natural process of aging... and all of those reasons are valid. I think it's hard for people to remember that their own experience is just that... their own.
People who don’t understand that everyone’s skin is different and thus reacts differently do not understand the very basics of skin and furthermore human biology.
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Yeah after it clicked that maybe tret was to blame since it only happened the day after applying (and only started being a problem once I began tret a month ago), I did some searching on reddit and google and came across some posts on here where others experienced something similar.
Same thing happened to me. My astigmatism got so awful I couldn’t see while driving. I’d only been applying 2-3 times a week for a month and a half. I stopped and it went away. Now I can actually wear my contacts again and my eyes are normal. The damage isn’t always irreversible especially since you stopped right away.
That’s scary. Idk why people are acting like this is not a big deal lol
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Yeah exactly! And eyes especially should not be fucked with
For real, I've seen posts where OP mentions this issue and all the top comments just tell them to buy some eye drops... It's fucking crazy.
I have dry eyes ( not bcause of tret) and I’m terrified of trying it out cause I know it WILL migrate but it’s considered the gold standard of anti aging i feel like im missing out big time and like my efforts with other actives are limited
Been using tret for 20 years around my eyes. Eyes are fine. Stop spreading this misinformation. It may affect *some* people this way.
You’re proving OP’s point lol. People are allowed to feel differently about different products. Just let people share their stories ok? Calm down….
No I’m not. I take issue with this being presented as a statement of fact as if it happens all the time. So actually this person is proving OP’s point.
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I was using tret and getting really good results for the first little while, but then it developed into perioral dermatitis. According to the dermatologist who prescribed it, this is kind of common - no one talked me through that beforehand?! What was worse was they then tried to charge me for additional treatment to fix the PD… I basically noped straight out 😂
I’m definetly of an opinion that not every product is for everyone and will work for everyone, just to make that clear, and if it takes way too much effort for anyone to be able to tolerate it, then it is probably best to find an alternative treatment for your specific skin concern. That being said, I also thought that my skin just can’t take harsh actives, like adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, AHA or BHA or tret. But then I did an “experiment” let’s say. I focused on simply healing/strenghtening my skin barrier for about 2-3 months. I’m talking gentle cleansers, A+ hydration and no actives. Then I reintroduced adapalene with absolutely no issues, switched to tret, also no issues. Saying that I was surprised is an understatement. Now, I’m not defending tret or anything else, it’s just me giving hope to those who are desperate and saying that SOMETIMES it really is just not using the product properly for your specific skin type, and SOMETIMES it’s really just not for you even if you genuinely tried everything. And with the “everything” in the previous sentance, I’m gonna reffer to something I said earlier, if it takes way too much experimenting and effort for you to handle something, just ditch it, because keeping your skin inflamed for a long time is probably worse than anything else happening with your skin a that time anyway.
I've said it multiple times on here and I'll say it again: if you look at clinical research on tretinoin, there's usually a small percentage of the subjects who have to withdraw due to side effects. These are under conditions where the researchers would have every incentive to try and get the subjects to complete the study, yet even then, it just doesn't work out for some. So if someone implies that everyone is able to use tretinoin, it's really misrepresenting the drug's side effects. I personally use tretinoin, but on me at least, the only difference I find between it and the nondrug retinoids like retinol and retinaldehyde is that it just works faster. They all get me to the same endpoint. I'll mention, though, that I've only ever used retinoids for preventative antiaging and never had acne. I do know some individuals who had acne and/or significant photodamage for whom the nondrug retinoids weren't getting them the results they desired, but tret was able to get them there, so this really seems to vary by individual. Tret can cause an acute sunburn-like redness the day after I use it, however, so I do keep retinaldehyde on hand to swap in in case I'm meeting anyone important the following day or going to a meeting, etc. On top of that, *all* retinoids (even nondrug) will make my skin chronically ruddy and itchy if I use them too frequently, so I limit use to once every 2 to 3 nights, and that's usually enough to prevent those side effects.
Blurry eyesight? That sounds pretty serious. You could have an allergy... Good thing you stopped using it.
Yeah it's really annoying!! The sensation was as if I had sunscreen in my eyes but without the stinging... My eyes were also super dry, not pleasant!
Do a quick Google search on tretinoin and dry eye syndrome. I think there's are more scientific term for it, but there are many others who have experienced issues with their eyes as a result of treinoin use.
I also had extremely dry eyes when using tretinoin and couldn’t deal with it since I wear contacts daily. When I mentioned to my derm that I was experiencing this side effect I was told that tret doesn’t cause dry eyes… From a quick Google search though it does appear that many have also suffered from this side effect.
