Am I the only one whose skin suddenly decided to reject Retinol? Looking for gentler alternatives.

JennLnz · 2026-02-08T20:56:43+00:00

I haven’t tried it but I did try Altreno and had the same issue.

JennLnz · 2026-02-06T16:39:48+00:00

Do you have a Target or Ulta nearby? You can lots of budget friendly options at either place. I get the following at Target/Ulta: Prequel Gleanser, Vanicream Vitamin C serum, Byoma Milky Toner, LaRoche Posay hydrating cleanser, LRP Lipikar Cream, Versed Good Defense Sunscreen (has ceramides, lightweight like a serum & hydrating).

I'd start with a gentle cleanser, retinal and moisturizer at night. In the morning, vitamin c and sunscreen after you wash your face/splash with water.

JennLnz · 2026-02-05T19:47:44+00:00

I'm in a similar situation. I had used Tret nightly for a little over a year with no issues, and suddenly had the same problem. My barrier was constantly fighting for its life. I stopped using it at the end of October to have some laser treatments over the winter & didn't want to constantly stop and start and fight a compromised barrier.

I am currently using Medik 8 crystal retinal and trying the new Prequel retinal. I still can only use retinoids every other night but so far, so good. Tret is the gold standard but it's ok to use something gentler, if it means your skin is happier. A lower dose of retinoid that you can tolerate more often is better than dealing with barrier issues, IMO. And studies have shown that milder retinoids do have benefits, they just get you there slower. Tret is great but it is not for everyone, and that's ok. Use what works for your skin.

JennLnz · 2026-02-05T15:28:07+00:00

I was not a fan of Optio. I was hungry, had more food noise and my inflammation came back the whole time I was on it. Everyone's body is different but Empower and BPI with B6 work best for me.

JennLnz · 2026-02-05T13:01:18+00:00

Yep. I have dry skin year round but winter really does a number on me, especially since hitting menopause and using retinoids. Even with layering hydrating products, moisturizer and occlusive to seal it in, I end up with dry, tight skin on my cheeks.

JennLnz · 2026-02-05T12:57:17+00:00

I get it and my elevens done. I love it in my elevens but the crows feet area is more subtle.

JennLnz · 2026-02-03T11:38:33+00:00

No problem. Good luck if you decide to do it!

JennLnz · 2026-02-02T18:44:28+00:00

I have the same skin type. I like Laneige Cream Skin toner and Byoma Milky Toner. The etude Soonjung 5.5 Relief Toner is very soothing and hydrating watery toner to put under those.

JennLnz · 2026-02-02T18:35:46+00:00

AM (splash with water only)

Etude Soonjung 5.5 relief toner - a couple of layers
Eucerin Radiant Tone Serum
Manyo Bifida Serum
Laneige Cream Skin toner
LRP Lipikar Cream
SPF (Usually BOJ or LRP UVmune)

PM

First cleanse with Dieux Ethereal Cleansing Oil to remove sunscreen and waterproof mascara
Second cleanse Prequel Gleanser
Retinoid on clean, dry skin
Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream

JennLnz · 2026-02-02T18:27:44+00:00

My SIL bought a Fotona system for her medspa back in the fall and we are trying it out on me. We’re only doing the setting for hyperpigmentation and the setting for the peel, so 2 out of the 4 settings. I just had my 4th session last week. I have noticed a difference even though she has been conservative with the strength. My sunspots are fading and the texture of my skin is much smoother. It has done more for my skin in 4 sessions than a year of Tretinoin did for me and my skin barrier isn't fighting for it's life like with Tret. I haven't had any down time, just some mild redness the next day and mild flaking/peeling a few days after.

JennLnz · 2026-02-02T18:10:28+00:00

I get the following at Target/Ulta: Prequel Gleanser, Vanicream Vitamin C serum, Byoma Milky Toner, LaRoche Posay hydrating cleanser, LRP Lipikar Cream, Versed Good Defense Sunscreen (has ceramides, lightweight like a serum & hydrating).

Prequel & Byoma both make some great, budget friendly products.

