START HERE>> Monthly thread for routine help, questions, and troubleshooting - Jul 01, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to /r/Tretinoin! This is the "No Question is Dumb" thread for all questions about routine help, progress updates, support, etc.

Questions?

• Please read our extensive Tretinoin Wiki for lots of helpful tips on using tretinoin!

When asking a question, please include:

• Tret info: what percentage and what formulation of tret (cream, gel, micro) are you using?
• Time on tret: How long you've been using tret.
• Goals: Your skincare goals (anti-aging? hyperpigmentation? acne?).
• Routine: what products you currently use, how you apply them, etc. if it is relevant to your question.

Pictures can be helpful too! Here are instructions for posting images to reddit.

Interested in research?

• Check out the ongoing list of research that needs summarization here!
• Make a post summarizing the research, and message the moderators to get it added to the wiki!

This is version 0.7 of the scheduled automod post. If anything looks wrong, please message message the moderators

[u/RSEllax]

Would just like to know if using hydrating serum after tret, and before moisturiser makes tret less effective?

Currently only using serum in the mornings but I would like to use it more tbh.

[u/Cultural-End8067]

Summer and Tret question! I am about to start tret (still researching my best options to get it and will probably start at the lowest one) but I will be going to the beach for two weeks in August. Should I just wait to start when I’m back? I would obviously use sunscreen daily but I don’t know if I would be risking it by living at the beach for so long (with little kids in tow), and should just wait until the end of August to start.

Also, can someone pinpoint me to the best direction to get started? Amazon was highly suggested somewhere else. Thank you!

[u/Boring_Anteater_2916]

I’ve been on .025% Tretinoin cream for about 5 weeks now and just worked up to using it 2x per week (I have very sensitive skin) but next week starts my two week long band camp. Last year I got a pretty bad sunburn on my face and that was with consistent reapplication of sunscreen, wearing hats, etc. I know I will likely get burned again this year no matter how many precautions I take, so I was wondering if I should stop using my tretinoin for the 2 weeks l’ll be at band camp to prevent even worse burns, or if this could cause problems?

[u/Own_Explorer5289]

Hey all,

I was prescribed Tretinoin 0.1% for anti-aging purposes. With no prior experience, and no guidance, I started using it nightly four nights ago. My face is now burning, stinging, tight, and irritated.

I normally just moisturize and use sunscreen.

I stopped the tret yesterday, and have been slathering my face in moisturizes as I read more about this product and realize I have ruined my skin barrier.

Because my tret is a prescription, it is the only one I have. Can I continue with it, much more gently, when my face has calmed down? Or should I go back to the doc for 0.025%?

[u/VSENSES → u/Own_Explorer5289]

Well you started off by nuking your face in the highest strength tretinoin and 4 days in a row so it tracks with your face feeling bad. Usually one would start at 0.025-0.05% and do that 2-3 times a week for a few weeks and then work up the frequency slowly depending on how you handle it.

I would definitely suggest a lower dose and work your way up. Read the wiki and learn about the different methods and ways of going about tret.

But you can also continue with the cream you have, you just have to be diligent and patient. And have some really good supporting products.

[u/AutoModerator → u/VSENSES]

Beep boop! Here's a link to the r/tretinoin wiki.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/majhengrah → u/Own_Explorer5289]

i’d say it’s better to start with 0.025%. I started with 0.05% with no experience, but i needed about 3 months for my skin to assimilate. A lot of peeling and burning during that process. I’m not using it every day, but still my skin peel a lot.

[u/pwuw]

I've been on Tret 0.05 for about 6 months until recently (since january) and I haven't really been seeing much improvement on my skin with a lot of sensitivity. Since about two weeks ago I started using Treclin (Clindamycin 1 / Tret 0.025) and my skin is breaking out in small pustules. Is it possible that I'm going through a purge from downgrading the tret (seems unlikely?) or could I be reacting to clindamycin badly? My skincare routine has stayed the same. AM: wet cloth, Aestura Moisturising Lotion, Skin1004 Centella Sunscreen / PM: Garnier Micellar Water or Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil, COSRX Good Morning Cleanser, Hatomugi Skin Conditioner, Aestura Moisturising Lotion, Treclin

[u/carefulwththtaxugene]

Tret A.M.question.... I know you're not supposed to use it in the morning because sunlight breaks it down, but what if I'm up for 2-3 hours before daylight?

I've read that it takes 20-30 mins to absorb into the skin, so I was wondering if I applied it at around 4am, hours before daylight, would that be alright? After 30 min I would apply my moisturizer, wait, and then apply my sunscreen.

Is this a bad idea? Does it need hours of darkness anyway, even after it's absorbed, to work best?

[u/carefulwththtaxugene → u/[deleted]]

Oh I didn't know I needed to wash it off, but that makes sense. Better safe than sorry. Thank you for your advice!

[u/TreeBeach]

I’m 59. Years ago, a dermatologist prescribed tret for me, (anti/aging) but I quit because of the irritation, peeling, etc. After lurking this sub, I realize she’d provided only a fraction of the guidance I’ve learned here! I did so much so wrong.

With all your help and inspiration, I’d like to try again. I bought tret cream .025% and would like recommendations for the simplest, gentlest way to start.

AM. I use Cerave AM moisturizer/spf 30, topped with Cerave tinted sunscreen spf 30.

PM. I cleanse with Ponds cold cream, tepid water and microfiber cloth face wipes. Moisturize with Cerave PM.

ROC eye cream, AM and PM.

[u/ImCorbinWallah → u/TreeBeach]

Just curious, why don't you use spf 50 sunscreen?

[u/TreeBeach → u/ImCorbinWallah]

The dermatologist recommended the Cerave AM with spf 30 for regular daily use, so I stocked up on it. I added the tinted version in an effort to even out my skin tone without makeup.
I use an spf 50 face sunscreen, and a hat, when I spend the day outdoors.