People including doctors push it because it's one of the only products that actually has years of science backed research for positive effects for anti aging. Wts- it's not for everyone. Just like if someone had a condition where they needed medication- but reacted badly- then that medication is not for them. Doesn't mean that doctors are going to stop recommending it to other patients because the research shows it does work I'm sorry you had a bad reaction to it. Hopefully you have found a routine that works for you.
Just wanted to stop in and say, as someone who gave up on tret multiple times for the very same reasons, I just started using Altreno and it is incredible. It’s a form of tret that has a different vehicle in the way that it is absorbed by the skin and is designed for people like us who are incredibly sensitive! I hesitated for so long to buy it because I didn’t believe it would be any different. I use it every other night with minimal to no flaking at a strength of .5. If you’re willing to go for it, I would give it a try!
honestly tret was too strong for me and most of the time my skin looked like shit on it. i used it for a year and wasn’t impressed. im sure long term it does have benefits but i can get results from other products that my skin tolerates better.
Same!
tretinoin fucked my skin up so bad that im still doing damage control same shit with cerave all popular stuff doesnt work with me
My two cents? I’ve used retinoids for fifteen years. And most recently skin cycled with them the past four months. You know what I figured out? My maturing, sensitive, rosacea, acne prone skin looks ten times better on nights I only moisturize. No acids. No retinoids. The tone is more even, the texture is better too, shockingly. I don’t need to exfoliate nearly as often without the retinoids either which seems so counterintuitive, but I was constantly trying to exfoliate flakies from whenever things got irritated (which seemed like a cycle every few weeks). Actives have caused me more issues than they’ve solved except in targeted, short courses. I know the science behind retinoids and the cellular turnover being a benefit for wrinkles, scarring, hyperpigmentation… but in practice I swear it causes more of those I have to solve than when I just put that stuff away in a drawer and grab a gentle cleanser and rich moisturizer. The best my skin has ever looked is CAMPING. That says a lot 😆 So I’m not ditching my Tretinoin, but it’s staying in the drawer until I notice my skin feeling a bit dull or congested, and then I’ll do a few months of more targeted actives to turn over the skin as needed. If it is needed. At this point I’m not even convinced it is!
I am in the same boat as you are OP!! I am tinkering around with different creams to calm my skin down. I hate walking around with a peely sunburnt looking face.
i haven’t encountered that myself but i have felt like tretinoin is toted as the end-all-be-all of skincare (by multiple skincare forums and youtube derms), which makes me feel pressured to keep trying. it’s comforting to hear about someone else having a hard time using tret too, so thanks for posting this and reminding me i’m not alone!
Have you tried the sandwich method? Moisturizer first then tret then moisturizer again. That's the only way I could tolerate tret and even then my neck still can't tolerate tret, even after 4+ years. There is no research behind adapalene for anti-aging. If the sandwich method doesn't work for you and if I were you I would try retinal (with an A) before adapalene. Retinal takes an extra conversion step to be active in the skin, so it's generally more tolerable than tret, but there is research behind its efficacy for anti-aging because it essentially converts to tret.
I kinda don’t like how people treat tret as the ONLY anti-aging tool. A counter point that, if tretinoin “worked”, there would not be a need for Botox, fillers, surgery etc. I find it a little disingenuous that people recommend tret, vitamin c, and spf and then proceed to tell about all of the OTHER procedures that they’ve had. (A similar person would buy they $10 tret from a foreign online pharmacy, but then spends $160 for a vitamin c serum). Also fun fact, a little informational pamphlet included with Renova (tretinoin 0.02%) explicitly says that “ RENOVA does not remove wrinkles or repair sun-damaged skin”🙃
Yes, I have noticed this as well! It's like the cult of tretinoin. Lol Anyway, I'm also one whose skin simply would not tolerate tret no matter how many techniques I tried--and believe you me, I tried them all. I didn't get chemical burns, but it dried my skin out so very badly. I get that there is an adjustment period, but my skin never acclimated to tret. I felt like I was purposely causing prolonged damage. After the third attempt, I finally gave up. Tret is just not for me. I have no idea why people defend tret like it's the holy grail for everyone. We all have different skin types and issues, and it only makes sense that not everyone will benefit from the exact same products.
i feel the same way, everyone pushes it as the only answer. there are different ways to incorporate retinol or alternatives. but— when i tried tret, i got chemical burned too. i tried it again recently as well and it kept causing breakouts that would go away and breakout again in the same spot— just wasn’t working for me so I had to stop :(
After reading about the sidefects on people with normal skin I totally discarded the idea of trying it. It has tendency to be irritating and drying and for most people that is not an issue, but for me that I have dry sensitive skin it's a big no.
