Tretinoin

[catmademedoit]

Thanks for reading

I'm wondering if this is a one off or if others have had similar experience with Tretinoin

Ordered after Consultation with Dermatica , had a small add on as all on offer

Read instructions thoroughly - cleansed patted dry , applied 2 pumps to fingers and gently spread across face .. no reaction at all
Moisturised about 10 mins later

Woke up to spots that I've not had for many many years / redness / mild irriatation feeling when washed face and touched forehead

Proper white head spot on cheek .. went to apply my usual tinted moisturiser to go to work and it all sat cracked and dried up on my face .. have not reapplied since , skin feels slightly irritated and is soaking up moisturiser like the Sahara

Not suitable ? To be expected? Worth persevering ? All in my head ? ( used it once )

Looking forward to hearing others experiences 👋🏻

[Rebel2023]

Normal, it's a LONG haul

Make sure your face is dry when applying it
Use it every third day then every other day
You can moisturise before applying to buffer it if you need to
Don't use any other actives

[Deathraystare]

I have used it a total of 2 nights so far. No blemishes or sensitivity to report so far (and my skin can be funny!)

[catmademedoit]

Thank you both .. anyone else had similar reaction or any advice ? with thanks from a red and spotty 56 year old

[Snippedasababy]

From what I understand, these sorts of things are normal.

mine was fine the first night. When I put it on the second night, it felt like it was burning in a couple of patches. That stopped when I moisturised. The next day my skin was really sensitive. to the touch and went bright red using my normal skin care.

The third night I put moisturiser on first. It’s been fine since. Though I am working up to not putting moisturiser on first.

I have read that there can be more spots, peeling, redness etc and that skin often looks worse before better.

can you contact Dermatica and send photos? I use skin & me and I messaged them with pictures and they messaged me back, really quickly with advice. They wanted to know the full list of items I am using morning and night.


Did you moisturise and use spf the next morning?

[MaverickGooseGoose]

I used it for the first time last night, also dermatica. Felt a bit itchy but I might have imagined that. Fine this morning. I'm not going to use it tonight but tomorrow.

[ElinorDashwood68]

Maybe just use one pump?

I've used for 3 years and still only use one pump

[catmademedoit]

Thanks all

@Snippedasababy yes moisturised and SPF

Mmmm , sounds as if maybe moisturiser prior to the Tret , smaller pump and try every third day or so may be the way forward

Just hate the thought of worse before better , especially as my skin is actually quite good for my age

Will read all the Dermatica stuff again and send some pics , see if they have advice

Presume I'm on the lowest dose but that may be worth checking too

[Snippedasababy]

Have you used that brand of spf and moisturiser before and it’s been ok?

I think most people have to accept there’s going to be a worse period before. It seems to be common. But people seem to have really different ‘worse’ periods.

[RosyappleA]

Some people like my friend cannot tolerate it at all and had to give up.
I love it. However, if my life is hectic and I go without it for a good few days I get the reaction you describe and it feels like starting all over again even after years of using it!
What helps me us jojoba oil as a moisturiser in addition.

[Kaftankween]

Just in case anyone is interested. I’ve been using tretinoin through dermatica for three months. My face has been horribly dry to the extent I can’t wear foundation. Someone suggested Bioderma Sebium Hydra as a moisturiser. It’s pretty cheap and available everywhere. It has really helped. I’m using it morning and night.

[Mumsanetta]

Ah the good ole retinol uglies. They usually last around 6-8 weeks and then one day you wake up with beautiful skin. Try Elizabeth Arden eight hour cream on the sore pealing bits at nights, it really helps.

[Back21970]

I started Tret at Christmas, can only seem to tolerate it at all on my forehead and jawline, even using it every 3rd night has made my cheeks break out and looks horrendous and my neck is really itchy.

Think I am not going to persevere on my cheeks as not really a problem area for me anyway.

Does anyone else only use it on specific areas and what about the neck area?

[Bellalalala]

@Back21970

I started Tret at Christmas, can only seem to tolerate it at all on my forehead and jawline, even using it every 3rd night has made my cheeks break out and looks horrendous and my neck is really itchy.

Think I am not going to persevere on my cheeks as not really a problem area for me anyway.

Does anyone else only use it on specific areas and what about the neck area?

Have you tried using a moisturiser before the tret?

[Northernlass99]

I blow my face with my hair dryer to make sure it is completely dry before I apply tret. Also use a tiny amount.

[Purpleavocado]

It does take a long time to get to in a good relationship with tret, but once you get there it's all worth it!
2 pumps sounds like a lot, I normally use one.

At first, don't use it nightly, even though Dermatica will tell you to. Their business model is for you to order it monthly. You should be able to tweak your dispatch on their website.
Use once a week for a few weeks. Then twice a week for a few more, then three times, and so on.
Use a very plain moisturiser after, like E45.
You will peel and it will look a bit shit at first.
Once you can tolerate the low strength every night, then you can move up in strength, back off to 3 x per week at first.
Keep repeating until you get to the maximum strength. That would probably take a year or so.
Do not use vitamin A, skin scrubs or any other acids. I use a hot cloth cleanser, Liz Earle tonic, wait for that to dry, then one pump of tret. Wait 10 minutes and then apply moisturiser.