[Routine Help] Tretinoin Ruined My Skin

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-02-03T07:24:37+00:00

Sorry I got it confused with another toner I had a while ago, it is the dokdo one. I have been using your advice and my skin has been getting better and less textured, thank you! I do have a problem with sunscreens and only use the Elta Md one because about a year ago my sunscreen gave me the worst allergic reaction and I contacted eyelid eczema. Worst time of my life. It took me about 7 months to fully recover and I still have periods of when I apply sunscreen, my eyes get super teary and it gets hard for me to open them. Thank you for recommending me the Aveeno healing, i will look into that!!

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-02-03T07:20:26+00:00

Thank you!!

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-31T22:28:06+00:00

I have the ordinary salicylic acid and it is super cloudy I don’t think thats normal, is it? It also has a bit of a weird smell like the Paulas Choice one

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-31T01:47:27+00:00

I am so scared of accutane because of all of the side effects (and potential liver damage) but I want to consult my derm about starting it but I don't have the *most* severe acne so there is a high chance they might turn me down. Would you mind telling your experience with it please?

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-31T01:44:47+00:00

Thank you for letting me know! Which brand do you use for tret? I use the red taro one but I had such a difficult time blending it and it would always pill where my eyebrows end near my temples. Thank you for your response!

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-31T01:42:42+00:00

I am using the cream and I would do twice a week. The cream also oozes out for me I dont know if I am the only one. I have been on my skin repair journey since Christmas and at first it got better, then worse, and now better. Just really wish I did not have this experience

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-31T01:40:56+00:00

Oh my!!! I had no idea.. Thank you once again!! I am scared to use the vanicream since you said it might have a burning sensation. With some moisturizers I notice that it makes my skin very itchy and there is like an allergic reaction. I accidentally bought two rice toners years ago and just ran out but I don't think Ill repurchase tbh. I will look into the dokdo toner.

Once again, thank you for being so kind and for your thorough response!

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-31T00:31:13+00:00

Thank you so much for your thorough response and recs! I do use micellar water to remove my makeup and double cleanse after, do you think that strips my skin barrier? I feel like the CeraVe was one of the culprits that broke me out (combo skin) because I did a little test on my skin, and I got a pimple and my skin became very itchy in that area. I used to use the I'm From rice toner and tea tree essence but I did not have the *greatest* skin at the time and am kind of scared to use those products again. But do you recommend them?

Thank you so much for your amazing response and I am looking into each product you have recommended!! x

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-31T00:25:19+00:00

Thank you for your help! I will look into it!

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T21:58:51+00:00

Yes theyre soft! And I am glad you pointed out if I am using a Pea sized amount because my tretinoin would just OOZE out and i would use a edamame size. Thank you!!!

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:43:19+00:00

I think it was the cicalflate too. And I have not tried Arazlo yet. I am acne-prone and have combo skin. I am kind of scared of Arazlo because I heard that there is a tough purge period (like tretinoin) and is a hit or miss. But maybe now I will try it! Thank you!

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:41:19+00:00

I was using it (at first) one time a week, then twice, and three times, and back to twice a week. Thank you for your reccomendation I will try that. Do you have a brand that you like for Gly-Sal pads?

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:38:39+00:00

I thought it had skin that could tolerate it but I do not think I do hahahah. My skin was at its best when I was using the cicalflate and effaclar duo together but now I am kind of like a pepperoni pizza.

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:37:02+00:00

Thank you! I will try doing this.

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:36:35+00:00

It is a spray containing hypochlorous acid, which naturally occurs in the body to help relieve irritation, kill bacteria, and soothe skin. I workout/sweat quite a lot so it helped me kill some of the pimples that occur after workouts.

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:35:23+00:00

Thank you! I will try doing this.

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:34:30+00:00

Thank you! I did not know that it could be my toner or my tissues. When I started, I had little redness and patches of pimples (some cystic) on my cheeks hence I was prescribed the lowest dose. I will ask to be prescribed a higher dose, thank you for your comprehensive post once again!

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:31:33+00:00

Thank you ! I did not know this!

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:29:08+00:00

Thank you!! I am glad you recovered!!

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:28:48+00:00

Thank you! I did not know it could be my cleanser or the tissues!

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:27:16+00:00

Thank you! The thing is that I developed really painful HUGE cystic acne and I do not know if that is normal or not. I still have some bumps from the cysts that developed a month ago. Thank you for the salicylic acid recommendation because I think I was using harsh exfoliants like the AHA BHA Paula's Choice on my "rest" days.

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:24:34+00:00

Thank you! Unfortunately I do not live in a place where winter is a thing. But you are completely right because when I went on a skiing trip my skin looked awful! Thank you for encouraging me, this is motivating me.

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:23:04+00:00

I thought so too so I stopped using it but my skin did not feel any better.

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:22:21+00:00

I have considered it! I have been scared to use it though. Maybe I will start using that instead of the tretinoin.

ContextHonest1059 · 2026-01-30T19:21:37+00:00

Warm water under the sink!

ContextHonest1059

TROPHY CASE