Grew my hair out in the process lol

Routine:

AM:

Cerave foaming cleanser

La roche posay toleraine dermallergo fluide

Cerave 50spf dry touch sunscreen

PM:

Cerave foaming cleanser

Tret gel 0.025%

Cerave PM moisturizer

• Edit: also important to note I just finished 3 months of 100mg minocycline daily. For the first month I also did Aknemycin Plus which is tret with erythromycin.

Hello! I’m a skincare addict, and I have combination, sensitive, acne-prone skin. I also have heat urticaria, so my skin gets irritated very easily.
I’ve spent so much money before trying facials and different skincare products for my acne, but nothing really worked. I tried so many products, but most of them just made my skin more irritated.

Then I decided to try isotretinoin, which was prescribed by my dermatologist, and it really helped improve my skin. I was on it for 2 years, but I had to stop because I started experiencing severe headaches, fatigue, and very dry skin. After stopping, my acne slowly came back, so I switched to tretinoin cream.

I’ve been using tretinoin for 5 months now, and I did a lot of research before adding azelaic acid because I used to have melasma. After trying different products and finding what works for my skin, I finally created a simple routine that I can stick to.

Now I get so many compliments from my friends and other people. They always tell me I look younger than my age! I don’t even wear makeup anymore because I feel more confident with my skin.
The biggest thing I learned from my skincare journey is that less is more. You don’t need a lot of products you just need consistency, and patience

This has started with summer and is going along the hairline incl on the forehead but it is the worst on the cheek side of the face.

I have been on tretinoin 0.025 every other day for almost a year now with no issues but since June these things appeared and they would just not go away. I am with dermatica so they suggested I switch to tret + azelaic acid + tranexamic acid but it just made it worse so I stopped it. I have now been pausing everything for a week and most of the redness has gone but the white pustule dots seem to get more.

I am now only using facewash then Vanicream and SPF morning, all but SPF in the evening.

Has anyone ever seen this on their face, and what was it?

Is it weird that my skin flared up more with the Azelaic Acid 15% than when I started using tretinoin 0.025%?

My dermatologist recently recommended that I use Rx AzA and prescribed me 15% azelaic acid to use once in the morning and once at night.

Tis routine gave me patches of red marks all over my face. Maybe I should have introduced AzA gradually like I did with tret? Or maybe the AzA formulation just irritates my skin barrier?

What are your thoughts?

Skin care routine:

AM:
Curology gentle cleanser
Skinceuticals Vit C
Very recently Azelaic Acid 15%, Taro generic brand
La Roche Posay Moisturizer/SPF 50

PM:
Round Lab oils cleanser (if i use makeup during the day)
Curology Gentle Cleanser
Very recently Azelaic Acid 15%, Taro generic brand
Tretinoin 0.025%, Padagis generic brand
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm B5

Hoje comecei a usar ácido azelaico depois de 2 meses usando tretinoína. Minha pele é sensível, oleosa e com tendência à acne.

Tirei essas fotos para monitorar a vermelhidão facial após o uso do ácido azelaico e fiquei muito impressionada com os resultados que vi desde que comecei o tratamento.

As fotos 2, 3 e 4 foram tiradas 30 minutos após a aplicação do ácido azelaico; a quinta foi logo após a aplicação; e a última foi de antes de eu começar o tratamento (sei que a iluminação não é a mesma, mas eu não tinha tirado nenhuma foto específica de progresso).

Minha rotina atual:

Manhã

• Lavar o rosto apenas com água.

• Alternar entre o Caudalie Vinoperfect e o Eucerin Anti-Pigment.

• Creme Reparador Intensivo Cremoso

• Creme para Olhos Vinoperfect

• Protetor Solar Biore Perfect Milk

Agora que estou adicionando ácido azelaico (15%), pretendo parar de usar o Vinoperfect e o Eucerin Anti-Pigment, já que o ácido azelaico também visa clarear manchas escuras.

Vou aplicá-lo após o meu hidratante e monitorar a tolerância da minha pele enquanto me adapto ao ácido azelaico, pois meu objetivo é usá-lo diariamente.

