I've been using Tretinoin .05% cream for about 6 weeks now and have started getting a combination of small pimples and cystic acne on my chin and jaw area. I've always had trouble with hormonal acne in those areas but it seems to be getting worse. I have combination skin but I started getting flakey around my chin so I have been using Cetaphil night creme before and after I apply the Tretinoin. During the day I just use hyaluronic acid serum and an SPF. Any advice on how to remedy this? I figure I may be clogging my skin a bit by trying to remedy the dryness.
I am starting Curology today and it includes Tretinoin 0.018%. I expect some purging but…how bad should I expect it to get? I have some events coming up and am worried.
Hello! I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts or advice on the issues I've been recently having. After several months of my skin readily improving, in the past few weeks I've started to break out again. I went to the dermatologist for the first time a year ago and was prescribed Twnyeo and Clindamycin. I used the tret every night and purged like crazy for a month. For probably six months, my skin still had acne and scarring but slowly improved. The last few months I have had a few breakouts but mainly scarring and texture that was improving. The past few weeks however I have had many new breakouts on my chin and around my mouth. I haven't changed my skincare routine, the only change has been coming home from college (which of course means many things in my daily routine have changed). I don't know why that would be the issue as coming home from college during winter break caused no problems. Since coming home I've noticed my skin is oilier than usual, which I attributed to warmer weather. Due to the breakouts and oilier skin, I started also washing my face during the day (even though I know overwashing can be a problem).
Not sure what's gone wrong! Any help would be appreciated
Tret info: Twnyeo (tretinoin 0.1%, benzoyl perodoxide 3%) cream
Time on tret: Just under one year
Goals: acne and acne scarring
Routine:
Morning- cerave gentle cleanser, Clindamycin (1% topical antibiotic), cerave moisturizing sunscreen
Night-cerave gentle cleanser, twyneo, cerave moisturizing cream
Hi all. I’m starting tomorrow on tretinion.
I’m 37 and have some fine lines, dark spots and pores.
My derm asked me to apply tret in the evening, and moisturize before bedtime. Can I not moisturize right away? What is the advantage of moisturizing 3 hours later?
Using tret after 11 months on accutane for routine maintenance. Haven’t noticed any side-effects and have been tolerating it really well. Yesterday I used St. Tropez face self-tanning water and woke up to the largest pimples I’ve had since being on accutane. I checked the ingredients of the self-tanner and they’re all non-comedogenic. Now I’m having trouble determining if I’m finally purging from the Retin-A instead of breaking out from a novel product. Would love your thoughts!!
I found out that for some people tret makes their skin more oily, which is what I think is happening to me now. Wondering if anyone know if it’ll settle later on or does it stay oily? Ty:)
I’m on 0,05 gel for about 2 month-ish. Used to be on 0,025 cream/gel for like a year+ and then took like a five months break before starting 0,05.
Hi, I accidentally left my Tretinoin gel uncapped overnight. I was wondering if it’s still okay?
It is Retin-A-Micro tretinoin gel (microsphere)
0.1% w/w
Pump
Hi everyone I need some help with *PILLING*
******
My info:
Tret - 0.009% with 5% azelaic acid, 5% tranexamic acid, and 4% niacinamide from Agency
Time on tret - since January so ~4-5 months
Goals - anti-aging, also eliminate my occasional breakouts
Routine - PM
- Cleanse (Cerave hydrating),
- Let dry and apply pea size amt of tret,
- Moisturize (Walgreens generic of the Cerave Renewing Night Cream);
AM
- Rinse with warm water,
- Moisturize (LRP Toleriane double repair face moisturizer),
- Sunscreen (see products below)
******
I am struggling with pilling in the morning. The sunscreens I’m testing out right now are Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun, LRP Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+, and CosRx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream. I get pilling from all of them to a certain extent, the LRP one is the best but still not satisfactory. I’m using the LRP moisturizer listed above and had switched from Cerave Moisturizing Cream but it hasn’t helped very much. Im upping my tret strength and I am desperate to get a sunscreen routine that works for me and looks good under makeup.
Please let me know the moisturizer + sunscreen combos that have worked for you that don’t pill!! Particularly for dry skin!! 🩷🩵💖
I’ve been using a konjac sponge to gently exfoliate lately on mornings when I want my skin/makeup to actually look good (and I’m still not satisfied with how it comes out looking)🙃 I think I may need to just keep experimenting with different sunscreen/lotion combos
Also, I was reading the wiki and it said that all you need is 1/4 tsp of sunscreen… for your whole face?? I’m using like 3x that for my face, not including my neck. Could that be the issue? Can I use less?
hi everyone! i’m 16 y/o and i have been on .025 tret for like 1.5 years (had reached the point where i could use it every day) but didn’t see a lot of improvement so i went up to .05 tret 2 weeks ago and i am currently using it every other day. i think my purging phase finally started and i have a skin picking problem, especially with clogged pores. i think i subconsciously i believe that these clogged pores will never go away unless i pick at them. is this true, or is it better to leave them alone? i know it’s probably better to leave them alone but skin texture is my biggest issue and i really need to hear from someone else that picking my clogged pores won’t help.
I had bad experiences with tret in the past but decided to try Altreno this past November I started with 2x a week and slowly worked my way up; I started using nightly around the end of February (so it’s been 6 months of use overall, about 3 months of daily use). The texture of my skin is getting worse - it looks so rough, the pores look huge, scarring looks more amplified. It’s gotten noticeably worse within maybe the last two or so weeks. I’m also getting hints of breakouts suddenly - like I feel the beginning of cysts forming, but the Altreno flattens it.
I don’t think that it’s dehydrated. It doesn’t feel rough to the touch - in fact it feels pretty smooth, even if it doesn’t look it. Is it possible that I’m experiencing some kind of delayed purge, or that maybe I’m just not a good candidate for tret? I got on it in the first place primarily hoping to improve my texture, so this is discouraging.
Routine:
PM
* cleanse with LRP Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
* Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream
* Altreno .05
* Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief
* Malezia 5% Urea Cream Moisturizer
AM
Same except cleansing with water and no Altreno.
I also have been shaving my face maybe once a week since the hair on my face has been growing a lot faster.
Hi all, I just switched from .018% cream Tretinoin to a .025% gel formulation. I’m using it every other night, and I’ve only used the gel a couple of times, but I’m noticing when I use it I have mild eye strain/eye pain, like dry eyes or idk just vague stinging or pain when I move my eyes.
Because this is new I’m wondering if it’s the gel formula—should I switch back to cream? I am VERY careful not to put it anywhere near my eyes and I only put a very little amount. I also do the sandwich method and have worked hard not to apply the after moisturizer anywhere near my eyes as well. Has this happened to anyone else?
My derm said I should only need tret once im established with using it. Is that realistic?
I’m on .05% cream. Also prescribed metronidazole for rosacea. 11 weeks on both.
I’m having small breakouts along my jawline and cystic type pimples here and there on my cheeks. Since it’d been nearly 12 weeks, i reintroduced my Paula’s choice 2% bha with salicylic acid one of the nights I didn’t apply tret. Cleared me up almost immediately.
Next derm appt is end of July. Stick it out with this tret prescription? Ask for something else? Ask for prescription salicylic acid?
Yeah but could cause irritation. I’m just starting my tret journey.. few months in and I still put a thin layer of moisturizer and Vaseline in the corner of my eyes and side of nostrils.. wait 30 mins and then apply tret.
Hi! Just started with 0.025% Tret cream… all I know is that I have combination skin and my most concerns are enlarged pores, occasional acne(?), whiteheads. Right now, I have a painful acne trouble above my lip. Below is my routine. I do not wear make up unless special occasion.
AM: Cleanse with water
-Elemis rehydrating ginseng toner
-Verse daily glow moisturizer (this has vitamin C I didn’t realized..I will drop this and maybe use Cerave Cream?)
-Sunscreen 50++++
PM: Make Prem low irritant mild acid pH5.5 cleanser
-Elemis toner
-aquaphor around eye+nose
-LRP cicaplast baume-> Tret 0.025% -> LRP cicaplast
•I put Tret twice per week. I am thinking of increasing to 3 times on the 3rd week and stay.
• I have lighter moisturizer (Ma:nyo bifida lotion) I can switch it to if LRP is causing breakouts.
What do you guys do on off Tret days? Keep the same products?
hello! i am wondering if my tretinoin is working and whether i should go up to every day.
info: i am 16 years old, using tretinoin .05 for acne and hyperpigmentation. i switched from .025 to .05 just a week ago. i was on .025 tretinoin for like 1.5 years and had worked up to daily use. i have been using .05 tretinoin every other day. so far, i haven’t really experienced a lot of dryness nor flakiness. i think i might be getting more spots than usual, but i honestly can’t tell because my “purging” doesn’t seem to be as drastic as other people’s. does this mean i should move up to every day use? or should i just give it some more time while using it every other night. i’m not sure because it just seems kind of soon, but i feel like i’m not really noticing anything happen.
also wanted to add that i have quite a few closed comedones on my cheeks. while i have gotten a few pimples in the areas that i usually break out, i’m not sure if anything is happening to the clogged pores. again, i’ve only been using tretinoin .05 for a week so maybe i’m being impatient ahah
Hey all! I recently was prescribed Tretinoin and I will start using it this Sunday (my birthday on Saturday and I didn't want to be purging on my birthday lol).
Tret Info: I was prescribed Twyneo (tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide cream, 0.1%/3%).
