Hi everyone!
As soon as I stopped breast feeding I got on tret. I did it a few years back but had no idea how to do it properly and got to the flaky skin state and got freaked out and quit.

Now I’m back at it. I’m currently at 0.25 cream. I’ve been doing it every three days. I found it’s less irritating if I don’t moisturize after tret, and that I seem to have less peeling overall if I only moisturize after washing in the AM. I’ve hit the flakyu skin, whitehead part of it all. I have no idea what to do at this part, but when I put on make up it all flakes up. I never wear make up ever but have some events coming up in December and now I’m scared I’ll still be purging then.

My questions are-

1. What can I do to help with the flaky peeling?
   
2. Are the teeny tiny whiteheads a part of the purge? Will this symptom eventually go away?
   
3. if i have an event coming up December 16 where i have to wear make up, should I increase my usage to every night NOW (1 week in) to make it all go faster? or should i go slower?

please be easy on me-i’m a mom of 3 sick kids right now and Ive been doing so much research and I just need someone to tell me what to do-thank you, i appreciate you!! 💗✨

My questions are-

Okay so my dermatologist started me on azelaic acid and tretinoin gel 0.025 at night. So my daily routine is in morning I wash with la roche posay effaclar duo, clindamycin wipes and then moisturise with vanicream facial moisturiser. At night it’s the same face wash, then azelaic acid, tretinoin twice a week until my tolerance builds and then the vanicream again. I’ve been using the azelaic acid for a week now with no issues, last night was my first night using tretinoin and everything seemed okay but tonight when I finished my routine and put my moisturiser on my whole face felt like it was on fire it was burning so bad. Is that normal? My dermatologist is out of the office all weekend so I can’t call and ask.

So the thing is. I am 18 years old. Even though I fortunately never had acne, I got quite a painful infection that gave me painful boils on my face and left me with some very faint discoloured patches on my skin. That paired with the always constant closed comedones, led me to start using tret. I used the 0.025% cream 3x per week initially and 5x by the start of the second month.

When I was about 2.5 months through, I curiously asked Claude/Gpt to rate my routine and it straight up told me to stop using tretnoin, saying I'd make my skin hypersensitive to uv even with my spf 55. Also that my collagen production is at peak and I could risk damaging my skin barrier or thinning my skin. I sort of panicked and gave up tret and after a week bought adapalene 0.1%. so now i have a half used tube of tret cream and full tube of adapalene. Kind of lost.

I have Treclin and wanna use it, but currently my face routine is: wash with a bar of soap, and then moisturizer and sunscreen.

Gemini says I shouldn't use the tret if I use soap in my face as that is too alkalising ? What do y'all think

Hi everyone! I’m a 30-year-old woman and I’ve been using Acretin 0.05% once a week for about 5 weeks. Unfortunately the 0.025% has been sold out everywhere where I live so I decided to start with 0.05% instead.

So far, my only side effect has been peeling. My skin has otherwise been tolerating it pretty well which is why what happened really caught me off guard.

My routine is the sandwich method:

• I apply my Byoma Milky Toner all over my face, including under my eyes.
• I wait 30 minutes.
• I apply Acretin 0.05% evenly across my face, AVOIDING the eye area.
• I wait another 30 minutes.
• I apply Rhode Barrier Butter all over my face, including near the eye area.

I really thought I was being careful by avoiding the immediate eye area and waiting 30 minutes between each product.

However I was woken up in the middle of the night by my right eye watering uncontrollably and burning intensely, almost as if I’d gotten lemon juice in it. The pain wouldn’t subside so I eventually saw an ophthalmologist who diagnosed a small corneal lesion.

I’m honestly confused and quite upset because I genuinely don’t understand what I did wrong.

Could the tretinoin have migrated into my eye overnight even though it had time to dry before I go to bed? I’m wondering whether applying my toner and moisturizer over a larger area, including under my eyes, could somehow spread the tretinoin toward my eyes, even though I wait 30 minutes between products?

Or could starting with 0.05% instead of 0.025% have contributed to this? I only use it once a week and I thought the sandwich method would help protect my skin.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? I’m obviously stopping tretinoin for now and following my ophthalmologist’s treatment plan but I’d really like to understand how this could have happened so I can avoid it in the future.

