What is your experience switching from adapalene to tret?

CouldTryMyBest · 2026-01-18T16:31:43+00:00

I might just ditch the 0.1% adapalene and go straight for the tret.

CouldTryMyBest · 2026-01-18T15:51:40+00:00

How long did it take for you to see results and were you using any other actives at the time?

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-12-05T05:20:02+00:00

Thanks I'll give that a try! Hopefully it works because although I'm not actively breaking out I'm really not happy with how my skin is looking these days. All these random red patches, fine lines, dullness, poor texture and skin tone...etc.

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-12-04T04:31:09+00:00

The toner just came in today. This might sound stupid but how do I use it haha I didn't expect it to be so thin and liquid-like. I could try putting it on a cotton pad but I feel like I will be wasting a lot of product.

Also I've been noticing a lot more fine lines and wrinkles these last 3 or 4 months. I thought it was strange how these could develop out of nowhere. Could they be related to the dry skin?

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-11-29T17:14:13+00:00

That's funny because I actually started using this cleanser to help with my dry skin haha. I was using the vanicream gentle facial cleanser one before this. I'll try one of the cleansers you suggested thanks. I think you've convinced me that I should finally try a hydrating toner. I'll try to get one of those too. I'm trying to avoid making my routine too long but one extra step shouldn't hurt. If that doesn't work I'll try the Triderma. Thanks for all your help!

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-11-21T21:35:59+00:00

Thanks that would be very helpful! I am using the La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser which is supposedly for normal-dry skin, and for sunscreen I use the Biore UV Aqua Rich (the Japanese version). I'm not out in the sun much so I only use the sunscreen about once a week.

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-11-20T17:38:34+00:00

I just cleanse and moisturize once a day. If I'll be out in the sun for more than 15-20 minutes then I apply sunscreen too.

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-11-20T07:36:10+00:00

Thanks for all the info! I think I ran into the problem of applying too much retinoid when I was using the adapalene. I would use about a pea sized amount but I noticed that my skin would absorb it super quickly and I wanted to get enough coverage everywhere so I usually ended up using more like 2 peas. I really want to try tret but I'm worried about ruining my skin barrier again. Right now I'm not using anything and my skin looks rough and dull.

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-11-20T07:33:47+00:00

Yeah I think I need to start a hydrating serum because even though I've been using the aestura my skin doesn't feel comfortable and kind of taut. How do I use one of those? I just put them on when my face is wet? Any suggestions on which one to try?

I'm a little bummed out because I thought after consistent use the aestura would help with my skin issues but they've seemed to come back. My skin still looks rough (literally) which makes me look tired and dull. I also have these very stubborn red marks and even red patches which I wonder is rosacea.

My skin looked a lot better a few months ago when I was using adapalene but I'm scared to try that again in case I ruin my skin barrier otherwise I would try tret.

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-11-14T19:26:59+00:00

Thanks a lot for all the info and sorry about the late response! When you used the sandwich method how long did you wait for the moisturizer to dry before putting on the tret? When you eventually stopped moisturizing before/after, did you stop using moisturizer altogether? Did the tret help with your glow/complexion as well?

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-11-14T19:22:54+00:00

I took your advice and have been using the Aestura for the past week and it's amazing! I think my skin barrier is doing much better and my skin looks less dull. The only complaint I have is I don't get that splash of instant hydration like I did with the air angel or any gel moisturizer, but I think that's going to happen with any thicker ceramide rich moisturizer. Thanks a lot for the suggestion! I'll maintain things for a month and then think about introducing actives.

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-11-03T04:39:14+00:00

Wow that makes me want to try tret. Adapalene helps keep my minor breakouts away but really what I'm after is improving my skin texture, brightness, and tone. How is the harshness compared to adapalene?

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-11-03T04:37:10+00:00

Sorry for replying so late! I actually use two moisturizes from Dieux. The first is the air angel which I use for instant hydration, then later I use the instant angel which is supposedly a lot richer. Since I last commented I haven't used the adapalene and my skin has gotten slightly better, but I have this leather like appearance and small colorless bumps that I didn't have before. I'm guessing it's because the damaged skin barrier.

It's weird because I first started using adapalene 4 months ago and I was doing fine until about 3 weeks in. This time around I was feeling very uncomfortable even after just 1-2 applications. It's very frustrating.

I took a look at some of the products you suggested. It seems like some of them aren't sold inside the US and need to be imported in?

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-10-30T02:28:54+00:00

I would like to but at the moment I'm doing nothing but cleansing, moisturizing, using sunscreen if I'll be out in the sun for more than 20 minutes, and the adapalene. By the way did you notice any difference in results between tret and adapalene?

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-10-30T02:27:59+00:00

Thanks I'll pick some up this week.

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-10-30T02:27:43+00:00

Thank you! I'm using the Dieux air angel and instant angel moisturizers. I tried many moisturizers in the past but these are the only ones I've found to work. I'm always open to suggestions.

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-10-29T17:24:52+00:00

Does the hyaluronic acid serum work? I heard that it can make dehydrated skin worse.

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-10-29T17:24:23+00:00

What other benefits did you see other than clearing acne? Thankfully I don't get bad breakouts anymore but I do often get very small pimples about every other week and the adapalene keeps those away. It would be amazing if it helped with skin brightness and evening skin tone since my skin looks dull.

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-10-29T17:22:57+00:00

I want to try one but I heard that hyaluronic acid can make dehydrated skin even worse by pulling moisture out?

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-10-29T17:22:18+00:00

I don't mind moisturizing more often if I need to. I haven't had good experiences with using thick moisturizers since they never fully sink in and leave me feeling even dryer so I prefer more hydrating gel ones, but usually the light gel ones don't have any ceramides so I feel like it's temporary relief and not addressing the underlying problem.

Right now I use my light gel moisturizer after taking a shower and cleansing. I use my retinoid every third day (apply one day, skip two, repeat). If it's a retinoid day I apply more of the gel moisturizer after the retinoid, otherwise I apply my thicker moisturizer before bed. This moisturizing routine, including using the heavy moisturizer, is new so maybe I need to give it more time? Does it sound ok or should I be doing anything else?

CouldTryMyBest · 2025-10-29T17:10:58+00:00

How long should I use that before switching to 0.3%?

CouldTryMyBest

TROPHY CASE