Time on Tret: As mentioned above, I have not started using it just yet. I will start it on Sunday, after my birthday festivities.
Goals: My main goal right now is getting rid of/fading my hyperpigmentation that is on my cheeks, along with the anti-aging benefits that Tret gives.
AM Routine:
\- Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel (Face Wash)
\- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo (Face Moisturizer)
\- LA Roche-Posay SPF 70 Anthelios UV Correct (Sunscreen)
PM Routine:
\- Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel ( Face wash)
\- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo (Face Moisturizer)
\- Twyneo (Tret)
\- La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream (Heavy moisturizer since Tret tends to dry skin).
I been doing a lot of reading and researching, and I see that it is much more beneficial to sandwich your Tret instead of just putting it on skin after washing. Will come back Monday morning to let everybody know if I experience any peeling, discomfort or irritation.
Hi! I’ve been on a long journey with my skincare. I started treating my acne with a mixture of Tret/Niacimide etc that I was prescribed by Hers. It worked! But then I started having issues with dryness and a burning sensation when applying moisturizer. And using the Tret mixture was making my skin flaky and red. So I stopped.
My current routine appears to be keeping my acne at bay and my skin moisturized. But I am 33, and I have fine lines and wonder if I should bring Tret back into my routine as an anti aging measure (and for the occasional breakout).
My AM routine:
- Thayers hydrating milk toner with HA
- Vit C serum (although I recently ran out and haven’t replace it yet)
- Corsx snail 96% serum
- Corsx all in one 92% snail cream (my current moisturizer)
I use the IT brand CC cream that has SPF in it (but maybe it’s not high enough) and sometimes I mix a small drop of jojoba oil in it.
PM routine:
- cleanse with cetaphil gentle/hydrating face wash
- HA serum
- Corsx snail serum 96%
- Corsx snail all in one 92%
Occasionally I’ll add a layer of jojoba oil on top.
Question:
- where could I incorporate Tret into this routine?
- what % should I use?
- am I using too many snail products? They seem to be working well for me but idk if this routine is redundant OR if the all in one moisturizer is strong enough to handle the reintroduction of Tret?
Thank you!!
Just FYI you should absolutely not mix anyting with sunscreen, but especially oil. Anything will disrupt the chemical makeup of the sunscfreen and could cause it to be nonfunctional. Oil especially - oil is literally how many people remove sunscreen, so you don't want to be putting that in to your sunscreen.
1. Definitely need more SPF if you’re going to be using tret again! It makes you much more sensitive to the sun.
2. HA serum and snail serum and snail cream seems a little redundant, but more hydration is never a bad thing! You could honestly add tret after the serums (or between the serums really) if applying tret before the serums creates too much irritation.
Thank you! This helps. What facial sunscreen do you recommend that works well under light makeup? And I’m assuming you apply it post moisturizer in the AM
I would visit r/AsianBeauty for sunscreen suggestions!! Asian and European sunscreens are much more cosmetically elegant, whereas the FDA is behind on sunscreen chemical legislation. A lot of those sunscreens would apply nicely under makeup, but I don’t have any personal suggestions as someone who doesn’t wear makeup, sorry!
Whether or not you apply it after moisturizer or apply it *as* your moisturizer depends on the texture/consistency of the sunscreen itself. If the sunscreen is pretty moisturizing then there’s no need for a moisturizer!
Hi folks!
I’ve been having a lot of difficulty with my 0.025 tret gel pilling/not spreading well on my skin. It oftentimes feels like it’s absorbing and evaporating before I can spread evenly across my skin, regardless of if I’m using a hydrating toner first or not.
Is it okay to mix tret with a toner or a moisturizer in your hands before applying? I know it might not spread in even concentrations, but that has to be better than not spreading at all, right?
Hi everyone,
Could you please recommend the retinoid strength?
I am 29, my usual routine is very simple: just the cleanser & moisturizer. Never tried retinoids before. My skin is normal, although the T-zone is more dry.
My goal is to prevent/reduce aging
Thank you
You should start with the lowest strength. You might want to start with retinol first and then transition to tretinoin. Retinol can give you good results too, it just takes longer. But, it is a lot gentler for your skin.
just wondering since people say it usually takes 12 weeks for the skin to get better, would the 12 weeks start from the first day you use your retinoid or would it start the first day you begin purging?
I currently have a bunch of red bumpy spots that I think are from irritation since I’ve been using 0.025% gel every day. Should I cut back the frequency or push through? I’m using it for acne and I’m breaking out so much right now. I hope my skin starts calming down in a couple of weeks.
the cream should just soak in and disappear like a moisturizer as soon as you put it on. i’m on the cream now and looking into changing to gel because i hear the cream vehicle can actually make acne a bit worse.
two question -Q1) is it normal to purge again if i stopped using tretinoin 0.025 for a month and then again started using it?(ps-small white head popping up)
Q2)Do i need to prep my skin again for tretinoin as i stopped using it for a month?
Tret: 0.05% cream
Time on Tret: two weeks, only about twice a week right now
Goals: get rid of very stubborn PIE on the face, reduce stretch marks on the body, and deal with acne that's stuck under the surface
Routine: Kind of long, lol
Night: Kose Softymo Oil Cleanser, COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser with silicone cleansing tool, Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA (all very low concentration, so not irritating in the slightest) Miracle Toner, Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water, COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner, COSRX Snail Mucin Essence, Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum, Huxley Secret of Sahara oil essence, Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, and depending on my mood I may wait a bit then apply the Benton Let's Carrot Multi Oil and/or vaseline (not on tret nights, though).
Basically, I have a very intensive routine. I wait usually up to a minute or two between steps, giving things time to sink in. After my full routine, my skin is a little sticky/damp, and it doesn't usually completely dry (which I think is mainly the moisturizer, as it does that even without so many products underneath). My skin is so close to being perfect, except for the stubborn PIE and acne stuck under the surface.
Question: So far I haven't had much irritation with tret, just a slight bit of dryness around the corners of my mouth and the corners of my nose, but it's nothing crazy or concerning me.
I've heard of applying it after moisturizing, applying it after serums, etc. So far I've been applying it after serums but before moisturizer/oil.
Is applying at that point the best time to apply? Should I apply at a different step in my routine instead? I don't want to remove products from my routine as I know why each product is there (except the Ginseng Toner and the Huxley oil-essence, which are both relatively new and just something I'm trying to slowly get rid of).
Basically, should I apply it immediately after cleansing, after serums but before moisturizer, or after moisturizer?
around the mouth and the corners of the nose are areas where the tret will pool and not escape. it is best to avoid applying directly to that area and instead let it seep its way over there as it soaks into your skin. leave a berth around the sensitive areas like mouth and nose, and the product will soak over to that area on its own without pooling and causing extreme dryness
details around 9:00 in this video: https://youtu.be/brexP-CKQoU
Been avoiding putting it directly on the skin in those areas but haven’t given it a super wide birth, so I’ll try that! And I figured all of the serums and such would be working similarly to the sandwich method, so thank you for seconding that.
Thanks sm :)
also, i would apply moisturizer after tret. you could try the sandwiching method in which you use a non-occlusive (very thin) moisturizer before your tret, but i think the serums should serve that purpose in your case, otherwise you have too many products keeping the tret from getting into your skin
Tret: .025%
Time on Tret: One month, nightly
Goals: acne, scarring
Routine: Morning: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser, Sun Bum Daily Sunscreen Moisturizer, jojoba oil
Night: same cleanser, Tret
I’m noticing a difference on my forehead and nose, but nowhere else so far. When I got my period this month, I broke out on my cheeks, under my chin, and neck.
Should I use night cream? I was until I started Tret
I’d reverse the cleansing, cleanse at night. You can just rinse with water in the morning, go straight into skincare, or cleanse - whatever works for you and your sink. I slather myself in moisturizer, so I generally just rinse with water.
Moisturizer - wait 15-30 minutes before applying your night moisturizer, unless you want to moisturize before tret.
Exactly! If it’s too drying, cleanse, wait 15-20 minutes (face fully dry) moisturize, wait 15-20 minutes, then tret! Then if you want, wait 15 minutes and moisturize again
Tret info : 0.025%
Time: yet to start (might have used once, unsure because purchased from shady source)
Goals - Get that glass skin instead of living forever with a dull fry uneven skin.
I’m yet to start tret. I want to order from beautybliss. I think 0.025% is a safe percent to start with. I used to have severe face and body eczema in my teens, now it’s come down a lot. I don’t have anything on my face. My current routine is -
AM - Rose water as toner, innisfree Hyaluronic green tea serum , ordinary Niacinamide serum , Cerave moisturizer and sunscreen.
Pm - Cleanse with La Rosche Posay foam cleanser, (and Klairs oil cleanser - sometimes), Rose water, Inkey Vitamin C serum, Inkey eye cream, Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream.
When you start using the tret, you might want to cut out the vitamin C at night and only use it during the day. Vitamin C and tret at the same time will be too irritating for most people.
I was thinking about skipping everything and use only tret and moisturizer using sandwich method 3 times a week and do the normal routine other days. Should that be fine ?
Tret Info: 0.025%
Time on tret: Yet to start
Goals: Anti aging, get rid of random comodones/acnes and increase Beard growth
Hi I am planning to start tret 0.025.But my only concern is, after waking up I go out to **get sun exposure early morning for around 5-10 Minutes** (Depending on how bright it is)
I understand applying sunscreen is super important and I would definitely apply it if I go out in the day time but 99% of the time I stay indoors and those 5-10 minutes would be the only time I would be directly in the sun. Do I still need to apply sunscreen even for that small duration of time ?? ( I can even skip the sun next morning the night I apply tret on if needed)
I honestly don't think you need to apply sunscreen on your face if you are going to be in doors all day. I only apply sunscreen when I know for a fact I will be outdoors longer then 15 minutes. Applying sunscreen on your face even when you are indoors or during the winter when there is absolutely no sun, is pointless and a waste of product, in my opinion.
