How long does it take this miracle cream to work?

[Whatisthisshitimwatching]

Started on Tretinoin a few weeks ago, I’m moving up to putting it on 3 nights per week next week. So far, no bad reactions, thank goodness, but….when will I have better skin and see good results?
I’m 45 and am using it in the hopes of having smoother skin/less wrinkles, will if/does it really do this?

Shameless share of my Dermatica code if anyone wants it, my skin is lovely if I do say so!

Full disclosure this gives me £5 off, I've been using it for 2 years now.

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I prefer Dermatica over skin and me as the dosage with the latter is super low

What does it do long term? Whenever I consider strong retinols I just end up finding posts that suggests that over prolonged periods it hardens your skin

Can you recommend a vitamin c? Thanks

Dr Dray
Dr Natalie
Lab muffin

These are all good to follow about Tret - evidence based, don't push expensive products

Hello @So1invictus! Nice to see you!

@butterybread
There are loads of good vitamin c products out there - I've used skinceuticals and Obagi- both are pure vitC- again, start with a lower % and see how you get on. Too strong a % too soon can be a bit tingly. I'm using 20% now , 5 drops applied every morning on clean skin before serum and moisturiser. Def not to be used at night especially and def not With Tret- which you use at night only.

And for everyone the most important thing especially if you are using retinol or tret is to use SPF. Every day. Not one in your moisturiser or foundation- it’s not enough. Although the Dermalogica SPF 50 moisturiser is ok if you want one product..

Geek and Gorgeous vitamin C is reputedly identical to the Skinceuticals at a much nicer price point. I haven't tried either, but when my No7 runs out I'm going to try it.
Agree with @Peridot1 too about the spf.
I quote this so much that my phone predicts it for me: skin needs to be clean and, protected from the sun and hydrated (that's 3 products, something that cleans, an spf and something that hydrates) you might not need a separate product for hydration if your skin is on the oily side, but you will need a separate spf. Aside from that, vitamin C and vitamin A are two of few things scientifically proven to combat topical issues like ageing.

I've used skin+me for 3 years now and and I think it's great. I've posted this article on similar threads before, it basically says that lower doses of tret work just as well as higher they just take slightly longer to see results but it means less side effects like peeling and soreness, which can lead you to needing to take breaks from using it.

www.dearbrightly.com/blog/are-higher-strengths-of-tretinoin-always-better/

I started on 0.006% I got to 0.03% after about a year but found my skin started to become sensitive and I was having some peeling. So I lowered the dose to 0.027, I've recently lowered it again to 0.024, hopefully I'll make my way slowly back up but now I see it more as a maintenance/ preventative treatment. You definitely need to use SPF daily whatever the season or weather after.

Here's my link for a free month of skin+me if anyone wants it, you just pay £3.50 p&p

www.skinandme.com/?promocode=LAURENS5YP3