No tret club

[HamJam1]

Ive been on tret for over a year. Tried loads of formula tweaks, followed guidance etc and im just very underwhelmed woth the results. I also dont like the idea of how eg sun sensitive it makes your skin. So im ditching it!

If you dont use tret, what do you use and how's your skin?

Im considering experimenting with carrot oil

I cannot tolerate tret in any form. I never get past the red and sore stage, plus it causes perioral dermatitis to flare each time, meaning I then need a course of antibiotics from the dermatologist. It just doesn't work for me.

I am also, according to my dermatologist, not a candidate for Botox (which I am not sure I would go for anyway) as I have really heavy brows and upper-eye lids.
I've realized that glowing "plumped" skin without redness and with an even tone looks far more youthful, even though I do have some fine lines, so I focus now on maintaining my skin's barrier and ensuring I keep moisture in.

I use a highly concentrated Korean inspired brand (it's called Sabbatical Beauty, and is INCREDIBLE, but I think only available in the US), layering serums, then moisturizers, then "sleeping packs" to keep moisture in my skin. I am also really really careful about sun protection wearing it every single day, no matter what, and staying out of the sun as much as I can during the summer. And, twice a year, have two rounds of a micro-needling treatment at the dermatologist, which really helps with lines, sagging, and dullness (It's called Genius Radio-frequency micro-needling. It's kind of barbaric to be honest. They press your face all over with a little device that has hundreds of tiny needles, then radio-frequency shoots down the needles to introduce heat. The damage encourages the skin to produce more collagen. I have one or two days of looks really pink and sore, Then nothing. Then about two months later the skin suddenly looks much much improved) I also have a chemical peel, again at the dermatologist, twice a year, which helps with even skin tone and patches of melasma.

I am 48 now and my skin looks better than it did in my late 30s. I feel great. I don't wear foundation anymore - I found that also stopped looking good - just a tinted sunscreen. I like the way my face looks.

@Ruthietuthie
Thanks so much for sharing, the microneedling is interesting: so your skin was too sensitive for tret but was able to handle that? Because that's what has out me off trying microneedling in the past.
Im going to look into Korean brands and sleep packs, thanks for the tip!

My skin doesnt have too much of a problem with tret, its just that I see zero positive effects after a year of use (same with taking collagen)

@HamJam1, yes, the microneedling was fine. I do have it done by a dermatologist, though. I would be scared to do it with one of those home kits (plus they wouldn't have the radio-frequency element).
I think maintaining the skin barrier and locking in moisture is everything. It has made such a difference.

I don't use tret, or anything else for that matter. I had a dermatica prescription a few years ago, but I reacted to it and they were singularly unhelpful in resolving it.

I cleanse with Cerave (cream to foam) and moisturise with.. Cerave (the bog standard moisturising lotion that comes in a big bottle, which I also use on my body). I use spf if I'm going outside in the summer (only if sunny in winter). I'm 50. I get complimented on my skin. I think it looks pretty good.

Sometimes less is more...

I can't tolerate tret/retinol either. I now use bakuchiol serum (a natural alternative to retinol) and a bog standard moisturiser every evening as well as Vitamin C and SPF in the mornings. My skin looks really good in my opinion despite some fine lines, it's hydrated.

I'm pretty sure collagen supplements have been shown to have no effect on skin whatsoever. I do actually have a stock of them as I bought lots last year but once they're gone, I'm not buying any more..... just focusing on good nutrition and plenty of water.

I’ve tried tret, Botox, collagen. Can’t be bothered with it anymore, wanted something cheaper and simpler. Plus I have sensitive skin and I found with the tret I could never avoid the sun enough or use enough spf to overcome the extra photo sensitivity. I stick with cerave for cleansing and moisturising, and also rosehip oil. And spf of course. My skin is very happy.

I did tret for ages and same as you/. I then tried the L’Oréal retinol serum that seems to totally destroy my skin barrier.

so I did a bit of a reset and used byoma products for about 6 months because they got good reviews in terms of being gentle on skin barrier and fairly cheap. That included a retinol oil but I’m not convinced that did much. However my skin recovered really well.

i have been using some Korean skin care plus the medic8 retinal a few times a week. Plus I do home microneedling. Lots of moisture and layering serums. Skin is in fairly good nick now - I’m not at glass skin level and my pores could do with some work still but definitely improving.

the byoma brightening serum had lactic acid in and that suits me very well btw and is pretty cheap. seems to work better than vit c for me.

