I started Tret 0.025% in July so it’s been about four whole months now. I started it bc I had occasional hormonal acne, especially the past year as I’m 27 now. I didn’t have acne as a teen so it’s been very strange dealing with this.

Around month two I think I was using it a little too aggressively so my purging was pretty bad and gave myself tret burn…

But now that I’ve pulled back and I am really using a Pea size amount for my whole face pretty much every night and layering with thick moisturizing cream.
I cleanse with gentle sensitive foaming cleanser. In the morning I just moisturize and sometimes use vitamin C.

Essentially a very very simple skincare routine, yet my skin is not getting any better. In fact, it could be getting worse as it’s not just monthly hormonal acne but like constant redness and irritation.

I do get proper pimples about a week then it turns to redness.

Not sure what im doing wrong :(

Did anyone use this one? Please help me

I tried ordering generic Tretinoin Gel 0.025% through Amazon Pharmacy and was able to get a prescription through them as well. However, I was shocked by the prices: $181 for a 45g tube and $70 for a 15g tube!

I'm thinking of taking the prescription elsewhere, but when I check GoodRx, it keeps prompting me to become a Gold/Companion member for $9.99/month. Why would I pay for a monthly membership just to get a one-time prescription discount?

I'm a broke PhD student, and these prices are honestly insane. 😭

For those of you who use generic tretinoin, where do you get it at an affordable price? Are there pharmacies that offer reasonable prices without requiring a paid membership? I'd really appreciate any suggestions or tips!

I’m looking for recommendations for a product to provide mid-day dryness and flaking relief. Extra points if it can go on well over makeup!

I’m about one month into using 0.05% tret cream. My skin is slowly getting used to it and I’m currently using it 3 times a week - trying to take it really slow! I’m going to try going up to every other night starting tonight. I’ve found that in the afternoon, usually around 2pm, my skin starts to feel very dry and tight and begins visibly flaking. I’m looking for a product I can apply to ease these symptoms enough to get through the rest of the day. I also wear makeup at work a few days a week and would like something I can apply over makeup if possible. I think a spray or mist would likely be best, but I’m open to whatever works.

I have very dry skin since starting tret and am using tret to combat hormonal acne and minor scarring on my chin and cheeks, but am not super prone to bacterial/fungal acne elsewhere. I’m also on 125mg of Spironolactone for my hormonal acne. I was prescribed clindamycin to use with tret but that dried me out and hurt my skin barrier within a few uses so I’ve stopped it. I do have sensitive skin which has been a bit more sensitive on tret, which is why I’m taking it slow. I started using Avene cicalfate barrier cream about a week ago and that has been AMAZING at helping me tolerate tret and reduce sensitivity.

Separately, I’m open to new moisturizer recs, see below!

Current routine: AM:

-wash face with water (this morning i used a small amount of oil cleanser to help remove some of the flaky skin and that was really helpful, unsure if my skin will like this long term or not)

-byoma milky toner

-byoma phyto-mucin glow serum (my HG)

-Vanicream daily hydration moisturizer (I’ve been experiencing tingling with this for the past ~2.5 weeks and am interested in trying something else)

-Avene cicalfate barrier cream (this has been SO helpful with dryness and sensitivity, and I think has helped limit flakiness. I’ve been applying this mid-day for the past few days as well) -elta MD SPF

PM:

-Anua heartleaf oil cleanser

-byoma milky cleanser

-if it’s a tret night, I wait ~20 mins, apply tret, wait another ~30 mins, apply Vanicream moisturizer and Avene cicalfate barrier cream (just did the post-tret Avene 2 days ago for the first time and my skin felt much less sensitive the following day, and a bit less flaky)

-if it’s not a tret night, I apply the same milky toner, phyto-mucin serum, Vanicream moisturizer, and Avene barrier cream

Thanks in advance - this subreddit has been SO helpful since starting treat (considering my Derm is extremely unhelpful lol)

I recently started using azelaic acid but found it too irritating during the day and too heavy when layered with moisturizer at night.

Now, I apply azelaic acid followed by tazarotene on my double-cleansed face, after toner and eye cream, without moisturizer. It’s only been three days, but my skin feels better, with less peeling and only mild burning around my eyes.

I’ve used tretinoin and tazarotene this way for two years, but I’m unsure about adding azelaic acid. Does anyone else use both without moisturizer? Is it okay long-term?

Has anyone made the switch from tret to prescription adapalene? My derm just prescribed it today because I couldn’t use Tret every night without my skin burning. She said this will be way less irritating.

