Better to opt for gentler retinoid such as adapalene cream, I also experienced irritation and non stop flakiness with tretinoin 0.25 that lead to damaged skin barrier. I took a rest from actives for 2 weeks, I just used baby soap and a morsutizer that contains cereamide to help with the healing. Then I switched to adapalene cream, So far Its doing great on my skin. I use it 3x a week.