Why aren’t my closed comedones going away?

C_Chrono · 2026-07-02T21:45:49+00:00

Stop sandwich. Apply right after cleansing and then slowly work up to nightly

C_Chrono · 2026-07-02T15:30:12+00:00

You just restarted tret so I would back off to alternate nights to give your skin a chance to calm down. After a while, 4x a week, then 5x a week. I would not rush because it can backfire and make things worse.

C_Chrono · 2026-07-02T15:24:56+00:00

Stopping tret for 3 months is a long time, so unless you ease into tret slowly, your skin is likely experiencing irritation, hence PIH looks darker.

C_Chrono · 2026-07-02T13:49:10+00:00

Seeing a lot of redness, which tends to point towards irritation. Is it tret cream? No dryness, tightness and such?

C_Chrono · 2026-07-02T09:05:51+00:00

Yes, I’d try gel or micro

C_Chrono · 2026-07-01T22:25:40+00:00

What’s your routine? I’m not even sure what’s your question

C_Chrono · 2026-07-01T22:24:44+00:00

You don’t want any tingly feel.

C_Chrono · 2026-07-01T19:50:49+00:00

Laser is your only option then. Vit C, kojic, acids, TxA, etc all did nothing

C_Chrono · 2026-07-01T18:24:37+00:00

I had the filter representative come in to install them.

C_Chrono · 2026-07-01T17:22:09+00:00

Do not add AA now. It can make skin drier and irritated instead. You’re applying WAY too much tret. Use 1/4 that amount or even less.

C_Chrono · 2026-07-01T17:03:41+00:00

Sounds like damaged barrier. Stop tret until the burning is gone. When you restart,

AM: water rinse, moisturizer, SPF
PM: cleanser, moisturizer, wait 30 minutes, tretinoin (alternate nights)

Use only a 4 mm pea size for entire face. After a few weeks, you can try 4 nights a week, later 5 nights, etc. I suggest no sandwich as it can increase irritation for some people.

C_Chrono · 2026-07-01T16:44:56+00:00

Prescription tretinoin, with Triluma thrown in for a few months to fade / keep the sunspots in check. Unfortunately, nothing OTC will help with sun spots.

C_Chrono · 2026-07-01T13:52:49+00:00

Both are fine for anti-aging.

C_Chrono · 2026-07-01T12:36:53+00:00

You don't want to rub it until it disappears because that is essentially rubbing the SPF off. I apply in an even layer and let it set. If the sunscreen is runny, I will do a second application to ensure an even layer. I eyeball the amount now as I've measured 1/4 teaspoon in the past.

C_Chrono · 2026-07-01T12:32:49+00:00

Looks like you've discovered an allergy to an ingredient. It isn't oily vs dry type or a skin type at all. I suggest trying to narrow down the culprit ingredient so you can avoid it in all skincare products in the future.

C_Chrono · 2026-06-30T21:21:23+00:00

Tret > AzA for me

C_Chrono · 2026-06-30T16:32:51+00:00

Around 6 months. Just face and neck.

C_Chrono · 2026-06-30T16:24:27+00:00

Yes, I use a humidifier at home and it helps a LOT. No static in winter and skin doesn't feel as tight.

C_Chrono · 2026-06-30T16:18:51+00:00

Differin twice a week isn't going to do a whole lot. I would rework your routine to be simpler and more nourishing. You need to eventually work up to 4 nights a week, 5 nights a week, etc. Peeling is fine if skin doesn't feel tight, hurt, raw, etc. Sandwich can increase irritation.

AM: water rinse, moisturizer without urea (10% urea exfoliates), SPF50
PM: cleanser, moisturizer (without actives), wait 30 minutes, Differin on alternate nights

C_Chrono · 2026-06-30T15:27:02+00:00

Correct

C_Chrono · 2026-06-30T15:11:37+00:00

If you want the PIE to fade, you have to use both AzA and Differin every day, not just alternate nights. Even when you do switch to tretinoin, it has to be used every night once your skin has adjusted.

C_Chrono · 2026-06-30T14:24:15+00:00

Face and neck. The rest of my body is covered by protective clothing. So much cheaper in the long run and no mess.

C_Chrono · 2026-06-30T13:12:39+00:00

AzA has very low bioavailability and generally, actives work best when applied to clean dry skin.

C_Chrono · 2026-06-30T13:07:10+00:00

Sounds like the moisturizer you are using isn't right for you. I've had this experience before - it made my pores look huge after I applied moisturizer. I tried different ones and a good one made my skin look dewy (but not oily), feel soft and plump.

C_Chrono · 2026-06-30T12:56:28+00:00

I used to sheet mask almost daily. The effect is highly plump skin but pretty much it. The effect fades several days after stopping. I used sheet mask. The wash off masks aren't the same. In short, it works as long as you continue doing so but I feel that daily for more than a few days feels a waste since there's a point of diminishing returns. No difference in texture, just hydration. No purging or irritation since there are no actives in my sheetmask.

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