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Original poster

Support thread for those that can’t tolerate tret!

14 replies

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 04/01/2023 19:50

After 5 tries over more than 2years I have finally accepted I cannot tolerate tretinoin, even buffered at the lowest dose my skin is permanently red, has lots of fine lines and my eyes are gritty and puffy.

Anyone else? And can you tolerate over the counter retinol or do you swerve the whole lot? Rosehip oil?

OP posts:
Speedmacarons · 04/01/2023 20:00

Me :( can’t tolerate the Ordinary vitamin C in silicone either

Speedmacarons · 04/01/2023 20:00

Never tried rosehip oil, is that good for sensitive skin?

catmg · 04/01/2023 20:04

I'm the same. Have tried it multiple times but it just takes the joy out of skincare for me.

Back on the Medik8 crystal retinal with zero irritation.

Original poster
Matchingcollarandcuffs · 04/01/2023 20:13

rosehip oil has a watered down kind of retinol I believe but does tend to be tolerated, I'll give it a go once things calm down. @Speedmacarons I was ok with the ordinary vitamin c in squalene but don't think it did anything, I have the inkey list vitamin c with egf which hasn't gone down well but I was using it along with the tret which was stupid.

Currently using some allergenics ointmemnt to try and calm things down.

Glad you've found something @catmg , is it really expensive?

OP posts:
catmg · 04/01/2023 20:19

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 04/01/2023 20:13

rosehip oil has a watered down kind of retinol I believe but does tend to be tolerated, I'll give it a go once things calm down. @Speedmacarons I was ok with the ordinary vitamin c in squalene but don't think it did anything, I have the inkey list vitamin c with egf which hasn't gone down well but I was using it along with the tret which was stupid.

Currently using some allergenics ointmemnt to try and calm things down.

Glad you've found something @catmg , is it really expensive?

Crystal retinal gets now roemer the higher the strength it is, I think the lowest strength one of around £45 a tube Wych should last a couple of months. For me it's worth it.

catmg · 04/01/2023 21:48

*gets more expensive!!

balkangrill · 04/01/2023 22:13

I can tolerate (barely) L'Oréal 0,2% retinol serum 2 or 3 times a week, so I wouldn't even dare to try tret. Bakuchiol is supposed to be more easily tolerated, but it doesn't do anything for me. I find rosehip oil very pleasant and calming for my dry skin. I read somewhere that you can put hyaluronic acid first thing in the morning and then put vit C and that suits me, otherwise my skin tingles if I put vit C first. My DD says my skin looks well, and I hope she isn't just being polite

dontgobaconmyheart · 05/01/2023 02:28

ah I've found my people! Same really, no matter what I tried, for how long, how sparingly or with buffering it just made my skin sore, sensitive, dry and it looked worse frankly and got me quite down.

I haven't tried a retinol alternative, but have had good results in terms of skin improvement from Azaleic acid and Niacinimide which I seem to tolerate ok but do buffer with moisturiser or I'm not sure I'd be so confident. I wouldn't say my skin is sensitive in that i'm fine with most moisturisers or face washes I try and don't experience stinging or redness but active ingredients seem to really upset it most of the time even with sparing use.

If you're in a bind with your skin barrier OP, Eucerin is what saved me. The 5% urea cream is fantastic, and aveeno crea a decent alternative, I often mix the two together.

BlackSwan · 05/01/2023 06:22

I haven’t tried tret but I use medik8 Retinoate and love it. I don’t think I need anything stronger. It hasn’t caused any sensitivity issues. I think it’s meant to be more effective than the crystal retinol also.

Original poster
Matchingcollarandcuffs · 05/01/2023 06:56

Sad but glad I'm not alone. I have the Eucerin Atocontrol cream so I'm go steal it back from DD, currently using some Skin Salvations lotions and potions I got for my body, Covid seems to have really messed with my skin.

Amazon have the L'Oréal retinol and niacinamide cream half price so I'm going to get it to give it a go once my skin finally calms down.

I'll look at the Medik8 but if the L'Oréal works it's so much cheaper.

Do you use SPF and if so what? I'm struggling tolerating these at the moment too

OP posts:
PAFMO · 05/01/2023 07:19

Have you tried entry grade retinol? I used an entry grade for about 2 years, then a 1%, before 0.025 tret. I still only use tret three times a week.
Here's a good article with Dr Anjali Mahto's advice on alternatives. She's a consultant dermatologist.
Are you sure it's the tret? Some vitamin Cs have irritated my skin, especially the Ordinary.

www.vogue.co.uk/article/alternative-to-retinol

Catslovepies · 05/01/2023 07:24

I have rosacea and am OK with the inkey list retinol and the beauty pie vitamin c capsules. I use the website wimj.com to check irritancy of various products - lots of good information there.

Catslovepies · 05/01/2023 07:25

whatsinmyjar.com/

PAFMO · 05/01/2023 07:38

Yes, the Inkey List retinol is a good starter. I had a tube of that.
Just seen your question about spf. Both vitamin C and retinol/tret call for a high spf all year. Garnier 50 is excellent.

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