What's the difference between Tret and exfoliation in terms of results?

[sundaypaper]

I've used Tret twice a week for months, in the past, but have always had peeling and pilling despite using loads of moisturiser with it and starting in a low strength.

Now I've stopped using Tret and just use glycolic acid - a toner 4 or 5 nights a week and an overnight mask 2 days a week followed by a gentle apricot scrub in the mornings, and once a week a lovely exfoliating mask like Glamglow. Alongside this vitamin c in the mornings, hyuralonic acid serum, plenty of moisturisers with peptides, SPF 70 etc.

I feel like my skin looks good, I've had condiments, and my makeup looks dewey and glowy as my skin is a good base. I'm not happy with my puffy eyes and saggy jowls but skin is good.

Is it worth me switching back to Tret? I'm not sure what the benefits are that I'm not getting from my current regime, but I know others will know much more about Tret. Does it help with puffy eyes and saggy jowls or is it basically just renewing the skin surface , which I feel like I'm already doing?

Thanks

Definitely does not help with puffy eyes and saggy jowls. I have both! Helps me with acne scars, lines and dullness.
I have skin like a rhino, though.

OP if you are happy with the results from glycolic acid I would say stick with that - tretinoin isn't for everyone. And no, unfortunately it will do nothing for jowls or puffy eyes.

Basically, as well as exfoliation tretinoin will help build collagen over time, however as far as I'm aware glycolic acid can also help do that, so stick with what is working for you.

For me tret evens skin tone, lifts my eyelids for some reason although your not supposed to use it around the eyes, and my 11s frown lines have gone but that may be a combination of switching to a silk pillow.

It won't as others have said do anything for puffy eyes or saggy jowls. It's mostly for accelerated skin cell turnover.

If anyone has any better suggestions than sleep and water for puffy under eyes I'd love to know as this is my biggest annoyance!