Four months into Skin + Me and no benefit so far...

[StillRunningUpThatHill]

...when does it get better? Or do I give up? I’m 38, combination skin. Signed up because everyone raves about it as a good way to get retinol. I would like to reduce my pores so set that as a goal. Current prescription is Tretinoin 0.012%, niacinamide 4% and azelaic acid 4%. I’ve followed the instructions, but I’ve not noticed any difference in my skin at all. In fact, my pores are as visible as ever, but it’s dried my skin a bit so now my makeup just sits in my pores instead of blending in smoothly (even on top of moisturiser and primer) and looks awful. I can’t use foundation at all as a result. I feel really disappointed so far - do I need to stick with it, or does it just not work for everyone? In which case what do I use instead?

That's a low dose of tretinoin - you could ask them to increase it? I used 0.025 and 0.4 and it took about 9 months to see a real difference.

Ah, maybe that’s the problem. They increase it slightly each month. Does anyone know when it gets to a higher dose on their standard regime?

You can give them feedback and adjust the formula. Send pics and an email.

I wasn't sure whether my formula was doing much for me, but suddenly realised it's been a few months since I used a Zitsticka. Unprecedented for me!

I think my formula is mostly focused on acne though, while I want something for pigmentation too. I'm going to look at adjusting the formula when my skin has been reliably clear for another couple of months.

Dermatica start at 0.025%. They've just introduced a formula with the same 3 ingredients. The texture is more of a gel/serum though.

I could have written your OP. Four months of careful use, following all the instructions and all I have to show is painful, flakey skin and a wallet £80 lighter.

Snap, Hopdathelf! Not sure whether to stick with it or not.

I’ve just signed up today with the same aim of reducing pore visibility- I don’t even know if it’s possible to do that. I already use niacinamide and azelaic acid so I’m not sure what I’m gaining apart from a weak retinol. I really hope it does work but will see in a few months.

I’m 7 months in & I’m thinking of cancelling too OP. Not seen a major difference & fed up of the dry, flaky skin.

It's a long haul really, years and also for ageing so it can be hard to see the difference
I had to massively up my hydration so in the AM I use a serum, moisturiser then SPF. I take 2 days a week off it, one of those I use an acid toner, the other I do a hydrating mask
For me it's helped my fine lines and cleared my hormonal acne plus my skin just looks better

If it’s a years-long haul then I think I’ll give up now. Some anti-aging benefits down the line aren’t worth looking like a dried up, flakey old crone for years.

I think the issue is they start with such a low dose of tret I understand the need to start low/slow but I think it's far too low and slow. I've been using 4 months and just said in not so many words increase tret or I go dermatica. I have now gone from 0.015% to 0.024% hoping this makes a difference by the 6 month mark. Maybe message them and ask for higher they are great with customer service and replaced my script free of charge.

I’m back to say, cautiously, that things are going much better for me. I’ve started to do two nights of Skin+Me followed byElemis Night Recovery Cream Oil, then one night of The Inkey List Ceramide Night Treatment.

The flaking is now all but gone and my skin remains clear and even toned.