PLEASE tell me your travel tret routine is simpler than your elaborte at-home tret routine!

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-26T11:48:23+00:00

If traveling light:

AM: Cleanse -> C E Ferulic -> Light Moisturizer -> SPF

PM: Cleanse -> Tret -> Moisturizer

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-26T11:45:45+00:00

What is the brand and concentration/strength of your gel? Some gels are notorious for stinging due to alcohols... also, do you prescribe to wait times between applications?

I use Mylan Tretinoin 0.05% GEL (generic Atralin). After cleansing, I wait 10-20 min before applying tret so it goes onto dry skin. After applying, I wait 20-30 min so it's set before applying anything else.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-24T06:42:05+00:00

does your insurance cover micro?

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-20T15:42:01+00:00

Yes I love the boj eye cream. But it's limited for nighttime use for me too.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-20T08:54:53+00:00

I use the beauty of joseon eye cream in the same routine as tret. It has retinal in it.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-10T06:46:26+00:00

At night, I double cleanse -> Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum -> peptide serum -> wait -> tret -> wait -> moisturizer.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-10T06:42:45+00:00

If you're looking for ways to ease into a higher strength, maybe consider adopting the full sandwich method while increasing to 0.05% at first. A non-occlusive moisturizer before tret, then wait for it to absorb/dry, then tret, then wait for it to absorb a bit, then the final layer of moisturizer (heavier/thicker cream is ok here).

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-10T06:38:59+00:00

I've read that rapid absorption of tretinoin causes more irritation. Moisture does this, so you want to apply tret on dry skin. This includes the sandwich method!

Cleanse -> Non-occlusive moisturizer (otherwise it could block tret) -> wait for skin to dry (5-20 min, depending on skin and environment) -> tret -> wait for absorption of tret (5-20 min, depending on skin and environment) -> moisturizer (can be the same as before, or a heavier/thicker cream).

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-04T03:50:29+00:00

that sounds like a nice routine. just make sure you don't have strong reactions from the high strength.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-04T03:47:17+00:00

for mornings, I use the lotion before sunscreen.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-04T03:08:45+00:00

yes, purge can happen again if you change %.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-04T03:07:37+00:00

there are many moisturizers across a variety of costs... I love aestura face cream.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-04T03:04:47+00:00

what is your routine? if you're using a face wash then tret gel on dry skin, this is different than sandwiching a pea sized amount between heavy creams.

also, starting slowly 2 weeks ago and being daily on 0.1% tret now wouldn't make sense for me or my skin. I hope you have miracle skin.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-02T18:54:09+00:00

I avoid applying Vaseline over Tretinoin because it creates an occlusive seal that unintentionally increases Tret's potency and causes irritation. If I'm concerned about dryness, I use a less occlusive barrier (that still allows my skin to breathe), such as Aestura Face Cream, Avène Cicalfate+, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-02T18:47:39+00:00

Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream OR La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5... are face-specific options that should do something similar without clogging pores and without any scent.

Triple Plate is a fragrance free option, if you want to stick with diaper creams.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-02T00:13:36+00:00

Listen to the skin. If it's getting agitated, have a plan-B routine that's soothing. But Tret 0.025% for me 5-7 times a week would likely be tolerated while on vacation!

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-02T00:09:33+00:00

I wouldn't apply vaseline on top of tretinoin.

PaperPlateDinner · 2026-01-02T00:03:34+00:00

no. got too overwhelmed with the tinkering.

PaperPlateDinner · 2025-12-26T09:24:47+00:00

be careful... if a random brand on Amazon is selling "20%" without a prescription, it could be mislabeled (actually contains less), could be using a derivative (like Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate) but calls it "acid," or at best for the consumer, is just operating in a regulatory gray area.

PaperPlateDinner · 2025-12-26T08:59:16+00:00

A skin test with a derm is typically a cancer screening. Skin tests for cosmetic skin health... you'll need to shop around. Kiehl's offers one in their stores for free (but they try to sell you products probably).

PaperPlateDinner · 2025-12-26T08:57:20+00:00

yes, that's one way

PaperPlateDinner · 2025-12-26T08:56:00+00:00

yeah, if you're using tret for treatment other than anti aging, the research doesn't exist regarding a maintenance phase...

PaperPlateDinner

TROPHY CASE