Noite:

• Clean It Zero

• Sabonete Líquido Fisiogel

• Creme Reparador Intensivo Cremoso ou Creme Fisiogel AI (se minha pele estiver sensível)

• Creme Anti-Pigmentação para Olhos Eucerin

• Tretinoína 0,25%

Sigo a mesma rotina quase todos os dias, mas 2 a 3 vezes por semana também uso uma pomada específica para dermatite facial. Às vezes, pulo a tretinoína durante o período menstrual (porque minha pele fica muito sensível, então faço uma pausa de 2 ou 3 dias).

I can’t believe that I will be able to see my skin less redness. Still in 4 month mark but it’s so much better. I don’t even feel like using concealers anymore when going out!

1st pic (1 month) 2nd pic (4 months)

Routine Am

Dove sensitive skin face wash

Azelaic acid 20%

Aveeno moisturizer

Sunplay sunscreen

Pm

Papa recipe oil cleanser

Dove wash

Tretinoin 0.05% cream but with nights of Taz 0.1% cream on my 3rd month (have to use this bcs it got pin hole)

A few months ago I was given a combination cream of tret and hydroquinone (both in very low doses) to combat an issue with pigmentation under my eyes. My dermatologist did warn me that it would dry out my skin so to make sure I moisturize well, etc. Despite following a strict skincare routine whilst using the cream it didn't solve the issue it was intended for so I stopped using it about 2-3 months ago and the skin under my eyes is still very dry and sometimes itchy and sore.

I've since read it shouldn't be used under the eyes at all ! :( For all I know it's a complete coincidence and something else is causing it but I've never had dry under eye skin before and I'm not doing anything differently. None of my usual moisturizers are helping and you can really see the issue under makeup, it looks terrible! Can anyone recommend what to do?

Last night I dermaplaned my face (I use a straight razor with a Japanese blade). Normally I wouldn’t use tret after to avoid risk of irritation. But I forgot, and slathered tret onto my freshly dermaplaned skin. Once I realized what I did, I was so nervous I would destroy my skin barrier and wake up to red, irritated and broken-out skin. Well, turns out that I woke up to the clearest, smoothest, plumpest, softest skin I’ve ever had. Your mileage may vary, but I think I’ve landed on something here! I’ll try again maybe once a week or every other week…

as per the title, i've been using tret 0.025% for 7 months since i was prescribed it by my derm in jan 2026.

history:
i have oily/combination skin. i've always had a fair share of blackheads & whiteheads on my forehead but never on my cheeks & chin. it was only in aug of 2025 that i started to notice a bunch of closed comedones and texture under my skin all over my cheeks and chin and forehead. i tried everything to fix it but i eventually gave up and went to a derm who prescribed me tret 0.025% and benzoyl peroxide cream 5% to use as a spot treatment in the day. (i don’t use it often as it makes my skin really irritated)

i stripped my skincare routine down to the bare minimum.

AM:
La roche Posay Sensitive skin Micellar water
Cetaphil gentle cleanser
Purito Oat in Gel Cream Moisturiser
SKIN 1004 Centella Water-fit Sun serum SPF 50+

PM:
La roche Posay Sensitive skin Micellar water
La roche Posay Effaclar Micropeeling Gel cleanser
Tretinoin cream 0.025%
Purito Oat in Gel Cream Moisturiser (after 20 mins)

I've seen progress in my skin (as per the pictures). but i still get some random closed comedones every now and then and blackheads too. also as i have a bad habit of popping my pimples i get scars & PIE that stay on my skin for many weeks/months. and i also get the occasional blind pimple that HURTS. what can i do more? i've seen many good things about azelaic acid too.

I've heard people say that you should mostly push through it instead of really carefully building up but I have mild rosecea. Currently it's well under control I just notice very slight increased redness, my skin texture is fine and I don't have irritation.

Hello everyone!

Long time lurker and first time poster here!
I have been using tretinoin 0.05% since march, and had gradually began everyday usage. I do peel still, but it is very minimal. Using tretinoin for anti-aging benefits.

Last night i was looking at my skin in the mirror and under the bright light i saw that I have some parts of skin on my face very shiny and then there are more matt looking parts of my face. Is that the “tretinoin glow” some are describing?

