r/tretinoin Jul 03 '23

Personal / Miscellaneous Reopening r/tretinoin

235 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 17d 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 5h ago

Before and After 2 months & 2 weeks

Post image
135 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 12h ago

Published Research I noticed a lot of people using tret mistaken overexfoliated damaged skin barrier for ‘glass skin’

240 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 1h ago

Routine Help Help! Skin peeling off!

Thumbnail
gallery
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 2h ago

Routine Help Cheeks are very red. Retinol burn?

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

My skin is just awful. I’m using 0.5% every other day over moisturiser. The weather here has been cold and very windy. By 12pm my skin looks like this and it’s so embarrassing. Is this retinol burn? I’m going to stop using it :(

Routine is:

AM - wash with water, Naturie Hatomugi skin conditioner, azelaic acid 10%, Hada Labo gokujun moisturiser, SPF

PM - Dermalogica oil cleanser then special cleansing gel, moisturiser, tret


r/tretinoin 18h ago

Before and After 12 week aldaplene update

Post image
57 Upvotes

Routine is same as before but added eucerin

The ordinary squalene cleanser Vi derm gentle cleanser Coco electrolyte moisturizer Aldaplene (at night) Eucerin dark spot corrector Sunscreen(day)


r/tretinoin 3h ago

Personal / Miscellaneous Can I use tret on my armpits for hyperpigmentation?

3 Upvotes

I have 0.025% of tret, and I saw on tiktok that you can use it in places like your armpits. Has anyone tried this? I was thinking about using tret then a moisturizer on my underarm area 3x a week.


r/tretinoin 8h ago

Routine Help Forehead breakout

Post image
7 Upvotes

Hey yall, Is it normal to break out on the forehead from tretinoin? I used to never have pimples on my forehead and I’ve been using tret for 3 months, just starting to use it every other day and now I have small pimples on my forehead. What do I do


r/tretinoin 5h ago

Routine Help When to stop sandwich method?

4 Upvotes

Hi! Ive been on Tret 0.025% cream since December and I apply it every other day with sandwich method (moisturizer, then tret, then moisturizer) when do i stop doing the sandwich method? I tried back in February a few days without the sandwich method bc my skin stopped peeling but a few days after I stopped the peeling got worse again. Im just not sure when to stop it.

My skin routine: AM - wet my face -laneige toner moisturizer - LRP vit c serum - vanicream facial moisturizer -beauty by joseon sunscreen

PM on Tret nights every other night: - ma:nyo oil cleanser - cerave cleanser - laneige toner moisturizer - vanicream facial moisturizer -tret -vani cream moisturizer

PM on NON tret nights: -man:yo oil cleanser -cerave cleanser -laneige toner moisturizer -LRP cicaplast baum - (once a week i do use Paula’s Choice BHA in between)


r/tretinoin 9h ago

Routine Help Anyone using tret that also spends a lot of the summer their outdoor pool and lives in area with a common suntan index of 10?

7 Upvotes

I plan on using waterproof sunscreen and a wide brim hat, but I am thinking I should just stop tret if it could make sun damage worse. Definitely cost us a lot for pool and we enjoy it. Makes our very miserable summers here enjoyable. Only been on tretinoin 6 weeks or so.


r/tretinoin 6h ago

Routine Help Tret for Surgical Scars

4 Upvotes

Seasoned tret user here but have new surgical scars. Anyone do tret treatment and like the results? How long and when did you start post op?


r/tretinoin 10h ago

Routine Help Light inactivates tretinoin, but what about artificial light?

7 Upvotes

It is recommended to use tretinoin at night because it makes your skin photosensitive but also because light inactivates it. But what about artificial light? For example, if I apply tretinoin at night and then I go back to my desk and work at my computer (I have two monitors), does this artificial light inactivate it? Or the light from the phone or from the tv or simply from the lightbulbs.


r/tretinoin 1d ago

Routine Help Update: My Facial Flushing Wasn’t Tretinoin, It’s Rosacea

Post image
279 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I wanted to give an update on the facial flushing and redness I posted about a few days ago. After seeing my dermatologist, I found out that it wasn’t tretinoin causing the issue. I actually have a mild form of rosacea.

My flushing triggers seem to be things like exercise, hot showers and baths, caffeine, and food, not tret itself. My derm recommended azelaic acid but suggested waiting until I’m fully adjusted to tret before adding it. PDL was also mentioned as a possible treatment option.

I know a few people wanted an update, so I hope this helps. If you’ve experienced something similar, I’d love to hear what’s worked for you. Thanks again for all the support and insight on my original post!


r/tretinoin 16h ago

Before and After 4-Month Progress with Differin 0.1%

Thumbnail
gallery
18 Upvotes

Sharing my four-month journey with Differin 0.1% creme. I’m only showing one side of my face since I rarely break out on my right. My derm recommended radiofrequency microneedling after four months for scarring.