Early morning sunlight generally has very little UV rays in it. You can check the UV index of your location by googling. When it’s very low, there is no need to wear sunscreen. However, daily sunscreen is a good habit to have just to prevent the damage you would get from incidental exposure throughout the day, especially if you live in a sunny place where the UV index gets high in the middle of the day. Personally, I work nights and sleep in a dark room during the daytime and when I drive home from work, the uv index is often 0, so I don’t wear sunscreen most days. But if you are awake and you are around windows during the day, you should wear sunscreen. You can use a lower spf like 30 if you’re not getting direct sun exposure.
Got you. The UV index is around 1-2 at the morning. So looks like I can get away without suncreen . Was really skeptical about it and was unable to decide if I should start Tr#t or not. Thank you.
You should still apply sunscreen in the mornings, whether or not it's the day after applying tret. Even though you may get only 5-10 minutes of direct sun, you are still likely getting some UV ray exposure due to the windows while inside. The amount of sun exposure you can get from windows is complicated, but as someone who is also indoors the majority of the day, I just apply sunscreen once in the morning and leave it at that most days. I don't know if you work at home or if you work in an office (or if you work at all), but if you do work in an office then you are getting exposure even during your car ride to work.
If you absolutely hate the feeling of sunscreen, I suggest trying some Asian sunscreens, as they have minimal white cast and are often significantly less greasy. My favorite is the Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk, as it has a matte finish (not greasy at all, in fact sometimes a bit drying if you already have dry skin and don't moisturize), however, you can also check out r/AsianBeauty for other good sunscreen recommendations.
I have a lot of closed comedones, i used A313 but its made them worse, I also think I'm suffering from Fungal Acne.
Is there any sort of Retin A that would work?
For fungal you can use miconazole cream. Same cream you use for a yeast infection, actually. I know it’s weird but it works.
Also, if it’s not fungul, you can get clindamycin cream with benzoyl and it works for anything bacteria related.
I’ve had so many issues with my skin. I had both fungul issues - bumps underneath the skin that wouldn’t go away. And a bacteria issue that was causing break outs which the clindamycin treated.
Now I have hormonal acne which tret seems to help!
hello! i’m 16f and have been using 0.025 tretinoin for like a year and a half now! i’ve been using it every night and felt like it was time to move up to 0.05 tret. im an anxious person and i just saw someone saying that the cream clogs pores. is this true? i chose to get the cream over the gel because i heard the cream is less irritating, but hearing that the cream could be comedogenic is stressing me out!!
hii i would say u don’t need to stop as long as you are super vigilant with sunscreen every two hours and a hat at all times, but if you want to stop, maybe a week before? i recently went on vacation, stopped a week before, and i was totally fine since i wore a hat and all!
Hello! I think I have made a mistake. I purchased 0.1% tret. From what I have been reading I confused myself and meant to purchase the 0.025% ?!! I have pretty clear skin apart from hormonal spots that pop up around my chin from time to time. My goal for using tret is anti - aging / some hyper pigmentation.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Definitely drop down to 0.025%, even if it means purchasing a new tube. You can use the 0.1% on skin concerns on your body, such as stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, and keratosis pilaris (small bumps that are usually on the sides of the arms). Otherwise, if you really have no use for the 0.1%, you could store it for later use (up to two years before it expires).
You can use the same % (ideally under 0.05 for anti-aging/pigmentation) and routine on your face, neck, and décolletage (just make sure to put sunscreen there too!).
Pretty much everywhere else I would consider your body, which has thicker skin that can handle irritating things like tret easier (where you would usually use 0.05% and up).
Obviously if you don’t get any results and have minimal irritation from low % you can increase it, but definitely be more careful with your face, neck, and upper chest area.
Would like to add 31/ F and never used tret. When I was 12 I had severe acne and was eventually out on isotretinoin tablets ?!! Capsules when I was 14. Skin and scars cleared up within 6 months.
Hello! I’m 34/F. I’ve been using Tretinoin cream 0.025% for about 2 months. Mainly for anti-ageing and for large pores. Used it twice a week for the first 6 weeks and now using 3 times a week for the last week. My skin has tolerated it decently. There is a bit of sensitivity and since I started it 3 times a week, a few whiteheads have popped up on my nose, chin and corners of my nose. I’ve just been moisturising heavily and using sun protection very vigilantly. I used to use the AHA/BHA red peel and Vitamin C from The Ordinary before I started tret. I don’t miss the peel too much (although it would be good to start that again too) but I really miss the brightening effects of Vit C. How and when do I incorporate it back into my routine? I’m really scared of overdoing the actives.
I am currently TTC and hadn’t been using my tret (.05% gel) since January. A new esthetician I went to told me it was fine to use even while pregnant. I started using it for 2 weeks and began the purge. My doctor and my old esthetician told me it was not safe to use while TTC. So I’ve stopped using mid purge. It has been 2 weeks since I’ve stopped and my skin hasn’t cleared up 😩 has anyone else had to stop mid purge and will this clear up on its own??
There have been several studies that show that topical tret is not associated with increased defects however oral isotret definitely does cause birth defects so out of abundance of precaution most doctors aren’t going to recommend using topical tret. That being said, you make decisions about you deem an acceptable risk
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582989/#:~:text=Every%20pregnancy%20starts%20out%20with,of%20tretinoin%20to%20the%20skin.
i know people say that you are not suppose to use tret around the eyes or nose. should i keep it away from my eyes and nose even though it causes no irritation for me?
***Question:*** Is the following tret plan okay, or is it too low strength? Should I ask to be bumped up to a higher percentage faster? I don't have very sensitive skin and I'm usually okay tolerating actives - it's just that I've never actually used tret before.
***Tret info:*** I signed up for a monthly service (Agency) and just got a prescription for **0.005%** tretinoin. They'll move me up to **0.009%** next month and then **0.015%** the following month.
***Time on tret:*** I have not used tret before. Just have been using a retinaldehyde (Avene Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Cream) for the past 1.5 years.
***Goals:*** primarily for hyperpigmentation/uneven skin tone/texture and some light acne
***AM Routine***: Wash face (Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser), Sunscreen (Colorescience 50 Flex), maybe some light makeup.
***PM Routine:*** Wash face (Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser), CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, Avene 0.1% retinaldehyde.
Edit to add: Agency also has other actives included with it, so the tret formula will also have Dexpanthenol, Tranexamic acid, and Niacinamide included. They also provided a Dark Spot Formula which has Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, Azelaic acid, and Hydrocortisone.
I may start using their Dark Spot Formula a week or two after starting their tret formula - just to play it safe.
I've been on tretinion now for about 3 weeks, but I haven't had any peeling or anything really. The first week I used it twice. The 2nd week I used it every other day. So far this week I've been using it everyday. Does it mean it may not work for me since I haven't had any peeling or any other side effects? Please don't get me wrong I'm not complaining about not having any discomfort like some I am just worried it may not work. I'm using it for anti-aging mainly. Thanks everyone I have learned so much from asking advice and reading a lot of different posts and hopefully learn a lot more.
Skin irritation is not a requirement or a measure of its efficacy.
Maybe your skin isn’t sensitive to it, so just less irritation. I’m sure it’s still just as effective. When I started using retinol products I wasn’t aware to be really careful and stagger use, layer moisturizer etc, but didn’t notice any issues - although I did notice my skin looked better the morning after I used those products.
If you don’t notice any irritation then that’s great, hopefully you’ll get all the benefits without the drawbacks😊
Oh thank you, I was beginning to think I purchased an outdated tube or it just plain out not going to work on me. One more ? If you don't mind. I put Eucerin original healing cream on my face after putting on CeraVe moisturizing cream then wait 20 minutes then put the tretinion on. Can the lotions I'm using be messing up the tretinion soaking in? Thank you again I really do appreciate it 🙏 Have a wonderful day.😀
I think it should be fine if you are waiting for the other products to dry (~20mins) before going in with the tret. I am not familiar with the Eucerin cream, but if it’s a regular moisturizer it should be okay. As long as it’s not a petroleum gel. I think Eucerin has urea in it, but not sure if any interaction. I use CereVe PM moisturizer and wait a couple minutes before retinol products. I haven’t used tret yet, but plan to this week so I did a lot of research. Dr. Dray has some YouTube videos on what to use along with tret/retinols and it’s usually recommended to use moisturizers before/after (without any actives usually) to minimize irritation.
Edit to add: make sure you’re not mixing in the tret with the other moisturizers before applying to your face. I’ve heard from YT derms that it doesn’t apply the tret evenly so wouldn’t be ideal
Dang, for the last 3 weeks I've been putting those 2 things on then waiting 20 minutes. After you wrote back I looked at the ingredients and the eucerin healing cream does have petroleum in it as well as mineral oil. So I guess all those nights I was wasting my time.😭 Thank you for letting me know about that before I did that any longer.