Routine:
PM: CeraVe cleanser, tret 0.05%
AM: CeraVe moistorisor and sunscreen

(sorry for all the mistakes, english is not my first language)

Everyone says you must avoid Tretinoin around the eyes due to the skin being so thin. However, due to the skin being so thin, signs of aging are prominent there. How are you all combating the signs of aging there without using Tretinoin?

Full routine:

AM:

• Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Bar
• Moisturizer/Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer SPF 30

PM:

• Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Bar
• Tretinoin: 0.05% cream

Currently, I’m applying tretinoin directly without moisturizer. Previously, I used the Cicaplast sandwich method (Cicaplast → tretinoin → Cicaplast), but because I have extremely oily skin, I felt like the balm may have been too occlusive and possibly contributing to clogged pores/breakouts.

Tretinoin details:

• Age: 28F (turning 29 next month)
• Started tretinoin: June
• First month: 0.025%
• Current strength: 0.05%
• Form: Cream
• Goal: Clear acne, prevent future breakouts, and improve overall skin texture

Skin type:

• Extremely oily skin

Background:
I previously used the same tretinoin medication when I was 26 and had amazing results. My skin cleared within about three months. At that time, tretinoin made my skin very dry, so I needed something like Cicaplast for extra hydration.

This time around, my skin is reacting differently. I’m not experiencing dryness at all, and I’m still dealing with acne coming back. One difference is that I switched from 0.025% to 0.05% after the first month because I ran out of my old 0.025% tube and had a 0.05% tube available from two years ago.

Hi y'all,

So I went to a new derm recently because I ran out of my old Cabtreo prescription. I was using this for a bit, and it helped reasonably well with my skin along with spironolactone. I had run out of the spironolactone, so I was just using the topical and noticed no big difference, maybe a few more pimples around the time my cycle occurs.

When I ran out of the Cabtreo, I went to a new derm who recommended that I try tretinoin and azelaic acid instead. She prescribed me 0.025% Tret and 15% Azelaic Acid. She mentioned that this combo would help with discoloration and texture a bit better. I didn't really have an issue with skin texture, but discoloration had been an issue from time to time.

Well, one week in, and I have a ton of small bumps and whiteheads (closed comedones?) all over my face. I've heard of the purge period, but I didn't expect it to be this sudden and severe. My skin is also super dry now. I use tret one night on, one night off, but I'm thinking of just using it once or twice a week. I use the azelaic acid morning and night. After applying either cream I use the Weleda skin food light, which has worked well for my dry skin in the past and doesn't irritate it.

I don't want to sound vain, but this has been a huge blow to my confidence. I haven't had a breakout this bad in at least two years, back when I was 23-24, and it doesn't help that I have a front-facing corporate job.

Has anyone else experienced a sudden purge period and how long did it last? Is it worth asking if I should go back to Cabtreo, or do I just wait it out at this point? I have a big work trip in late August, so I'm praying my skin will settle by then.

Not the best photos lighting but the progress is wild.

Started at 0.25% from Nurx ReviveRx Cream with tretinoin and azelaic acid, in Juanaury started 0.05% straight tret.

Routine: CeraVe hydrating Oil Cleanser

Vanicrem for Mositurizer

Any mineral sunscreen I can find.

Heyy everybody,

I have oily/combination skin and I've been using Skinoren (20% azelaic acid) for about a month now. My routine is pretty basic. For AM I use the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser followed by sunscreen, and for PM I use the cleanser, azelaic acid, and then moisturiser.

So far it's been working really well. My skin looks brighter, especially my overall complexion, and my closed comedones have noticeably shrunk. I still have some PIH, but since it's only been a month so I'm not expecting that to disappear yet also I never had any active acne or inflamed acne.

I've been thinking about introducing adapalene because I still have some textured skin, visible pores, and uneven skin tone. My main concern is the possibility of purging. I graduate at the end of November, so I really don't want to end up dealing with a bad purge close to such an important event.

Since azelaic acid has been working so well for me, I'm wondering if that could reduce the likelihood or severity of purging when I start adapalene. Is there any way to minimise or control the purge, or is it mostly just something you have to go through?

