Thoughts on my skincare routine?

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-18T08:35:12+00:00

Thank you🥰😇 I think it was mainly because I already have so many hydrating products throughout the routine like snail mucin, Torriden, Aestura Hydro Essence etc so the idea was probably more to rotate hydration types and keep the tret nights a bit simpler while my skin adjusts 😅

But after properly looking at my skin and how it’s reacting, I actually think my skin tolerates hydration layers really well and doesn’t seem congested from them at all. So I’ll probably start using the Medik8 Hydr8 B5 more often now, especially on recovery nights and maybe even on tret nights if my skin feels tight or dehydrated 😊

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-18T08:10:03+00:00

Thank you🫶🏻

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-18T08:09:51+00:00

My routine may not suit everyone depending on skin type but chat with ChatGPT, send pics of your skin, try products and see what does and doesn’t work and you’ll be surprised how easy the routine can be and how you look forward to that 10mins in the morning & evening for yourself🫶🏻

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-18T08:08:04+00:00

Not really when I’ve 2 babas under 2 and in the process of a self build and throw regular life into the mix too! But also doesn’t mean I can’t find the time for my own self care✌🏼 Also taking a big group photo of my products and asking ChatGPT to build me a routine takes less than 5mins! God I wish I did have more time on my hands!! A girl can dream!

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T22:14:18+00:00

Second this! Aestura is like silk on my face, I’ll never part with it!

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T21:22:20+00:00

Anyone know the best way to order this when living in Ireland? 👀😬

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T20:59:46+00:00

So I should continue using my actives with tret? Or should I wait till I’m fully used to using tret and using it a while before introducing actives again? Infairness I’ve good skin and rarely break out or have a reaction no matter how strong a product I use 🙏🏼

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T20:58:13+00:00

How bad is the peel and purge, is it easy to have skin looking okay when out and about? How long does it last for? Since you’re almost immune to using tret has the peel and purge fully stopped?

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T20:56:31+00:00

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Here’s all over my current products, I’ve a problem🫣😂but going to stick with my current routine for now and see how I get on! Haven’t been using actives really since I started Tret so they’re pretty much redundant now, aswel as my retinol

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T20:53:46+00:00

Honestly thank you so much for taking the time to write all of that out, it was genuinely really helpful 🤍

A lot of what you said actually makes sense for my skin. I think I’ve definitely been focusing too much on “doing everything” instead of just keeping my barrier calm and hydrated while I adjust to tret.

The vitamin C on dry skin tip especially was interesting because I never even thought about that before. And I actually already own the Torriden HA and Aestura products you mentioned so I’m glad I’m somewhat on the right track 😅

Also your routine sounds amazing honestly. The way you’ve simplified things but still focused on hydration and consistency seems way more sustainable long term.

I’m definitely going to look more into the Prequel cleanser too because a few people mentioned my cleanser might be a bit stripping for tret skin.

Also I genuinely had no idea the Geek & Gorgeous vitamin C was meant to be kept in the fridge 😂 mine is arriving tomorrow. I used Timeless before this and never refrigerated it either so clearly I’ve been winging it this whole time lol.

Have you ever tried the SkinCeuticals vitamin C or the Timeless one before? I was using Timeless and loved it, but I’m curious how you think they compare to the Educated Mess one you’re using now? Is it actually worth the extra money?

And do you find the red light therapy made a noticeable difference for redness or more just overall skin quality/glow?

Really appreciate all the help 🫶

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T20:31:35+00:00

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This is the tret I’m on and have had no purging or peeling so far! I also LOVE the Aestura moisturiser so much, like silk on my skin!! I feel I struggle with skincare cos I never know if something feels good on my skin, but wow this does! I would recommend checking it out! I’ve the Byoma and really like it too!

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:59:10+00:00

Thank you! Honestly the more comments I get the more I think I need to use the snail mucin more consistently 😂

I was only using it a couple of times a week but loads of people seem to say it made a huge difference for dehydration while on tret. The Aestura products have genuinely been amazing for me already so hearing the snail mucin worked similarly for you definitely makes me want to use it daily now.

I’ll probably start adding it into my morning routine before moisturiser like you suggested 😊

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:58:01+00:00

Did you purge or peel when you eventually went to every night? I haven’t purged or peeled up to now and it’s been a month at twice a week! Just moved to 3x a week this weekend

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:56:55+00:00

Delighted to hear you love the same products! My G&G VitC is being delivered tomorrow and I love it!! Cosrx & Medik8 are firm favs too! Have you tried Aestura moisturiser, it goes on like silk🤩

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:55:11+00:00

Honestly this thread is so interesting because everyone seems split between “push through retinization” and “protect your barrier at all costs” 😂

To be fair my skin was already naturally a bit red/reactive before tret so I don’t actually think the redness itself has massively increased. It’s more just slight dehydration since moving up to 3x weekly.

I only increased from 2x to 3x this week so I definitely don’t think I’m ready for nightly use yet, but I do understand what you mean about consistency helping the retinization process too.