@myladyjane, can you tell me how you do home micro-needling? What you use? How often? I have been nervous to give it a go.

Id love to know about home micro needling too. My skin also reacts really well to lactic acid and urea.
Where do you start re the Korean Skincare? Feels like there are an overwhelming amount of options available. What has it done for your skin that makes it better than our standard western stuff?

I developed an allergy to it after 9 years. I have RFM micro needling now and it has works very well but it really hurts when it's being done

I use Korean skin care and it’s brilliant. I had to search which was the right type for my skin as I have quite dry skin. I really like that my skin is much clearer and glowy.

OP, have you tried differin? It’s supposed to do the same as tret but gentler. It has been amazing for my skin

Ditto - I do the exact same cerave basic routine. The only thing I add is rosehip serum at night. I'm early 50s and I've got lovely plump young looking skin and very few wrinkles.

I’ve given up on tret. I’ve tried tret itself, Aklief and Differin. They all just make my skin red and irritated and don’t do much for my acne and don’t seem to make any other improvements either.

I have a dermaroller from Amazon which from what I can see is the same as the type Trinny sells but for a 10th of the price. I do it on clean skin once a week the shove on some hyaluronic acid from Superdrug. Watched a couple of YouTube videos. I am careful to clean it thoroughly between uses.

Korean skincare wise I did a google and got some recommendations. I think it’s all a bit hit or miss and what works for one won’t work for someone else but the steps in the routines are the same (my dd follows the same steps for her acne which has massively cleared up). Most isn’t that expensive so if it really doesn’t work I don’t feel obliged to persevere. There is a good sub Reddit where I got a lot of suggestions for brands.

I’m also considering an LED face mask but it’s a big outlay.

Hi, I've given up too after a bout of perioral dermatitis. I'm still using a topical antibiotic and super gentle products to ensure this flare up is behind me but plan to try glycolic acid again in a few weeks as that was always very effective previously.
I do do botox and will be having my second session of Profilho in a few weeks. I also like at home micro needling but need to see if my skin will tolerate it!

Hey OP, I have experimented with retinol and tret in the past and get to be convinced of their efficacy. The best my skin looks and feels is when I treat it ‘kindly’ if you get what I mean. I think a good, well considered night routine is especially important.

I first use a balm cleanser and do a facial massage while removing my makeup. I’m enjoying Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair cleansing balm at the moment.

Every other day I’ll use a glycolic acid to remove any dead skin, just a bog standard one by The Ordinary or Pixi will do.

I then fill the palm of my hand with a milky toner, Byoma, Rhode or Haruharu Wonder are all brilliant. This creates a sort of wet canvas for serum and moisturiser. It’s really important to apply far more than you think you need! And do not rub it off with cotton wool let it sit on your face and apply the rest of your routine over the top.

I must have tried hundreds of creams and potions over the years across all price points. I always come back to either Estée Lauder ANP or Clarins Double Serum for my main serum/treatment. I know people debate the efficacy/ingredients/price of these products but my skin never looks better than when I use them. For moisturiser, I’ve been using L’Occitane Immortelle Divine (the one in the yellow pot) since my ‘20s. I don’t know what it is about this moisturiser. It has a mythic quality to it for me! There is something about it that my skin absolutely loves. I have others that I return to when I want something more affordable, but it really cannot be beaten. I wake up with perfect skin every day from that routine, great tone, texture etc.

So overall, I’d say treat your skin with care and focus on hydration, comfort and lean on the big beauty houses and well established products if your budget allows.

If you are looking for something new to try, you could look to Korean skincare (brands like Medicube creams and VT cosmetics Reedle shots). Just Google PDRM, exosomes and spicules which is the skin tech du joer. Too cutting edge for me personally. I CBA with any more experimentation but these are the things exciting the skincare community at the moment. All the best.