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Original poster

Tretinoin - experiences welcome

55 replies

Bloom15 · 01/01/2024 22:42

I have started tretinoin today - Demalogica prescription at 0.015 strength. I am 43 with dry skin with some fine lines and hyperpigmentation/melasma.

I have used retinol - Ordinary - 2% and 5% and not had any issues.

I just wonder if anyone has gone down the same route and had any side effects. And also how long did it take to get visible results?

OP posts:
Finlesswonder · 01/01/2024 22:49

Works for a lot of people but destroyed my skin

Original poster
Bloom15 · 01/01/2024 22:58

Finlesswonder · 01/01/2024 22:49

Works for a lot of people but destroyed my skin

Sorry to hear that.

In what way? What strength were you on?

OP posts:
WafflesOrIceCream · 01/01/2024 23:02

Following this thread with interest.

emsyj37 · 01/01/2024 23:03

My skin peeled for ages, realistically the peeling continued at least mildly for maybe 2 years. It's a long haul option, not a quick fix. I am an acne sufferer so I was motivated to keep on with it for that reason, otherwise I might have given up. I use 0.04% roughly every other day now and no peeling.

Finlesswonder · 01/01/2024 23:05

It refined my skin texture but also made it really red and raw despite me following all the guidelines (building up slowly to every other day, sandwiching, very pared back routine, lots of moisturiser, sunscreen). I was in the lowest possible strength with dermatica

ObliviousCoalmine · 01/01/2024 23:06

My skin isn't overly problematic but it made a difference to the texture and it was all just a lot nicer looking.

It gave me a cracking headache though, so I stopped, and I'm still annoyed about it.

BeretRaspberry · 01/01/2024 23:19

It changed my life. That may sound dramatic but after a 25 year battle with acne, I’m finally free long term.

I use Dermatica and have never managed to go above the 0.015% strength due to peeling but that’s honestly been enough. My skin isn’t glass like which some people go for and my texture isn’t perfect but it’s generally good and I don’t have wrinkles at nearly 48. Though I do also have a fat face so that also helps with the wrinkles!

Panaa · 02/01/2024 00:02

I have used retinol - Ordinary - 2% and 5% and not had any issues.

That did nothing for me at all.
The no 7 one (the weakest one) took a short time to adjust too and the stronger one took 4 months to adjust to and my skin isn't sensitive at all, but the ordinary ones seemed to have an effect like water on my skin and I've heard lots who say the same so don't assume that your skin will tolerate tret based on that. I was so surprised by how long it took for my skin to tolerate the 1% no 7 one so be extremely cautious using tret and build up extremely gradually in case you wreck your skin moisture barrier.

FestiveGrinch · 02/01/2024 07:36

have used Dermatica tret and hydroquinone for last 3 months and it has made a big difference to my skin. A large patch of melasma has all but gone and my skin is much smoother looking and feeling. I use their squalene cleanser and peptide moisturiser too and really rate them.

Warmandbright · 02/01/2024 07:43

I used ordinary retinol with no problems and moved to tret with no problems. It was slightly dry for a couple of weeks, now I use it twice a week. It’s hard to say whether it makes a dramatic impact on my skin. My skin is very good anyway (genetics mostly but also rigorous skin care) and so tret. I’ve used it for about a year and buy it from online international pharmacies.

I think the effect is quite subtle and it’s not easy for me to know what my skin would have been like otherwise. It certainly hasn’t had a dramatic effect on my skin but I was starting from a good place anyway.

yellowsun · 02/01/2024 07:47

I liked my skin while using it but it caused a patch of eczema in my hair line, which went when I stopped. I also then noticed lots of new hair growth around my hair line after I stopped use so it was obviously affecting that too.

BangingOn · 02/01/2024 07:51

I’m a huge fan, it has transformed my skin but you do need to take sun protection and hydration really seriously. There’s a great Facebook great with introductory posts that give lots of helpful tips for starting- Tretinoin and retinoids users: tips, products and routine help.

herewegoroundtheblueberrybush · 02/01/2024 07:51

I use 0.05 and when I first started my skin peeled for about 2 weeks. Now it's fine. My horrible cystic acne is gone and it has saved my life

Original poster
Bloom15 · 02/01/2024 10:03

Thanks all - my skin was dry last night so I put on some extra moisturiser before bed. It seems fine this morning - I did layer the tret over a light moisturiser.

Will leave it for a few days now and maybe revert to The Ordinary.

My skin isn't particularly sensitive so hope it can tolerate this.

OP posts:
apairofblueeyes100 · 02/01/2024 12:09

I have been on tretinoin via Dermatica for around 1.5 years - started off on 0.5% strength but upped it recently to 1%. I haven't really had any problems with it other than if it gets caught at the corner of your mouth etc so take a bit of care around any sensitive areas; ie, mouth, nose and eyes.

