Tret newbie - dos & don'ts advice please

[happy2025]

After years of battling acne I have finally decided to take the plunge and start Tret. I've been with Dermatica for a while but they did not give me Tret. The old combination is no longer working so I have asked them for Tret,

The new formula is Tret 0.05%, niacinamide 4% & Clindamycin 1%. Is this too strong to start Tret? I've read here that most people start with 0.025% Tret. Not sure why I'm starting higher except that my acne is getting quite bad - maybe that's why?

Can you share your tips & tricks of how do I start without getting to a place where I'm scared to continue? Alternate days? Sandwich?

I have been using a high frequency wand at home (at a low setting) anyone know if it's safe to continue or should I stop that?

I 100% agree.

@UmberMoose you too? Do you persistently peel after years as well? I have never met anyone else who does!!!

What are you doing to work around it?

Try moisturising before and after, or consider a lower strength? It also depends on the quality of the tretinoin. Compounding pharmacies like Monderma, Skin+Me and Dermatica add other actives and ingredients to help absorption and are gentler on the skin. The pharmaceutical tubes are full of preservatives to last years.

Ok so the mahoosive cystic spots seem to have calmed down but I now have incredibly sore, swollen and peeling lips! I did try and create a barrier with lip balm but this is obviously not working.

Anyone else had this? Did it resolve or did you have to stop with the tret for a bit?

Are you using a high level of strength? And are there any other actives?

O.006 and Azelaic acid (Skin &Me) I should probably just go back to my prescriber about it! Slathering on the vaseline seems to be helping a bit.

That's relatively low strength but it's probably still stronger than most retinol. Vaseline can help, though I've only needed to use moisturiser.

I've been using Dermatica tretonin 0.1% and they've changed it to include niacinamide 4% lotion. I was just using 0.1% tret before. I've had a four month break, using medik8 20.
I've just got my Dermatica back and I'm so relieved and can't wait to use it again tonight.
At first I found starting on 0.25 was way too low and asked for .5 for the second order. It's such amazing stuff.
Now I'll be using this for always. I've also ordered some The Ordinary peptides and awaiting delivery.
My advice to menopausal women: try not to lose weight! Your skin will not thank you.

Yes @Allthatjazz01 it's a really tough balance with weight and menopause - as soon as I lose even a few pounds it comes off all the wrong places and leaves my neck looking scrawnier than ever!!

I'm switching to Dermatica after a couple of years with Skin&Me. I'd left off using tret on a daily basis for a few months while finishing off my prescription and being conscious of skin sensitivity whilst it's so hot. I need to get back on it now though.

If anyone has an offer code that would benefit us both, let me know!