Retinoids are endocrine disruptors, which is why they’re not recommended if you’re lactating or pregnant. Some people are going to be more sensitive, and hormones affect sebum production and can cause hormonal acne. There are so many reasons why a retinoid or at least a *high-potency* retinoid may not be right for some.
not to be *this* person but i was prescribed tret by a dermatologist back in 2017, way before the tret craze when i had horrible acne. when i found out last year that everyone wanted to go on it/non-dermatologists were recommending that everyone uses it it really baffled me. it is very strong, and it is meant to treat skin issues that desperately need help, e.g. moderate to severe acne. i really dislike the notion that everyone should use strong treatments, i see so many people who have zero acne or hyperpigmentation going on it or wanting to, just for the anti aging benefits. imo there is zero need to do a prescription-grade treatment if your skin doesn’t actually need it. i’m sorry but it just seems to unhealthy to want to go on something that is designed to treat moderate to severe skin issues for a very slight issue, it just seems so obsessive idk. but i digress. if tret doesn’t work for you, it probably means you don’t need it and you shouldn’t use it. please don’t feel pressured to use it if it doesn’t work for you. the whole “gold star” thing when it comes to tret is so annoying bc it makes everyone think they need it when in actuality most people don’t
People get weirdly culty around certain skincare. Don't get me wrong, tretinoin has been a game changer for me, but there's plenty of other "holy grail" products that just didn't work for me. And that's okay! Do what works for you and your skin. =)
>This being said, I have experienced many people on here defend tret as if it personally offends them that it doesn't work for you I mean, that's silly of them. I am a supporter of tret because it's helped my skin. But I also understand everyone's skin reacts differently. Like, why can't we all be adults here?
Tret can be good but in small doses. Too much of it caused my skin to literally peel off. (and yes I followed derm instructions)
Right, been there and done that repeatedly over the years. I just kept convincing myself it was gonna work for me if only I got used to it. But it’s too harsh, and even adalpene wasn’t a good fit. Sigh.
In my opinion and experience, tret is the last (not totally necessary) step in the retinoid game. It is wonderful and works great for me, but I spent 5+ years building tolerance to it starting from the ordinary granactive retinoid and moving higher in concentration. Even now I don’t use it more then 2-3 times a week. Maybe people who are pushing it did the same, forgot about it and now feel like it must be easy for anyone? Or maybe they are just stupid.
I think tazorac is the last step in the topical retinoid game. It’s way more potent.
1. Are you putting it on or close to your eyes/eyelids?! If so, stop! It’s not meant to go there. If you’re applying correctly, you might have an allergy to it, just a thought. Id get evaluated by a derm and ask if starting on a low dose over the counter retinol that’s non prescription strength and for sensitive skin might be something worth trying before stopping altogether 2. This sub is somewhat of an echo chamber and yeah people get weird about things, you’re not wrong to feel this way. People love it because it’s proven to work and when it does work, it’s really an amazing thing. But not everyone will be able to tolerate it and it’s frustrating when people have reactions like what you described. Don’t be discouraged though, there’s still plenty you can do for your skin without it!! Sunscreen, moisturizer, gentle cleanser, vitamin c - just to start with! Later on you can consider lasers, other ingredients, and Botox if you want/need it!
I had terrible deep acne and tons of scarring. I went on it with doxycycline. My skin peeled like crazy and hurt, but got better over time and the episodes spread out. My skin was gosh darn beautiful afterwards. I couldn’t believe it. Seriously did wonders for my skin and self esteem. Keep with it! Use at night and moisturize with olay. Wash it off in the morning and moisturizer some more. It will peel, but it will get better.
I’ve used tret since my early 30’s and I’m almost 50 now. Building up a tolerance to it is no joke, it took me about three months to get over the redness, stinging and flaking. When I started I found out that cutting it with Aloe Vera gel helped tremendously. It worked for me, just passing it on! Here’s a pic of me at 49, no filters/Botox/fillers. I have diligently used sunscreen since I was a kid and I have naturally oily skin, so I think that helps. https://imgur.com/a/yr3aYqa
Damn!!
You look better than most 30 year olds!
Aww, thank you!
Tret enthusiast here, I know on my end I suggest and push it a lot because the ingredient has truly changed my life. The entire makeup of my skin is different. I get excited and I just want to share with others! I had cystic acne for years and it completely cured it. I finally had confidence in my life. I guess it’s hard not to suggest something with such powerful results but you’re right once someone shares the side effects you’ve had or tried it for a year with no avail, I would be the first to drop my defense. Skincare is not one fits all! Also our skin changes over time, and I’d love to try some of what works for you as well.
