Stronger Tretonoin?

[MangoNo55]

I use Tret, and it’s going great, and I’ve been on it since lockdown so 3-4 years I think.

I’ve been on the same strength for ages;

Tretinoin (0.015%): a retinoid that accelerates skin cell turnover to improve skin texture
Niacinamide (4%): an antioxidant that promotes skin firmness
Azelaic Acid (4%): an antioxidant with evidence that it improves skin texture

I questioned it, and they wanted to keep it at this. Is this a strong dose? Do I leave well alone or is it like Retinol where you should build up to the highest dose?

When it comes to Tretinoin consistent use matters much more for results than the strength of the formula. Considering you have Azaleic Acid in your formula I suspect they're probably concerned that you'll have too much inflammation at higher strengths which undoes a lot of good and considering above is just not worth the bother.

Is it with skin and me? I'm on a much higher one than that and they've increased it over time

Are you with skin + me? (It sounds like a classic skin + me daily doser formulation). 0.015% is a fairly low percentage. I've heard of many other people on 0.05% or even 0.1% (other brands, not skin + me).

I'm assuming that you're "settled in" to the 0.015% with no irritation? If so, could you try asking them again, not just "questioning" them but more directly requesting a higher percentage. I did this after only a couple of months, and they accelerated my percentage increase. I'm now 5 months into using skin + me and on 0.024% (and all is good!).

Sorry to hijack thread, but can I ask how you know what's in your formula at skin+me?

I did the free consultation the other day and it went ahead to give me the daily doser or whatever it's called. I went to pay but I realised it didn't actually give me any information on what I was paying for and what would be in my dose? I don't want to pay for something unless I know the ingredients in it.

@genesis92 I got an email a ay or two after the "consultation" titled "Here's your treatment guide from your Prescriber". This detailed the ingredients.

Have you thought that there may be no point in getting a higher dose. Tret can be an irritant if you use too much.

@CharlotteCChapel I think there is some evidence that shows a higher percentage gets better results (assuming you ease into it to mitigate irritation). I think the optimal percentage is 0.05. At that point it plateaus, so 0.1% probably isn't much more effective than 0.05.

Just checked and mine is 0.1

Mine's 0.006%! 😨

@chouxchoux fwiw, I actually saw significant improvements even on 0.006%!

I'm with skin&me and moved up to 0.1% tret , I had contacted them as didn't feel the lower strength was doing very much. Been on 0.1% for a while, get no irritation, skin seems smoother and more even pigmentation but not really improved wrinkles.

Yes it’s Skin & Me. It started off lower, and has been at this strength for ages. I might ask again. My skin looks great, but could it look better? 😂

Sorry to thread hijack but I'm on skin+me for older skin (And Begin). It's been a few months and most of my skin is seeing improvements at 0.010% tret but my chin which is always my trouble area is struggling with whiteheads ans cystic acne.

Should I just persist? Should I quit and try something else?

My chin has been a problem for 30 years. Nothing works but I don't want to try accutane due to family mental health history. It scares me.

I think you’re wise to contact your prescriber and request a higher strength of Tretinoin as the one you’re on is quite low and you seem to have no issues whatsoever. You can definitely go up in stages as your skin tolerates the higher actives. My daughters and I all use Monderma for varying skin needs and our formulas are adapted accordingly. You don’t have to stay ‘low’…. even better results and skin glow can come from a slightly stronger formula. Remember; (higher strength formula) you can always use on alternate days, with more moisturiser, one pump instead of two OR return to previous dosage, so no real risk.

I only get 0.009, but think my skin looks good.

That's a good formulation. I was on Monderma's tretinoin 0.01%, azelaic acid 3% and niacinamide 2% for a long time and had excellent results. I've gone higher tret and am now using hydroquinone but don't think lower strength won't work. Tret 0.025-0.1% works in the same way but faster. If you don't mind peeling go for it but you can get there both ways.

I'm the opposite OP, after a few years of using 0.05%, I'm thinking of dropping back down to 0.025%, which is what I started on. I'm still getting random peeling, especially in the winter and would like to be able to use it every other day without worrying whether my makeup is going to look scaly and weird!

I plan on using it long term, so I don't worry about the lower strength. Quite honestly, I saw the best results when I started on 0.025%. Comparatively I don't think I saw that much improvement when I went to the stronger version.

Yes and it does tingle in the winter as well. 0.025% tret or lower is perfect for maintenance and glow. Higher strength does definitely work quicker IMO and can help if melasma and hyperpigmentation are more your concern.

Is it a Skin&Me or Monderma formula? I prefer ascorbic acid over niacinamide. Azelaic acid works well with tret.

I switched to Dermatica as they start at a higher strength now 0.5% now and will also increase it when you speak to them.

I'm going to try 0.1% when I'm in Spain. I'm not sure it can pair with anything at max strength though.

I have azelaic acid and niacinamide in mine with 0.1

What strengths?

@rumanah 4% of both

I use tret 0.1 and its good and strong. Here goes my routine with tretinoin:
Morning:
Using water to wash your face,
Sebamed clear face gel,
Garnier spf
Evening:
Cerave moisturizer,
Tretinoin (0.1) from skinorac
Sebamed clear facial gel