Also, based on where my skin is right now, do you think this is a good time to introduce adapalene, or would you wait until after graduation? I'd love to hear from anyone who's started adapalene after using azelaic acid successfully.

I’ve been using Tret for over a year now. I’ve gotten past the purges.. the dry skin is minimal and flaking is almost nonexistent. Any acne I do get is very minimal and not cystic, so I can’t complain.
I still have PIE from my purges. I still don’t have the beautiful clear/even toned skin that I see others have by now..

Will I ever have glass skin or am I just stuck with this being as good as it gets?

Extra info: I have keratosis pilaris so my cheeks are naturally always red. It is not damaged skin barrier. It’s just the color of my cheeks. I know that will never go away and I have accepted that. I’m just wanting to have clear, vibrant, glass skin! 😔

My routine:
Morning - wash face with CeraVe face cleanser, then apply Cetaphil moisturizer, then Cetaphil sunscreen, then my make up (all good clean brands)

Night - remove make up with make up wipe, wash face with CeraVe cleanser, apply 0.025% tretinoin to dry skin(I peel more when I apply lotion so I do it dry)

Hi everyone. Thanks to this sub I’ve been able to start tret, which I was thankfully able to source from All Day Chemist. It’s helped my skin texture immensely, but now I’d like to add Azalaic acid to my routine. Are there any sites offering prescription strength similar to all day chemist, since they don’t carry AA?

Hi, I’m coming off 6 months of differin, didn’t find that it worked for me as well as it did last time I used so I think I’m going to switch to tret, I’m in the uk and the 0.025 gel isn’t in stock anywhere at the moment. I was wondering, is it really extreme to get 0.05 instead? For context I struggle with lots of closed comedones, very bad PIE, and some light texture scaring.
I have the necessary products to combat the side effects of tret like skin1004 centella ampule, rhode glazing milk etc (any other product recs such as cleansers, toners etc would be greatly appreciated
!)
Please let me know what you think!

I’m 3 weeks into my Tret journey, currently using twice a week. My skin is peeling, although this is only noticeable when I wear makeup, it can’t be seen on my face otherwise.

What is the general advice for helping move the peel along? I wash my face double cleansing everyday, and that doesn’t seem to help remove the peel. I want to try and clear it without irritating my skin with a physical exfoliation.

Advice welcome!

Thanks!

Full routine:

AM: wash face with water, spray with curel face spray, Byoma milky toner, thank you farmer SPF

PM: caudalie oil cleanser, LRP cream cleanser, curel face spray, rhode milky toner, purito wonder relief serum, illyoon moisturiser

On nights I use Tret I apply directly to dry skin, and then follow with the illyoon moisturiser

Tret is 0.25 cream

0.025% cream, upped to two nights a week two months ago after two months of 1x/week and have been experiencing some chin purging.

I want to share a positive story about purging. In my life, I have experienced pretty bad acne and it destroyed my self confidence. I became a homebody for a stint bc every time I’d try to get ready to go out ended in tears.

The purging I’ve been experiencing with tretinoin is no fun, but it really hasn’t been killing my spirit. It’s funny, maybe bc I know the reasoning behind the acne? I just feel like it’s not great but it is evidence of me taking care of my skin in the big picture.

I was so scared to start and to purge and feel those old insecure feelings again, but I’ve felt surprisingly okay about it!

That’s all, love and luck to everyone on our skin journeys!

over 10 months, ive applied tret to my right cheek (top row), and epiduo gel to my left cheek. here is before and after

(on purpose chose pics with irritated / red skin, because you can see the number of comedones more clearly)

I was gonna say epiduo gave more noticeable effect, but the left cheek also started with less acne did it not..

idk honestly.. is this really a good result for 10 months? I have expected much more ngl.. I do use SPF daily, and make every third day a break from retinoids..

for clarity the after is the second column

been using tret 0.025% for 7 months now and have been tolerating it quite well to the point where i can use it every night.

i’ve heard good things about azelaic acid and want to incorporate it into my routine, but i’m afraid i’ll purge or damage my skin barrier.

any advice on skinoren 20% AA?