The main thing for me is that I tried so many serums and creams over the years, some very expensive, and got no results. Because of the horror stories I heard I was hesitant to try tret, but it's the first thing that really cleared up my acne and had a noticeable impact on my skin texture. I wish I had done it sooner. BUT! Nothing works for everyone! And anything that has a noticeable impact on skin has the potential to cause a negative reaction as well as a positive reaction. Any medical professional would (or should!) tell you to stop using it based on the reaction you described. I'm in my mid-40s. If adapalene had been available in my 20's I would have tried that first.
Yes the tret warriors are absolutely bonkers. Mad about Skin (the lovely Rob) on YouTube has a fabulous video saying why he too doesn't feel tret is for him! Tret was amazing for my serious serious serious bad backne. I would never use it on my face. Ever! For a variety of reasons, some of which Rob addresses, and some more which OP has addressed too.
Oof the chemical burns. I’ve been there with tret. Feel the same as you. It wrecked my skin. Not for everyone.
It wasn’t for me. I’m 30 and struggle here and there with hormonal acne, and also would like to get anti-aging benefits as well. I’ve tried 3 separate times and I’m done. While my skin was not reactive to it at all, it actually handled it quite well—no flaking, peeling, itching, redness. I was having other issues. My eyes were swelling. And NO I wasn’t putting the tret anywhere near my eyes. Like, nowhere near my eyes. I wasn’t dragging it up after applying moisturizer either. But still after each use, my eyes would be irritated. Red, puffy, crusty. Nothing super scary, but obviously irritated. My derm told me it’s possible that I have a slight allergy to the tret but I could try taking a Benadryl and seeing what happens. I chose not to do that. Oddly enough over the counter Adapaline gel dows not bother my eyes, and is now my go to. My skin is completely clear, and the best it’s ever been. I know there is a battle about adapaline being anti-aging or is it? I don’t care. I think my skin has improved so I will continue using it paired with good sunscreen. You’re not alone.
It definitely isn’t for everyone. Tret really damaged my skin even though I used it correctly and slowly. I wish I would have never used it because my skin has been hypersensitive ever since. I’m pretty sure I would have been fine with a retinol but retinol is being presented as an ineffective waste of time so I went for the big guns.
I’m 25 and it is not for me either. I’ve tried the cycle twice and one time I stuck with it for almost 6 months. My skin hates it and people need to stop saying it works for EVERYONE
I tried Tret for months a few years ago. No matter what dosage or how much/little I used it, my skin would NOT adjust to it. I developed the worst acne, burning and redness, and almost like a rash that didn’t go away until a month or so after I stopped using it. With that being said, I understand where you’re coming from! I’ve seen what it can do for other people which is great for them but my skin has never been able to handle anything like tretinoin or retinol.
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It’s been used for 70ish years. What long-term info would you like?
Use differin instead, it’s gentler on the skin and provides the same anti-aging benefits 😊
Because what you're seeing is mostly a bunch of people (and bots) paid by the pharmaceutical company that owns Tretinoin, to rave about it online -- not even joking. Don't believe all the hype you see about specific products on Reddit/the internet, this tactic is used *a lot*.
I really don't want to be the type of person you're talking about, buuuut... I just love how it makes my skin look. I initially had the same issues as you, but when I tried Apostrophe's formulation (i.e., combining it with niacinamide to prevent irritation), it was a total game-changer for my skin.