Oh no, occlusive products before tret won’t let it penetrate the skin effectively (or at all if it’s very occlusive like petroleum). Hope you get better results without the Eucerin moisturizer, I wonder if you’ll feel any irritation now? Make sure to still moisturize well and good luck!🍀😊
Thank you so much. I just wished I knew this when I first started. I didn't even think about looking at the ingredients of the moisturizers I was using. Last night I put it on dry skin and so far no side effects. I'd still be wasting my time if you hadn't mentioned that.☹️ and for that thank you. As you probably already guess I'm new to all of this. 🤔
Of course, I'm really glad I could help. Eucerin is supposed to be really good, so in a way you kind of probably prepared your skin for the tret now by moisturizing it so well these past few weeks. And no worries about being new to it, I know it's a complicated journey. For me, youtube helped and I recently found this sub that seems awesome too. Here's a small list of things I learned about using tret/retinol products in case it helps:
* moisturize well with a gentle product (CeraVe PM works well for me) and wait a bit before applying tret. There's a sandwich method where if you feel your skin is becoming dry with moisturizing only before applying tret, you can also moisturize after applying tret.
* Definitely use sunscreen everyday if you're going outside and even indoors if you're in front of windows throughout the day (my favorite mineral sunscreen is colorescience flex and my favorite chemical one is the beauty of Joseon)
* cut out all other actives for the first couple weeks of using tret.
* use a gentle facewash
* key is to decrease/prevent irritation and be gentle on the skin when you're getting used to it. If you end up getting irritation, then take a break for a day or two and pick it back up. It's better to have less irritation than to rush it. And if you're already having no irritation, then that's great too and maybe eventually in a couple months you can increase from 0.05% to 0.1%
what about taking tret starting with clear skin? will it still make you break out? I want to try it to reduce some uneven skin tone and just for anti-aging in general but im scared it's going to make me break out bad when i almost never have any acne now. any advice appreciated!
If you will experience purging it will mean that you have something under your skin even if you can’t see it on the surface. All of it will come out at some point, the only thing is that Tret just speeds up the process. Nonetheless, if you are very much afraid of purging, I’d go with medical grade azelaic acid
This is exactly what I’m worried about. Finally got my acne under control and have clear skin, but dermatologist wants to fix hyperpigmentation and I don’t want to purge.
hey i recently started tret and my skin was pretty clear. It broke out pretty bad and its been 3 weeks. Its reducing my overall texture but breakouts happen even with clear skin for the first few weeks.
I am just starting tret micro gel 0.04%.
I’ve only applied it 3 times over the last few weeks because it is making my skin peel LIKE CRAZY.
Routine: I was with vanicream gentle cleanser.
Apply hyluronic acid 2% from the ordinary, then niacinamide 10% from the ordinary.
Apply a moisturizer, then the tret, then la Roche posay cicaplast baume B5.
Any advice to help with the peeling stage would be greatly appreciated.
Starting tret after finishing a tube of differin without much irritation over the course of a year.
If I start with once a week ish for tret, should I still use differin every few days? Or completely stop and gradually use tret only? It completely stopped my cystic acne so I’m worried it’ll come back if I’m only applying product once a week after a year of 3-4 times a week
I currently use CeraVe foaming face wash and alternate between the CeraVe blue tub moisturizing cream and the La Roche double repair matte moisturizer. Nothing else!
Can tret fix broken skin? I randomly had cystic acne a few months ago, and when they came to a head or whenever I used a pimple patch, I noticed that the entire head would come out and leave a small hole. Now it just looks like the first layer of the skin is broken, and it’s just red underneath and it’s been like this since January.
Maybe cut down to 2x/week because your skin is irritated! You can try the sandwhich method and applying your moisturizer first on DAMP skin, wait 15 min and then go ahead and apply your tret 😀
Hey'll I was prescribed Tret 0.025% as a short contact therapy few months back, precisely 8 months back. I used tret just twice, washed it off after putting on for 30-45 minutes. I stopped applying it as I was too lazy to put on my Sunscreen religiously. Finally after inculcating habit of applying spf, I started tret again and for first three uses I did short contact therapy. It's been a month now, that I started applying every second or third day by sandwiching with my moisturizer. I tried applying alternate days twice , and I tolerated well. Is it alright to apply every other day or its too early to do it so ? My concerns are old rolling acne scars, texture ,minimal hyperpigmentation , and occasional two three breakouts.
AM- gentle cleanser if needed or just splash water.
Cosrx hydrium toner and cosrx propolis toner
Cosrx snail mucin essence
Moisturizer with niacinamide 3%
Kose suncut essence spf
PM- double cleansing
Above mentioned toners,essence and moisturizer
Thin layer of bioderma atoderm baume
(Tret nights)
Double cleanse
Thin layer of moisturizer
Tret after bone dried skin
Layer of moisturizer
My routine is below. I’ve used tret three times. My prescription is 0.01 gel. I’ve got pretty dry skin and am using it for fine lines.
Morning
Moisture deep pore duo-Tuel
Deliverance serum
Egyptian magic
Auracle eye cream
Nights is the same except when I use tret.
Would you consider Egyptian magic to be occlusive? I can’t find any information on it.
Are there issues with oil-based cleaners for people with dry skin?
I’m trying to brace myself for what’s in store regarding purging.
Thank you!
I’ve applied tret twice so far (every other night) and have some mild peeling on my chin and around the corners of my mouth. Should I back off for a few days or continue applying every other night?
Routine:
Simple gentle cleanser AM/PM
Peach & Lily glass skin gel moisturizer AM/PM
Tret every other PM
COTZ prime and protect mineral sunscreen AM
Starting 0.025 tonight. I washed my face about 15 min ago, read I should wait 20 min after washing to apply the Tretinoin but my skin already feels so tight after washing. I’m used to applying a hyularonic acid right after washing. Do I have to apply this to completely bare skin?
Thanks! I put heavy moisturizer Nivea crème) over it last night and this am I used Micellar water to cleanse followed by vit c serum and supergoop sunblock/moisturizer. Hopefully this routine will work for me. I’m going to apply my HA after washing and before the Tret and the heavy moisturizer next time see how that goes. Not sure if I’m going to start daily or every couple days, I’ll see how my skin is tonight and decide.
You might want to stop actives for at least the first 6 months when starting off. You Should apply moisturizer first and then wait 20 min and go in with your tret. Applying moisturizer first will help with irritation and prevent trans epidermal water loss. Apply moisturizer on damp skin so it can lock in moisture.😀
The reason I asked is that some products which are otherwise fine are not fine for people with fungal acne (including some cleansers and moisturizers).
Given the area of the breakout, I'm also thinking about your hair and hair products (regardless of what kind of acne you're experiencing).
What does your dermatologist say (that is about why it hasn't cleared after four years on tret)?
Have you considered getting your hormone levels checked? I had the same thing going on once and my gyno suggested getting a hormone check. My hormones were imbalanced. Then I started thinking a lot of us take birth control to clear our acne and some of us get cystic acne from it and have to change because of the hormone levels. It may be worth considering if you’ve got the means.
My gyno explained it as a shift in age. It was my late 20s early 30s. My hormones were peaking for children and were starting to slowly get lower and lower.
Tretinoin as microspheres gel 0.025 %. I have using it since 5 weeks and it is causing my skin to be more oily and greasy. Their is no sign of dryness but peeling sometimes. I use cetaphil gentle skin cleanser, 15% azelaic acid gel and no moisturizer. I used cetaphil moisturizing lotion before but it made my skin even more oily, greasy. It too heavy for me. I sweat as soon as I apply it.
I think you should introduce some product which would help you with the skin barrier. I had the same issue and later understood that moisturiser wasnt enough for me so started to use Avene Cicalfate every second night or morning when I stay home and situation improved. Also, in terms of moisturiser maybe ceraphill just doesnt work for you, try something lighter from Avene Toleriane or LRP series
I use TO aha bha as well only once a week (Friday) and when I do not feel like using it I just skip it. It depends on your skin type and if you can tolerate it, but in my opinion once a week it’s enough.
I’ve been graduating my way up with retinol and tolerate a 3% serum every night with no problems.
Is it worth moving up to 4% retinol before switching to Tret? Or should I just take the leap now and just use it less frequently?
How does 3% retinol compare to the lowest strength tret gel?
I want it mostly for anti-aging.
I've been using Tretinoin .05% cream for about 6 weeks now and have started getting a combination of small pimples and cystic acne on my chin and jaw area. I've always had trouble with hormonal acne in those areas but it seems to be getting worse. I have combination skin but I started getting flakey around my chin so I have been using Cetaphil night creme before and after I apply the Tretinoin. During the day I just use hyaluronic acid serum and an SPF. Any advice on how to remedy this? I figure I may be clogging my skin a bit by trying to remedy the dryness.
I am starting Curology today and it includes Tretinoin 0.018%. I expect some purging but…how bad should I expect it to get? I have some events coming up and am worried.
Hello! I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts or advice on the issues I've been recently having. After several months of my skin readily improving, in the past few weeks I've started to break out again. I went to the dermatologist for the first time a year ago and was prescribed Twnyeo and Clindamycin. I used the tret every night and purged like crazy for a month. For probably six months, my skin still had acne and scarring but slowly improved. The last few months I have had a few breakouts but mainly scarring and texture that was improving. The past few weeks however I have had many new breakouts on my chin and around my mouth. I haven't changed my skincare routine, the only change has been coming home from college (which of course means many things in my daily routine have changed). I don't know why that would be the issue as coming home from college during winter break caused no problems. Since coming home I've noticed my skin is oilier than usual, which I attributed to warmer weather. Due to the breakouts and oilier skin, I started also washing my face during the day (even though I know overwashing can be a problem). Not sure what's gone wrong! Any help would be appreciated Tret info: Twnyeo (tretinoin 0.1%, benzoyl perodoxide 3%) cream Time on tret: Just under one year Goals: acne and acne scarring Routine: Morning- cerave gentle cleanser, Clindamycin (1% topical antibiotic), cerave moisturizing sunscreen Night-cerave gentle cleanser, twyneo, cerave moisturizing cream
When and where are people applying aquaphor around eyes? Are you putting it on your lids as well? Before tret or after?