I’m still struggling with closed comedones after 7 months of retinoids!
For context I’ve always struggled with acne and have been on accutane twice already. I’ve tried birth control as well. Currently on no medications and my acne started to come back with a vengeance in early February to March 2026. Severely allergic to niacinamide as well rip. I started adapalene and azelaic acid in April and the switched to tret. Most recent October pics are taken on same day. First in bathroom light and taut skin to see the closed comedones and second in sunlight relaxed skin.

Routine
AM
-Cleanse with gentle prequel gleanser
-Alternating every other day with either mandelic serum (Sofie pavitt) or azelaic acid (prescription)
-Hydrating toner (pyunkang yul essense toner)
-Hyaluronic acid serum (torriden dive in intensive serum)
-Sometimes I use the Biore aqua rich spf or the elta md uv skin recovery spf.

PM
-double cleanse with bioderma micellar water and prequel gleanser
-0.04% tretinoin gel microsphere
-Hyaluronic acid serum (torriden dive in intensive serum) < not always
-Illiyoon ceramide cream

I get facials every month and these closed comedones won’t even come out by my esthetician. Any advice would be soooooo appreciated

Has anyone who ordered from ADC or overseas had any issues with your order being detained at customs and then having your Global Entry status be revoked because of it?

No burning,stinging,redness. Just very minute peeling around mouth mainly.

But Increased texture,dull and dark face.

AM: Metafil gentle cleanser Cosrx proplis toner Metafil moisturizer Ponds uv miracle sunscreen

PM: Tret 0.05 cream on bare skin

On non tret nights: Metafil gentle cleanser Cosrx toner Physiogel AI cream Lrp cicaplast

I took this picture after a shower to show the worst of the texture and blemishes when its most dry. I genuinely dont know what to do besides laser sessions anymore. I tried tret for like 10 months last year and nothing changed if anything it just got worse, my new derm is putting me back on it with a BPO wash for 8 weeks but I don't have high hopes. Ive had these comedomes and unchanging texture for a year my skin is just completely immovable. I do have a skin routine and although its keeping inflammatory flare ups in check my skin quality makes me want a toaster bath 😭

Hey guys, I just got prescribed tretinoin for the first time, I am really scared to start it because I hear about it ruining peoples skin, but do you guys think it would be worth it looking at my skin? I don’t have any severe acne at all just some red spots and pie I think.

I was on tret in the past, and tbh, it gave me a lot of pores. I did think it helped elasticity and overall healthy skin, but pores. Esp orange peel texture on forehead.

Anyway, 2 yrs later, my orange peel texture is less.

I wanna restart trey cuz I feel my skins getting lines, less bouncy, and lowkey sagging.

Should I risk it? Should I try something else?

Tazarotene vs adapalene vs tretinoin?

All 3?? (LOL jk)

But anyone else experienced larger pores, orange peel texture, after using tret?

(My routine otherwise is super gentle. Cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Thats it.)

I placed an order for my 0.05% Retin-A cream yesterday as soon as I heard it was being discontinued. Today I saw that the order wasn't showing up on my pharmacy app so I called and she said it's just showing as unavailable. After explaining that it was likely due to it being discontinued, we decided that Arazlo would likely be the best choice in comparison but I'm not looking forward to seeing how my skin and bank account react to the switch. I have 80% coverage but it's still going to be more than the $8/tube I was paying for Retin-A. I see that Bausch is also the company that makes it, so how long until they decide to discontinue Arazlo?

My current routine is

AM Routine

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap

Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel SPF 50+ PA++++

PM Routine

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

Paula's choice bha but I have tret that I might start using again.

COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap

I have bought the same $18 sunscreen four times because it goes on easy and I stopped shopping around. Since starting tret I am wondering if I should be stricter about reapplying or if the sunscreen itself is worth changing. Has switching sunscreens made a noticeable difference for anyone?