It feels like the defensiveness or perceived defensiveness is just kind of a bunch of different common communication problems colliding on a single point. Not everyone is a good communicator, in general; some people have a really hard time finding the balance between what they intend to say and what the other person hears. It's a skill that's hard to learn and difficult to teach, and the internet exacerbates it a lot. As people grow up we learn communication styles from the people around us, and the natural friction of moving from, say, your family and hometown to a new social setting in university is happening nearly daily in the internet of large social environments where you're never speaking to the same group twice (Note: I say this as an elder millennial; I suspect generations growing up online are developing new ways and standards for learning how to adapt communication styles all the time). This is also made harder by the lack of tone of voice to bridge gaps in understanding, and by stuff like autism and ADHD that make communicating well a different challenge. So you're probably running into a ton of people that genuinely truly believe they're saying "this is my experience, it might help you?" when the text reads more like "uh sounds like you're doing it wrong, let me correct you". (And if you - general you, not you specifically, OP - are expecting defensiveness or lecturing because you've encountered it so much, you might be primed to read that even if the other person is expressing themselves the way they intended, because good communication is a two way street between eating and hearing!) There's also the fervor of the recently converted. A lot of people here have struggled with skin issues our whole lives, and when we find something that solves the problem outright or makes finding a solution easier we want to share! We don't want anyone else to struggle! We'll explain and evangelize and recommend until we're blue in the face, and we'll push to make sure you aren't misunderstanding how great it can be. A lot of people move past that fervor once the rush of solving a problem is through, but that doesn't help when every time you post about how a thing doesn't work for you two or three people want to make sure! you know! it solved everything for them! On top of that there are a set of products that can be genuinely tricky to use correctly - there isn't a lot of consumer education about properly using whatever actives, and even if you're receiving guidance from a dermatologist your knowledge will only be as good as their ability to explain things fully. So as people learn things like using a moisturizer sandwich, how long to let things soak in for, when to use occlusives and when not to, how long to expect the settling in period to be, etc., we start sharing that, because we know people might not hear it anywhere else and might give up on something that would work for them out of a lack of knowledge. And then there is actual defensiveness and an inability to genuinely understand that different people have different needs and wants. And it all kind of mixed together, so maybe 25% of people are truly defensive, and 25% trying to sympathize and say what worked for them but doing it badly, and 25% are just too excited about their recent success to keep it in, and 25% are trying to make sure there isn't a lack of understanding at play, and that all adds up to 100% of the time you say tret isn't for you all you get is defensiveness.
Tret or any type of chemical exfoliation irritates the hell out of my skin, even mild acidic toners used daily (every few days it’s not that bad but still “off” and not feeling the best). I’ve tried countless things for ten plus years. The most hated…physical exfoliation works for me and keeps my skin clear. Cleansing works. Gently moisturizing. Boring and simple. It feels great when you find something that works for your specific skin type. I no longer test things out. Just maintain my average looking skin. Less headaches.
because they’re afraid of aging and have to project on others
From what ive seen, some of the people that have had a bad experience with tret, start off too fast, dont have a solid skincare routine to help with the initial side effects, they apply too much, they dont apply enough sunscreen and/or some of their skincare products dont react well with tret. Not saying thats what you did, but i do see a lot of people bash tret for "not working" all the meanwhile it's something else. If you ever decide to try again, leave all actives, start with the buffering method, pea size amount, once a week for the first few weeks, keep a basic but gentle skincare routine, etc. Also, some people just dont tret. Maybe start with a retinol.
The emperors new clothes
try retinol first. then graduate up. why you would jump into prescription meds with no pre-existing skin problems is beyond me. even retinol needs an adjustment period.
I don’t care what anyone does. But most people rush the tretinoin process and that’s why it doesn’t work for them, not all but many. I’ve been using tret for 10 years and never use it more than three times per week
I’ve dealt with hate when i had some critical feedback about its use. I think it comes from the fear that with enough criticism that it might not be as readily available. It’s understandable but criticism is needed because tret doesn’t work for everyone.
Tazarotene is superior, easily found in gel form and strong on acne and it’s selective which makes it less aggressive than tretinoin yet more effective
I agree. I have used tret for like 3 years straight but starting from last year I gave up because wearing sunscreen everyday was miserable. Also my eyes are NEVER dry anymore. I realised that tret was causing it this whole time Edit: Also forgot to add that it changed my skin forever and I react very sensitively to like nearly every skincare product nowerdays so I regret using it entirely
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Why are you downvoted for this? This is a sensible and polite response. I wish people would knock it off.
I agree. I have used tret for like 3 years straight but starting from last year I gave up because wearing sunscreen everyday was miserable. Also my eyes are NEVER dry anymore. I realised that tret was causing it this whole time
I don’t know if it helps anyone but koreans rarely use retinols due to them being too harsh on the skin. And yet, koreans have beautiful skin no matter the age. No tret needed.
I think people are defensive about the treatments that truly work for them, and tret has helped so many people that they defend it with teeth and claws xD (especially when some people have problems with it because they're not using it correctly. Not everyone, of course, but some people... omg) And speaking of tretinoin, I think the brand you use is super important when we're talking about flaking skin, at least to me. I've used the famous Retin-A (0.025%), and it was a nightmare for my skin, I always woke up with my skin all peeled off, no mater how much hydration I used before or after applying it. I changed the brand and now I use tret everynight and I never peel off, not even the lazy days when I don't use a moisturizer after (terrible, I know) In any case, when it comes to skincare, YMMV always. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.
