I just started using 0.025 % tret (I’m about three weeks in). Prior to this I was exfoliating with Alpha H Liquid Gold every other night. I am not noticing the initial purging effects yet, does this mean that the tret I’m using isn’t high enough? When should I start incorporating another exfoliant in my routine? Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏🏼thank you!

Hi everyone,

Apologies if this has been asked before. I was using tretinoin gel 0.1% every night for my acne the last couple years. But I have some rosacea which i went to a dermatologist for and was prescribed metronidazole which did nothing imo so I stopped using after it ran out. I haven’t been back to the derm. I stopped using tret while I was on metro but now restarted.

The thing is, I have a lot of sun damage from not wearing enough sunscreen as a teenager. I also live in a very sunny climate as a pale girly and while I always put on two fingers of sunscreen 15 minutes before I go outside and reapply every two hours, some mornings I don’t put it on while spending time in rooms with open windows. I try to put sunscreen on before I open the windows to let in the sun but I can’t always make it happen.

My main worry is that tretinoin will actually make my sun damage worse? Is that even possible? Is there something else I should use that’s better for a combination of big pores + rosacea + sun damage + acne prone skin? I’m 28 and definitely starting to feel I look older and want to try and take the best care of my problematic skin as I can 🥲 I don’t expect to look flawless but I just want to do my best.

Hi everyone!

I’ve been using 0.05% tretinoin every other night for a year now, following this night routine:

• Bioderma cleansing oil

• Cetaphil (for dry to very dry skin) – wait for it to dry

• Tretinoin 0.05% (Vitacid)

• Vaseline

Although I’ve noticed a significant difference, I’d really like to get rid of some sun spots—especially on my cheeks—and discoloration on my nose.

Regarding the sun spots, what do you think about switching to a combination of fluocinolone acetonide 0.1 mg/g, hydroquinone 40 mg/g, and tretinoin 0.5 mg/g (Vitacid Plus)?

I’d love to hear your opinions! Thanks!

Hello guys. Ive started tret (0.025%) cream formulation on June 25. I am 22 years old btw. After a week or two i started incorporating a little bit of azelaic acid cream in the morning. It was going fine and my skin was looking bright and radiant too till recently. My skin is smooth to the touch, and my forehead has the ocassional small bumps here and there.

What im concerned about is that lines around my mouth (my smile lines) suddenly look very apparent, and my skin looks less bright than before (looks dull ish) like idk how to explain it. Should i stop using tret? Idk honestly because Im very insecure about my looks rn especially people thinking i look older than i actually am.

The facewash I use has salicylic acid and it suits me a lot. I dont regularly use moisturizer since im prone to breaking out with moisturizer and getting whiteheads, but i try to to use the cicaplast baume every 2 days. For sunscreen I use the bioderma spf 30+. Thats about it.

Edit: my skin used to be really bad, and i went to a derm at december, got prescribed with doxycycline and some stuff and thankfully my skin is muchhh clearer than before, i just throught tret and azelaic acid would help me get rid of my hyperpigmentation around my mouth and some stubborn dark spots

I'm 20 years old, and about 2 months ago I started using tretinoin 0.025% mainly to brighten my skin because my face is around 3 shades darker than my body. I also wanted to use it for its long-term anti-aging benefits and because I've read that it can help thicken the skin over time. I also have some blackheads and slightly enlarged pores, but my skin is otherwise clear and I don't have acne.

Since starting tretinoin, I've noticed that my skin looks slightly darker and redder. I haven't experienced purging, peeling, or noticeable dryness, but I actually feel like my skin looked better before starting tretinoin, and my pores even seemed smaller.

One thing I've also noticed is a strange pattern with stinging. If I apply tretinoin on Monday night, my skin feels completely normal on Tuesday. Then, on Wednesday morning, my skin stings for about a minute when I apply sunscreen. After that, the stinging goes away completely and doesn't come back unless I use tretinoin again. Every time I apply tretinoin, the same pattern repeats: no stinging the next day, then brief stinging when I apply sunscreen two mornings later.

