Tretinoin Routine

Retinol is pretty new to my routine. I introduced a gentle serum around 2-3 months ago. I apply it using sandwich 🥪 method. Moisturizer>retinol>moisturizer I apply retinol 2 nights a week. I've not experienced any irritation or purging, thankfully ☺️ I suggest avoiding actives when using retinol. Best to keep to a basic routine on retinol nights.

Definitely a collection of hydrating and soothing toners, eye creams to protect the skin around my eyes from the tretinoin migrating, sleep masks/extra occlusive creams/vaseline, maybe some hydrating/soothing serums or gentle serums that target some skin concerns. And SUNSCREEN! need need need sunscreen all the time. I swear I just sat in front of my window too long while using Tret and my face was beet red for days it was beyond painful. unless your skin is fully acclimated to tret I’d say no other actives (vit c, bha/aha, benzoyl peroxide, other retinoids, etc), even if your skin is fully acclimated there’s no need to bother with other actives unless you’ve been on tret for a while and arent seeing good enough results (bc tret takes a lot of time). These are just a few of my tret faves

Is it tretinoin or retinol? Those are 2 different things, tretinoin is the strongest retinoid and I hope you started on 0.025%! Don’t get much actives, the simpler the better because tretinoin does the job by itself, you will need a good hydrating toner and a good moisturizer, you may add an exfoliator once a week and also spf50+

it would be better if you use tretonin without any actives and if you see any excessive drying then use the sandwich method by layering moisturiser above and below the tretonin

I am using retinoids at night. I learned my skin does not like retinoids with either exfoliant (BHA or AHA) or Vit C together unless the retinoids is formulated together with it.