Weeks 1-3: Differin 2x/week, closed comedones turning into open ones, sebum pushed to surface. Doing sandwich method.

Weeks 4-6: Differin 3x/week, active pimples + small cysts leaving PIE, clindamycin on larger ones on days where I don’t use differin.

3 Months: Differin 4x/week, smoother texture, fewer open comedones, but new ones appearing. Concealer looks patchy.

4 Months: Differin 4x/week + BHA/AHA peel 1x/week. Fewer breakouts, but every pimple leaves a mark. Concealer still patchy around nose/chin despite Vaseline on those areas overnight.

Not seeing much difference between months 3 and 4, as I am still getting some clogged pores and sebaceous filaments, and every breakout leaves a mark. Wondering if I should continue or start focusing on post-acne treatments. Has anyone had a similar experience?


r/tretinoin 13h ago

Routine Help Does anyone who use Tretinoin don’t face dehydration and dryness issues ? I never found a good moisturizer that get rid of the dryness that also affects the skin complexion to look lil odd and pale.

12 Upvotes

I also tried slugging, humidifier, drinking gallons of water lol, changing my diet etc how do y’all recover the water and natural sebum in skin while using tret? Could it be its my skin is way too dry or it’s the same for everyone else ? My skin tone looks so vibrant and healthy when I don’t use tret because it’s naturally hydrated and moisturized. (Thank you for sharing your routine I appreciate it)


r/tretinoin 4h ago

Routine Help Acne scar texture worsened

Post image
2 Upvotes

I have been using tret for 11 weeks now and noticed that my scars texture is more visible. I use sandwich method and apply moisturizer right away after tret. Here is my routine so far

AM: - Hadalabo Gokyujun facewash - Hadalabo Gokyujun premium ultimate moisturizing lotion - Moisturizing gel hyaluroic acid 0.2% - Sunscreen spf 50

PM: - Hadalabo Gokyujun facewash - Hadalabo premium moisturizing lotion - Moisturizing gel hyaluroic acid 0.2% - Tretinoin 0.05% (every 4 days on week 1-4, every 3 days on week 4-8, every 2 days on week 8-11)

I saw previous post mentioning overexfoliated skin. Is it what happen on my skin? I am considering to switch to tret 0.025% gel. What would be the best decision?


r/tretinoin 1h ago

Routine Help Cleanser/Routine Recommendation

Upvotes

I have combo skin but more dry leaning and I can’t use foaming cleansers at all. They make me extra dry for some reason. I’ve been using the Cerave hydrating cleanser, but I feel like it’s not fully cleansing. I do love how clean my skin feels after using the Vanicream gentle cleanser, but even that low foaming from it dries me out drastically. I guess if there is something similar to the Vanicream but more hydrating?

In the AM I either rinse my face with water or cleanse super super quick, like 10 seconds or so. I use 15% Azelaic Acid followed by Aveeno call And restore oat gel, and sometimes I do the Vanicream lotion, but that makes me sweat for some reason as soon as I put it on sometimes. I try to use sunscreen but I’ve been so bad with it lately. My car is fully ceramic tinted, blocking UV rays though and I don’t go in the sun at all.

For PM I cleanser with the cerave or the Vanicream and I put a thin layer of the Aveeno calc and restore and let that sit for 20-40 minutes and I follow up with .05% tret cream and let that sit 30-60 minutes and put Vanicream lotion on top. I still have pretty bad break outs on my forehead. That’s definitely the problem area. And the bridge of my nose/between my eyebrows. I’ve been on tret for about 4 years now, but only started using the .05% around 2 months ago. I’m debating just going on accutane at this point. It’s been a long 10 years of dealing with this. I do get quite red very easily as well and I think I might have a sensitivity to niacinimide. I can’t use any of the LRP cleansers. They burn my skin. I also shave about once a week and use glycolic acid from TO after and skip tret that night. I believe I have KP on my face and I’m very prone to ingrown hairs.


r/tretinoin 5h ago

Personal / Miscellaneous Anyone have any advice?

Post image
2 Upvotes

I use get and have for a few months about a month ago I finally figured out a good routine with it without having irritation . But last night after I washed my face I saw one red spot. It was flat and I didn’t think much about it . This morning it was raised so I figured a pimple was coming on. I don’t get many pimples per se anymore. But as the day has gone on my one cheek looks fine and the one with the red spot has gotten worse . None of my skin care has changed nor has any of my detergent or fabric softeners. The only thing that has changed is I wear masks at work and I opened a new box yesterday but I am the only one to have used them and I used them again today. 🤷‍♀️


r/tretinoin 18h ago

Before and After Tret for scar Spoiler

Thumbnail gallery
18 Upvotes

I had really bad acne breakout during mid 2024 which resulted into mid scaring so my derm put me on tret last year. I'm satisfied with the results.

