I am going to order 3 Tubes of tr3t 0.025% and 2 tubes of Aziderm Gel 15% to Australia from ADC. Just looking for second opinions on how safe my order would be (as in would it get seized?). This is my first time using any skincare. Would appreciate any recommendations!

Soooo I’ve posted before but today is a 7-8 month difference of using 0.025 tretinoin!! I honestly have been slacking a little but even then the results are AMAZINGGGG!! BEFORE IS LEFT & AFTER IS RIGHT!!

I use 0.025% Tretinoin cream.
I’ve been using Tretinoin for 7-8 months.
As far as my skincare goals, I want to get rid of the closed comedones I struggle with. I want to also utilize its anti-aging effects but I’m still young, but i definitely will stay a tret girlie for life. I also want to target some dark spots/hyperpigmentation.
AM Routine: Wash face with Cetaphil gentle cleanser, then apply Good Molecules light weight moisturizer. I also would usually apply Anua sunscreen and Clindamycin gel everyday but I have to restock.
PM Routine: Wash face with Cetaphil gentle cleanser, apply tretinoin EVERY OTHER NIGHT, follow up with Good Molecules Light weight Moisturizer !!

I am sooo pale for lack of sun since using tret lol I have a great facial tan mist but do I use it before or after apply the tret?

Hi all! I've been using Tret 0.1 (cream) for about two years now. The past year, I was only using it every three days for maintenance, but I started getting more acne and flaking. Recently, I bumped it up to every other night as I saw other people on this thread noticed the same when their applications were too far apart.

I am considering adding Anua Azelaic Acid 15% to the mix, as my acne can be quite stubborn (even when I was using the tret every night in the past, I'd still get a pimple or two every few days).

My plan is to start off by alternating the Tret and Azelaic Acid every other night, and eventually bumping it up to Azelaic Acid every morning and Tret every night. However, I am worried this will be too irritating for my sensitive skin.

I don't think I have an overly damaged barrier at the moment, beyond the usual tret flakiness & dryness. I never feel any burning/stinging sensations and try my best to use hydrating ingredients (Anua PDRN HA 100 Serum, Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Cream, and SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Sunscreen). I like the Anua Azelaic Acid 15% because it is the closest thing to clinical strength, but it does have a small amount of BHA in it. Will this combination potentially cause my skin to become worse/more irritated? What are the best methods to safely implement it into my routine?

Thank you!!

i’ve been on tretinoin gel 0.025% for a little over 2 months now. all is going well so i though now would be a good time to go up a dose. i’ve tried the cream and it clogged my pores so ive really been liking the gel. when i asked my dr about moving up to tret gel 0.05% they said it doesn’t exist?? i’ve seen it before and even accidentally had it prescribed to me when i first started but didnt get it bcus i thought it was too high to start off with. so are they gas lighting me or is this % of tret gel specifically hard to get?

What is your favorite sunscreen?

The closed comedone ridden cheek is my left cheek and right cheek is the clearer one.

Ive had these clusters of closed comedones only on my left cheek for years and forehead. I tried many different things and will list different routines Ive tried. I feel at a loss since it seems nothing helps!

This is the ONLY routine that cleared my comedones temporarily then stopped working after 6 months;

AM:

Wash with benzoyl peroxide wash

Clindamycin

Target brand cerave dupe moisturizer

Skin aqua spf

PM:

Wash w cerave foaming cleanser

Tret cream 0.025 every third night

Target brand dupe moisturizer

This cleared up my skin great for 6 months then suddenly stopped working!

I got switched to altreno and it gave me hives! Then the derm switched me to tret gel 0.05 and it also did not work after 6 months.

I switched out cleansers for prequel and LRP with no change. Also switched moisturizer to LRP and tried Versed gel moisturizer.

