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

@fummes thank you, that's really kind

I'm sure it's the EGF serum!

Interesting reading, thanks everyone.

I’ve just started - literally applied first dose Wednesday evening, 0.025% from Tretinoinworld. All good so far!!

I’m just a bit concerned about the use of SPF - and increased sun sensitivity. I can cope with using SPF in the morning but not sure I can cope with reapplying throughout the day (except on holiday), like OP.

If you wear make up, how do you reapply?!

I only really want to get rid of some hyperpigmentation spots, not particularly fussed about wrinkles etc.

i use Soolantra for my rosacea alongside Finacea and I have the best skin of my life right now. Couldn’t be happier.

I struggled on with prescription tretinoin from Spain for a couple of years but for me it just wasn't worth it. It really dried my skin out and I now have a bathroom cabinet full of various products I bought to combat this. In the end I gave up and now use either No 7 or Beauty Pie retinol
serums. Nowhere near as strong as tretinoin I know but zero irritation and dryness.

I didn't find the tretinoin did anything for my age spots which was the main reason for using it.

I had a huge acne difference
For me with ageing it's that there isn't a difference. So I'm 3 years on using tret and my skin looks the same. I'll take that!
age 39

I don't, because it thins the skin immensely and can destroy the natural moisture barrier - causing more issues if you use it for 30-40 years. I don't know any 70 year olds with great skin who've been using tretinoin since they were 30. I do know 70 year olds with great skin who ate well, exercised, used sunscreen and basic moisturisers like Nivea crème. And just had great genetics. I honestly believe thinning and drying out your skin in the long run will leave it more crepe like and sensitive to age, stress and weather change.

I had a huge acne difference
For me with ageing it's that there isn't a difference. So I'm 3 years on using tret and my skin looks the same. I'll take that!

Yes it's great for acne, and a couple of other skin issues, and it's clearly worked for you. Lovely clear skin!

Do you mind my asking if you use soolantra regularly or just when you have a rosacea flair up? My sister was considering using this. She's tried ordinary Azelaic but it hasn't helped.

I get both as a prescription from my dermatologist. She’s happy for me to stay on both long term. I apply the Soolantra every night and the Finacea in the morning.

Thanks @RudsyFarmer

I am skincare addict. Name it. Expensive cream like La praire, la mer, korean skincare. I’ve done it all. But the best is tretinoin. I just started my tret 6 months and its massive different. I’m 34 yo with acne. Now my skin is very smooth. Its what people called glass skin nowdays i supposed. So yeah i ditch my expensive lamer cream for just tret

I would be happy to use it and have tried multiple times but can't get on with it. However infrequently I apply or with buffering (before and/or after) or low concentrations all it does is cause irritation, excessive dryness and makes my skin very sore.

I gave up in the end because I found my skin got so uncomfortable I wasn't routinely able to use any other products on it while it healed, which defeats the object for me and makeup looked awful on top of the dry skin regardless of how well I moisturised or what with.

@Anjelika I actually think I’m not going to bother with the tret - I already use vitamin c/niacinamide serum which has really made a difference to my skin and is at a price point I can afford.

wish I hadn’t spent £30 on tret though! Oh well, I’ll just think of the savings I’ll make and stock up on sunscreen instead.

If anyone wants some half price 0.025% tretinoin just let me know! I’ve only used one pea-sized amount. Exp. Oct 2023.

I'm an addict and it's also the industry I work in

I don't use tret. I don't use any retinols or acids, although I have done in the past of course

I don't use tret because I don't need to and I don't like it. How you age is largely down to your genetic make up and I only have to venture into several Facebook skin groups to see many women destroying the barrier of their skin by piling on all sorts of lotions and potions.

Just because you can doesn't always mean you should. For some people it's great. For others - like me - you'll do just fine with a good routine (I use Zo and Obagi personally) and some SPF.

@Bogglebrain I sold an unopened tube on FB Marketplace. You could try on there if no-one here wants it.

@dontgobaconmyheart that was exactly my experience. Can't believe how much less foundation I need now I've stopped it. My skin was so dry. Also you have to be so careful not to get it near your nostrils, your upper lip, your eyes etc that I wasn't sure it was even worth the bother! Much happier using the Beauty Pie one. Obvs it's way weaker but you use it like an ordinary serum.

Nadine Baggott did a good video the other week about OTC retinols. She also did something on retinals last week which (I think) sit between retinol and tretinoin in terms of strength. I need to have a look at that.

I wouldn't say I'm a skin fundi, but I do try to care of it. I use 1% retinol serum in the evening.

I see my dermotologist regularly, every 6 months in fact, and I've discussed tret with him a few times.

I'm going with his advice as I think he's the right guy to discuss it properly with. In the last year and a half I've had 2 x squamous cell cancers cut out and 90 (yes 90) suspect or just things he didn't like burnt off.

I live in a hot country with harsh sun, I'm fair and freckly so my skin has seen some damage over the years.

So that's the first reason, my risk is too high with sun exposure and more damage, even though I wear spf every day.

The second reason is that he has said that once you start, it's something you need to continue. It's helping to build the collagen which reduces the wrinkles etc, but when you stop, the collagen stops building up as well.

He would have given me the script if I wanted to, but he asked me to think it through before he does that. I see him again next soon and I've decided the risk is too high for me.

So that's my reasoning and I doubt I'll change my mind about it now.

I tried it for six months and didn't find it made a great deal of difference, plus the dryness was awful and I much preferred my usual routine of serums, oils and so on.The Skin & Me subscription was £24.99 I'd prefer in my pocket so I cancelled it.

I'm almost 50, no acne/skin problems, not many lines. I do use acids and retinol plus Vitamin C and my face is a lot more comfortable

My skin HATED it. I persevered for seven months and Skin and Me altered my dosage several times but my face was so red and dry. My make up just sat on top of my skin like a mask. I looked and felt disgusting. I decided that ultimately it wasn't worth looking haggard for the foreseeable future to maybe see some benefits years later.

Because I used isotretinoin when I was younger and it was so harsh on my system I don't want to out any more related substance in my body. Its all psychological I'm sure.but I can't risk it.