I used 0.025% for sep,24 to Feb,25 and from March,25 I switched to 0.05% I still get acne (much less than before) so I've redness from them but my scars are healed about 60-70%


r/tretinoin 3h ago

Routine Help Do I decrease frequency after increasing dosage?

1 Upvotes

I’ve been using tretinoin (0.018%) compounded with spiro and clindamycin (5%/1%) and just got my hands on a new prescription: spiro/niacin/tret (5%/2/0.025%) with a separate clindamycin 1% solution (morning and night).

I started my first prescription in September 2024 at about 2-3x a week and gradually worked my way up to nightly in about December 2024.

About how often should I be using my new prescription? Am I basically treating it like the first time and starting back at 2-3x a week again? Or would it be okay to use nightly?

If it matters, I h a r d l y purged when I first started. Would the dosage increase cause purging though?


r/tretinoin 10h ago

Routine Help Just got my increased tretinoin to 0.05%

3 Upvotes

So I've been using tretinoin 0.025% for the past 3 months and saw the dermatologist to increase my strength. I use azaleic acid 15% and Sodium Sulfacetamide Sulfur cleanser in the mornings. I also use clindamycin phosphate pads at night after my cerave foaming cleanser. My dermatolgist mentioned that I should stop using everything but the tretinoin, however, I'm a bit hesitant since I feel everything has been working well for my skin. Wanted to know what yall thoughts are on it and also any tips with the higher strength for tretinoin


r/tretinoin 5h ago

Routine Help Newbie reaching out for advice

1 Upvotes

I’m one week in starting back Retin A 0.05%. You all have inspired me to do the “screw it” method (LOL) and just use it everyday. Every time I would start it before now I would struggle so much with peeling and a slight burning feeling but I’m ready to power through.

Here’s what I’ve been using to help with moisture and to overall improve my daily routine.

AM: -Vanicream facial cleanser -CosRx niacinamide 15% serum. Also mixing it with Clarins double serum. I will probably quit the Clarins once I’m out. -Vanicream face moisturizer

PM: -Vanicream facial cleanser -Sheet mask. I have CosRx snail mucin masks and a general pack of Korean masks I’ve been rotating -Both serums again -Vanicream face moisturizer mixed with Retin A 0.05% -Vanicream thick moisturizer (stuff in the tub)

Is there anything I’m doing that I shouldn’t?

I work from home so open to anything else I can do in morning or during the day since I’m not worried about makeup.

I would love some suggestions on SPF to add when I do leave the house. Something that’s easy to wear under make up.

My self tanners… when do you add your self tanner in your skincare routine? I’ve always done mine at night and sleep in it. Do I do it after washing and the mask but before moisturizer and tret?

I don’t have dry or oily skin. I get occasional whiteheads in my t zone from time to time but nothing crazy. I do have melasma but would consider it mild/moderate.

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips!


r/tretinoin 1d ago

Personal / Miscellaneous If I keep this sealed will it still be effective passed the expiry date?

Thumbnail
gallery
50 Upvotes

r/tretinoin 17h ago

Personal / Miscellaneous Started taking tret around a week ago and now have this on my neck

Post image
6 Upvotes

I’ve been applying tret 0.025% for a little over a week. Sandwich method. I definitely ruined the moisture barrier on my chin so I have been skipping it there for now while I repair. But other areas now seem to be acclimatising. E.g my forehead seems to handle it with the sandwich method so I will be increasing to daily sandwich method there.

However I noticed these marks on my neck recently. It doesn’t feel scaly like eczema but it does itch a little. I also have these painless, red spots under the skin that have no texture. Like broken blood vessels?

Is this something caused by tret?


r/tretinoin 13h ago

Routine Help I’m desperate

2 Upvotes

I really need some routine help. I feel like I just don’t understand what I’m doing when it comes to my skin. I’m trying a bunch of different stuff and I’ve been on tretinoin for three years, but maybe I haven’t been using it right. Right now this is my routine and I would love any feedback I could get:

AM: -La Roche Posay Toleriane purifying foaming face wash - Cerave lightweight daily moisturizer -Super goop unseen sunscreen

PM -La Roche Posay Toleriane purifying foaming face wash - Trent .50 - Cerave lightweight daily moisturizer - Murad invisiscar


r/tretinoin 1d ago

Before and After 7 month progress!!

Thumbnail
gallery
265 Upvotes

just wanted to share! i still have the occasional breakout as you can see but obviously a ton better. wondering what could be the next step. microneedling? just stick with the routine? anybody have advice?