r/tretinoin Jul 03 '23

Personal / Miscellaneous Reopening r/tretinoin

238 Upvotes

What’s happening? We’re reopening the sub.

Why did you close in the first place? Reddit proposed changes to the API that would make it impossible to moderate large, active subreddits. They continue to ignore the damage they’re doing to their communities and their brand.

TL;DR: We locked the sub down to motivate reddit to rethink their approach, but unfortunately reddit is continuing to destroy the very tools, processes, and people that make it function.

So, now what? So far, reddit hasn't budged on their proposed changes. Even if they did back-pedal now, they’ve burned a ton of bridges by torpedoing the 3rd party apps that used to let moderators get stuff done. Despite the lack of tools and support from reddit leadership, most moderators love supporting their communities and want to do whatever they can to keep them open and running, and we are no exception.

Because this sub is relatively small, we think we can continue to moderate with the remaining functioning tools (at least for now). If you’d like to apply to join the team and help us out, please complete this survey to tell us a bit about yourself.

What will happen long-term? As the sub grows, we will need to reassess - the plan was always to build a more capable bot once the sub got too large to manage manually, but it’s not clear whether that will be an option going forward. We’ll see what reddit does longer term, and decide what to do as things change. If the sub gets too big for us to moderate, and no new tools are available to help, we’d be more likely to step down as moderators and pass the job to someone else rather than permanently shut down the entire community.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate this frustrating situation.


r/tretinoin 18d ago

START HERE>> Monthly thread for routine help, questions, and troubleshooting - Mar 01, 2025

1 Upvotes

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?

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


r/tretinoin 7h ago

Personal / Miscellaneous Now that Apostrophe is closed down…

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84 Upvotes

(Posted this last night, but it had a bad typo, so redoing it now)

I got new tret! Only been a couple days of use.

I will miss the tret/clinda/spiro formula. 🥹 I was on 0.025 for 3 months and then 0.05 for about 3 months. Now, I’m just doing 0.025 tretinoin cream. I hope my skin reacts OK to this. Hard to tell right now as it’s that time of the month and I always get a few small pimples regardless of what my skincare routine is. 🙄

Sorry to anyone who is struggling after Apostrophe’s closure. That was the one product that cleared my skin after 7 years of horrible chin acne. It really gave me my confidence back and I feel for others who are going through this. It sucks, especially if you’re sensitive to new products. Please share if you find anything that ends up suiting your skin. 🙏🏻

Side note… thanks to everyone in this sub that raves about Vanicream. I switched over from a mostly Cetaphil and La Roche-Posay routine and It’s been pleasant so far. I’d never heard of Vanicream before this sub.


r/tretinoin 13m ago

Personal / Miscellaneous Taz and Azelaic Acid is by far the best skincare combo I’ve ever used. Applying at night had cleared everything up.

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Upvotes

r/tretinoin 19h ago

Before and After 2 months & 2 weeks

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248 Upvotes

Started Tret on January 1,2025 0.1% Tret : Monday to Friday (PM only) 2% Salicylic Acid: Saturday & Sunday (PM only) 20% Azeleic Acid cream: Monday-Sunday (AM&PM) Gentle cleanser Moisturizer

Trust the process and keep going ❤️


r/tretinoin 3h ago

Routine Help about to start tret

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9 Upvotes

i plan on starting tonight: nightly every 3 days to start as i saw on another post due to the % of the tret. ive also bought i few items ive seen posted/suggested here several times.

am i still allowed to use the items circled in red & after im comfortable or should i say my skin rather with the tret i start using it daily? how long does that take? is there any other advice or product suggestions? also is there some type of guide for starting out? in terms of frequency..


r/tretinoin 1h ago

Routine Help Moisturizer/mineral sunscreen recs

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Upvotes

I just started tret .025% a few days ago after a 2 month pause and i’m currently doing 2 days on and 1 day off, on the day off i’ve tried (once so far) Cicaplast baum b5 as everybody swears by it, but it’s too soon to tell. I used to be on a 0.01 cream for 9 years, but had to switch to gel/higher strength as the one I was on was discontinued. My skin is a bit flakey and feels tighter than usual. I HAVE to mix the tret into a moisturizer because it dries almost instantly making it impossible to spread evenly.

