Routine while on tretinoin 0.1% cream

[Anonymous]

My derm didn’t provide much info about my routine while on the Retin A cream that I use every other night 3x a week, skipping weekends. Anyone have any experience on treintinoin cream that can give me tips? I can’t exfoliate, and I have a lot of dead skin on my face 😔 please help

[greeneyedgirl107]

@Anonymous The .1 percent might be a little high for you starting off.  I started on .05% cream; I've been using it for about 6 years and have only recently thought about going to a higher concentration.  So, one idea would be to decrease the concentration to .05 or even .025; the gel apparently comes in .01%.

Also, three times a week might be a bit much.  I started by waiting three days between applications (which was twice a week); I did that for two weeks then I waited two days between applications; and onward.

If you are reluctant to tinker around, I understand.  It seems to be that your biggest concern is the dry skin on your face.  I used Retin-A in high school and got very dry.  So, my first question is what cleansers and moisturizers you are using.  A gentle liquid cleanser lik FAB Pure Skin Face Cleanser would be great.  CeraVe also makes some nice ones.  When I was starting Retin-A six years (I gave it another go despite the poor results in high school), I used CeraVe PM.  It is rec'd by derms, and one of my close friends has a sister who is a dermatologist and she rec'd it to us (my friend also started using it at the same time).  When I had really dry patched, I used Clinique Smart Treatment Oil - a little goes a long way.  And when I was beyond dry,, I used Target brand Neosporin which really helped.

As for exfoliating, the only idea I have is to wash your face using a washcloth.  From what I've read, this can give a little more friction than your hands but still be gentle.  You could start with a super soft baby washcloth, and then move onto typical washcloths.

I use BHA 9% now that I'm so used to the Retin-A, and it doesn't irritate me.  I read in Paula Begoun's book "Beauty Bible" that it is permissible to use BHA with Retin-A.  But I think she was referring to more seasoned users - I wouldn't recommend that to you right now b/c I think your skin is too sensitive as is.

[Llamamama2]

I use Ziana Gel which is like Retin-A plus Clindamycin. It can be very drying but I am used to it since I just did three months on Tri-Luma (for hyperpigmentation), which also has Retin-A in it. Basically, I use Tatcha deep cleanse in the morning and Korres Greek yoghurt face wash at night. Both do not irritate my face. I like the Josie Maran products and use the milk, whipped face butter moisturizer, and Argan reserve oil at night after I put on the Ziana gel. I haven’t experienced any real dryness with this routine and my skin feels pretty moisturized. I have been using the Sephora sleeping masks not overnight, but for several hours in the afternoon before I go to bed and they also help my complexion. Much of this is trial and error. I think I have tried just about every otc and prescription acne medication there is, including Accutane, so my face has grown accustomed to these products. I always recommend trying samples and seeing what works for you and how your skin reacts to various products. And as others have said, now that it’s getting nice out, don’t forget a good sun screen!

[purly]

I'm not a doctor, but I've been on it for years and I can tell you what I know. Basically, you wait until dark, wash your face, apply a pea sized amount all over your face, and *then* you can apply the rest of your routine. Wash it away immediately in the morning when you wake up. You are required to wear sunscreen during the day if you use tretinoin because it can lead to very bad things if you do not.

Experts will tell you to wait some amount of time after applying it before you moisturize, but I gave up on this ages ago because it takes too much time. So far so good, seems to be working the same as before.

You will probably have redness for the first weeks or even months after you start using it, but if you find your skin is reacting by peeling then you can call your doctor and see if it's possible to reduce your dosage. I think when I first started using it, I actually only applied it every other day to reduce the irritation. If you dry your face before applying, that can also help reduce irritation. If you use a green color corrector such as the MUFE green primer or the green algenist drops, you can counteract the visible redness during the transition period while your skin is getting used to it. 

Also it's really important to not let it get in your eyes.

They say not to exfoliate while you take it, but I started masking again after a year or so once my skin was at the point where it can handle it.

This stuff doesn't give immediate results. The positive improvements happen after years of taking it. Don't give up!

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much lovely! What type of cleanser do you recommend? Currently I’m using cerave hydrating cleanser. They told me no acids, like salicylic acid or benzoyl. I️ just want to make sure I’m using the best choice.

[purly]

Oh I forgot to mention, don't apply toner at night after your tretinoin. 

[purly]

Any gentle cleanser made for sensitive skin will work nicely. You may not think of yourself as having sensitive skin, but you need to now that you're on tretinoin. 

I've changed cleansers a few times. Currently I'm using the sephora cleansing cream (not the exfoliating one), https://www.sephora.com/product/cleansing-exfoliating-cleansing-cream-P415437?skuId=1835370&icid2=pr... which is ok but not my favorite. It leaves your skin feeling moisturized after you wash it.

My favorite has been the Image Cosmetics Ageless Cleanser, although I do think it is rather pricey for a facial cleanser and none of the stores around here have it on their shelves so I have to order it online.

[Anonymous]

Firstly, as your derm mentioned, avoid using it during the day because it makes your skin hella photosensitive and can lead to chemical burns. Moving on, you can place the tretinoin after you cleanse your skin and then wait ~30 minutes for it to fully sink in and be dry and then apply a nice hydrating moisturizer as tretinoin will dry out your skin. Don't exfoliate, as you've been told, because your skin will get irritated and red. 

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much 💖