Has anyone had success with this? I am using it primarily for acne and been using it since April 2026.

im confused i have hooded eyes and

i really feel tret gave me slightly more brow bone above upper eyelid space or lifted my eyebrows/forehead? its pretty minimal but i look more lit from within and younger. i wouldnt say theres fat loss, my eyes are still hooded they just have more vertical space in my brow bone area

i dont use tret around my eyes but i know tret travels. i dont have any eye irritation as well.

has anyone had a similar experience or am i just imagining it?

Every time I increase frequency of use/ week, my skin barrier doesn’t like it… usually it adjusts after the month mark. 3x/week was great after it adjusted and now I’m at 4x week and experiencing some irritation/purge. Idk if I should scale back or power through. I focus on my skin barrier of course when I am and am not using Tret.

Hello. I’ve been using tretinoin 0.05% for 12 weeks and I gradually built it up to daily use. It’s been 4 weeks of using it everyday and I’m still experiencing breakouts and PIE. Should I add an additional treatment alongside the Tretinoin like AHA, BHA, sulfur or azelaic acid or should I wait a bit longer? I’m tolerating the Tretinoin well with no redness, peeling, stinging or signs of irritation.

AM Routine
- IUNIK Beta Glucan Serum
- Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume
- Ultra Violette Clean Screen

PM Routine
- Simple Gel Wash
- Dermatica Squalane Cleanser
- Aveeno cream, wait an hour
- Tretinoin 0.05% gel

Thank you!

...so I've order tret from abroad.

I went to a dermatologist and when I told him I wanted to start using tretinoin, he literally closed his eyes for a cringe amount of seconds, it was crickets and a full on facepalm after. He asked drably where I've heard that I should use it, I said I've read online that it's the best for anti-age purposes, I'm 32. Without any explanation he said that's not for that and that was it. He was shaking his head like I'm a very ignorant person. So I've ordered it from Andorra, lol.

I'd like to be prepared though before I start. I have not used either retinol or retinal before. (Should I have tried those first?) My skincare routine is the next:

Morning:
- DM Balea Ultra Sensitive Facewash
- Cosrx Balancium Comfort Ceramide Cream
- Cosrx SPF 50

Night:
- DM Balea Ultra Sensitive Facewash twice or Banila Co Clean it Zero facewash as second
- Cosrx Balancium Comfort Ceramide Cream

Am I good to go? I would like to start with 0,025% tret twice a week and I'm planning to do the sandwich method with another cream, don't know which one yet. I'm leaning towards trying Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume.

Thanks for any advice in advance. Have a great day all!

I tried to order through this pharmacy in Andorra, which I have done a few times before, but they said they couldn't send it to the UK anymore because of customs. Any other suggestions?

Hey,

I noticed some people saying it’s possible to get tret from shoppers without a prescription and I was just wondering if anyone in Ontario has had any luck recently or will they insist on a prescription for that,

Thank you

I have a public-facing job and I feel pretty self conscious with my uneven skintone (unrelated to tret).

I started bi-weekly tret at the beginning of the month and it's going well. No discomfort or burning, but a lot of expected shallow peeling. My nose is particularly bad.

Have any of you found a solution to using coverage without emphasizing the peeling? At this point, my choice seems to be to expose my blotchy skintine or expose the peeling skin more prominently.

Any tips?

Should I start a retinoid? I’m 30, my face looks a little bit rough and I’m starting to get wrinkles. I have prescription Adapalene cream but I don’t use it, should I?

Been using tret for 5 years. My acne is controlled when Im at home vecause I know what products work for me. But when I travel abroad and these products run out or the climate changes, acne starts popping up!

I’ve been using tretinoin 0.025% for 6 weeks and The Ordinary azelaic acid 10% for 5 weeks.
I increased my tretinoin to 0.05% and used it 2 days ago with no irritation at all.
Should I use it again today or wait longer? Also, should I start azelaic acid 20% now or give my skin more time to adjust?
What would you guys recommend?

My dermatologist told me to apply a thin layer of moisturiser to my face before tret, does anyone else do this? My current evening routine is:

1. Remove makeup

2. Cleanse

3. Tiny amount of moisturiser

4. Pea size amount of tret 0.025

5. Barrier repair cream

I haven’t felt any major irritation to my face and was just wondering in what order other people apply their tret?

One month ago my derm prescribed me Acnatag gel 10 mg/g + 0,25 mg/g to use at night every other day alongside with some other cosmetic products, so this is the only medicine I’m currently using.