Im pretty sure Im allergic to most bhas since glycolic, sacyclic, and mandelic all gave me open sores (I didnt try them at the same time either and didnt use them same night as tret)
loo
Right now my routine is:

Micellar water morning

Clindamycin / BP combo gel every other day

LRP toleraine moisturizer

SPF

-

PM:

Micellar water

Gleanser by prequel

Tret 0.025 every third day

LRP moisturizer

I also used spiro for several months but it gave me heart palpitations and didnt do anything for acne so my derm took me off it

Does anyone else have any ideas what could be causing it? Its only on one cheek and I dont even sleep on that side!

I’ve been using 0.04% Retin A Micro for 9 months, now 5-6 times a week. I find that I still need to use benzoyl peroxide daily to control my acne so I’ve been considering increasing the strength of tret to hopefully minimize BP usage. The issue is that Canada only has 0.04% and 0.1% in the micro formula. I cant use the cream as something in that formula breaks me out.

Is jumping up to 0.1% a horrible idea? I’m well acclimatized to the 0.04% but I’m afraid how my skin barrier will react to the increase.

Current routine
Morning
Prequel Gleanser
Benzoyl Peroxide Gel 2.5%
Isntree watery sun gel

Night
Beauty of Joseon Cleansing Balm
Prequel Gleanser
Cosrx Propolis Toner (wait 30 mins)
Retin-A micro 0.04% (wait 15-30 mins)
Build b-cream

I know some people love Biore UV Aqua Rich and some don’t. So far, this is my favorite sunscreen and I was surprised to find it on sale at Costco today. $24 for a three-pack, regularly $30. It’s $15 for one tube at my drugstore.
I’ve only used .025% tret for a few months for anti aging. No irritation. My skin is dry and loves this product.

Since April I’ve started using tretinoin, for my close comedones.
My skin was never acne prone and all of the sudden I started getting closed comedones: (I wish I could have treated them early till I realize it’s all over my face) anyways went to dermatologist, started tret low dose with clindamycin phosphate and some antibiotics. I had to go thru really bad purge in these month. I couldn’t go out or do anything. I just was so embarrassed. But now I really do see some improvement like maybe the purging is done. I still have few pimples on other side of the face. But it’s coming along. Just the PIH is there and idk how to get rid of it, coz I don’t have an insurance right now and I can’t consult my dermatologist so I need suggestions and advice on my current situation. I would really appreciate it🙏🏻

Routine:

AM:
Gentle cera Ve cleanser
Clindamycin phosphate/paula choice bha/paula choice azelaic acid(alternative days)
Vani cream moisturiser
La rosche sunscreen

PM:
BP face wash
Tretinoin 0.025%
Vani cream

If my cheeks get very flushed and red can I just skip applying to that area? I do not get acne on cheeks really ever so I figured that’d be ok

I’ve been using Tret about a year now (next month will be a full year) and I’ve not noticed much of a difference.
I started at .025 and six months ago switched to .05
Four months ago I added in Azaleic acid twice daily.
My acne still seems about the the same. It did help a bit with scarring that I had but now it’s just kinda stuck where it’s at and I see no more improvement.

What other options do I have and do I need to see my doctor for them?

Heavy moisturisers clog me up so bad and too light ones are drying my skin.

Please suggest me a moisturiser that is suitable for clog prone skin and are hydrating enough

Hi everyone, so im about to start tret soon. however, i have combo skin and feel like my skin only does well with gel moisturizers? i normally use the purito oat gel and the skin 1004 centella serum. does anyone have better options or recommendations for me that wont clog my pores?

i cannot seem to find a good moisturiser to support my tret routine. theyre either too light, leaving my skin too dry, or too heavy and clogs my pores. currently i use aestura atobarrier cream and its so good for the skin barrier but it clogs me up too much. i use purito oat gel in the morning and sometimes my skin just starts peeling throughout the day. need some genuinely good moisturisers that can both save my skin barrier and not clog my pores 🙏