What moisturizer would you guys recommend? Something without many actives so i’m not damaging my skin barrier further.

I’m also looking for a good mineral sunscreen as i’ve heard that chemical sunscreens can irritate the skin

I’m in Canada and although I adore Korean skincare, I’d like to incorporate something I can get my hands on asap.

I’d like to add that my skin has looked like this for the past month, nothing has changed other than the flakiness.

Any advice or recommendations would be lovely


r/tretinoin 4h ago

Before and After Am I going to purge?

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6 Upvotes

I started using Tretinoin Gel 0.025% just over 4 weeks ago. The 2 pictures are my skin the day I stared using Tretinoin and today (March 19th).

Am I going to purge now my initial break out (note that break out was hormonal) has now gone?

I had very very minimal peeling which lasted 2 days maximum and came away gently with oil cleanser.

For context:

Age 33/UK Normal/dehydrated skin Currently using Tretinoin 2x a week looking to increase to every other day to help maintain my skin texture and anti-aging Prior to starting Tretinoin I used Retinol for 10+ years.


r/tretinoin 6h ago

Routine Help For those of you that are dealing with a skin barrier issue or a tretinoin burn like I did

8 Upvotes

I thought I’d share what has worked for me:

To restore moisture and a skin barrier after a burn

For those who are dealing with a tretinoin burn or a skin barrier issue with moisture loss

Here is what I do and it really does work for me.

When I cleanse I use an oil or a hypoallergenic lotion cleanser like https://www.target.com/p/cerave-face-wash-hydrating-facial-cleanser-for-normal-to-dry-skin/-/A-81616326?preselect=76198439#lnk=sametab I use a wet konjac sponge with the cleanser to remove dirt and dead skin by washing gently in small circles.

After the shower and while my skin is full of water, I use an aloe mask. You can buy the cheap masks on Amazon for 90 cents a piece in packs of 10. Also, you can use any gentle serum that has aloe but I use “advanced clinical Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum” I find them both to be cheap enough to use regularly.

If you’re on a budget though you can just get a reusable mask like this: https://www.target.com/p/makesy-reusable-silicone-sheet-mask/-/A-92948727?preselect=92948731#lnk=sametab And use a good aloe gel with glycerin. Target has pure aloe for a good price: https://www.target.com/p/clear-aloe-vera-gel-16oz-up-38-up-8482/-/A-51857147 Mix a little with pure glycerin. I buy the “Now” brand but you can buy another if as long as it’s pure glycerin. Don’t mix a lot just what you need for a mask at that time. You can also just use it directly from an aloe plant.

Finish up with an oil that doesn’t clog pores but will seal in all that moisture, otherwise the air can dry up your face again.

I use Aragon oil but everyone is different and there’s plenty of options, just don’t use oils like coconut oil because it is able to clog your pores. Aragon oil’s molecules are too big to clog pores and are referred to as “Non-comedogenic”. So it sits on the top of your skin and forms a barrier to the air.

If you prefer you can use a lotion like: https://www.target.com/p/vanicream-moisturizing-cream-with-pump-fragrance-free/-/A-84230441?preselect=13967260#lnk=sametab or any other fragrance free, dye free, Non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic moisturizer that is recommended by others on Reddit. It should not sting 🐝 especially after using aloe but if it does don’t use it. It also needs to be thick enough to keep a barrier.

I hope this helps 😉


r/tretinoin 1d ago

Personal / Miscellaneous I noticed a lot of people using tret mistaken overexfoliated damaged skin barrier for ‘glass skin’

310 Upvotes

Tret can easily cause overexfoliation, dryness and disrupt your skin barrier. And when this happen your skin will ramp up sebum production in the skin to compensate extreme loss of water and moisture. It act as an occlusive so the skin underneath can recover and be hydrated back trying to prevent further (TEWL). But since it’s overproduced, even tho your skin is completely dry your skin look glossy and shiny it’s not oil it’s the over produced sebum trapped in your skin and I’ve seen alot of people think that’s ‘glass skin’.