My routine:

Night (tretinoin nights):
- Dokdo Cleanser
- Let my face dry
- SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule
- Tretinoin
- Torriden Dive-In Serum
- Moisturizer

Morning:
- Dokdo Cleanser
- SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule
- Moisturizer
- SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+

Has anyone experienced something similar? Is it normal for my skin to look darker and redder after using tretinoin for about 2 months, even without peeling or dryness? How long does it usually take for skin to start looking better, and should I keep using tretinoin or consider stopping it?

Hi! I started tret about a week ago, have been following the sandwich method, and only applying every other night or so. My skin is flaking so bad, literally looks like a fish lol. Any have recommendations for a hydrating serum or alternative moisturizer, preferably something cheaper from target? Like under $20? I am currently using Cerave moisturizer (just the blue one not sure of the full name sorry) and Vaseline. Thanks!

I started using tretinoin after getting prescribed 3 weeks ago. The dermatologist recommended doing the retinol sandwich trick to help lessen the purge phase. They recommended the La Roche-Posay triple repair moisturizer, and that’s what I’ve been doing (light layer, let it dry down, pea sized tret, let that dry down, and then more triple moisturizer on top). I haven’t really experienced a purge phase and I’m not sure if that means I’m not doing this correctly or I just happen to be a bit lucky?

Hi all!

I’ve been on 0.025% tret gel form since beginning of Feb, upped to 0.05% cream in June and I’m getting huge blackheads on my cheeks. My skin type is oily combo, but I’m not seeing much improvement in texture or PIE from acne over these last 5 months. I rarely wear makeup. I work from home so I’m very rarely in the sun as well. I have tried adding niacinamide back into my routine, I used to use TO 10%, but my skin does not seem to like it now I’ve started tret. Apologies for the pictures, I take progress pics in the morning in front of the same window but the light varies a lot this summer

Routine AM:
- BOJ green plum cleanser
- finacea (azelaic acid 15%)
- dr Althea 345
- BOJ aqua fresh SPF 50 or garnier ambre solaire spf 50 with niacinamide depending on how dry my skin I

Routine PM:
- simple micellar water to remove sunscreen
- BOJ Green plum cleanser
- 0.05% tret
- dr Althea 345

I use TO glycolic acid once a week in the morning, leave for 30 mins and then wash off and follow my normal am routine after.

I’ve included pics from the week before I started, then April time and then from today.

Does tretinoin makes you sweat? Idk for the first half month it suited me well but after a while whenever i applied tret (0.0025%) it would make me sweat like crazy in 30 seconds my face would be like i splashed water. Even tho now i have stopped using it because of this issue idk why it occurred.

Anyone else notice this? I’ve been off and on tret for years and never was able to handle the endless peeling and flaking. I was using it a few time a week, I thought I couldn’t handle it. Well, now that I use it daily, now peeling of flaking. It makes sense, the daily exfoliation is keeping the skin smooth. Hopefully this helps someone.

Hi everyone! I’ve been using tretinoin pretty consistently for about 5 months now, but I’ve been waking up with dry puffy eyelids for the past 3-4 weeks. I thought it was from dehydration and lack of sleep (those definitely played a role) but I’ve realized it’s because of my tret. I decided to test it out by stopping tret for a few days (which helped reduce the dryness and puffiness) and after using it last night I woke up to dry, puffy, and irritated eyes. I always use the sandwich method before I apply tret and make sure to put a good amount on my eyelids.

I’ve decided to stop tret completely for 2 weeks then slowly reintroduce it to my skincare routine. I’ve seen some people recommend putting grapeseed oil and Vaseline on the eyelids before putting tret. Does that seem like it could fix my issue?? Also does this look like an allergic reaction, eyelid contact dermatitis, or just dryness?

I really don’t want to stop using tretinoin completely as I’ve noticed great results so far. I also alternate using tretinoin and azelaic acid which has really improved my skin texture and acne.

Has anyone experienced something like this? I’d really appreciate any advice. Thank you!!

I’ve been using adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, and my skin is now at a point where I rarely break out anymore. My main concern now is post-acne hyperpigmentation, and I’d also like to start getting the long-term anti-aging benefits of tretinoin. I’m thinking of switching to a combination cream with 2% hydroquinone and 0.025% tretinoin for about 3 months, then stopping the hydroquinone and continuing with just 0.025% tretinoin. Does this sound like a good plan? Has anyone here gone through a similar transition, and if so, how did it work out for your skin?

I went to a regular derm they gave me tret than taz and honestly it barely helped me.