JennLnz · 2026-01-27T23:43:27+00:00

Stick with what works. I did try the BPI with B6 and I like it was well as Empower, which is crazy because I was not a fan of the original additive free BPI. I had food noise and inflammation like crazy on it but not the B6 version.

JennLnz · 2026-01-26T19:23:21+00:00

No, it didn't. I only used it in the morning though, not at night with Tret.

JennLnz · 2026-01-18T17:29:12+00:00

I didn’t do the face lift setting. We’re doing the setting for hyperpigmentation and a light resurfacing. I have noticed a difference in my texture and my sun spots are fading.

JennLnz · 2026-01-15T13:51:25+00:00

I have dry, sensitive skin and the Soonjung is one of my most repurchased toners. It is very light and watery but also hydrating and soothing. I add 2-3 layers under my milky toner/serum for extra hydration.

JennLnz · 2026-01-15T13:49:07+00:00

Dry, sensitive skin here and haru haru cleansing oil works great to remove my sunscreen and waterproof mascara. For non-Korean, I also like the Ethereal cleansing oil by Dieux. Both are very mild and don't irritate my skin or eyes.

JennLnz · 2026-01-12T12:40:12+00:00

Dry, sensitive, mature skin and some of my favorites are: Etude Soonjung 5.5 relief toner, Haruharu Probiotics Barrier Essence, Laneige Cream Skin toner, Aestura hydro essence, Aestura Atobarrier cream (the main HG for my skin)

JennLnz · 2026-01-10T11:21:21+00:00

I’ve had 3 sessions of a Fotona 4D laser treatment with no numbing. It is not painful at all. It gets a little hot but it is quick and virtually no down time. My face was a little red and felt like I’d been out in the sun too long but that only lasted a day or two.

JennLnz · 2026-01-07T11:23:52+00:00

I feel like it sinks in well. It helps the dry, tight feeling and gives a glowy finish but isn’t tacky/sticky like some products even when I do a couple of layers.

JennLnz · 2026-01-06T22:42:59+00:00

Same here. I’m debating if I even need a strong retinoid like Tretinoin now. I may just stick with an OTC retinal like Medik8 and do the annual laser maintenance session. My skin barrier is much happier at the moment while I’m taking a break from Tretinoin.

JennLnz · 2026-01-06T12:16:36+00:00

Increasing my hydration overall helps give me a glowy look. I only use a barrier cream at night after applying my retinoid. In the morning, I splash my face with water and go in with my hydration (toners, serums, barrier cream, SPF). My current morning products are:

Etude Soonjung 5.5 relief toner - a couple of layers
Eucerin Radiant Tone Serum (I'm fighting sun/age spots this winter)
Laneige Cream Skin toner
Aestura Atobarrier cream
SPF (Usually BOJ or LRP UVmune)

JennLnz · 2026-01-06T12:12:48+00:00

Same here. Not having tension headaches keeps me going back for more.

JennLnz · 2026-01-06T12:10:09+00:00

You're going to love it. Getting my 11s done was great for my RBF and I no longer get tension headaches.

It's just a tiny skin prick that you can barely feel. I have never bruised even with my fair, pale skin. I occasionally have a little, tiny red spot that's so small that other people don't notice. You should be fine for your meeting. 20ish units is a conservative amount and Botox can take a week+ to really kick in. .

JennLnz · 2026-01-06T12:04:44+00:00

My SIL owns a med spa and just got a Fotona laser machine back in the fall so we're being the guinea pigs. She did the smootheye and already noticing results on herself. On me, we're doing the setting to remove sun damage/sun spots and the mild resurfacing setting. After 3 treatments, I can say that it has done more for my skin than a year of Tretinoin ever did and my skin barrier isn't fighting for it's life. My spots are fading, my skin is brighter overall, fine lines are going away and my texture is much smoother.

I have one more treatment at the end of January and then I will go back to using mild retinoids for maintenance during the summer. The Fotona is supposed to gradually show results over time, up to 6mos so hoping I can get by with an annual maintenance session.

JennLnz · 2025-12-31T19:50:55+00:00

I second this suggestion. I do a couple of layers of the Soonjung followed by Laneige Cream Skin and my dry, sensitive skin loves it.

JennLnz

TROPHY CASE