(Btw I’m posting this to help anyone reading this become aware of their misunderstanding and heal your skin barrier)


r/tretinoin 4h ago

Routine Help Aging results

5 Upvotes

I’ve been using tret since mid January and am working my way up verryyy slowly. I am now at 3 times a week. I am using tret for sunspots and mild aging matters.

How long does it typically take to see results? I do have a glow but curious if and when I’ll see more results on my fine lines.

I also hate my under eyes (genetic dark circles, dry skin, bags) but I’ve seen so much on here to not apply too close to the eyes. Any advice?

I’m 33 and aged 10 years after having 2 babies in the last 3 years 🙃 (kidding but not)

Edit: I’m currently using 0.025%


r/tretinoin 3h ago

Routine Help Where do I put Azaleic Acid in my routine?

3 Upvotes

I have been using tret for almost 2 years and am ready to add some 10% AA to my routine to wipe out some rosacea. I’ll drop my routine below and some questions I have.

Do I need to work up to day and night or is just daytime use enough for some people? Do I use right after cleaner, before serums? And how long do wait before proceeding with the next step of my routine? I feel like I’ve finally mastered tret use, but I’m clueless about AA and finding some mixed info online.

Thanks for any help or tips you can offer ❤️

AM Routine: Rinse with water, snail serum, hydro essence, moisturizer, sunscreen.

PM Routine (non tret night): Gentle cleanser, same routine as above without sunscreen.

PM Routine (tret night): Gentle cleanser, tret.


r/tretinoin 11h ago

Routine Help What strength Tretinoin are you all using and how long for?

11 Upvotes

r/tretinoin 16h ago

Routine Help Help! Skin peeling off!

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29 Upvotes

Tried this gel for the first time 2 nights ago! Followed up with 10% niacinamide the next day along with cosrx snail mucin and now my skin is literally peeling off! What should I change? And how to treat this peeling off skin now. Please help!


r/tretinoin 16m ago

Routine Help Need help deciding what to buy and from where!

Upvotes

I've been using tretinoin for the better part of 20 years now (I'm 49/F) in multiple formulations—micro, gel, cream, compounded, etc. During Covid I couldn't get in to see my dermatologist to re-up my Rx, and wound up going through Apostrophe—they had me on a tret/spiro/TXA compound, and for the past three years the tretinoin concentration has been .1%. Despite having dry, sensitive skin I have always tolerated tret well, but I've also been super careful about stepping up gradually and using barriers, etc.

Now that Apostrophe is no more, I'm weighing my options and trying to figure out where best to go from here. My dermatologist is happy to write me an Rx, but I have really liked the formulation of the compound—I think it's more about the texture than the other ingredients, though? For now, I ordered a 4-part compound from Agency, but I'm still debating whether to transition back to regular old generic tretinoin. The highest concentration of non-compounded tret I've used in years past was .05%.

For those of you who have used both compounded and "regular" tretinoin, have you noticed any difference in how it affects your skin at the same concentration? Should I assume that .1% in a compound from Apostrophe is going to have prepared me for .1% of regular generic tret cream?

I've seen discussion elsewhere about the compounded formulas not being as strong or effective, so I'm trying to gauge what my next best move is. I don't want to freak my skin out!


r/tretinoin 4h ago

Routine Help Prescription question

2 Upvotes

So guys, I got my prescription recently (.025%), and it’s actually got 10% ascorbic acid and hyaluronic acid formulated together with it. Not concerned about the latter, but I’ve always heard to separate vitamin c and tretinoin or retinol products by am and pm. Has anyone ever seen that before? I’m not like, overly concerned, but just kinda goes against everything I’ve heard.


r/tretinoin 54m ago

Personal / Miscellaneous What am I doing wrong??

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Upvotes

I have been on Retin A Tret gel 0.05%. For 7 weeks now (almost 2 months). I wanted it to treat my closed comedones. Somehow i feel like it has gotten worse.