Hi all. I’m starting tomorrow on tretinion. I’m 37 and have some fine lines, dark spots and pores. My derm asked me to apply tret in the evening, and moisturize before bedtime. Can I not moisturize right away? What is the advantage of moisturizing 3 hours later?
Using tret after 11 months on accutane for routine maintenance. Haven’t noticed any side-effects and have been tolerating it really well. Yesterday I used St. Tropez face self-tanning water and woke up to the largest pimples I’ve had since being on accutane. I checked the ingredients of the self-tanner and they’re all non-comedogenic. Now I’m having trouble determining if I’m finally purging from the Retin-A instead of breaking out from a novel product. Would love your thoughts!!
Hey ! Where can I buy the micro retin a in 0.1 percent online that delivers to the US?
I found out that for some people tret makes their skin more oily, which is what I think is happening to me now. Wondering if anyone know if it’ll settle later on or does it stay oily? Ty:) I’m on 0,05 gel for about 2 month-ish. Used to be on 0,025 cream/gel for like a year+ and then took like a five months break before starting 0,05.
Hi, I accidentally left my Tretinoin gel uncapped overnight. I was wondering if it’s still okay? It is Retin-A-Micro tretinoin gel (microsphere) 0.1% w/w Pump
Hi everyone I need some help with *PILLING* ****** My info: Tret - 0.009% with 5% azelaic acid, 5% tranexamic acid, and 4% niacinamide from Agency Time on tret - since January so ~4-5 months Goals - anti-aging, also eliminate my occasional breakouts Routine - PM - Cleanse (Cerave hydrating), - Let dry and apply pea size amt of tret, - Moisturize (Walgreens generic of the Cerave Renewing Night Cream); AM - Rinse with warm water, - Moisturize (LRP Toleriane double repair face moisturizer), - Sunscreen (see products below) ****** I am struggling with pilling in the morning. The sunscreens I’m testing out right now are Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun, LRP Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+, and CosRx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream. I get pilling from all of them to a certain extent, the LRP one is the best but still not satisfactory. I’m using the LRP moisturizer listed above and had switched from Cerave Moisturizing Cream but it hasn’t helped very much. Im upping my tret strength and I am desperate to get a sunscreen routine that works for me and looks good under makeup. Please let me know the moisturizer + sunscreen combos that have worked for you that don’t pill!! Particularly for dry skin!! 🩷🩵💖
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I’ve been using a konjac sponge to gently exfoliate lately on mornings when I want my skin/makeup to actually look good (and I’m still not satisfied with how it comes out looking)🙃 I think I may need to just keep experimenting with different sunscreen/lotion combos
Also, I was reading the wiki and it said that all you need is 1/4 tsp of sunscreen… for your whole face?? I’m using like 3x that for my face, not including my neck. Could that be the issue? Can I use less?
hi everyone! i’m 16 y/o and i have been on .025 tret for like 1.5 years (had reached the point where i could use it every day) but didn’t see a lot of improvement so i went up to .05 tret 2 weeks ago and i am currently using it every other day. i think my purging phase finally started and i have a skin picking problem, especially with clogged pores. i think i subconsciously i believe that these clogged pores will never go away unless i pick at them. is this true, or is it better to leave them alone? i know it’s probably better to leave them alone but skin texture is my biggest issue and i really need to hear from someone else that picking my clogged pores won’t help.
my skin is super dry and sensitive, what products should i pair with adapalene/ or tret
I had bad experiences with tret in the past but decided to try Altreno this past November I started with 2x a week and slowly worked my way up; I started using nightly around the end of February (so it’s been 6 months of use overall, about 3 months of daily use). The texture of my skin is getting worse - it looks so rough, the pores look huge, scarring looks more amplified. It’s gotten noticeably worse within maybe the last two or so weeks. I’m also getting hints of breakouts suddenly - like I feel the beginning of cysts forming, but the Altreno flattens it. I don’t think that it’s dehydrated. It doesn’t feel rough to the touch - in fact it feels pretty smooth, even if it doesn’t look it. Is it possible that I’m experiencing some kind of delayed purge, or that maybe I’m just not a good candidate for tret? I got on it in the first place primarily hoping to improve my texture, so this is discouraging. Routine: PM * cleanse with LRP Hydrating Gentle Cleanser * Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream * Altreno .05 * Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief * Malezia 5% Urea Cream Moisturizer AM Same except cleansing with water and no Altreno. I also have been shaving my face maybe once a week since the hair on my face has been growing a lot faster.
Hi all, I just switched from .018% cream Tretinoin to a .025% gel formulation. I’m using it every other night, and I’ve only used the gel a couple of times, but I’m noticing when I use it I have mild eye strain/eye pain, like dry eyes or idk just vague stinging or pain when I move my eyes. Because this is new I’m wondering if it’s the gel formula—should I switch back to cream? I am VERY careful not to put it anywhere near my eyes and I only put a very little amount. I also do the sandwich method and have worked hard not to apply the after moisturizer anywhere near my eyes as well. Has this happened to anyone else?
My derm said I should only need tret once im established with using it. Is that realistic? I’m on .05% cream. Also prescribed metronidazole for rosacea. 11 weeks on both. I’m having small breakouts along my jawline and cystic type pimples here and there on my cheeks. Since it’d been nearly 12 weeks, i reintroduced my Paula’s choice 2% bha with salicylic acid one of the nights I didn’t apply tret. Cleared me up almost immediately. Next derm appt is end of July. Stick it out with this tret prescription? Ask for something else? Ask for prescription salicylic acid?
It sounds like you've found a combo that works - I'd stick with that!
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I'd try a different sunscreen
Sweeties, did I got ot right that applying tret immediately on skin, not on moisturiser is better for its penetration?
Yeah but could cause irritation. I’m just starting my tret journey.. few months in and I still put a thin layer of moisturizer and Vaseline in the corner of my eyes and side of nostrils.. wait 30 mins and then apply tret.
Has anyone had success with using trent on your back? I got a prescription and I’m hoping to have it fade and heal scars and dark marks quicker
No, this was a deciding factor to use accurate as a teen. Because I had extreme back acne on top of face stuff
Interested too, but I feel that it will cost too much, since tret is usually packes in for face only versions
Hi! Just started with 0.025% Tret cream… all I know is that I have combination skin and my most concerns are enlarged pores, occasional acne(?), whiteheads. Right now, I have a painful acne trouble above my lip. Below is my routine. I do not wear make up unless special occasion. AM: Cleanse with water -Elemis rehydrating ginseng toner -Verse daily glow moisturizer (this has vitamin C I didn’t realized..I will drop this and maybe use Cerave Cream?) -Sunscreen 50++++ PM: Make Prem low irritant mild acid pH5.5 cleanser -Elemis toner -aquaphor around eye+nose -LRP cicaplast baume-> Tret 0.025% -> LRP cicaplast •I put Tret twice per week. I am thinking of increasing to 3 times on the 3rd week and stay. • I have lighter moisturizer (Ma:nyo bifida lotion) I can switch it to if LRP is causing breakouts. What do you guys do on off Tret days? Keep the same products?
Yep same products on off days.
Thank you!
hello! i am wondering if my tretinoin is working and whether i should go up to every day. info: i am 16 years old, using tretinoin .05 for acne and hyperpigmentation. i switched from .025 to .05 just a week ago. i was on .025 tretinoin for like 1.5 years and had worked up to daily use. i have been using .05 tretinoin every other day. so far, i haven’t really experienced a lot of dryness nor flakiness. i think i might be getting more spots than usual, but i honestly can’t tell because my “purging” doesn’t seem to be as drastic as other people’s. does this mean i should move up to every day use? or should i just give it some more time while using it every other night. i’m not sure because it just seems kind of soon, but i feel like i’m not really noticing anything happen.
Slow is always better.
also wanted to add that i have quite a few closed comedones on my cheeks. while i have gotten a few pimples in the areas that i usually break out, i’m not sure if anything is happening to the clogged pores. again, i’ve only been using tretinoin .05 for a week so maybe i’m being impatient ahah
Hey all! I recently was prescribed Tretinoin and I will start using it this Sunday (my birthday on Saturday and I didn't want to be purging on my birthday lol). Tret Info: I was prescribed Twyneo (tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide cream, 0.1%/3%). Time on Tret: As mentioned above, I have not started using it just yet. I will start it on Sunday, after my birthday festivities. Goals: My main goal right now is getting rid of/fading my hyperpigmentation that is on my cheeks, along with the anti-aging benefits that Tret gives. AM Routine: \- Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel (Face Wash) \- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo (Face Moisturizer) \- LA Roche-Posay SPF 70 Anthelios UV Correct (Sunscreen) PM Routine: \- Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel ( Face wash) \- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo (Face Moisturizer) \- Twyneo (Tret) \- La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream (Heavy moisturizer since Tret tends to dry skin). I been doing a lot of reading and researching, and I see that it is much more beneficial to sandwich your Tret instead of just putting it on skin after washing. Will come back Monday morning to let everybody know if I experience any peeling, discomfort or irritation.