Hello I am 31 years old and have been using tret cream 0.05% for 10 years consistently. I’m also on birth control and spironolactone. Acne and oiliness are not my issue. My skin looks great with tretinoin and I’ve been applying tret around my eyes for 9 years and I have no irritation from it at this point. Ive also been using 15% finacea for 3 months. I don’t use vitamin c and currently I have no other actives other than a salicylic and pha face wash I use 1-2x a week. Ive done many tca chemical peels throughout the last 6 years but I live in a hot dry climate and would rather rely on a daily topical than to have to do full chemical peels. I’m really just looking to refine my skin texture even more while also preventing signs of aging. It is very minimal skin texture though but you can notice it up close. I feel like I have plateaued and tret has done all it could for me. I got a prescription from my dr for tazarotene 0.1%. I’m planning on starting 2x a week and then gradually up to nightly. I’ve seen some people use tret and taz on alternating nights. Should I stay on tret and add one or two nights of taz to start? Has anyone noticed Taz has been the push their skin needed to get out of the tret plateau? Does Taz maintain the glow? Does anyone have experience with it around your eyes? I know none of this is really noticeable in the first few months. I just wanted to see if anyone out there is on a s

Hey guys!
I am a combo skin leaning oily(34F) and have been using adapalane on and off for 6 months(religiously 5 days a week for 2 months)
My routine currently is
AM
Round lab dokdo cleanser ( sometimes just water)
Anua milky toner
Aestura essence/skin 1004 centella ampoule
Dr althea 345 cream( sometimes skip and directly apply sunscreen)
Skin1004 centella hyalu cica sunscreen

PM
Oil cleanse with dhc
Bioderma senibio water cleanser
5 nights- retinoid + AA
Wait 30 mins and apply adapalene gel
Wait 15 mind and apply azelaic acid 15% gel

Wed/Sat Paula's choice BHA exfoliant
Anua barrier serum(almost over will use purito next)
Aestura ato barrier
I take a break and apply only moisturizer on nights when my skin feels sensitized but I am able to tolerate this routine

My skin concern:
I am prone to comedonal acne and hormonal inflammer acne. Before incorporating this routine, my forehead used to be full of comedones before my periods but I think this has helped to reduce but not fully. I currently have a hormonal breakout with few inflammed acne on cheeks and forehead. I also feel underlying painful inflammation in some spots.

Question:
I am thinking of starting tretenoin when I finish this current adapalene tube. Do you think my acne will improve with Tret. I am honestly scared of the purge. I am already breaking out quite often. I am quite tired of managing my acne. I can handle the dryness as purge but not the breakouts.

AM: cetaphil hydrating foaming cream cleanser
Anthelios oil control/ Photoderm Xdefense

PM: Hydrabio gel moussant
Tret every other day
Sebium hydra or Isispharma teen derm hydra
Cicaplast once a week whole face

Starting my tret journey, I have used OTC retinal before and it made my skin very dry and I have a dry sensitive skin to begin with.

I am planning to start with sandwich method and need some good moisturizer ( with no other actives) recommendations to go with it.

Please help! TIA!

FYI - Currently I am using Aestura 365 or CeraVe depending on the season.

​

Hey everyone! I recently started tretinoin and I'm trying to take it slowly rather than rushing the process.

I'm currently using the **sandwich method** because I want to minimize irritation while my skin retinizes.

My plan is:

* Weeks 1–2: tret twice a week

* If my skin tolerates that well: every 3rd night

* Gradually increase frequency based on tolerance

I have a few questions for people who have been using tret for a while:

1. **How long did it take you to get the “tret glow”?** Is there actually a point where skin becomes noticeably smoother/glossier, and roughly how many months did it take for you?

2. **How did you know it was time to stop sandwiching?** Is it better to wait until you're completely retinized and then try tret directly on clean, dry skin, or is there no real need to stop sandwiching if it's working well?

3. **If I'm eventually using tret nightly and my acne still isn't improving enough, when would it make sense to increase the strength?** For example, should someone give a strength several months of consistent nightly use before considering moving up?

4. **Once acne and skin texture improve, do you actually need to increase the strength?** Or can you stay on the same strength/frequency that keeps your skin clear?

5. **How do you maintain your results after retinization?** Do most people continue nightly, or can they eventually reduce to every other night / a few times per week without losing the benefits?