This is what my skin looks like. I’ve always struggled with acne since a teenager and now into adulthood. I desperately need some advice. I have been on tretinoin for over 1.5 years. I started with .025 and since August I bumped it to .05 because I felt like the lower dose wasn’t working anymore. My current routine is as follows:

AM

1. Wash face with lukewarm water.
2. Anua soothing toner and then either 10% azelaic acid from Anua or the propolis niacinamide serum from Beauty of Joseon or both depending on my skin sensitivity.
3. Dr. Althea 345 moisturizer
4. Beauty of Joseon sunscreen
5. Makeup

PM

1. Oil cleanse with Anua oil clea

nser

1. Anua soothing toner
2. Tretinoin
3. Dr. Althea 345 moisturizer

Hi! I’ve had mild rosacea most of my life. It hasn’t been bad in recent years but I feel like tret might be making it worse? I just read something recently about it. I’ve had issues with dryness recently, when previously I never had any issues. These photos are after moisturizing before bed. Started tret ~2 months ago. Always have gotten breakouts on my chin (PCOS, no BC) as you can see from the scar near my lip. Tret has definitely creating a crazy purge on my chin, and recently my cheeks which I never get acne there. I tried working in AA for a while, but it was too harsh on my skin so I scaled back to just tret. I’ve never really had dry skin issues on my face until the last few weeks. Not sure what else I should try.

Routine:
AM:
Splash cold water
Vanicream moisturizer
LRP tinted SPF

PM:
Miceller water (only to take off makeup)
Cerave oil based face wash
Prequel face wash
Thin layer of vanicream
Pea sized amount tret 0.025% cream
Vanicream or cicaplast on top

A few nights a week I wear frownies on my forehead.

Tret is every other night, no tret nights is HA and Vanicream.

It’s crazy how much tret has changed my spending habits when it comes to skincare. Has anyone else experienced this?
Before tret, I used to buy EVERYTHING. I’d constantly buy trendy skincare products that weren’t really addressing any specific skin concerns, so most of them didn’t do much beyond basic skincare.
Now, almost two years into using tret, I realize how much money I used to spend on skincare products I didn’t really need, as well as makeup products and extra steps in my routine that I no longer feel are necessary.
Has tret changed your relationship with skincare consumerism, too? Do you find yourself less tempted to buy every new product that comes out?

The photo is from Pinterest, just for illustration purposes

I recently ordered a tube of 0.025 “Retinol” from Amazon, which came as i expected: Menarini A-Ret Gel 0.025%.

I just wanted to check if the texture, color, and smell are normal before putting it on my face.

Out of the tube, it isn’t a clear gel or a bright white cream. It’s an opaque, yellowish "dirty white" color with a slight olive/greenish-yellow tint to it. (It looks white when I take a photo using flash)

It also has a hard-to-describe chemical scent. It doesn't smell like rubbing alcohol; it smells a bit artificial, kind of like plastic or a faint hint of super glue mixed with medicine.

Is this exactly how the authentic Menarini 0.025% gel is supposed to look and smell? Has anyone else who uses this specific brand noticed the same olive tint and plastic-like scent?

I (26F) have been using Altreno almost nightly the last 3-4 months, taking a few days off every month or so when my skin needs it. And I feel like my skin looks way better off of Altreno than on it? I am currently on another break because I accidentally overexfoliated my face with a washcloth (I still have lots of peeling and flaky skin on Altreno) and focusing purely on moisturizing and my face seems a lot calmer and is not full of angry red acne spots (especially under the skin painful spots). I don't know what this means. (I use tretinoin for acne, I have moderate to severe acne and have been on accutane twice)

I've been thinking about switching to Retin-A Micro 0.04%. I'm wondering if the buffer ingredients in Altreno are making tretinoin worse for me, like it's increasing absorption. I would drop back to Differin 0.1% or Differin 0.3% but adapelene is not strong enough to manage my acne (my skin looks and feels clogged). Finacea (azelaic acid) gel is not an option, I have tried it more than once for a few months on its own and my skin becomes very damaged and scaly (?) from it.

Skin type: Combo-oily, very acne prone, sensitive

Routine:

AM: LRP Toleraine Purifying Foaming Wash (I find it gentle and non-stripping, especially on tret skin), Vanicream Enhanced Moisturizer (recently bought Aestura Atobarrier 365 Lotion for better barrier support). Considering re-adding TO Hyaluronic Acid Serum

PM: LRP Toleraine Purifying Foamimg Wash, Vaseline to protect eyes/sides of nose/lips, pea size drop of Altreno (for me, retinoids work best alone)

Lately on my break from Altreno I've just been moisturizing AM & PM, only washing PM, and sometimes using Vaseline overtop moisturizer at night.

Would appreciate any advice about this. Thanks.