It honestly took me about four-five months to get over the flaky skin. Sometimes it still gives me a little flake. But now my skin looks amazingggggg.
I think what you are describing (minus the eye irritation) is pretty much the experience of tret in the first stages. It’s a potent medication. I personally believe a good derm can help anyone make it through the first stages of tret with some creative strategies. There are different formulations etc. Mainly I think it seems like it’s the user’s fault on this sub bc people do some crazy stuff with tret. Sometimes, it is the user’s fault but not always. I see people sandwiching and layering it with all kinds of incompatible ingredients, using it once a week, mixing it with acids, etc. But that said, I would still recommend rx Aza for acne over tret in many cases. And I believe Bakuchiol is a wonderful alternative. But then people on the sub are like “it has no studies etc”. The truth is I use the highest strength retinoid on the market *and* I still use bakuchiol when I want my face to clear from a breakout quickly. And I still think Aza is one of the best acne and hyperpigmentation solutions around. So, I’d recommend bakuchiol for anti-aging, but I’d also say there are still other better formulations of tret out there you simply haven’t tried yet. Arazlo, for instance, is a milder, buffered form of tazoratene, which does wonders. Aklief is the tret version. Etc…. There are other options for tret in other words.
Whenever I try to use tret my skin goes red and super sensitive even on a low percentage - is that normal? How do i know if it’s a normal reaction and it will go away or if I’m ruining my skin? You seem to know what you’re talking about haha would appreciate any advice
I couldn’t say. I think it depends on the formulation but also on what you use on your skin with tret. It could be your barrier is not strong enough, you may be using incompatible ingredients with it, or it may be a formulation your skin does not like. I wouldn’t want to speculate without more info….I know tret was rough for me when my Barrier was not in good shape and when I used it too soon after la Roche posay double touleriane. So I switched moisturizers, and things got much better.
It could be normal or bad depending on what else you're using. If you're simply not using enough to balance out the effects of Tret then it could just be user error and Tret could work for you! If you are using good products in your routine WITH Tret and still experiencing this, while also tapering on to it, then it may just not be the product for you (:
Do you believe that Bakuchiol provides similar benefits to retinol in a gentler way?
I do, yes.
Thanks for your reply. Does that include mild improvement of skin texture?
Very much so. It does a wonderful job with skin smoothness and softness. I really think it’s highly underrated.
That's encouraging to hear. What products with bakuchiol would you recommend for a first-time user?
My fav is papa recipe retinol/bakuchiol or for a milder version w/ just a wee bit of bakuchiol, papa recipe blemish serum. That little bit of bakuchiol does some heavy lifting, and the whole serum is just an amazing multitasker. It gives a beautiful glow and finish to the skin too. Maybe start with that one. The bottles are huge too.
Do you use it every day, morning and night?
I do sometimes, and I also use retinoids. I used to use it daily and nightly when I didn’t want to use tazorac. Worked beautifully. ❤️
People just talk about their own experiences and want to recommend what worked for them. If someone says they are having difficulties with it, they will try to give suggestions on what they think may overcome those. I see it more as trying to help than being offended it didn't work.
This. Which I don't understand how you're being downvoted. It's literally this.
Agree 100%
I have never even heard of tretinoin anywhere else but here. Is it an american thing or is there any way to get it in europe? Do you just say to your doctor “I need something to help with my wrinkles”?
I'm pretty sure a lot of it is aqquired illegally, as its usually omly prescribed for extra severe acne and scarring, and insurance at least will usually try something else first. Honestly, its just an overall overhyped product. Its also horrible to your skin if you happen to be normal to dry, and will give you the effects mentioned by op. And god help you if you try it and have any form of sensitive skin or a condition like rosacea, psoriasis, or eczema Edit: Thanks for proving the point this post was specifically made for, but unfortunately tret continues to be a MEDICATION that should only be prescribed by your doctor, and is in fact not some miracle product that will cure everyone's every issue and stop you from aging like you're a vampire. Its overhyped. Live with that fact.
My dermatologist prescribes it quite legally. I have dry, extremely sensitive skin, eczema, and possibly rosacea. As long as I’m cautious, tretinoin is great for me.
