If you use tretinoin, what else do you use?

[MNisMyGuiltyPleasure]

I started using tret back in November. As my other skincare products ran out, I didn't repurchase because I kept on hearing that if you use tret all you need is SPF and a moisturiser, and some vit C if you like.

My skin is indeed looking quite good, although I still have some hyperpigmentation.

If you are also using tret, what other skincare products do you use on your face and why? Thank you.

The main other thing I use is Vitamin C serum in the morning, underneath my sunscreen. That might help to fade some of your hyperpigmentation.

Sometimes I also use a niacinamide serum or peptide serum in the evening alongside my tretinoin, but sometimes I don't bother.

Occasionally I use a glycolic acid, but only on a night I'm not using tretinoin. I don't really feel much need to use it as much anymore, as tretinoin sort of exfoliates anyway.

Other than that just a moisturiser and a good SPF.

Nothing except sunscreen and moisturiser. I don't feel I need a serum or acid.

I use Dermatica and my formula has 4% Niacinamide and 4% Azelaic acid in it. My Tret is the lowest strength at 0.015% as I can’t tolerate any higher. I only use my Dermatica every other night and initially got it for acne control (which it’s great at). Once a week I swap my Dermatica night for a swipe of Paula’s Choice BHA 2%.

Other than those, I use a hydrating ‘toner’ and serum morning and night before my SPF - but only because I find even my dose of Tret dehydrating.

I keep toying with idea of adding a vitamin c serum on a morning but I can’t decide!

My Tret is the lowest strength at 0.015% as I can’t tolerate any higher

Same here and I’m still struggling. I’ve had to reduce it to once a week due to the peeling and general dullness - certainly no glow for me.

Sorry OP don’t mean to derail!

Do you/have you tried sandwiching it or putting it on after your moisturiser? Also sorry OP!

@BeretRaspberry Oh that’s a good idea, never thought about putting it on after I moisturise - will try it tonight and see how it goes - thanks Beret

Cleanser, followed by Vit C then an azelaic based serum in the mornings, followed by moisturiser and SPF.

Cleanser, tretinoin and moisturiser in the evenings (I sometimes use moisturiser before my tret). I'm on 0.05% prescription tret and use it every other night which is enough for me.

Which Vitamin C do you use please and have you noticed a difference?

@Childhoodnostalgia I always have to put it on after my moisturiser..I usually wait about 20/30 minutes to make sure it’s absorbed.

@BeretRaspberry I've used all sorts!

My favourites are:

1. Skinceuticals - yes it is ££££ but it is bloody good. I stopped using it for a couple of years due to £££ and then panic bought when I couldn't get hold of either the Timeless or GOW ones I'd been using and my skin was noticably better - just glowier and brighter.
2. Timeless - haven't been able to get hold of this for a year or so now. Shame, as it was good.
3. Garden of Wisdom - fine, and I was pretty happy with it until I went back to Skinceuticals and noticed the difference!

I want to try the Geek & Gorgeous one that is supposed to be a good dupe for the Skinceuticals, but it was out of stock last time I needed some, so I bought the Medik8 Super C Ferulic which I've seen recommended but I haven't started it yet.

Thank you so much for explaining. I keep looking at the Skinceuticals one, and then the Medik8 and then the Dermalogica!😂 I would buy the Skinceuticals if I knew it would definitely work for me but my skin is so temperamental.

For vit C C-Glow by Geek & Gorgeous is excellent and about as close as you can get to Skinceuticals without paying the price. They restock regularly so if it’s out of stock one week then try again the next. You can also buy a mini empty bottle. I decant a weeks worth of product at a time and leave the main bottle in the fridge.

Nothing apart from spf

I use
Cleanser
Moisturiser
Occasionally an exfoliating toner
Elemental herbology cell radiance on non tret days. I love the scent and texture and it has a vice grip on me so I keep buying it!

Morning.
Hada labo hyaluronic acid. (I know HA is in everything. I don't care. I like the feel of it on my skin.
The Ordinary buffet
Beauty pie eye cream
Moisturiser (at the moment a beauty pie one)
Altruist face fluid SPF 50

Night
Alternating nights.
Hada labo
Tretinoin 0.05
Or
Hada labo HA
TO Argireline
TO Niacinimide
Beauty pie retinol eye cream
Good moisturiser - depends on state of skin.

I also interchange with serums from Revolution or GOW or any good deal.

I'm not saying I don't have lines, but my skin is clear and good quality and I reckon that's as good as I'm going to get.

Cleanser, moisturizer, vitamin C, SPF 50, generic hydrating serum (currently the Missha dupe for ANR)

I’m contemplating buying it from the .com website and getting a few to make it worth it.

Are you able to use Azelaic acid with tretinoin?

@PollyPeptide can I please interrupt to ask your thoughts on the Altruist FF? I'm a fan of their SPF30 but usually use LRP Anti-Ageing SPF50 as a moisturiser, usually with Bioré Watery Essence over it when in sunshine. However I accidentally got caught in the sun last week after using glycolic acid a day or so before, and it put the fear of God into me - the LRP saved me from serious burning but I was still redder than I'd have liked. I'd probably have been fine if I'd used the Bioré but that sometimes dries me out a bit so am in the market for a replacement and was wondering about the Altruist FF - does it leave you greasy? The Bioré's good for avoiding that but I think it's because it has plentiful alcohol in it!

@BeretRaspberry is the UK site still out of stock? If so, you could email them as I found their customer services great. My first order from the uk site went missing in the postal disruption last year and they immediately couriered another lot out (and let me keep the originals when they eventually arrived). Prior to that I used to order from .com and never had any problems.

Yes, my Dermatica prescription has AA included but you could also use a stand alone product.

Evening routine: cleanser, tret, eye cream, Vit C serum, moisturiser, lip mask
Morning: cleanser, Vit C toner, moisturiser, SPF 50

i also use FOREO masks and once per week (not on a tret night) AHA/BHA mild exfoliator.

Yes, the UK one is still OOS. I’ll try contacting them first and then if no luck, I’ll take a punt on the .com one. Thank you.

If you don’t mind, do you know if I apply before my toner or shall I just use that and then my SPF and then use the toner and serum on a night?

I ask because the toner is a hydrating one, rather than a ‘stripping’ one.

@BeretRaspberry i generally go from lightest / wateryist(!) product to heaviest. I don’t use a hydrating toner but do use hyaluronic acid after my vitamin C.

Just tretinoin (0.05), moisturizer and sunscreen.

I was barely able to tolerate the 0.025 tret until I topped it with a small amount of Dear Klairs rich moist soothing cream. That stopped the peeling and ‘uglies’ for me and I am able to apply 4 nights a week. I only use a small amount of the Klairs though, otherwise I get spots.

And I can’t apply the tret on my neck and chest at all, I get a reaction with lots of itching and redness.

My Skin & Me formula is tret, clindamycin & azealic acid, so I guess that plus moisturiser in the evening.

In the morning, moisturiser then sunscreen.

I miss my routine of lotions and potions, but trying to give the tret a chance to do its thing before I reintroduce anything else!