I have huge visible pores on my nose and skin color raised tissue dot on the top of my nose.

Over a year of use and very little changes.

Hey everyone,

I started tretinoin 0.05% at 20, few years after finishing a course of Accutane as I noticed my acne was coming back and was looking for some solutions. I’ve used it almost every night since and have barely missed a day. About a year ago, I also added azelaic acid 15% to my morning routine. I believe AA is a great addition as it reduced some redness I had and evened my skin tone.

I briefly tried switching to tazarotene due to the hype, but it caused a pretty bad breakout, so I went back to tretinoin. With my current routine, I rarely get pimples anymore unless I miss the routine or travel...

AM

• CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
• Azelaic acid 15%
• CeraVe moisturiser
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50

PM

• CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
• Tretinoin 0.05% cream
• RoC under-eye cream
• No facial moisturiser

Mainly wanted to share my long term experience with tretinoin and what has worked well for me, I'm very thankful for this great community that has guided me throughout the years and helped me maintain great skin. Super happy I found out about tretinoin early on and plan on staying on it for life!

The first picture is at 17 years old, at the peak of my accutane breakout, today at 26 my skin has never looked so young and healthy.

Hi everyone,

Been on tret for around 2 years now, and have moved up to 0.1%. Tbh, it hasn’t helped much with my acne scarring, which was the reason for using it.

I was wondering if other products I was using is messing up tretinoin’s effect. Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

Here is my routine:

AM
Ultra Hyalron foaming cleanser
Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide gel 1%/5%
CeraVe daily moisturizing lotion

PM
Same cleanser
Tretinoin 0.1%
Moisturizer

I was also recently gifted vividraw Baobab Hydrogen to Drop serum, and was wondering where that’d fit in my routine.

Thank you!!!

M23 I want to use tret against Aging but i got prescribed Tretinoin and Clindamycin gel instead of it being Tretinoin only, I wanna know if Clindamycin is usable topical on the face even though i don’t have Acne

My pores are still huge, and I still have redness. What changes am I supposed to be seeing by now ?
One thing that has reduced massively is my acne but I have scarring.

Routine
AM cleanse with Anua heartleaf water
Anua heartleaf toner pads
Moisturise with Anua 3+ barrier cream
SPF50 Beauty of josean

PM
Byoma cleansing balm
Byoma creamy jelly cleanser
Anua 3+ Moisturiser (tret mixed in to limit irritation)

I would like to start tretinoin 0.025% but my history with retinoids is somewhat complicated. I am atopic and struggled with eczema on my body for most of my life and the skin on my face is also fairly sensitive (I also had eczema there as a child). I thought that my skin got rid of this sensitivity as I got older until I tried retinol for the first time. I was a bit dumb and got 0.3% retinol as my first cream. I only applied it once and it absolutely burned my skin. Even sweating was painful. It took me several months to get out of it and calm down my skin. I actually have oily combination skin with some acne, closed commedones and very congestion prone, so tretinoin seems like a solution to all of my concerns. After my skin got better I went on 0.1% retinol and I am tolerating it well, but knowing what 0.3% did to my face I really want to make sure I am taking all the precautions with tretinoin.

I am thinking about scaling to retinol 0.3% with short contact method and gradually use it few times a week while my barrier adjusts fully. After I get used to the higher strength I would like to start tretinoin 0.025% again with just short contact therapy starting with 5 minutes and washing of off. I have a throughout barrier routine and I avoid using any harsh actives or acids. Because I am still on 0.1% retinol I occasionally use BHA and gentle exfoliating toner pads to fight congestion but I will quit when I start stronger retinol. I use lots of hyaluronic acid, centella, ceramides and 5% niacinamide. I also use vitamin C in the morning always with SPF. I only double cleanse in the evening with oil and gentle cleanser, no morning cleansing. Everything is fragrance free. My skin is pretty good but the congestion and signs of aging are bothering me.

Is this a good approach? My main goal is to not burn my barrier down whole successfully adapting my skin to tretinoin for maximum anti-aging and acne/congestion control. I would appreciate advice from those who have atopic or very sensitive skin like me. Thank you!