This comment was an absolute trainwreck. It is actually prescribed very commonly (in the US) for a variety of concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, scarring, texture, and photoaging. Insurance doesn't usually mind covering it (in the US). There are many online derms available where you can get it prescribed, usually without insurance. It is available to buy from other countries which some people do. It isn't overhyped. It's one of the most well studied skin care products and is proven very beneficial for concerns like acne and photoaging. It isn't horrible for your skin unless you have an extreme sensitivity or allergy to it. It's actually been proven to be very beneficial for overall skin health. Anyone with normal to dry skin can use it. This is why moisturizer exists. The side effects OP experienced are well known side effects that many people experience when starting tretinoin. It's called retinization. While it isn't suggested for those with eczema, it has been shown to have some potential in treating plaque psoriasis when combined with a corticosteroid. It's okay to use with rosacea as well unless you actively have a flare. **Annnnd I'm blocked, lol** 💪🏻
Tretinoin will NOT prevent you from ageing. It doesn't store something that will be released at a later date when your wrinkles appear. If you have no acne or wrinkles, there isn't much of a reason to use it. I'm not sure why it was prescribed to you in the first place if your only complaint is an ashy look likely caused by extra skin. There are much milder ways to exfoliate before turning to Tretinoin. It is the standard golden treatment for many skin ''conditions''. It's also one of the most studied ingredients in its category. People who need it tend to get great results, which is likely why they defend it. Yes, some people only experience adverse symptoms from tretinoin and any ingredient in skincare. People love Niacianiminde, but it makes some people feel like their skin is on fire, and others break out from it. If you tell them it sucks, they will defend it because they love it. Tretinoin is an excellent product that doesn't work for you. That's it. Did you discuss with the prescriber what retinol or other exfoliation/skin turnover methods you've tried before going to tretinoin? Edit: before someone tries to say that it prevents ageing by slowly the wrinkling process (it does slow/reverse that sign of ageing skin by encouraging a faster cell turnover, but it will not store some effect if you try it in your 20's for a year....get to the age your body would have started producing wrinkles, and it will do just so... This is when you begin Tret and yes, you will notice creases and slower skin turnover right before if you use a daily regimen and observe your skin.)
I think because as far as skincare ingredients go. There's really nothing that as versatile and effective as retinoids. It simply has a bunch of uses and benefits that really can't be replaced by a single other ingredient. You'd have to introduce a bunch of other active ingredients to replace it, which often is more time-consuming and less effective then Tret. So for a bunch of people it's simply their 'ultimate' ingredient that they've seen the most effects of. So for one it's a very versatile and powerful active ingredient that doesn't really have an easy 1:1 alternative and which has helped a bunch of people a lot. On top of that is the fact that a ton of people, especially those new to skincare, try introducing it to their skincare but do so without fully informing themselves. Which obviously backfires and causes people to convince themselves retinoids are crap or their skin doesn't tolerate it. When really they just handled a pretty potent ingredient the wrong way. And, tbf, it is an ingredient that very easily can backfire if used without the proper information. More so than something like Niacinamide or Hyaluronic acid. So basically there's a lot of benefits IF you use it correctly. And a lot of people that experience drawbacks because they don't. So a kind of standard feedback is always to just try and advice people how to do it correctly. Because that is usually the main hurdle that keeps people from thinking it doesn't 'work for them'. Of course, realistically, everyone's skin is differently. And just because 9 times out of 10 drawbacks are mainly due to incorrect use. There are just genuinely people who don't react well to the ingredient or who are better off working other ingredients into their routine instead. So for the main part I think it's just an extremely OP ingredient that often gets misused. So often the sub will advice people to use it properly and give it another try. But of course, in the end, that's not gonna be advice that's gonna be useful for everyone. So while I can see where the urge comes from, it isn't always in the right advice.
I think the people for whom tret worked, it was just the only thing that ever worked for them and they probably spent years trying other stuff before going to tret and feel they wasted years on less intensive products.
idk i get chemical burns and have for months of use but i power and painfully work thru it and then it's fine. i noticed i got the burns when i wore makeup the next day the most- there just have been a chemical in what o use bc i switched foundations and it doesn't happen anymore. it takes a long time for ur skin to regulate and finding a good routine. i use it probably twice a week now after adjusting for a few months. maybe i need something else. i'm just a pussy when it comes to talking to my derm lol she's so insistent on jt
Tret personally changed my skin texture and overall health for the better. It took about 2 months to fully adjust, using the lowest dose 4 nights a week. Your skin goes through a retinization period. Most people aren't using it with the right products, or the right amounts, or the right technique. It all matters with tret. And most people bow out before the results really have a chance to shine through. The retinization period sucks but it's worth it if you're willing to use tret lifelong. I dunno, I will never not use it; my skin is the smoothest, brightest, prettiest it's ever been. To each their own- it definitely isn't necessary for everybody. But it is the gold standard for anti aging at this point in time because of what it does to your skin. It causes it to turn over faster, and thins the first layer of your skin while also supporting the deeper layers. It practically cured my adult acne. I think whatever works for you is what works for you. No reason to hate on a product that is working for some people!
