Routine suggestions for dry and sensitive tret user?

[LindsSmith]

Tale as old as time, I know. I'm 4 weeks into tret (0.025% gel) and the dryness and peeling is driving me bonkers. I'm 32 and have had acne to varying degrees since junior high. I've tried countless products and routines, but since hitting my 30s I've noticed much more dryness and irritation in general. What I'm dealing with now feels like a really dry winter for my face, if that makes sense. 

My current night routine is moisturizer and just spot treating (with a sulfur treatment or acne dots) as needed for 2 or 3 nights, then using tret on top of just moisturizer on the 3rd or 4th night. Sometimes I add a calming serum before moisturizer to give myself an extra buffer. Either way, I wait til everything is absorbed before applying tret. 

For daytime, I've added a hyaluronic acid serum and started alternating my bp with a propolis and niacinamide serum. If I'm really red, I start by soaking my face with hypochlorous acid (which I let dry completely before proceeding). And, of course, I finish with a sunscreen. 

I've had peeling with retinols before. In the past, it's been remedied by going back to lactic acid for a few nights and limiting the amount of (2.5%) bp gel I use during the day (which I already dilute with moisturizer because I can't handle it as much as I could when I was younger). I'll also add that azelaic acid causes me purging and redness, vitamin C is a no-go in virtually all forms, and most salicylic, glycolic, and mandelic acids are somehow both irritating and ineffective for me. 

I'm thinking that a) I probably should be on a cream instead of a gel because I'm clearly much dryer than I or my prescriber previously thought, and b) I may need to consider replacing or ditching my other actives all together. 

I'm hoping to hear from others who have been through this, and would love to see what routines/products have helped mitigate some of the tret dryness and irritation. Thanks so much for reading and for any and all input. ❤️ 

[thebeautyhelper]

-PM

Cleansers/exfoliator: 

Peace Out Peace Out Pore Perfecting Stick 0.53 oz / 15 g 

Paula's Choice RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser 6.4 oz/ 190 mL 

Peace Out 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Gel Cleanser 4 oz / 120 mL 

Facial mists: 

Iris&Romeo Mini The Reset Luminous Hyaluronic Acid & Niacinamide Serum Spray 1.7 oz / 50 ml 

serums:

Glow Recipe Plum Plump™ Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum 

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 

moisturizer:

Glow Recipe Mini Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer .68 oz / 20 mL 

-AM

moisturizer 👆

sunscreen: Hero.force shield 

hope this helps

[greeneyedgirl107]

@LindsSmith when I upped my tret I was very dry and The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil 1 oz/ 30 mL really helped!  For stubborn dry areas (around eyes and mouth) I also used Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Nourishing Whipped Refillable Moisturizer .  They are both now staples. 

[faeriegirl]

@LindsSmith  I’ve used tret for awhile now and the best thing that has helped me is to use moisturizer, apply tret, then use Glossier After Baume Moisture Barrier Recovery Cream 1.7 oz / 50 mL . It is very thick and moisturizing.