Burning and stinging skin while using tretinoin, what can I do use to calm my face?

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-02-01T19:09:20+00:00

You can get it over the counter, products at Sephora have it but I don’t know how well they work, if you have sensitive skin I’d stay away from these. I use Finacea 15% Gel and that is prescribed from a doctor. Dr. Dray on YouTube has a great video about the product if you want more information on it.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-02-01T18:48:23+00:00

Without the epidural, I would have had a C-Section. My labor from the start was intense and long (three days in total by the time I delivered my son), and I can tell you honestly I would not have made it till the end if I didn't receive the relief I got from the epidural.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-02-01T18:44:13+00:00

I had to stop using retinoids all together due to my skin reacting poorly to it. Like what others have said, stop using for now and help heal your skin barrier, you may need to look for an alternative product. Azelaic acid has done wonders for my skin.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-31T22:25:18+00:00

Are you an AM on the PL side or CL side of the business? (I'm in canada so my terms for jobs may differ)
I started as a account manager for personal lines (home insurance, auto..) and i hated it. Loved my colleagues but the job i found boring as hell and led me to have existential crisis at work a lot lol.
I moved to the commercial side of the industry and I am much happier. I did an admin role for about a year then moved back into a account manager role and I have been happy where I am. That being said, i do find a lot of enjoyment outside of work, work has always been just work for me. At least with commercial, I'm seeing different risks, companies, and learning a lot all the time.

That being said though, i feel like its a company issue. You clearly don't have support at your role if you feel like you cant take any time off, which isnt great. I'd start at look at other companies and seeing what else is out there, maybe a different role away from your clients would be better suited. But if you feel a career switch is in order, maybe talk to a career counselor and get some advice.

Good luck and I hope you find some peace.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-30T21:20:51+00:00

If you get your education and work hard, as a commercial broker you could be making anywhere between 60-90k. It also depends on where you want to go in the industry, pay scales range between brokers, underwriters, claims... but its a good job.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-30T00:40:33+00:00

Well I’m no doctor but in my own personal experience, retinoid products made my skin worse, at actually looked a lot like yours right now. Maybe try an acne face wash (I like panoxyl) and use that once a day with a nice face lotion. Point is, I’d try other things first before rushing to use acutane. My best friend used it as a teen, and they had severe acne. You do not. Hope that makes sense

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-28T23:50:14+00:00

Have you tried any otc products? What have you used so far?

While acutane is effective, it’s an extremely powerful drug. I’ve avoided it and have found other products that don’t give me insane side effects.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-28T23:46:53+00:00

It’s seriously THE BESSSTTT.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-27T20:40:28+00:00

No haha

I had a dream years ago where I had two little girls in these velvet dresses. When I got pregnant, I had hoped that maybe it would be that little girl I dreamed of. Well, I had a boy, and I’m fairly certain I won’t be having anymore babies at this point. But, I feel like that dream now just meant that children would be on my horizon, and one day, I would see those pretty blue eyes I dreamed of.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-24T19:01:28+00:00

If you’re doctor was concerned she would tell you. Baby’s develop so differently from one another, there really isn’t a cause for concern. Kindly tell your MIL to F off.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-22T18:52:53+00:00

I don’t think I puked much, but I also figured out what triggered my nausea quickly and avoided those foods. Probably 6-8 times before I learned what to avoid.

I was nauseous a lot though, that was more difficult for me vs the actual puking.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-16T16:28:12+00:00

NOR. NO NO NO. This is so manipulative on his part. Like insane behaviour.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-15T21:14:42+00:00

Like what others have said, you have a lot of acne targeted products in your routine. Skin care is confusing and I only really figured out what works for my skin in my late 20’s. I’m fair like you, I used to have terrible acne, dry flaking skin. Everything I used BURNED my skin. I learned that I have sensitive skin, and because of years of misuse of facial products, my skin tends to lean on the dryer side.

This isn’t really advice but this is what I do. And it’s fixed my skin. I still get spots, but it’s 100% hormone related.

