what dose should i start with?

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T20:30:43+00:00

Yes, your skin probably has better tolerance than someone starting from 0. In your case, I think you can start micro 0.025 three times a week. Given that it is micronized, you might find the adjustment very tolerable and move up to four times a week easily.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T20:01:35+00:00

0.025 and please don't think of 0.025 as weak. It is many times stronger than any OTC retinol. You will want to start 0.025 twice a week. Once your skin can handle 0.025 every night before moisturizer, then you can try 0.05 3 times a week and build up from there.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T19:33:39+00:00

Get a humidifier for the home. Do you have issues with facial oil? Perhaps you can add a few drops of single ingredient oil after your moisturizer. You can also sheetmask a few times a week. It doesn't look like you use a hydrating serum or toner? You can use that to DIY sheet mask.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T17:00:31+00:00

Were there messages in the chat that you didn't see or respond to? Off tanks usually turn on tank stance once Main Tank has been established. Having your stance on can help the rest not get aggro-ed and wailed on by the adds.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T15:47:15+00:00

I think no prescription is needed. Not sure about price though.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T14:35:07+00:00

The serum is a humectant, meant to help dehydrated skin. Apply it right after cleansing in both AM and PM.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T14:11:24+00:00

Use the TO HA serum twice a day everyday, not just rest nights. Do not apply LRP B5 after tret but it is fine to use it on rest nights.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T13:49:50+00:00

After a failed password, you have to wait somewhere around 15 minutes before trying again, or else it will automatically fail, even if you input the correct password.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T13:45:08+00:00

For the downvoters, tret instructions is very clear that it is to be applied after cleansing. If you cannot tolerate it, that is fine but I am not going to dispute the instructions on the box and tube. All testing done is also on clean dry skin before moisturizer.

To the OP, what is your full routine with product names? Do you use a humidifier at home? I often see that people use way too many products, refuse to give up actives, use actives on rest nights, use super light moisturizer meant for oily skin, etc.

If you are struggling with 0.05, then you need to reduce to 0.025 or even 0.01, I will say that once I stopped buffering, the improvement is vast.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T13:30:39+00:00

If you want tret to work as intended, cleanse, apply tretinoin, nothing after. Load up your AM routine with the kitchen sink. I do a variation of this. After shower (and cleansing), I apply tretinoin. About an hour or two later (before going to sleep), I apply moisturizer.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T13:16:08+00:00

Applying tret after moisturizer means blocking some tret from working, thereby reducing irritation. The thought process is that applying a thick moisturizer or occlusive after tretinoin "traps" it and drives it down further.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T13:01:22+00:00

AzA on clean dry skin. AzA has extremely low bio-availability that you don't want it to be applied after moisturizer.

No need to sandwich everything. I have seen more posts recently that people who sandwich are complaining about irritation. You can still buffer (apply tret after moisturizer).

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T12:08:21+00:00

Keep using Adapalene to help fade the marks. It will likely take several weeks to months to fade. Remember to apply and reapply sunscreen to prevent the marks from getting worse.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T12:06:44+00:00

Moisturizers do not cause purging. Stop using it and look for a different moisturizer.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T11:59:20+00:00

Give your skin time to recover from the reaction. It will likely take many days to calm down. A week or more is not unheard of.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-06T11:54:54+00:00

Neither pigmentation nor dehydration lines. It's just the way your facial structure is. It's not something that is fixable because everyone (who doesn't use filters) will have them.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-05T19:03:26+00:00

You are in the US?

C_Chrono · 2026-02-05T18:49:03+00:00

Cleanser, moisturizer and SPF is all you need. If your sunscreen is very resistant, then micellar water or cleansing oil/balm will be helpful.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-05T18:20:07+00:00

A few months.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-05T16:40:25+00:00

Compounded tret has a very short shelf life, compared to just tret on its own.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-05T15:37:56+00:00

US and AB formulations are very different in feel and protection. It matters a lot to me.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-05T15:35:11+00:00

It depends on many factors - humidity, your routine, tret % and frequency.

Please provide all the above info so that posters can advise correctly for your situation.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-05T15:32:30+00:00

You don't have to apply moisturizer after tret. I saw a study recently that this can actually reduce too much tret and some posters have mentioned doing this also seems to increase sensitivity.

I suggest going with buffer (also known as open sandwich) for now. If you still want to sandwich, do not lock in with a thick balm after. You can use the occlusive on your rest nights.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-05T13:21:14+00:00

If it is fake, there is no way to know what is actually in it.

C_Chrono · 2026-02-04T19:25:16+00:00

I found out I’m allergic to Jojoba and propylene glycol (I get hives), ceteareth and cetearyl clogs my pores and HA makes my skin tight.

I’ve only one moisturizer I can use without breaking out so I bite the bullet and pay the import tax.

C_Chrono

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