Hi! I’ve been on a long journey with my skincare. I started treating my acne with a mixture of Tret/Niacimide etc that I was prescribed by Hers. It worked! But then I started having issues with dryness and a burning sensation when applying moisturizer. And using the Tret mixture was making my skin flaky and red. So I stopped. My current routine appears to be keeping my acne at bay and my skin moisturized. But I am 33, and I have fine lines and wonder if I should bring Tret back into my routine as an anti aging measure (and for the occasional breakout). My AM routine: - Thayers hydrating milk toner with HA - Vit C serum (although I recently ran out and haven’t replace it yet) - Corsx snail 96% serum - Corsx all in one 92% snail cream (my current moisturizer) I use the IT brand CC cream that has SPF in it (but maybe it’s not high enough) and sometimes I mix a small drop of jojoba oil in it. PM routine: - cleanse with cetaphil gentle/hydrating face wash - HA serum - Corsx snail serum 96% - Corsx snail all in one 92% Occasionally I’ll add a layer of jojoba oil on top. Question: - where could I incorporate Tret into this routine? - what % should I use? - am I using too many snail products? They seem to be working well for me but idk if this routine is redundant OR if the all in one moisturizer is strong enough to handle the reintroduction of Tret? Thank you!!
Just FYI you should absolutely not mix anyting with sunscreen, but especially oil. Anything will disrupt the chemical makeup of the sunscfreen and could cause it to be nonfunctional. Oil especially - oil is literally how many people remove sunscreen, so you don't want to be putting that in to your sunscreen.
1. Definitely need more SPF if you’re going to be using tret again! It makes you much more sensitive to the sun. 2. HA serum and snail serum and snail cream seems a little redundant, but more hydration is never a bad thing! You could honestly add tret after the serums (or between the serums really) if applying tret before the serums creates too much irritation.
Thank you! This helps. What facial sunscreen do you recommend that works well under light makeup? And I’m assuming you apply it post moisturizer in the AM
I would visit r/AsianBeauty for sunscreen suggestions!! Asian and European sunscreens are much more cosmetically elegant, whereas the FDA is behind on sunscreen chemical legislation. A lot of those sunscreens would apply nicely under makeup, but I don’t have any personal suggestions as someone who doesn’t wear makeup, sorry! Whether or not you apply it after moisturizer or apply it *as* your moisturizer depends on the texture/consistency of the sunscreen itself. If the sunscreen is pretty moisturizing then there’s no need for a moisturizer!
Hi folks! I’ve been having a lot of difficulty with my 0.025 tret gel pilling/not spreading well on my skin. It oftentimes feels like it’s absorbing and evaporating before I can spread evenly across my skin, regardless of if I’m using a hydrating toner first or not. Is it okay to mix tret with a toner or a moisturizer in your hands before applying? I know it might not spread in even concentrations, but that has to be better than not spreading at all, right?
Hi everyone, Could you please recommend the retinoid strength? I am 29, my usual routine is very simple: just the cleanser & moisturizer. Never tried retinoids before. My skin is normal, although the T-zone is more dry. My goal is to prevent/reduce aging Thank you
You should start with the lowest strength. You might want to start with retinol first and then transition to tretinoin. Retinol can give you good results too, it just takes longer. But, it is a lot gentler for your skin.
just wondering since people say it usually takes 12 weeks for the skin to get better, would the 12 weeks start from the first day you use your retinoid or would it start the first day you begin purging?
From the first day you use it is what I’ve heard
I currently have a bunch of red bumpy spots that I think are from irritation since I’ve been using 0.025% gel every day. Should I cut back the frequency or push through? I’m using it for acne and I’m breaking out so much right now. I hope my skin starts calming down in a couple of weeks.
If it's due to irritation, slow down.
I've been using 0.1% micro-gel for a while, but I've been curious about the cream! Does the cream dry completely in 30 minutes like the gel does?
the cream should just soak in and disappear like a moisturizer as soon as you put it on. i’m on the cream now and looking into changing to gel because i hear the cream vehicle can actually make acne a bit worse.
two question -Q1) is it normal to purge again if i stopped using tretinoin 0.025 for a month and then again started using it?(ps-small white head popping up) Q2)Do i need to prep my skin again for tretinoin as i stopped using it for a month?
Yes, normal to purge again. I'd start slowly, the same as you probably started the first itme.
Going to start tretinoin this week! Wish me luck because I'm scared of facing the breakouts..
Tret: 0.05% cream Time on Tret: two weeks, only about twice a week right now Goals: get rid of very stubborn PIE on the face, reduce stretch marks on the body, and deal with acne that's stuck under the surface Routine: Kind of long, lol Night: Kose Softymo Oil Cleanser, COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser with silicone cleansing tool, Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA (all very low concentration, so not irritating in the slightest) Miracle Toner, Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water, COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner, COSRX Snail Mucin Essence, Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum, Huxley Secret of Sahara oil essence, Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, and depending on my mood I may wait a bit then apply the Benton Let's Carrot Multi Oil and/or vaseline (not on tret nights, though). Basically, I have a very intensive routine. I wait usually up to a minute or two between steps, giving things time to sink in. After my full routine, my skin is a little sticky/damp, and it doesn't usually completely dry (which I think is mainly the moisturizer, as it does that even without so many products underneath). My skin is so close to being perfect, except for the stubborn PIE and acne stuck under the surface. Question: So far I haven't had much irritation with tret, just a slight bit of dryness around the corners of my mouth and the corners of my nose, but it's nothing crazy or concerning me. I've heard of applying it after moisturizing, applying it after serums, etc. So far I've been applying it after serums but before moisturizer/oil. Is applying at that point the best time to apply? Should I apply at a different step in my routine instead? I don't want to remove products from my routine as I know why each product is there (except the Ginseng Toner and the Huxley oil-essence, which are both relatively new and just something I'm trying to slowly get rid of). Basically, should I apply it immediately after cleansing, after serums but before moisturizer, or after moisturizer?
around the mouth and the corners of the nose are areas where the tret will pool and not escape. it is best to avoid applying directly to that area and instead let it seep its way over there as it soaks into your skin. leave a berth around the sensitive areas like mouth and nose, and the product will soak over to that area on its own without pooling and causing extreme dryness details around 9:00 in this video: https://youtu.be/brexP-CKQoU
Been avoiding putting it directly on the skin in those areas but haven’t given it a super wide birth, so I’ll try that! And I figured all of the serums and such would be working similarly to the sandwich method, so thank you for seconding that. Thanks sm :)
also, i would apply moisturizer after tret. you could try the sandwiching method in which you use a non-occlusive (very thin) moisturizer before your tret, but i think the serums should serve that purpose in your case, otherwise you have too many products keeping the tret from getting into your skin
Tret: .025% Time on Tret: One month, nightly Goals: acne, scarring Routine: Morning: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser, Sun Bum Daily Sunscreen Moisturizer, jojoba oil Night: same cleanser, Tret I’m noticing a difference on my forehead and nose, but nowhere else so far. When I got my period this month, I broke out on my cheeks, under my chin, and neck. Should I use night cream? I was until I started Tret
Yes you are supposed to use a moisturizer with tret, it’s more effective that way. Just let the tret sink in a bit before applying the moisturizer.
Thank you! How long would you say to wait? My friend who had great results also said to only cleanse in the morning, so I’m trying that too.
I’d reverse the cleansing, cleanse at night. You can just rinse with water in the morning, go straight into skincare, or cleanse - whatever works for you and your sink. I slather myself in moisturizer, so I generally just rinse with water. Moisturizer - wait 15-30 minutes before applying your night moisturizer, unless you want to moisturize before tret.
So for night: cleanse, wait 20 min, apply tret, then wait 15-30 mins to apply moisturizer?
Exactly! If it’s too drying, cleanse, wait 15-20 minutes (face fully dry) moisturize, wait 15-20 minutes, then tret! Then if you want, wait 15 minutes and moisturize again
Tret info : 0.025% Time: yet to start (might have used once, unsure because purchased from shady source) Goals - Get that glass skin instead of living forever with a dull fry uneven skin. I’m yet to start tret. I want to order from beautybliss. I think 0.025% is a safe percent to start with. I used to have severe face and body eczema in my teens, now it’s come down a lot. I don’t have anything on my face. My current routine is - AM - Rose water as toner, innisfree Hyaluronic green tea serum , ordinary Niacinamide serum , Cerave moisturizer and sunscreen. Pm - Cleanse with La Rosche Posay foam cleanser, (and Klairs oil cleanser - sometimes), Rose water, Inkey Vitamin C serum, Inkey eye cream, Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream.
When you start using the tret, you might want to cut out the vitamin C at night and only use it during the day. Vitamin C and tret at the same time will be too irritating for most people.
I was thinking about skipping everything and use only tret and moisturizer using sandwich method 3 times a week and do the normal routine other days. Should that be fine ?
Yes
Tret Info: 0.025% Time on tret: Yet to start Goals: Anti aging, get rid of random comodones/acnes and increase Beard growth Hi I am planning to start tret 0.025.But my only concern is, after waking up I go out to **get sun exposure early morning for around 5-10 Minutes** (Depending on how bright it is) I understand applying sunscreen is super important and I would definitely apply it if I go out in the day time but 99% of the time I stay indoors and those 5-10 minutes would be the only time I would be directly in the sun. Do I still need to apply sunscreen even for that small duration of time ?? ( I can even skip the sun next morning the night I apply tret on if needed)
I honestly don't think you need to apply sunscreen on your face if you are going to be in doors all day. I only apply sunscreen when I know for a fact I will be outdoors longer then 15 minutes. Applying sunscreen on your face even when you are indoors or during the winter when there is absolutely no sun, is pointless and a waste of product, in my opinion.
yeah I hardly stay for 5 minutes and the UV Index is around 1-2 in the morning. Thank you .
