Skincare geeks who don't use tretinoin - why not?

[Lottapianos]

I'm a long term retinol user, currently on the 1% from Medik8. Happy enough with results, never any irritation or peeling. Built up slowly over last few years. Dedicated daily SPF user, also use glycolic acid and vitamin C serum most days. Age 42, dry and dehydrated skin, fine lines around eyes but otherwise in pretty good nick

I'm interested in starting tret because it's a proven treatment and a stronger version of what I use now, and is only £20 a month with Dermatica. However, I'm slightly scared because it is so strong, and while I wear SPF50 every single day, I don't ever reapply in the day and I'm honestly never going to start

Interested in hearing other people's experiences of why they did or didn't start tretinoin, and how it's working out so far. Thanks

Bumping this - also very interested and surprised you didn't get any responses!
I was using 1% without any problems but also without any impact - I stopped a while ago (Covid) and am thinking of going straight to the Dermatica stuff this time. At the same time, £240 per year at a time when I am not using the tumble dryer in order to save money seems like a definition of insanity..

I assume OP got no responses because most people who'd call themselves a skincare geek probably do use tretinoin 🤷

I'm not in the UK but from what I can gather the formulations from Skin+Me and Dermatica aren't as irritating as the straight prescription stuff (which I use). Part of that is down to the gradual introduction scheme they use and I suspect it's also slightly diluted (eg. it'll say somewhere in small letters that your prescription will be added to a base), it's not a cost savings thing it's just to avoid irritation.

Most people seem to be able to make their prescription last a bit longer than a month and set up the intervals at every 1.5-2 months, not much of a cost saver but every bit helps I suppose.

I think if you're nervous and scared of tret at full strength the subscription services are the gentlest introduction to it and any adverse reaction will be a lot less full on then with pharmacy versions.

I don't have personal experience but I have gotten the impression Skin+Me is better at hand holding and guiding you through than Dermatica. They both also offer referral discounts and I think Skin+Me had an NHS discount/offer (but maybe that was Covid related).

I use skin and me and it's transformed my skin, never giving it up!

The main reasons are probably:

1. skin irritation
2. cost
3. need to wear spf
4. concern about it not being good for you to have your skin cells constantly turning over at a higher than natural rate (this last point I’ve heard made by a dermatologist on the Outspoken Beauty podcast recently, and I think it’s a good point)

Disclaimer: I do use retinol via Dermatica, but I use it 3-5 days per week, and I take a break over the summer (but still use spf). Therefore it also costs a lot less than £240 per year because my subscription is on hold a lot of the time. Also Botox costs about £150 per injection so retinol is a reasonable alternative.

I probably fall into that category.

I used Dermatica for a while and about 4 days after starting it I got a crushing headache about half an hour after putting it on. Then it happen the next night and the next. I carried on for another week and decided to stop, and the headaches went away. Not sure if it's the tret or something else but I'm not keen to repeat. Retinol doesn't seem to do it so I've stuck with that but god knows the logic behind it. It's very annoying!

I am a similar age to you, OP and have used prescription tretinoin on and off (I tend to take summer off l) for around 10 years, along with spf50 daily. Some people don’t use it because it can be very harsh on sensitive skins.

I've done a couple of months on skin and me. Can't be arsed. I'm wondering about trying retinol instead. I don't have particularly difficult skin, and am just trying to stave off the worst bits of aging- dry looking, fine lines, deepening grooves.

Is it worth the effort?

I've been using Skin+Me (happy to share referral code if anyone needs one) and as well as loving the ease and results their service is excellent. I once dropped a tube (only from a v low height ) and after emailing to feed back it wasn't clicking to stop dispensing (so I had to manually do IYSWIM) they sent me a fresh tube free.

I also asked them to slightly up the tret as I didn't feel I was seeing results anymore which they did and immediately sent me a bed tube free to start using.

Such good service

And yes ... it's great being able to change frequency as like many on this thread I don't use every day in summer as I'll apply self tan a few times a week which contains actives. So this makes it a little cheaper

Must admit I didn't think about pausing it- I'm not consistent enough with applying it and was Month behind by the third box.

