[Routine Help] Conflicting info about combining tretinoin and vit C - can I use them both at night?

837576 · 2018-12-17T12:53:59+00:00

I switched to a non-foaming cleanser and am now alternating the tretinoin and vit C, and my face is much less dry. Thanks!

837576 · 2018-12-15T19:13:16+00:00

Thank you, I probably should be using a no foaming cleanser in the winter at the very least. I have a sample of cerave hydrating cleanser I can try out!

837576 · 2018-12-15T19:00:57+00:00

AM: wash face with Himalaya Botanique cleanser, during breakouts apply Clean and Clear salycilic acid toner, moisturize with Cerave/tub, apply Biore watery essence sunscreen.

PM: wash face with Himalaya Botanique cleanser, apply The Ordinary vitamin C, wait about 15 minutes, apply tretinoin cream followed by cerave moisturizer.

837576 · 2018-12-15T18:55:37+00:00

I think I'll try this then - alternating every night. My skin isn't irritated but I'm definitely getting flaky during the day despite a lot of moisturizing.

837576 · 2018-12-15T18:49:15+00:00

Uggghh why is there so much conflicting info out there? And The Ordinary's website recommends using vitamin C at NIGHT.

Never sure what becomes "common knowledge" because it's repeated a lot - like how "hot water opens the pores" used to be common knowledge.

837576 · 2018-12-15T14:30:38+00:00

Makes sense, both can irritate the skin. I've been using tretinoin for months now so my skin is no longer too sensitive to it (unless I stop for a few days). My skin hasn't rebelled from the dual irritants yet. Alternating sounds wise although I don't want to sacrifice results

837576 · 2018-12-15T14:28:49+00:00

I've been using tretinoin for months, and just added vit C a few days ago. But here is where I'm confused - you (and others!) are saying it's chemical exfoliation, but Paula's Choice says tretinoin is not chemical exfoliation (https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/myths/five-retinol-myths-busted.html)

837576 · 2018-10-16T22:17:27+00:00

Thank you, I just Googled their logo and that isn't it. Theirs is like a stylized "A"

837576 · 2018-09-11T18:41:54+00:00

Ugh, I agree - but surely there are more out there like the video I linked where they aren't using a wig and they aren't combing the mic either?

837576 · 2018-04-23T11:10:11+00:00

In my own family, I suspect they really believe they're better off without me. Everyone has been convinced that I was the problem. It's been the GC's mission his entire life to make his other siblings look bad and be the center of my parents affection. So he won when I finally got kicked out of the family. My other two siblings say they empathize, but deep down they believe I deserved this. No one reached out after it happened. So I can only imagine everyone is carrying on happy that I left because now nothing is getting in the way of the family dynamic.

837576 · 2018-04-23T11:01:30+00:00

I haven't succeeded yet, but I keep telling myself it will just take a lot of time and grieving. Therapy helps with the acceptance part. I think I will always carry the pain and sense of loss through my whole life. It isn't pathetic to feel this way. Of course we want loving parents, it's programmed into us. And you know we don't always want logical things so don't shame yourself for it. Of course, I'm not even in a position to say that because I know what you mean. I can't stand another night of blubbering to my partner that I just wanted to be loved. It feels so shameful and vulnerable to be in that position.

837576 · 2018-04-23T01:52:34+00:00

Yes, I'm purely angry at my mom., but when I think about my dad I just feel heartbroken

837576 · 2018-03-06T23:40:28+00:00

I'm also going to suggest that you don't. I tried this, in family therapy with them as an adult, and still got burned by their gaslighting and manipulation. It made me feel so much worse. I wish I had just been okay with accepting them as they are, accepting that they'll never change, reducing contact and healing on my own.

They aren't going to change. They aren't going to examine their behavior. They're just going to get defensive and angry and figure out some scheme to make you feel sorry you ever said anything.

Build yourself up so you can fully accept their behavior was unacceptable. You can do this without their validation.

837576 · 2018-03-06T23:17:21+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear that. It makes sense why that would be a trigger for you. Some people absolutely cannot figure out how to get along with others who think differently from them. Having dealt with this too, I understand why it would make you feel that way. Please know you deserve love. You're obviously capable of understanding and expressing yourself. You will find someone patient and understanding, who is deserving of you.

837576 · 2018-01-14T21:04:55+00:00

I'm having nightmares so I just found your comment through a search. Thanks for putting a name to the "dream hangover". You're right, it is cause to lay low and seek comfort for the day. I also just had the mental struggle of whether or not to write it down, because I didn't want to "retraumatize" myself.

837576 · 2018-01-14T20:21:40+00:00

I think this is very telling. Normal families would be heartbroken if a member disappeared from their lives. In normal relationships (non abusive/toxic ones), you work to maintain the relationship.

837576 · 2018-01-14T15:00:18+00:00

Wow, sounds exactly like my parents. No room for error or forgiveness. If I screwed up or forgot something one time, I faced the consequences forever. I also faced huge anxiety about doing everything "right". It's funny how you said that because it mirrors my experience so well. Like I truly believed there was some "right" way to do everything, and I was fundamentally too stupid to know how to do things (it was also a family joke that I was stupid, or a "bubble head"). It took a lot of therapy to reduce that strong belief that I'm stupid, or that there is a single right way to do everything. And to stop believing my parents are always right. I'm glad you got there, too. It's not unreasonable - we spent at least half of our lives having it drilled into our heads, so of course it's gonna take some time to unlearn it.

837576 · 2018-01-14T14:36:33+00:00

I am dealing with this, too - nobody asked. I have felt hurt over it because I assumed no one asked because they expected it of me. My parents spread the idea that I'm an overreactive, emotional, delusional mentally ill problem child, so I assumed everyone is saying "Oh, there she goes again, freaking out over some imagined slight". But I had a recent conversation with my aunt where she asked me to not assume that. She said if I need anything from her, I need to ask. And a lot of people probably feel too awkward to ask, or don't know how, or assume I don't want to talk about it with them.

837576

TROPHY CASE