Tretinoin (skin + me currently) - worse before better?

[purrrge]

started on tret last month and was initially THRILLED with how my skin looked. I even pushed my botox appointment back a month.

However... now it is looking really bumpy, congested, worse pores than in ages, and generally not good!

I am 43, a bit wrinkly although better with a bit of botox. Had dull uneven skin which I only really realised after the tret initially improved it a lot. Some sun damage. Used to have quite bad acne but thought it had cleared up now I'm older, however clearly there is quite a lot of congestion in there?

Is this normal? Shall I persevere? I am only on the first box of skin + me which is a very low concentration of tret. I wonder if as the concentration builds it might get a bit better?

Thoughts from experienced users much appreciated!

Your skin may be purging, it’s quite common during the initial months. I highly recommend the Facebook group “Tretinoin and retinoids users: tips, products and routine help” or similar, there’s a lot of advice and guidance available online especially to those new to tret. I’ve been using it for about 14 months, worked up to 0.05% and happy with the results so far, but my skin couldn’t have handled it without the hydrating and protective products I use alongside based on advice from that group

thanks @Pyjamasalldayplease i'll check the group out!

Is there any likelihood you could have rosacea? Not suggesting you have it given your posts but just to be careful as I didn't realise I had it (it was mild and I'm pale so I didn't think a bit of pinkness was an issue) Tried tret to deal with uneven pigmentation, it was too much for my skin and left me with worse issues (rosacea developed to spots and bumps)
I've now got a much milder prescription of Azelaic acid but it's taken a long time to get back under control.

@Hibernatingtilspring OH! well that sounds a bit rubbish for you. Thanks for flagging it, I don't think that I do but I do have pinker skin in general (sadly - would love an olive complexion)