Thanks for the responses. I started tret about 2 weeks ago through Dermatica. I'm using one pump every 2 nights for now. I have a bit of flaking which is probably only noticeable to me, and skin definitely feels drier than usual so I'm loading up on moisture. No redness, itching, or any other nasty effects. No obvious benefits yet either but I know it's way too early. I'm definitely going to stick with it

I started using 0.5 Tretinoin on UK prescription last year and I’ve seen massive massive improvements in my skin. However I was paying £99 per 30 g tube which lasted me about three months. Until that is, I saw on this site, someone who had been buying it from Spain at a fraction of the cost. So today I arrived in Tenerife on a cruise, walked into a chemist shop and bought two tubes for £35 and this was without a prescription. It is exactly the same word for word as they Obaji that I’ve been using at £99 a tube. So so pleased to hear anyone and everyone who posted it on this site. Thank you xx

I also buy it from spain menorca when on hoilday I buy two tubes it last me 1 year, I only use it 3/4 times a week.

I'm 46 & I'm into skincare but I just don't feel the need to use tretinoin yet.
I have retinol etc in my serum & use high spf & that's adequate for me.. maybe it's because I'm overweight but I've hardly got any fine lines & my skin is oily rather than dry.

Tried it but my skin hates it. Doesnt matter how I apply it or how weak it is I will never stop purging. I can tolerate retinol from the ordinary.

I've used sunblock since I was 22 though and was still getting asked for ID to buy wine in the summer so I think I'm doing ok without it.

It made my skin too sensitive. I used it for about 4 years and thought it was great. When I ran out and stopped using it, my skin improved a lot. My skin texture wasn't as smooth but it was less red and I need to wear less makeup now.

I was finding Medik8 Retinol really expensive the higher strength 6 & 10 are really pricey. For me Dermatica is much cheaper it's more like £20 every 6 weeks. I also thought that most of the clinical trials are based on Tret not over the counter Retinol.

I've been using it a few months ( from Dermatica ) so early days but have been getting on ok. Slow and steady wins the race !
I'll put my code below if anyone wants to try it. You will get 1st month for £2.90 ( but I've set mine to 6 weeks as they allow that and you'll have enough ) then I think you get 20% off your 2nd month as well. It would give me £5 off my next month.

www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/V3WPNY

I'm into skincare but wouldn't try it for fear of setting off my rosacea again.

I've got sensitive, oily skin and it's in a good place now after years of trial and error with products. I use either Clinique or Murad retinol which keeps my lines at bay but I know probably won't have the same long term effect as tret.

I get it from Spain too. Much cheaper.

I use 50SPF daily but don’t reapply and it’s fine - I just also keep my face out of the sun always.

My skin has never been better. I used to have acne and it has 100% gone (was on Differin before). Plus it is smoother and brighter. People often think I am a good few years younger than I am.

Hava a look in in the tret groups and before and after photos. I've rarely seen anyone with a noticeable difference. Those who have any difference usually combine with filler and/or botox and they've been using it years upon years.
I see more problems than anything else.

In combination with other anti agents then why not, but if you're hoping for some miraculous line erasing, glow imbibing solution then you're going to be disappointed.

To add the note that in the tret groups I don't see any difference in anti ageing but for acne it can be very effective and noticeable differences achieved.

I totally disagree with you on this. Perhaps you are just seeing what you want to see.

I used to use dermatica which is very good, however no matter how long I used it if I scratched or itched ( lightly ) my skin it would show signs of peeling, not great after putting makeup on!

I've started using Bioeffect EGF serum, it's pricey but worth it. My skin is plump and clear for the most part ( I'm nearly 51 ).

For full disclosure though I do have Botox and fillers - this I believe helps the scaffolding ( structure ) of your face but of course you have to look after your skin.

I also had a neck lift due to a 6 stone weight loss on my late 40's my neck was very saggy so yes I've had plenty of 'help'.

Whilst I'm using this I won't go back to tret or retinol as I find this is doing the same job if not better. It's bloody amazing stuff. No peeling either!

I've attached two pics of my without makeup and with. I find my makeup goes on seamlessly and I've got a decent glow going on, can't ask for much better at 51 tbf.

Not at all. People are welcome to check for themselves.

I've said nothing factually incorrect, and you haven't offered up anything to disprove what I've said only said you don't agree.

And I am a tret user. Vey minimal as I don't have fine lines yet .

Amazing skin! @Wagsandclaws