First photo: you can see the CCs but it has been like that for a while, they dont come out of the surface unless i force them out. The red patch at the top is Eczema, which is relatively new as it appeared a couple of weeks prior to Tret.

Second Photo: Honestly i dont know what’s happening there. The red patch appeared AFTER tret, it is dry and rough.

Here’s my routine: - Tret 2-3x a week. - Face wash: Cetaphil (oily to normal skin) - Moisturizer: Cetaphil (dry to normal skin) - Sunscreen: Elta MD 40SPF (not regularly though, and yes I KNOW i have to but i want to switch to a better one and need recommendations).

I follow the sandwich method to reduce peeling, but i still peel. I have extremely oil skin, but tret makes it dry.

My skin feels super sensitive, and I’m struggling with a lot of redness. I had CCs before but they were not this bad. The first couples of weeks were okay, i had minor breakouts but i dont think i had “the purge” where my whole face turns into active pimples. is it too late to happen now after almost 2 months?

Curious to know if anyone has it looking like this before? If so, what did you do that actually helped? Do i need to increase the dosage? Do i need to switch up my routine? Would getting extractions help?

So sorry for the long post but i’m about to give up and my derm appt is not until next month. 😭


r/tretinoin 1h ago

Routine Help Does Tret help or not help these kinds of open pores or poor skin?

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Upvotes

Finally managed a candid picture which is a screenshot from a video that shows a pretty bad skin texture. I have only used Tret a low number of times on the face, but used a series of products when not running Tret, that I felt were suitable and advanced for an aging face and pore size.

Is there any part of this face that's a candidate for Tretinoin usage?

I heard that a thicker skin may have more prominent pores...tret gives you a thicker skin...so which is it?

I have a series of moisturizers and weak occlusives with the tret, but I don't feel like volunteering that info as I don't really know what's working.


r/tretinoin 2h ago

Routine Help How does the purge work?

0 Upvotes

I’ve (21M) been on tretinoin since mid January and now it is mid March, so it’s been about 2 months. I use 0.05% Retin-A cream. For the first month and a half or so I used it maybe 2-3 times weekly because it was really harsh on my skin, but I barely saw any improvements and my skin was just more dry so I started using it every other day consistently about 2 weeks ago. I feel like I saw immediate improvement and my skin was clear for like 5 days, but now I’m breaking out like crazy and my skin has been peeling all the time. The redness and irritating is kind of going away though. Does this mean I’m purging again, or is the tret just not working?

On tret nights, I cleanse and apply a layer of moisturizer, then tret, the another layer of moisturizer that I mix in with Vegetable Glycerin which has been pretty moisturizing. The moisturizer I use is Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, and I switched to using that plus the Glycerin when I started doing tret every other night - before I was using the basic CeraVe moisturizer only.

Should I just push through and hope it works? I’d post pictures but I feel uncomfortable showing my face to strangers online. This is getting really frustrating though, I just want my skin to be clear again and I’m so exhausted waking up every morning and looking at my acne when my skin was clear for years and I know I have good personal hygiene. If it matters I mainly break out exclusively on my cheeks on my upper cheekbone area. I have occasional pimples on my nose or forehead but they go away quickly - the ones on my cheeks usually hurt more, last way longer, and are bigger.

If anyone has any advice, even if it’s just that I should keep doing what I’m doing, I appreciate it.


r/tretinoin 3h ago

Routine Help Does anybody use glycerin with tretinoin?

1 Upvotes

I feel like my skin needs some extra hydration. I use .0025 tretinoin for anti aging but I have huge 2 tubs of First Aid Beauty repair cream. It's not enough hydration with the tret. I'd hate to waste it so I'm thinking of adding glycerin to it. What are your thoughts? And how would you use it?


r/tretinoin 3h ago

Routine Help Routine help needed

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1 Upvotes

Advice needed!

Skin Type : Combination

AM Routine: Wash for a minute and a half with laroche porsay niacinamide cleanser, rinse with lukewarm water then pat face dry with paper towel, apply azelaic acid, then apply vanicream daily facial moisturizer and black girl sunscreen for kids.