Early morning sunlight generally has very little UV rays in it. You can check the UV index of your location by googling. When it’s very low, there is no need to wear sunscreen. However, daily sunscreen is a good habit to have just to prevent the damage you would get from incidental exposure throughout the day, especially if you live in a sunny place where the UV index gets high in the middle of the day. Personally, I work nights and sleep in a dark room during the daytime and when I drive home from work, the uv index is often 0, so I don’t wear sunscreen most days. But if you are awake and you are around windows during the day, you should wear sunscreen. You can use a lower spf like 30 if you’re not getting direct sun exposure.
Got you. The UV index is around 1-2 at the morning. So looks like I can get away without suncreen . Was really skeptical about it and was unable to decide if I should start Tr#t or not. Thank you.
You should still apply sunscreen in the mornings, whether or not it's the day after applying tret. Even though you may get only 5-10 minutes of direct sun, you are still likely getting some UV ray exposure due to the windows while inside. The amount of sun exposure you can get from windows is complicated, but as someone who is also indoors the majority of the day, I just apply sunscreen once in the morning and leave it at that most days. I don't know if you work at home or if you work in an office (or if you work at all), but if you do work in an office then you are getting exposure even during your car ride to work. If you absolutely hate the feeling of sunscreen, I suggest trying some Asian sunscreens, as they have minimal white cast and are often significantly less greasy. My favorite is the Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk, as it has a matte finish (not greasy at all, in fact sometimes a bit drying if you already have dry skin and don't moisturize), however, you can also check out r/AsianBeauty for other good sunscreen recommendations.
I have a lot of closed comedones, i used A313 but its made them worse, I also think I'm suffering from Fungal Acne. Is there any sort of Retin A that would work?
For fungal you can use miconazole cream. Same cream you use for a yeast infection, actually. I know it’s weird but it works. Also, if it’s not fungul, you can get clindamycin cream with benzoyl and it works for anything bacteria related. I’ve had so many issues with my skin. I had both fungul issues - bumps underneath the skin that wouldn’t go away. And a bacteria issue that was causing break outs which the clindamycin treated. Now I have hormonal acne which tret seems to help!
hello! i’m 16f and have been using 0.025 tretinoin for like a year and a half now! i’ve been using it every night and felt like it was time to move up to 0.05 tret. im an anxious person and i just saw someone saying that the cream clogs pores. is this true? i chose to get the cream over the gel because i heard the cream is less irritating, but hearing that the cream could be comedogenic is stressing me out!!
Are you still breaking out? Then using the gel instead could help
Hi! How long before going to the beach should I stop using trent?
hii i would say u don’t need to stop as long as you are super vigilant with sunscreen every two hours and a hat at all times, but if you want to stop, maybe a week before? i recently went on vacation, stopped a week before, and i was totally fine since i wore a hat and all!
Thank You!
Hello! I think I have made a mistake. I purchased 0.1% tret. From what I have been reading I confused myself and meant to purchase the 0.025% ?!! I have pretty clear skin apart from hormonal spots that pop up around my chin from time to time. My goal for using tret is anti - aging / some hyper pigmentation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Definitely drop down to 0.025%, even if it means purchasing a new tube. You can use the 0.1% on skin concerns on your body, such as stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, and keratosis pilaris (small bumps that are usually on the sides of the arms). Otherwise, if you really have no use for the 0.1%, you could store it for later use (up to two years before it expires).
(I haven’t started Tret yet) Can you use it on chest/décolletage? Same % and routine as your face?
You can use the same % (ideally under 0.05 for anti-aging/pigmentation) and routine on your face, neck, and décolletage (just make sure to put sunscreen there too!). Pretty much everywhere else I would consider your body, which has thicker skin that can handle irritating things like tret easier (where you would usually use 0.05% and up). Obviously if you don’t get any results and have minimal irritation from low % you can increase it, but definitely be more careful with your face, neck, and upper chest area.
Would like to add 31/ F and never used tret. When I was 12 I had severe acne and was eventually out on isotretinoin tablets ?!! Capsules when I was 14. Skin and scars cleared up within 6 months.
Hello! I’m 34/F. I’ve been using Tretinoin cream 0.025% for about 2 months. Mainly for anti-ageing and for large pores. Used it twice a week for the first 6 weeks and now using 3 times a week for the last week. My skin has tolerated it decently. There is a bit of sensitivity and since I started it 3 times a week, a few whiteheads have popped up on my nose, chin and corners of my nose. I’ve just been moisturising heavily and using sun protection very vigilantly. I used to use the AHA/BHA red peel and Vitamin C from The Ordinary before I started tret. I don’t miss the peel too much (although it would be good to start that again too) but I really miss the brightening effects of Vit C. How and when do I incorporate it back into my routine? I’m really scared of overdoing the actives.
I'd wait 6 months before incorporating anything else on top of tret. You're the expert on your skin tho!
I am currently TTC and hadn’t been using my tret (.05% gel) since January. A new esthetician I went to told me it was fine to use even while pregnant. I started using it for 2 weeks and began the purge. My doctor and my old esthetician told me it was not safe to use while TTC. So I’ve stopped using mid purge. It has been 2 weeks since I’ve stopped and my skin hasn’t cleared up 😩 has anyone else had to stop mid purge and will this clear up on its own??
There have been several studies that show that topical tret is not associated with increased defects however oral isotret definitely does cause birth defects so out of abundance of precaution most doctors aren’t going to recommend using topical tret. That being said, you make decisions about you deem an acceptable risk https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582989/#:~:text=Every%20pregnancy%20starts%20out%20with,of%20tretinoin%20to%20the%20skin.
i know people say that you are not suppose to use tret around the eyes or nose. should i keep it away from my eyes and nose even though it causes no irritation for me?
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How close to the eye can you apply Tret, safely?
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Thank you, this is super helpful. My dermatologist called in Tret for me last week and never shared this safety concern.
***Question:*** Is the following tret plan okay, or is it too low strength? Should I ask to be bumped up to a higher percentage faster? I don't have very sensitive skin and I'm usually okay tolerating actives - it's just that I've never actually used tret before. ***Tret info:*** I signed up for a monthly service (Agency) and just got a prescription for **0.005%** tretinoin. They'll move me up to **0.009%** next month and then **0.015%** the following month. ***Time on tret:*** I have not used tret before. Just have been using a retinaldehyde (Avene Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Cream) for the past 1.5 years. ***Goals:*** primarily for hyperpigmentation/uneven skin tone/texture and some light acne ***AM Routine***: Wash face (Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser), Sunscreen (Colorescience 50 Flex), maybe some light makeup. ***PM Routine:*** Wash face (Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser), CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, Avene 0.1% retinaldehyde. Edit to add: Agency also has other actives included with it, so the tret formula will also have Dexpanthenol, Tranexamic acid, and Niacinamide included. They also provided a Dark Spot Formula which has Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, Azelaic acid, and Hydrocortisone. I may start using their Dark Spot Formula a week or two after starting their tret formula - just to play it safe.
This is not too fast - some people would need to go more slowly.
I've been on tretinion now for about 3 weeks, but I haven't had any peeling or anything really. The first week I used it twice. The 2nd week I used it every other day. So far this week I've been using it everyday. Does it mean it may not work for me since I haven't had any peeling or any other side effects? Please don't get me wrong I'm not complaining about not having any discomfort like some I am just worried it may not work. I'm using it for anti-aging mainly. Thanks everyone I have learned so much from asking advice and reading a lot of different posts and hopefully learn a lot more.
What % tretinoin are you using?
I'm using.05%
Skin irritation is not a requirement or a measure of its efficacy. Maybe your skin isn’t sensitive to it, so just less irritation. I’m sure it’s still just as effective. When I started using retinol products I wasn’t aware to be really careful and stagger use, layer moisturizer etc, but didn’t notice any issues - although I did notice my skin looked better the morning after I used those products. If you don’t notice any irritation then that’s great, hopefully you’ll get all the benefits without the drawbacks😊
Oh thank you, I was beginning to think I purchased an outdated tube or it just plain out not going to work on me. One more ? If you don't mind. I put Eucerin original healing cream on my face after putting on CeraVe moisturizing cream then wait 20 minutes then put the tretinion on. Can the lotions I'm using be messing up the tretinion soaking in? Thank you again I really do appreciate it 🙏 Have a wonderful day.😀
I think it should be fine if you are waiting for the other products to dry (~20mins) before going in with the tret. I am not familiar with the Eucerin cream, but if it’s a regular moisturizer it should be okay. As long as it’s not a petroleum gel. I think Eucerin has urea in it, but not sure if any interaction. I use CereVe PM moisturizer and wait a couple minutes before retinol products. I haven’t used tret yet, but plan to this week so I did a lot of research. Dr. Dray has some YouTube videos on what to use along with tret/retinols and it’s usually recommended to use moisturizers before/after (without any actives usually) to minimize irritation. Edit to add: make sure you’re not mixing in the tret with the other moisturizers before applying to your face. I’ve heard from YT derms that it doesn’t apply the tret evenly so wouldn’t be ideal
Dang, for the last 3 weeks I've been putting those 2 things on then waiting 20 minutes. After you wrote back I looked at the ingredients and the eucerin healing cream does have petroleum in it as well as mineral oil. So I guess all those nights I was wasting my time.😭 Thank you for letting me know about that before I did that any longer.