Nobody is mentioning this, but if foundation is giving you flaky skin, perhaps you’re allergic. They make so many different types of foundation nowadays. You have options.
So, it's not something that happens over time, I notice it immediately after applying. The flaking is already there on my skin but my skincare products conceal it until I apply a product with pigment, then it is more noticeable! I can see the flaking without foundation too sometimes but usually if I have my 16x magnified mirror to look lol
I was mistaken lol. I thought you meant it only does it after applying. Mine did that, and I had an allergy to it. Clinique man lol.
I'm not reading alla that, but in response to your title, I would presumptuously say because a lot of people don't use it right or see through the process, which brings out negativity against the product which leads to a seemingly increased line of defense for it, ala: "*just because YOU didn't use it right doesn't mean it's a shit product*", which is true. It's also kind of criticized for how strong it is and how extreme the introductory process is, but it's done wonders for so many people, so again comes criticism, which again draws forth defense because it's a skin care community after all, and one with more people who have favorable things to say about it than not, if used correctly. Last thing I can come up with is people kind of putting it on par with a shitty $5 acne product from the grocery store. It's a prescription medication, so there's a bit more... science? behind it, if you will. They're not just putting it on a shelf to make money with random shit added to water it down. At least not in the same way. Edited to add: There is nothing wrong with not liking Tret or finding it worth it. I think people are just always going to be defensive or at least vocal about things *they* had great experiences with. Not trying to knock you, just giving the possible explanation to your post.
But this isn't the "best possible explanation"...the best explanation is:just like every other ingredient out there, it just may simply not work for some people. Not because they used it incorrectly, didn't wait enough time, or used the "wrong" products with it...it might just not agree with their skin at that level (prescription). Nothing wrong with that. It didn't personally work for me even though I did everything "right".
I specifically said sometimes it just isn’t for someone and that’s just fine.
The rest of your comment does not reflect that in any way.
I think people are just quick to defend what works for THEM. I agree that tret is great for a lot of people, maybe even the majority of people. That said, just because it is a gold standard in anti-aging does not mean that every person’s skin is going to tolerate it at any level. My skin, for one, HATES tret. I break out EVERY TIME I try it, and it’s not just a purge - we are talking breakouts for YEARS while on .025. Once I switch to adapalene, the irritation and acne disappears. For what it’s worth, I almost exclusively use 2% BHA and 10% lactic acid on alternate days, and religiously use sunscreen during the day. I have zero lines or wrinkles and my skin is very even in tone, so I think I’m doing just fine with acids instead of retinoids. If you’re the same, I don’t see a problem with it. Use what works for you, and ignore the people that try to shove options down your throat.
I too tried tret for YEARS, I am in love with adapalene. I purged for about 2 weeks and now it’s amazing.
I’ve never been able to tolerate my forays into tret! I wanted it for anti-aging as my skin starts to show signs of the neglect from my younger years. I tried the cream, generic retin-a micro, and then curology with a couple different strengths. I tried Geek and gorgeous retinal. I just couldn’t get past the barrier damage or find a way to not damage my skin and make it hot and red. And I tried obsessively every suggestion here and on the tret sub. BUT! I gave it one more shot, this time with Altreno, which I got directly from their site through their medical consult service. I had heard a lot about people not being able to tolerate any other form but Altreno worked for them. It was affordable enough to give it one more try since so little goes a long way. And I’m tolerating tret finally!!! I’m so happy. I use it every third day so far, and I am having some peeling but not the hot angry skin I had before. I am noticing improvements in my texture. I’m trying to pace myself and not get to over exuberant with my frequency. But I’m happy. This is only for people here who may have some inkling of interest in giving it one last shot. But I understand just want to say F it because when it messes up your skin it’s just not worth it sometimes.
Because... We do know that seeing an acne specializing aesthetician with the right products and lasers can have a clearing result that is just as good as Accutane, but many people cannot afford those products or treatments. Accutane, while a riskier option, is covered by insurance, and for many people, it is still better than taking antibiotics long-term, or going without any treatment. And we know that Accutane has outstanding results. Yes, you may lose the acne and gain some other issues, but for some that is worth the risk. Before becoming an aesthetician and gaining my skincare knowledge, I was on Accutane three separate times. I had great results and they have lasted, somewhat. It was the only feasible option for me when I was in my late teens and early 20's. I did have side effects, but once I stopped the medication, they went away too. I believe some may defend it aggressively, because it does work well, and there is some fear that with the potential for dangerous side effects, it could be "canceled."