Any long-term tret users?

[OshKo]

Do you genuinely notice a difference? I’m just about to start my second month. I’m alternating now with P50 (so one every other evening) and my skin feels lovely and smooth but I wondered will I actually ever SEE a difference rather than my skin just feel nicer? Do I need to be using it every day for that or am I ok to carry on as I am? Thanks!

Tretinoin is a topical vitamin A cream, similar to otc retinol products, but much stronger. It’s the only product proven to have an effect on wrinkles/fine lines. It’s also used as an acne treatment.

you can only buy it in the UK via a doctor's prescription or by signing up with Dermatica or Skin & Me, which are subscription services. You can also buy it over the counter in many other countries. Not in the UK though.

Another tret fan here . I alternate between retirides and skin and me . I have definitely noted an improvement in my skin and love the fact that skin and me also contains other actives! It’s really simplified my skin routine. Any newcomers if you fancy a free month with skin and me I have posted a code on the promo code page.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/promotional_codesbargains/4198470-Skin-and-me-first-and-fifth-month-free-p-and-p-3-99?msgid=106540520#106540520

I have used dermatica every day for the last six months. It took four months to notice a difference but it is well worth it. Skin really glows.
You have to use it regularly for a long time for it to make a difference. Bunging a bit on now on then isn't going to do much.

What strength of the retirides are you all using?

I bought 0.05 strength tret called Ketrel from a pharmacy in Portugal for about 3 euros which is now running low so would be interested to know where I can buy retrides online?

I've bought Retirides from here:
www.farmaciaenandorra.com/
Obviously nowhere near as cheap as OTC in Spain or Portugal.

I have a Dermatica code if it is of use.

www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/QQRPG

Free for the first month, 25% off the second.

Dermatica have prescribed tretinoin - Dermatica assess your skin, you send in a photo and alter/build up the strength of the cream over time. It is also very easy to postpone the monthly supply if you haven't used it all.

I'm on month 3 of Skin and Me and I'm really seeing a difference. I bought it for large pores and acne, it's certainly made a difference.

I didnt want to spend £20 a month on a skin cream, but I'd spend £20 for a once a month takeaway and not think twice about it. Yet, I'd look in the mirror morning and evening and hate what I see. That's how I've justifed it anyway!

Its early days but I'm pleased with my results. I'm comfortable going out with a swirl of loose powder instead of caking on the double wear foundation (which in itself isn't probably helping!)

I really started to take skincare seriously this year (better late than never, although I have always been good with sun protection) I have been using dermatica since January so I think it is too soon for dramatic results but my skin feels amazing and tolerates the tret well (far better than retirides which I used in the past and made me feel like my skin was made of paper). I think the most dramatic effect has been from my foreo bear. I know this is not what you asked but I really needed to share that!

this IS a great Thread 🌸

I googled tret to find info and am still none the wiser?!

tretinoin

Has anyone had problems with their foundation when using Tret?
I'm a year into dermatica, skin looks great although I think I always look a bit flushed. But now I cannot get any foundation or cc cream to look ok. They sort of float over the surface of my skin, looking mask like.
I'm at a loss tbh.
Currently using several different SPFs but getting the same effect with all of them.

@Feather12, what effects have you noticed from using the Foreo Bear?

I have a normal jawline again. I lost weight over lockdown and it revealed a pretty jowly jawline. I am late 40s so I thought it was just age and nothing I could do, but the foreo has got rid of it completely- in less than 4 months! I am now working on my eyes and elevens and am seeing them almost gone. I think in combination with the tret it is a real winner!

Neither Skin and Me nor Dermatica appear to deliver to Republic of Ireland...Anyone based in Ireland sourcing tretinoin from elsewhere? Not sure if GP will prescribe.

I have been on 0.025% tret from Dermatica for 6 months and love it. Wary of going up to 0.05% because this previously led
to a lot of irritation.. for those who have gone up to 0.05% did you notice a big difference and how long did it take to adjust? Thanks

@TimeThief

Neither Skin and Me nor Dermatica appear to deliver to Republic of Ireland...Anyone based in Ireland sourcing tretinoin from elsewhere? Not sure if GP will prescribe.

I buy from Retirides from Farmacia Tristaina. I was a bit dubious about buying from an overseas website but have been buying from there for over a year and it has been good. Although it usually takes 3 or 4 weeks to deliver.

It is expensive, about €25 per tube, (which usually last me about 3 months, using it 6 nights a week) and delivery costs to Ireland are €20, so I bulk buy a few tubes at a time.

But I justify the cost to myself as I don't use other expensive creams, I don't get facials, and it has really improved my skin, and like a pp said, I would spend that much a month on coffee or a take away anyway.

I would recommend if you are just starting out to get your skin used to retinol with over the counter stuff, as the prescription stuff is pretty hard going. Or at least start off with 0.025% a few times a week and build up from there. Tretinoin is a long term investment for your skin, don't expect to see miracles straight away.

For me it looked worse before it looked better, but I see it as preventative, along with a good SPF.

Also, when I introduced Niacinamide into my skincare, the redness and peeling from tret reduced a lot. Although I have been using retinol of some sort for about 2 years so can tolerate it really well at this stage.

@shivermetimbers77

I have been on 0.025% tret from Dermatica for 6 months and love it. Wary of going up to 0.05% because this previously led to a lot of irritation.. for those who have gone up to 0.05% did you notice a big difference and how long did it take to adjust? Thanks

When I went up to 0.05 I still had quite a bit of 0.025 left, so I alternated them. Probably not how it should be done, but it worked for me as I did not react at all.

I'm up to 1.0 with Dermatica and that really does feel like it's working, I'm not using it every night but alternate. My skin is amazing though, really looks bright and clear ( and yet I'm shattered with work). The open pores on my nose have gone completely. Lines and wrinkles are less between my eyes.

When my skin was quite dry with 0.5 strength I found the No7 hot cloth cleanser so moisturising and soothing.

I've put up a code in a post below if it is of use.

Thanks @Mulletsaremisunderstood! Sorry I’m not sure how to reply on this. I’ve been using LRP RedermicRetinol for a while - not sure how strong it is. Do you have any issues with customs etc ordering from that website? Would you recommend a particular niacinamide product and do you use it after the tretinoin / should you put something on after the tret? Sorry for all the questions - but clueless here !

I'm on 2nd month of 0.025% and surprisingly no side effects. Not sure whether to move up. I'm with Dermatica.

@TimeThief

Thanks *@Mulletsaremisunderstood*! Sorry I’m not sure how to reply on this. I’ve been using LRP RedermicRetinol for a while - not sure how strong it is. Do you have any issues with customs etc ordering from that website? Would you recommend a particular niacinamide product and do you use it after the tretinoin / should you put something on after the tret? Sorry for all the questions - but clueless here !

No issues with customs, it's coming from Andorra I think, which is in the EU.

I use the Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc, but it's strong (stung like hell the first time I put it on neat) so I dilute it with moisturiser. But it's cheap so lasts for ages
I usually put it on in the evening after I wash my face. Then wait 10 mins and put on my tretinoin after.
I also use a cheap Vitamin C serum in the morning and high strength SPF, so they have all helped improve my skin I think.

I started out mixing the Retirides with moisturiser and only using it once a week for a month, then three times a week etc. until I built up a tolerance for it. That said I do still sometimes peel a bit around my nose and chin even after using it for about 2 years.

HTH.