Starting tretinoin in late thirties for dry skin and sun damage

[QuickPearlFox]

Looking for any advice or others’ experiences of starting tretinoin? I’m in my late thirties and my skin is quite dry. I have freckles and some darker spots from sun damage and a few fine lines. Looking to change my skincare to work on anti ageing. Would really like to reduce the darker spots and discolouration What sort of low dose is recommended to start on? Does it work?! Any advice, stories, recommendations welcome please ☺️

I started using Tretinoin when I was 39 for the exact same reason. I did it through Dermatica so they figured out the dose for me. They start on a lower dose then build it up. I would suggest that.

Have you seen improvement difference since using tretinoin? Thanks for your reply will have a look at dermatica

I don't know about dryness but I started a couple of months ago and I have virtually no freckles this summer - to the point it doesn't really look like my face. I don't know whether that's the tret or the fact you have to use factor 50 religiously when you're on it. It's definitely made a big and fast difference to how old my skin looks in general, though.

I'm no skin care expert (at all!) but I didn't know it helped with dryness - I thought it exacerbated it? Pretty sure heavy moisturization (possibly with the sandwich method) is necessary.

I do Skin+me so they do all the dosing themselves. It starts low and builds up - much easier

To add - I'm also late 30s

I am 36 and have used since I was about 29. It might exaccerbate your dryness. You might want to do a layer of moisturiser then tret then moisturer again. I like the La Roche Posay one. I am prone to dryness though not so much in recent years. In the morning I like to use a very hydrating essence then my spf.

I use Dermatica too, I think I started on 0.01. They won't let you start on a high dose. For me actually 0.05 is my optimum.

Yes. My melasma has totally gone abd my skin is much smoother and nicer now.

Tretinoin is more for improving skin texture and hydroquinone for evening skin tone. Both are similar in efficacy, and can be used together. Dermatica does both, as do Monderma, Skin+Me etc.

I get mine from Monderma as it's in a vegan base free from fragrance and alcohol (only £18 per bottle). Tretinoin is prescribed from 0.01% to 0.1% strength, and hydroquinone 2-4%. They also often let you add a third active ingredient like niacinamide or azelaic acid.

Best two active ingredients IMO. The only thing more effective is laser.

Op my friend came off it as it dehydrated her skin. She was gutted as another friend uses it and her skin is amazing but she has oily skin

You usually just apply it with a moisturiser.