Starting on tretinoin - please send me your tips!

[DreamingOfSoftWhiteSand]

While on holiday in continental Europe I bought some tretinoin (0.05%) and I'd like to start using it. I've been using Retinol 0.5% in Squalane by The Ordinary every other night for over a year now with no side effects. I am planning to stop using any acid once I start on tret. In the morning I'll continue with hyluronic acid and other stuff, but no exfoliants of course, and plenty of SPF 50 as usual.

I will start using tret once a week for a month and then go up to twice a week, and gradually increase from there. Could any MNters who regularly use tret like to share their tips and tricks for a newbie, please? I am resorting to tret to address fine lines and hyperpigmentation and generally a bit of dullness now I'm 48 and perimenopausal. Thank you.

No you can’t use while breastfeeding either.

@DreamingOfSoftWhiteSand wondered how you've been getting on with the Tretinoin? I've started using 0.05 too, no irritation yet.

Very jealous of anyone who doesn't get lizard face or irritation using it - I got it really bad at the start, maybe that's because my skin is quite sensitive.
Even after using tret for a few years and acclimatising well I currently have a small bout of peeling to contend with - grrr.

I'm 4 weeks in now, I bought the 0.1 by mistake and have been using it once a week. No redness or irritation yet although my skin isn't ever sensitive at all.

I'm using the Aldi caviar night cream after.

I don't use moisturiser under it, just cleanse, dry and then a pea size amount, the moisturise.

I hope in a few months I can come and report good things.

Can I ask for some tret advice? I'm on a Dermatica prescription for rosacea and it's really helped to calm my skin down. Have used retinols in the past (Skinceuticals) with no side effects.

I contacted Dermatica to ask if they would include tret in my prescription; they said it could cause flare ups but have suggested starting at 0.015 strength. This sounds very low to me, I though 0.025 was generally the starting point?

Also, is it possible to compare retinol products with tret in terms of strength? I'm currently using Skinceuticals 0.5% retinol.

Watching as my Skin + Me prescription now includes 0.006% Tret with 4% Azelaic Acid and 4% Niacinamide. I'd previously been on 14% AA and 4% N which dealt effectively with my previously horrendous rosacea. I advised that my menopausal skin needs a boost while still keeping the rosacea at bay, and I've been using my new prescription for just under a week.

So far so good but like PPs my nose feels a bit tender and flaky, and just under my eyes feels a bit tight/irritated but not visibly so even though I avoided there. I've only applied to my cheeks, nose and middle of forehead/11s - is this correct?

Tretinoin is definitely much stronger than over the counter retinols. 0.05% in retinol is not comparable to 0.05% tretinoin really - tret is thought to be 10 to 20 times stronger.
You could try the 0.015% for a month or two and then ask to be bumped up if there is no irritation, but I would always advise caution with tretinoin.
It's not necessarily going to give much better results with a higher strength, it's also about consistent use over time and what your skin can tolerate.

I followed all the advice in Dr Sam Bunting’s videos and had no irritation at all. Highly recommend her channel.

Thanks @Farmageddon I'll do that

So 0.5% OTC retinol would be similar to 0.025% tret?

This thread is amazing and full of tonnes of useful advice - thanks for starting it OP!

Can I jump on and ask what age should you begin using it?

I started over counter Retinol at 28 then Tret at 30 when. I'm happy with this age

No, I think it would be less than that. Retinol you buy over the counter (in products from Boots etc.) has to go through two metabolic processes to get to the active ingredient that your skin responds to, which is retinoic acid.
Tretinoin is retinoic acid, so is usable by your skin straight away and is therefore more potent. I think of retinol as the diluted version, and tretinoin as the concentrate.
From what I have read it goes:

Retinol ->(one metabolic process) -> Retinaldehyde ->(one metabolic process)->Tretinoin

That's why retinol is available without prescription because it's less likely to cause irritation. Retinaldehyde is also available in OTC products, and is slightly stronger than retinol. They both still do the same thing as tretinoin, but takes longer to see results, and they wont be as dramatic. But some people don't want the hassle of tretinoin and happily stick to a retinol product they like.

@Farmageddon thank you!

Looking for some advice please. After reading through this thread, l ordered some Tret from Tretinoin World but have received the wrong strength, 0.1% which l understand is the strongest. My order said 0.5% so there was definitely an error. Returning it doesn't seem to be straightforward so, as a first time user, l wondered if l could still try it if l mixed it with some moisturiser?

I wouldn't start with 0.1 even buffered that's so strong. Some people never work up to that. If you damage your skin barrier it can take ages to repair so I wouldn't risk it personally.

Thankyou @BryceQuinlanTheFirst that was my fear too. My skin isn't sensitive but even so its not worth the risk.

Yes you can dilute. as long as you use half a pea size mixed with same amount of moisturiser. I used to work in pharmacy and used to do this for prescriptions for babies. (not tretinoin obviously) Just make sure it's cream with cream or gel with gel.

That's exactly what happened to my order. I've been using it for 4 weeks so hopefully it's okay for my skin. I will move to twice a week next week I think.

@LimeFizz That's interesting, l wonder if there's problems with distribution? Glad to hear you are using yours will no ill effects so far though.

An update - tonight will be the third time I apply tret. So far it's been once a week. No side effects whatsoever. No rash, no dryness, no peeling, nothing. Week one I put moisturiser below an on top of tret. Week two I put a little bit of moisturiser on first, then tret, and then nothing. Tonight I'll do the same. And next week. Then it will be week five and I'll up to twice a week. Any idea whether this is OK or why I'm not getting any side effects? I'm using a pea sized amount each time. Thank you.

I've not had any side effects either and I'm not using any moisturiser underneath. I'm upping to twice a week now.

Maybe you're just lucky 😀Enjoy it!

I've done twice a week for about the same time as you I think - 0.05% got some peeling skin along jawline and couple of other patches. I do a good hot cloth cleanse in the evening and smother with moisturiser and it's not causing bother. I'll carry on with twice a week for the time being.