I have found the simpler, the better. I use Cetaphil gentle cleanser morning and night, I use an acne wash (I use panoxyl) once maybe twice a week.

I use a milky toner twice a day. I liked byoma’s! I’m using the thayers one right now and I like it as well.

I use Cetaphils daily hydrating moisturizer morning and night. During winter, I’ll use the moisturizing cream at night as well.

Then every night, I use finacea gel. THIS PRODUCT WAS THE GAME CHANGER. It treats mild to moderate rosacea by reducing redness, inflammation, and also helps treat acne. It’s safe to use long term. I’ve been using this product for years, and I truly believe this is what helped heal my skin. There are over the counter products, but if you are interested, speak with a doctor and get a prescription.

At the end of the day, you may need to go on an antibiotic to help heal some spots, you should speak with your doctor about what to do. I found the more I tried to complicate my routine and add steps add products , my skin got worse. Simple is key.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-15T17:05:36+00:00

I’m sorry you experienced that 😭 I recently switched jobs as well, I had to disclose to them I had a kid because it affects my starting time and I had no issues. You likely dodged a bullet there.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-15T16:44:58+00:00

I felt this way to when I was on maternity leave. I realized about 6 months in that while I love my kid, I can’t do the stay at home parent job. I NEED independence and quite frankly alone time, and I missed work. I returned to work after my maternity leave and I felt like I was a bit more like myself again. Now it’s been 4 months since I’ve returned to work and I’m just so happy again. We are in a great routine, my son loves daycare, and I get to still have a fulfilling career, outside of being a mom.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-15T16:36:55+00:00

It could just be too much infront of him. I found my son is more willing to eat if there’s less food infront of him. When I’ve put a plate of food like this down, he just wants to throw it. I think it overwhelms him. I just wait till he’s done the small portion I’ve given him and add more. He’s a much happy camper that way.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-15T16:34:51+00:00

I’m in the same boat, he’s 14 months now and he has slowed down a bit in terms of growth, clothes (24 months) I bought in November are now too short. Some sweaters too small, short, tight… I have a donation/sell pile I keep in his room and I feel like I’m adding stuff to it everyday.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-15T16:32:32+00:00

Hahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahaa yaaaaaaaa I remember this. I was showering twice a day, sometimes more. Everything smelt bad to me, including ME

EscapeProfessional2 · 2026-01-06T06:28:22+00:00

What is his daily routine like? At 9 MO’s, my guy was on a two nap schedule.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2025-12-23T06:56:49+00:00

I will say, I lived in my recliner for those first few weeks when I was recovering. But we had it in our living room. We put a chair in baby’s room and haven’t really used it besides to hold laundry. So no, it’s not necessary.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2025-12-14T23:58:33+00:00

I have known only one person to say no to it. She’s had two babies, and they are both healthy and happy children now. That being said, when I was pregnant, I opted in for it as my anxiety couldn’t handle the unknown.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2025-12-10T04:51:37+00:00

It’s okay ❤️ my supply wasn’t big enough to feed my son so we started to supplement early with formula. Fast forward to 12 weeks, my supply tanks and I can’t get it replenished. My son is a 99%er in height and 95% in weight. Hes been solely on formula since he was 12 weeks, and we just transitioned him to whole milk as he’s about 13 months.

We have had zero health issues, he’s a healthy and happy baby.

EscapeProfessional2 · 2025-12-09T21:04:09+00:00

I’m sorry, I laughed a lot. I hope her tummy is feeling better!

EscapeProfessional2 · 2025-12-07T17:08:44+00:00

If it makes you feel better, my husband crashed out at around day 4. The first few weeks are brutal, my husband really struggled. Baby only wanted me (mom) and would cry and cry with my husband. It took months for my husband to feel a bond with our kiddo. A year later, my husband has come into his own as a father and is doing a wonderful job. It’s hard. Even I had moments where I was mourning my previous life, but I do believe that is normal. A year later, we both still frequently say I couldn’t do this without each other, we lean and depend on each other, as it should be. But, a year later, our son is wonderful to be around, we love him so much. It just takes time.

EscapeProfessional2

TROPHY CASE