I was out with friends shortly before Christmas and had a lot of comments about my 'flawless' skin and colleagues also commented on how well I looked - so I am pretty pleased with the results.

I have a referral code if anyone is interested - please use 4N98N5 which gives us both £10 off.

pinkhousesarebest · 02/01/2024 12:30

Tried it ( got it from Spain) but it didn’t do much more than irritate my skin.

Noroomontheshelf · 02/01/2024 12:41

I was prescribed it as a booby prize when my aesthetic nurse gave me the news that I had natural antibodies to botox and the thing that they give people who have natural antibodies to botox 😐

She said it was for long term benefits, that my skin would be better in a decade than if I had not used it, and I don't really notice it doing anything but my skin has been feeling drier lately, so it may have done that. Which I don't think is great. I've been on it for about six months.

I use it every other day, not every day.

DeclineandFall · 02/01/2024 12:56

I use it every other day on my forehead and a little bit of the centre of my face - on the nasolabial lines. It seems q good at softening lines particularly my forehead at the top of my nose. After a year I can say my forehead is much improved and I'm 55. Perimenopause has fucked with my skin so I had to start from scratch with my skin regime - I can't really use it anywhere else as I have very sensitive skin on my cheeks. I use v little and make sure I moisturise well before and after. I've never peeled with it because too much would be a disaster for me but after a year or so I def noticed the difference on my forehead and my 11s are v slight. I would say slow, steady and not too much. I don't use anything else like botox.
I've had a UTI this Christmas and sadly it's true but I think drinking fuck loads of water works better than anything.

Noroomontheshelf · 02/01/2024 13:03

so I def noticed the difference on my forehead and my 11s are v slight

My 11s have continued to grow into deep grooves whilst using it! Tbf, I was clear that Tret would not help with that. I am very expressive in that area so there was no chance of anything other than deep static grooves being as I cannot use botox.

DeclineandFall · 02/01/2024 13:09

I also use a couple of strips of facial tape at night on that area and I think that helps prevent them getting worse overnight. I used to have q a deep line that ran at an angle from where I slept I think and using the tape for a few months helped reverse that. I look like a tit but its cheaper than botox

pharmachameleon · 02/01/2024 13:22

I've been using it for about 10/15 years and without being dramatic I think it's almost made me age backwards! I'm almost 50 and have very few lines on my face, no pigmentation and have glowy skin. It's really, really difficult to use though (well, for me it is) and it took me a very long time to get the rest of my skincare and spf correct. I would second the Facebook group mentioned by a previous poster. The admin on this are super knowledgable and recommend fabulous skincare that would never have been on my radar-they recommend mostly Korean skincare and this works so well with tretinoin.
I'm still only on the 0.025 strength and still have to buffer it so may skin is really sensitive to it. I can apply it every night though so I'm happy with this.

Original poster
Bloom15 · 02/01/2024 14:25

Good to know that some people have had good experiences. I am definitely not expecting miracles.

Have requested to join a couple of groups on Facebook- thanks for the suggestions.

OP posts:
Noroomontheshelf · 02/01/2024 14:32

DeclineandFall · 02/01/2024 13:09

I also use a couple of strips of facial tape at night on that area and I think that helps prevent them getting worse overnight. I used to have q a deep line that ran at an angle from where I slept I think and using the tape for a few months helped reverse that. I look like a tit but its cheaper than botox

Thanks. Is there a brand you use? I did look up frownies that someone told me about but the reviews were awful so I didn't buy them. They said they were essentially cheap card with cheap glue, sold at high price, that kept falling off!

herewegoroundtheblueberrybush · 02/01/2024 14:36

Bloom15 · 02/01/2024 10:03

Thanks all - my skin was dry last night so I put on some extra moisturiser before bed. It seems fine this morning - I did layer the tret over a light moisturiser.

Will leave it for a few days now and maybe revert to The Ordinary.

My skin isn't particularly sensitive so hope it can tolerate this.

Don't revert to the ordinary, the strengths they claim are not equivalent to prescription stuff it really is not the same. Follow all the Facebook tips people are recommending and persist!

MegaMeg2710 · 02/01/2024 14:43

For me it’s worked a treat. I had a lot of unexplained spots, hyperpigmentation, bumpy texture and visible clogged pores. My prescription is quite strong now and includes azelaic acid and niacinamide. I’ve been on it over a year, and I’m constantly getting compliments on my skin and my glow, asking what skincare I use etc. I do notice it when I run out or take a break for any reason eg my skin is irritated because I’ve got a cold.

Alongside this, I learned my actual skin type and condition wasn’t what I thought it was, so that has also helped, I also use layers of hydrating products, spf daily, double cleanse and use quite simple and basic products with trusted nourishing ingredients, not necessarily the most sciencey or expensive either, but those that just work.