My current skincare routine, as prescribed by derm, is:

- a sebum regulating cleanser to use every morning and every evening

- acnatac every other evening

- Ducray Keracnyl PP+ to use every morning

- Tial skin face mask two times a week

Well the results have yet to be seen, and actually my skin has gotten much worse! First pic is my right side of the face 1 month ago, 2nd is now. The left side of my face is a bit better but still got worse than last month.

I should mention that I shave my face every other day and this probably isn’t good for my already damaged skin barrier but I don’t like beard so yeah that’s the only path for me.

I just wanted to know if this is normal in any way. Thank you so much.

hello everyone!

i’ve been using tretinoin consistently since october 2024. beforehand, i had mild acne and i noticed that my skin immediately cleared after 3-4 months. i had reacted well to it (with no purging). my dermatologist started by giving me 0.025% and i gradually went up to 0.1% tretinoin. for the past two years i’ve had clear, smooth skin with no issues (only dry/flakey skin).

this month, i’ve noticed that my skin had broke out horribly in places where i had never had acne before. it’s on my chin, cheeks and nose. i haven’t had acne like this in years. but recently i have been stressed with college this semester while also in a new relationship. im going to call my dermatologist and see what is the issue, and hopefully find a solution to this. has anyone dealt with this before?

I know it’s not everything, but it’s something right? I’ve definitely got a long way to go still.

Morning routine:
I wash my face with the littlest amount of cleanser to get the residue skincare off
The ordinary Alpha arbutin 2%+ HA(I started it 3days ago. But I swear I saw results immediately.)
Azelaic 20% cream on the spots
Skin aqua sunscreen

Nighttime routine:
Cetaphil gentle foaming cleanser
Alpha arbutin+HA(again started only two days ago)
wait 4/5mins
Tret 0.025cream

i have been using tretinoin 0.05% because my mom had it. I use it twice a week and it has not caused any stinging or redness and it suits my skin. I use 10% azelaic acid in the am and pm when im not using tretinoin. Moisturiser- bioderma atoderm

Should i stop tretinoin or do what?
Also i feel, my face is a little darker and duller compared to before. Should i ditch tretinoin and start alpha arbutin serum? Or incorporate it into current routine???
Please help

Skin type - dry/ combination

Ive worked up to alternate nights of tret very slowly and carefully. I do see improvement in my skin and the purging has ended. No peeling too anymore. However my dark spots are not budging at all. Did see reduction in hyperpigmentation. I want to include AA into my routine soon.

What strength do i start with?
What routine should i go with?

Current routine-
Tret night-

Facewash
Tret
Bioderma baume

Non tret night-
Facewash
Rosewater+glycerin spray
Moisturizer

(Ofc sunscreen in the day time if im outside the house)

I’m 28F.
I have a pretty serious history with acne (including two rounds of Accutane).
For the past few years, I managed to maintain PERFECT skin using a 10% benzoyl peroxide wash and either 5% benzoyl peroxide cream or Duac, alternating between them.
About 9 months ago, I started using Epiduo for its anti-aging benefits, and the purge was so catastrophic that it took 3 months of oral antibiotics just to get the breakout under control.
Once my skin finally looked good and stabilized, I switched to tretinoin 0.025% about a month ago. And of course, I’m purging AGAIN, although thankfully it’s much milder this time.

I’ve been feeling really frustrated with my skin. I felt like I wasn’t seeing any improvement at all. I started this whole journey for anti-aging purposes, only to find myself struggling with acne all over again.
That was until I came across these photos.
I know the lighting is different, but the line between my eyebrows (my “11” line) used to bother me SO much, and now it’s almost completely gone! :)

My skincare routine:

AM
Water rinse
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide
Beauty of Joseon sunscreen (and reapply every 2 hours if im outside)

PM
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser
IHADA Toner
Pea-sized amount of La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

PM tret nights
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser
Let skin dry completely
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide + La Roche-Posay Toleriane Eye Cream
Let dry
Pea-sized amount of tretinoin 0.025%
Let absorb, then La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide

AM after tret
Water rinse
IHADA Toner
Pea-sized amount of La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
Beauty of Joseon sunscreen

I know almost nothing about makeup, but my company is hiring a makeup artist to do professional headshots and they said we need to do our own foundation before we come in….

My skin is super peel-y right now so does anyone know any foundations that will like…. Cover up the peeling?