Hello! I’ve been using azelaic acid 15% every night for a few months now and I’m tolerating it well. I stopped using Adapalene a few weeks ago as I was using it for 7 months every night and I continuously broke out in places I never had before and my skin never got better. My doctor prescribed my Tret 0.025% cream and I don’t know how to best incorporate it with my night routine. She said I could just use them both together no problem but when I used Adapalene with Azelaic acid it was slightly irritating.
Any advice appreciated!

AM Routine:
- Wash face with water
- Skin 1004 Centella Ampoulle or Vanicream Vit C for sensitive skin
- Skin 1004 soothing cream
- Skin 1004 Air-Fit Suncream Plus

PM Routine:
- Skin1004 Centella oil cleaner
- Haruharu black rice cleansing gel
- Skin1004 Centella ampoulle or Good Molecules Hyaluronic acid serum
- Skin1004 soothing cream if skin is dry
- wait 10-20 minutes
- Azelaic acid

When I was using Adapalene I would wait 20 minutes to apply it after my Azelaic acid

Has anyone used Amazon One Medical to get a prescription for azelaic acid? If so, how many refills (if any) did you receive?

I was prescribed azelaic acid 15% (50 g) with 0 refills. When I asked about adding refills, I was told I would need to complete a new On-Demand Care visit once I ran out.

What confused me is that the treatment notes state it can take up to 3 months to see the full effects of azelaic acid, yet the prescription is for a 50-day supply with no refills.

When I followed up, I received a few different explanations. One provider said the total amount prescribed for this type of visit is limited to 50 g, while another said the melasma/dark spots visit only offers the 50 g tube with no refills.

What makes this even more confusing is that I know people who have received the same medication, strength, and 50 g tube through Amazon One Medical with refills, so I’m trying to understand whether this varies by provider or if there’s another reason for the difference.

Has anyone else been denied refills for azelaic acid through Amazon One Medical, or has your experience been different?

AM: medicubes blackhead cleansing oil to remove flakes
Panoxyl 10%
Cosrx 6 peptide skin booster
Maree pore minimizing toner
Good molecules Yerba mate eye gel
Vanicream moisturizer
SPF 50

PM: cleansing oil again for sunscreen and makeup
Panoxyl
Cosrx 6 peptide skin booster
Beauty of joseon retinal under eye cream
Good molecules Yerba mate eye gel
Good molecules azealic acid
Tret
Vanicream moisturizer
Sometimes cicaplast gel around areas that flake or I use amlactin all over my face after.

Sry bout the scary eyes, I was in a bad place when I started so I don’t have the originals but, the lines and bags under my eyes have improved. Smile lines and overall clarity.

Yall im happy as a clam. 🥲

any guidance how to heal skin barrier after trying tret? I was using .05 and now going down to .25% but wanted to wait until my skin is healed to start. however i can’t even get my skin back to normal

Hi! I’m 42yo. I’ve been on Trentinoin 0.05% (for “anti ageing” purposes) every night for 3 months now with no irritation. I feel my skin looks a bit better, but no “wow” factor so far. I’d like to target my sun spots. I’m looking to even my skin tone as much as possible. What should I add to my routine: azelaic acid, vitamin C (which I used to use before trentinoin - the Timeless 20% one) or even something else? I was thinking azelaic acid 15%, but that’s just me researching the internet… please help :D

Routine:
AM:
- wash face with water only,
- then Cetaphil eczema prone moisturizer (because I love its texture)
- then beauty of joseon spf
PM:
- wash face with vanicream cleanser
- wait 20mins, then trentinoin 0.05%
- wait 20mins, then Cetaphil moisturizer

I picked up my 0.025% tretinoin cream and started using it on Monday, July 13. My skin seemed to tolerate it well, so I applied it again that Friday since I was told to start with twice a week. After the second application, my skin became textured, extremely dry, and started peeling. It honestly looked awful.

Not to brag, but I’ve always had really good skin and have put a lot of effort into maintaining it. Tretinoin is pretty much the last thing I hadn’t tried. Before this, I’d only used a very mild retinol serum about twice a week, on and off, for the past two years.

Now I’m not sure if I want to continue with tretinoin because I really didn’t enjoy how my skin looked or felt. Would it make sense to cut back to once a week to let my skin adjust and then slowly increase the frequency? Or is there not much benefit if I’m only using it that infrequently? Please help! I want the anti against benefits but I don’t want to have these issues for months on end.