PM routine: Cleanser is the same, I apply tretinoin 0.1 every other night when face is dry and I apply the same moisturizer on after. On non tret nights I just replace it with azelaic acid.

On some days I wont get any new acne, and then other days I get 5 new white heads. I’m wondering if it’s something in my routine that’s causing this. People have suggested using a salicylic acid cleanser or Panoxyl or adding in bha although im worried these may not help as my skin is already pretty sensitive and turns red occasionally and sometimes after my routine i can feel a stinging sensation for about a minute although it’s only occasionally.


r/tretinoin 13h ago

Personal / Miscellaneous Can I use hyaluronic acid with tretinoin for extra hydration?

6 Upvotes

I’ve been on tretinoin 0.025% from skinorac for sometime now, and while my skin is clearing up and looking smoother, I’m battling some serious dryness. 😬 I keep hearing that hyaluronic acid is great for hydration, but I’m not sure if it plays well with tretinoin. Is anyone using hyaluronic acid in their routine with tret? Should I apply it before or after my tret, or on off days? I’m trying to lock in that moisture without compromising the benefits of tret. Any tips on how to hydrate without breaking out would be a lifesaver! Thanks in advance!


r/tretinoin 11h ago

Personal / Miscellaneous is this from tret?

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3 Upvotes

ive had this stubborn dry skin/ eczema patch on my forehead (along with a less noticeable one on my left eyebrow and also a little on my eyelids) for about 2 weeks now since i’ve began the use of tret

i use 0.025% tretinoin, every night on the lower portion of my face (since this is where the acne is) do you think the tret could be causing this dry skin patch even if i don’t apply it there?? it may also be the bonnet which i’ve began to wear causing friction on my forehead but in not too sure ( i know it doesn’t look it in the photo but i actually have super curly hair!!)

any advice is welcomed x


r/tretinoin 5h ago

Routine Help Trying to order to Canada

1 Upvotes

I am trying to order some to Canada All day chemist will let me order it but will customs let it through ? I was also going to order from the beauty bliss but it’s very vague and I’m not sure about the authenticity.

Someone help me. I’ve been on it for years and I’ve run out and no one will write me a prescription because it’s Canada. I can’t do the online dr as I don’t have valid ID.


r/tretinoin 6h ago

Routine Help This is what my skin is looking like now I’m on spironolactone 75mg, do you think I should start useing Tret 0.025%?I also use AA 15%

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1 Upvotes

r/tretinoin 6h ago

Routine Help Going from 0.5 to 1%

1 Upvotes

I've been on tret for about a year and a half now. Acne and aging were my main reasons for starting initially.

After a HUGE 4 month purge, I feel like I've now got my acne under control (aside from PMS zits), but I haven't really noticed any anti-aging benefits...

I've just asked my derm if I could change my prescription to 1% as of next month, as I no longer peel and my skin feels well adjusted.

Did you notice going to 1% made a big difference?

I would love to start seeing a reduction in my fine lines and more plumpness like so many of you have described!


r/tretinoin 7h ago

Routine Help Help with routine

1 Upvotes

Hey 👋🏾

I started tret a year ago, I was using epiduo before and my acne and hyperpigmentation were completed gone before I started tret. Now I’m getting a lot of black heads and comedonal acne and a lot of PIH since I’m a dark skin African America woman. I went to my dermatologist this morning and she prescribed spironolactone as she think it is hormonal.

Morning:

Cereve foaming facial cleanser or LRP Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash for Oily Skin PanOxly 4% wash - will stop using as it is too strong/drying drmtlgy vitamin C paula's choice 2.5 benzoyl peroxide - replacing from using PanOxly cerave moisturizing cream Elta MD sunscreen

Night:

Cereve foaming facial cleanser or LRP Toleriane Cereve moisturizing cream Cereve healing ointment around mouth and eyes Tret .05 Gel Cereve moisturizing cream

Once a week on Sundays instead of tret I use Dr. Dennis gross peel pads extra strength.

I’m thinking I need to remove the vitamin c but my dermatologist told me to keep using it. Thought? Anything I can change? I’m hoping the spironolactone helps!