Tretinoin - How long does the peeling last?

[MissAtomicBomb1]

I've been applying Dermatica 0.015 tretinoin for approx 5 days.

The last 2 days my skin has started to peel all over my face. There's no irritation or redness as such, just a bits of skin lifting off. It's a bit like when you exfoliate dry skin in the shower & get those small clumps of dead skin (!)

It looks pretty unattractive so I'm just wondering how long it's likely to last as I'm back at work next week! Make up just draws attention to it.

My instinct is to give it a bit of a rub with a face cloth but I think this is probably not a good idea.
Please tell me it passes quickly!!

Anyone?! 😭🤞🏻

It totally depends on your skin.

My skin took a long time (one year plus) to get completely used to tret but that was using OTC 0.025, then 0.05 formulas from Spain, Dermatica is gentler and you're on a lower strength.

I still get some peeling when it's very cold as it was before Xmas (I'm over three years in now).

You can try various things - dropping frequency as you build tolerance, mixing with moisturiser, using a thicker moisturiser afterwards or before or both. I started using Hado Labo hyaluronic acid on damp skin but everyone finds the products that work for them. I would always advise avoiding skincare with fragrance as that is an irritant on top of the tret .

My skin is pretty indestructible so I never really had any peeling. If you’ve only been using it for 5 days, how many times have you applied it? I’d start off twice a week max for a couple of weeks then build up from there. You can gently exfoliate by using a facecloth with your usual cleanser then apply a good moisturiser such as LRP Cicaplast.

Thanks for the advice, I've been using one pump nightly but I think I will drop it down for a while as my skin adjusts. Will also make sure I'm putting moisturiser on first to dilute it a bit.
I'm hoping it's a short lived problem as my skin is generally pretty clear apart from a bit of redness on my cheeks and a few fine lines appearing. I'm not sure the pay off will be worth it for me!

If it's the first time you've used tret, you need to introduce it gradually. I used retinols for 2 years, going upwards in strength then started on tret but am still only using it 3 times a week.
I'd have a week off, lavishing emollients onto your skin, then start again a couple of times a week initially.
The pay off is worth it, but as with retinols, tret is a long game thing.