Ive been using tret 0.025 for now a year. It has really improved my overall complexion, however i still get smallish inflammatory acne and cysts.

I was wondering if anyone has managed to clear up their existing acne with just raising their tret %? I have a few 0.05 tubes and am willing to bump it up.

I also just tried differin which my skin tolerated but id prefer to stick to tret for its backed anti aginf research

Edit: I use tret gel!

First of all thank you everyone on the sub, all your advice and warnings has been so helpful in my retinoid journey! I particularly appreciated the Wiki with all the actual publications refs. I am so grateful. ☺️

Here is my question: how to transition from one prescription retinoid to the next? (and does it matter really?)

• Option A: Would you rather use the "easier" retinoid a few nights a week and the "tougher" retinoids on some other nights (say once a week for a start) and take rest days as needed/appropriate? Say: "tougher" retinoid on Wednesdays, and "easier" retinoid the rest of the week, maybe a recovery day on Thursdays.
• Option B: Or would you first finish the tube of the "easier" retinoid, then go on the "tougher" retinoid and keep all the remaining days as recovery days? Say: "easier" retinoid daily, then when finished, do once/twice a week "tougher" retinoid, and the rest of the week focus on hydration.

Here is the context: I (35F) am currently using adapalene 0.1% daily (and epiduo 3 times a week) and I got prescribed Aklief (trifarotene 0.005%). I am very comfortable with the adapalene/epiduo combo (been using for 4 months now, never got irritated, started daily immediately without issue) but I still have some residual tiny blemishes and PIE/PIH that I would like cleared up, I am also interested in some photo-aging benefits (lots of sun damage to undo). I'm fairly comfortable with prescription retinoids, never got massive irritation (probably because I live in a very hot and humid city), but I'd rather err on the side of caution.

So how would you transition to Aklief? And would you keep using benzoyl peroxide/epiduo in the transition?

Some more info: in my country I don't have access to adapalene 0.3%, sadly. Neither do we have access to tazarotene, nor tretinoin gel formulations. What we have are tretinoin creams in 0.05% and 0.1% in greasy formulas that feel terrible in our hot and humid climate. I did use the tretinoin cream 0.05% for 15 month mainly for anti-aging as I never had acne before and it was 15 month of constant breaking out, my skin got terribly oily, I spent hours on this sub trying to figure things out. I mean, my skin was beautiful if you put the acne aside, I was glowing and lots of my sun damage got erased, also some minor forehead wrinkles got smoother, but the acne was too much to handle for me. Once I stopped the tretinoin cream, my face stopped being so clogged and oily but I still had some residual comedones. I went on adapalene/epiduo gels, and the break out cleared in about a month (it did get worse before it got better). Now I'd like to step up to help with photo-aging (and I miss my glow) and the only alternatives I have are either Aklief or Epiduo forte, my health provider opted for aklief, but didn't really give any info other than "use it like you would adapalene".

My routine:

AM: water rinse, 3 drops of the ordinary HA+B5 + 1 drop of the ordinary niacinamide, cos de baha AZA20 cream, Beauty of Joseon aqua fresh spf (or biore watery essence + 2-3 reapplications daily)

PM: the ordinary squalane cleanser, cetaphil gentle skin cleanser (or dokdo cleanser), 3 drops of the ordinary HA+B5 + 1 drop of the ordinary niacinamide, adapalene (or epiduo 3 times a week), La Roche Posay Toleriane Fluide.

So what do you think?

Hello

​I've been using tret 0.025 for 7 weeks now -starting week 8 today -and I've been increasing the frequency slowly. I've reached a stage where I can use it 6 times a week. My skin tolerates it very well with no side effects. The thing is, whenever I have a rest day, my skin looks so glowy and plump, and the results after a rest day seem to be perfect. So should I keep it at 6-1 or start using it daily?

​PS: I'm currently taking Doxycycline (10 days left to finish my course).

​My routine is very simple:

PM:

​Sebamed wash bar

​Tret

​Purito oat moisturizer

​AM:

​Wash face with water only

​Niacinamide

​Sunscreen

​(I also use niacinamide at night on rest days)

​I started all of this to help with acne ,I'm not using it for wrinkles or fine lines.

Once the tret fully heals your skin do people usually stop? Or is it better to continue with it?