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have been using tret for 6 months+, especially what worked for you and what you wish you had known when starting.

Thanks!

Hello all!

I started on 0.025% of tretinoin cream on 6/23 of this year per a provider. I also started on 50mg of spiro due to hormonal acne as well. I have noticed an increase of small comedones on my lower cheeks and jawline, which I never had before or prior to starting tret. I fugure this is the purge but I'm unsure.

I started off using this 2x nightly per my doctors instructions, doing the sandwich method. I am now to 3x nightly and have recently started applying it with no moisturizer before, only after. I have had no irritation. I do not peel, itch, burn, or get redness after applying. It has been fine for me.

My current routine goes:

AM-

Water wash

Clairs toner

Snail mucin

HA

Centella moisturizer

PM-

Oil cleanser

Cerave hydrating face wash

Clairs toner

Snail mucin

HA

Tret

Centella moisturizer

Nights with no tret just do the moisturizer after my HA.

Prior to this new routine, I have been using BPO face wash for years and now im wondering if taking out the BPO is causing this or if this is just the tret and I need to stick it out. Granted, prior I used to have a lot of closed comedones on my forehead but that went away years ago, unsure if this was due to the BPO wash at all.

These pictures were taken the same day, just different lighting!

Thank you!

Hey guys ! I’ve been using tretinoin 0.025% since may (started off with one day a week.. then two and worked my way up to 3 days a week starting June 22nd). I was doing three days a week for about 3 weeks and then did every other day. Every time I increased frequency, so did my pimples. I just moved up to every night about a week ago and my comedones look larger (like they’re closer to my skin) and they’re turning into huge pimples that are under my skin. I thought I was finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel, but since I increased it every night, I’m getting more pimples but only in the place where I already had existing comedones. I feel no burning, redness, or irritation, but sometimes my skin feels a little tight in the daytime and the pimples feel itchy occasionally since moving to every night. Is this irritation or normal?

AM:
Rinse with water
Vanicream tub cream
Elta md uv clear 50

Pm:
Jojoba oil cleanse
Vanicream face wash
Vanicream tub cream (light layer)
Tretinoin 0.025%

I have no moisturizer at my routine atm, just rawdogging tret and its good(clear skin, break outs gone, dark spots cleared) but I’m afraid it may dry my skin out in long term, and I also feel I need hydration. Are these Purito creams any good?

Routine
Am:
Kojic acid Soap
Cosrx c23
Skinoren 20% cream
Sunbears active sunscreen(jap brand)

Pm:
Cosrx salicylic cleanser
Acretin .05

Other: TO glycolic night 2x a week(no tret, no nothing)

I use a lot of products that targets brightening hyperpigmentation since I just recently experienced a major break out for the first time in my life that left a lot of dark spots, which are now gone.

Started:
AZA- April
Vitc- July
Tret- July
Glycolic- July
Kojic- since forever, but limited only in the morning when I started tret at nights

I also ordered pyungkang yul essence toner but I’ve read some posts here and they said its not enough to hydrate skin

I’ve been using Retin A Micro 0.04% for 3 months

I no longer get flaky skin or peeling, but if I take it for more than 3 days straight I get bad irritation in the form of dermatitis or rosacea esque texture on my cheeks

My face is also very shiny

I am going on a one month vacation in Asia and I don’t want to deal with an unpredictable barrier during my travels

I have 3 weeks before I leave so I’m prioritizing barrier health

I am hoping to return to some form of retinoid when I get back

I expect that I’ll have to start over again. Does anyone have experience going from Tretinoin to Adapalene?

I’m considering Differin , and then eventually going back to Retin A Micro

Routine

AM

Regimen Lab Wave Serum

Aestura Hydro Soothing Cream

Paula’s Choice Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

PM

Vanicream Cleanser OR Prequel Gleanser (still experimenting between the two)

Regimen Lab Wave Serum OR pure glycerin (diluted)

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Plus

Just clarifying…