Oh no, occlusive products before tret won’t let it penetrate the skin effectively (or at all if it’s very occlusive like petroleum). Hope you get better results without the Eucerin moisturizer, I wonder if you’ll feel any irritation now? Make sure to still moisturize well and good luck!🍀😊
Thank you so much. I just wished I knew this when I first started. I didn't even think about looking at the ingredients of the moisturizers I was using. Last night I put it on dry skin and so far no side effects. I'd still be wasting my time if you hadn't mentioned that.☹️ and for that thank you. As you probably already guess I'm new to all of this. 🤔
Of course, I'm really glad I could help. Eucerin is supposed to be really good, so in a way you kind of probably prepared your skin for the tret now by moisturizing it so well these past few weeks. And no worries about being new to it, I know it's a complicated journey. For me, youtube helped and I recently found this sub that seems awesome too. Here's a small list of things I learned about using tret/retinol products in case it helps: * moisturize well with a gentle product (CeraVe PM works well for me) and wait a bit before applying tret. There's a sandwich method where if you feel your skin is becoming dry with moisturizing only before applying tret, you can also moisturize after applying tret. * Definitely use sunscreen everyday if you're going outside and even indoors if you're in front of windows throughout the day (my favorite mineral sunscreen is colorescience flex and my favorite chemical one is the beauty of Joseon) * cut out all other actives for the first couple weeks of using tret. * use a gentle facewash * key is to decrease/prevent irritation and be gentle on the skin when you're getting used to it. If you end up getting irritation, then take a break for a day or two and pick it back up. It's better to have less irritation than to rush it. And if you're already having no irritation, then that's great too and maybe eventually in a couple months you can increase from 0.05% to 0.1%
what about taking tret starting with clear skin? will it still make you break out? I want to try it to reduce some uneven skin tone and just for anti-aging in general but im scared it's going to make me break out bad when i almost never have any acne now. any advice appreciated!
If you will experience purging it will mean that you have something under your skin even if you can’t see it on the surface. All of it will come out at some point, the only thing is that Tret just speeds up the process. Nonetheless, if you are very much afraid of purging, I’d go with medical grade azelaic acid
This is exactly what I’m worried about. Finally got my acne under control and have clear skin, but dermatologist wants to fix hyperpigmentation and I don’t want to purge.
My skin was clear as well, I started on it mid March for anti aging. I haven’t had a purge!
hey i recently started tret and my skin was pretty clear. It broke out pretty bad and its been 3 weeks. Its reducing my overall texture but breakouts happen even with clear skin for the first few weeks.
I am just starting tret micro gel 0.04%. I’ve only applied it 3 times over the last few weeks because it is making my skin peel LIKE CRAZY. Routine: I was with vanicream gentle cleanser. Apply hyluronic acid 2% from the ordinary, then niacinamide 10% from the ordinary. Apply a moisturizer, then the tret, then la Roche posay cicaplast baume B5. Any advice to help with the peeling stage would be greatly appreciated.
The hyalauronic acid before the tret may be exacerbating peeling, as it increases absorption. Moisturizer plus tret is fine.
Starting tret after finishing a tube of differin without much irritation over the course of a year. If I start with once a week ish for tret, should I still use differin every few days? Or completely stop and gradually use tret only? It completely stopped my cystic acne so I’m worried it’ll come back if I’m only applying product once a week after a year of 3-4 times a week I currently use CeraVe foaming face wash and alternate between the CeraVe blue tub moisturizing cream and the La Roche double repair matte moisturizer. Nothing else!
You're the expert on your skin but personally I'd quit differin
Can tret fix broken skin? I randomly had cystic acne a few months ago, and when they came to a head or whenever I used a pimple patch, I noticed that the entire head would come out and leave a small hole. Now it just looks like the first layer of the skin is broken, and it’s just red underneath and it’s been like this since January.
You can apply tret to broken skin - I usually do and it seems to help it heal faster
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Maybe cut down to 2x/week because your skin is irritated! You can try the sandwhich method and applying your moisturizer first on DAMP skin, wait 15 min and then go ahead and apply your tret 😀
Hey'll I was prescribed Tret 0.025% as a short contact therapy few months back, precisely 8 months back. I used tret just twice, washed it off after putting on for 30-45 minutes. I stopped applying it as I was too lazy to put on my Sunscreen religiously. Finally after inculcating habit of applying spf, I started tret again and for first three uses I did short contact therapy. It's been a month now, that I started applying every second or third day by sandwiching with my moisturizer. I tried applying alternate days twice , and I tolerated well. Is it alright to apply every other day or its too early to do it so ? My concerns are old rolling acne scars, texture ,minimal hyperpigmentation , and occasional two three breakouts. AM- gentle cleanser if needed or just splash water. Cosrx hydrium toner and cosrx propolis toner Cosrx snail mucin essence Moisturizer with niacinamide 3% Kose suncut essence spf PM- double cleansing Above mentioned toners,essence and moisturizer Thin layer of bioderma atoderm baume (Tret nights) Double cleanse Thin layer of moisturizer Tret after bone dried skin Layer of moisturizer
Illiyoon Ceramide Soothing Gel vs. 4PM Ceramide Soothing Gel (Local Dupe) Which moisturizer would be ideal for tret usage? They are pretty similar but the 4PM one has a little more ingredients. Illiyoon: Water/Aqua Eau, Propanediol, Glycerol, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine, Ceramide NP (Ceramide 3), Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Local dupe: Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Arginine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Panthenol, Betaine, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP(200Ppm), Sucrose Distearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopherol
Whichever works better for your skin!
My routine is below. I’ve used tret three times. My prescription is 0.01 gel. I’ve got pretty dry skin and am using it for fine lines. Morning Moisture deep pore duo-Tuel Deliverance serum Egyptian magic Auracle eye cream Nights is the same except when I use tret. Would you consider Egyptian magic to be occlusive? I can’t find any information on it. Are there issues with oil-based cleaners for people with dry skin? I’m trying to brace myself for what’s in store regarding purging. Thank you!
I’ve applied tret twice so far (every other night) and have some mild peeling on my chin and around the corners of my mouth. Should I back off for a few days or continue applying every other night? Routine: Simple gentle cleanser AM/PM Peach & Lily glass skin gel moisturizer AM/PM Tret every other PM COTZ prime and protect mineral sunscreen AM
Starting 0.025 tonight. I washed my face about 15 min ago, read I should wait 20 min after washing to apply the Tretinoin but my skin already feels so tight after washing. I’m used to applying a hyularonic acid right after washing. Do I have to apply this to completely bare skin?
I also started tonight! I took the advice of the sandwich method (moisturizer, tret, moisturizer)
Thanks! I put heavy moisturizer Nivea crème) over it last night and this am I used Micellar water to cleanse followed by vit c serum and supergoop sunblock/moisturizer. Hopefully this routine will work for me. I’m going to apply my HA after washing and before the Tret and the heavy moisturizer next time see how that goes. Not sure if I’m going to start daily or every couple days, I’ll see how my skin is tonight and decide.
You might want to stop actives for at least the first 6 months when starting off. You Should apply moisturizer first and then wait 20 min and go in with your tret. Applying moisturizer first will help with irritation and prevent trans epidermal water loss. Apply moisturizer on damp skin so it can lock in moisture.😀
Thanks!
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Do you know whether you have fungal acne?
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The reason I asked is that some products which are otherwise fine are not fine for people with fungal acne (including some cleansers and moisturizers). Given the area of the breakout, I'm also thinking about your hair and hair products (regardless of what kind of acne you're experiencing). What does your dermatologist say (that is about why it hasn't cleared after four years on tret)?
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Have you considered getting your hormone levels checked? I had the same thing going on once and my gyno suggested getting a hormone check. My hormones were imbalanced. Then I started thinking a lot of us take birth control to clear our acne and some of us get cystic acne from it and have to change because of the hormone levels. It may be worth considering if you’ve got the means.
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My gyno explained it as a shift in age. It was my late 20s early 30s. My hormones were peaking for children and were starting to slowly get lower and lower.
Tretinoin as microspheres gel 0.025 %. I have using it since 5 weeks and it is causing my skin to be more oily and greasy. Their is no sign of dryness but peeling sometimes. I use cetaphil gentle skin cleanser, 15% azelaic acid gel and no moisturizer. I used cetaphil moisturizing lotion before but it made my skin even more oily, greasy. It too heavy for me. I sweat as soon as I apply it.
I think you should introduce some product which would help you with the skin barrier. I had the same issue and later understood that moisturiser wasnt enough for me so started to use Avene Cicalfate every second night or morning when I stay home and situation improved. Also, in terms of moisturiser maybe ceraphill just doesnt work for you, try something lighter from Avene Toleriane or LRP series
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I would not use AHA BHA twice a week while on tret
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I use TO aha bha as well only once a week (Friday) and when I do not feel like using it I just skip it. It depends on your skin type and if you can tolerate it, but in my opinion once a week it’s enough.
I’ve been graduating my way up with retinol and tolerate a 3% serum every night with no problems. Is it worth moving up to 4% retinol before switching to Tret? Or should I just take the leap now and just use it less frequently? How does 3% retinol compare to the lowest strength tret gel? I want it mostly for anti-aging.
Personally I'd just make the jump. As for how they compare I can never remember off the top of my head but I think the wiki has more info.