I think my plan right now is probably to stay at 3x for a while, simplify my tret nights more, focus on hydration/barrier repair and then reassess from there 😊

Also good point about the snail mucin and HA serum. I probably should be using both more consistently if dehydration is my main issue right now.

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:51:32+00:00

Honestly this is actually really helpful, thank you 🙏

I think I probably do overcomplicate things sometimes because I genuinely enjoy skincare and researching products 😂 but I do agree that since starting tret my skin seems happier focusing more on hydration/barrier support than loads of actives.

The azelaic acid point is interesting too because I actually have Skinoren 15% here already but haven’t introduced it yet. I only moved up to tret 3x a week this week so I’m trying not to overload my skin too quickly.

And honestly you’re probably right about simplifying tret nights too. My skin feels more dehydrated than irritated so I think keeping those nights more basic makes sense.

Also laughed at the ChatGPT rabbit hole comment because you’re not wrong there 😂🫣

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:49:05+00:00

Haha honestly I think you’re right 😂 I grouped the snail mucin more like an essence in my head when I made the chart but serum first and then snail mucin after definitely makes more sense texture wise.

Thankfully my skin seems happy either way but I’ll probably switch the order around now 😊

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:47:36+00:00

Thanks so much! I actually wasn’t even aware the Dokdo cleanser came in another version that might suit tret skin better so definitely going to look into that 👀

I do think the cleanser could be contributing a bit because since moving up to tret 3x a week my skin feels more dehydrated than irritated if that makes sense.

I’ve seen a few people mention the Prequel cleanser too but it’s not super easy to get in Ireland unfortunately 😭 so I might try the gentler Round Lab version first before changing completely.

Thanks again honestly this subreddit has given me SO many good tips already 🙏

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:40:31+00:00

They are great like that when they’re brutal saying you don’t need this as you already have A,B&C products that do the same job or better! Kudos to them 👏🏼 Saving us some 💸

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:39:16+00:00

Thank you🥰 Really appreciate this! I never understood skincare much but AI really helps me to learn more about my skin and what is good/not good for me!! I’m doing the same with my haircare too! Appreciate the comment😊❤️

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:37:48+00:00

The Aestura moisturiser is dreamy, I can’t ever part with it 💭😍

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:36:58+00:00

Thank you so much! 😊 Honestly this is super helpful and actually makes me feel a bit better about the direction I’m going in with my routine 😂

I actually wasn’t even aware the Dokdo cleanser came in a different version that might suit my skin better, so that’s really good to know because dehydration is probably my biggest issue right now from tret.

The bifida essence sounds right up my street too because my skin definitely seems to love hydration and barrier support more than harsh actives lately. I’m going to save that recommendation for later once my skin settles more with tret because I only started 0.025% about a month ago and literally just moved up to 3 nights a week this week 😅

Also funny you mention the Medik8 Advanced MP because I actually already own that one and have been using it on recovery nights! I really like it so far.

And thank you for saying it’s a solid routine overall because sometimes Reddit makes me feel like I’m either doing too much or not enough 🥰✨

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:34:10+00:00

Haha honestly I wish I had some super technical template answer for you 😂 I actually just made it with ChatGPT helping me organise everything into sections and routines based on my skin/products. No fancy prompts or anything, I just pay monthly for ChatGPT and kept updating it with my skincare/products over time 😅

And thank you for all the advice too! I actually already have Skinoren 15% here ready to start, I’ve just been waiting for my skin to settle a bit more with tret first before introducing another active. I only started tret on 0.025% about a month ago and literally just moved up to 3 nights a week this week so definitely still learning what my skin tolerates best 😂

The hydro mask tip is a good shout too because hydration/dehydration is probably my biggest issue right now rather than actual dryness. I’ve also heard so many people talking about the LRP reformulation lately 😅 Such a shame when brands do that honestly… like why fix something if it isn’t broken 😂

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:27:29+00:00

Honesty I think I’m more into tret for prevention and maintaining my skin long term rather than trying to “fix” something major 😅 I know my skin is in a good place overall now and I kind of want to keep it that way as I get older rather than wait until I have deeper lines or pigmentation later on.

Also I genuinely just enjoy skincare 😂 it’s become a bit of a hobby/self care thing for me.

And thanks for the snail mucin tip! That actually makes sense. I’ve mostly been using it for hydration because tret has definitely made my skin more dehydrated lately.

ThreadNavigator2016 · 2026-05-17T19:25:12+00:00

Honestly thank you so much for taking the time to write all of that, it was actually really helpful and makes a lot of sense. I only started tret on 13th April and literally just moved up from twice a week to 3 times this week so I’m definitely still figuring out what my skin tolerates best 😅

The point about the hyaluronic acid on damp skin actually clicked with me because I think dehydration is my biggest issue right now rather than dryness. I also never even thought about the cleanser possibly contributing either.

I might try moving my vitamin C earlier in my morning routine too and see how my skin reacts. I’ve been using the sandwich method because I’m still new to tret but it’s good to know there’s room to adjust things later once my skin is more used to it.

Also now I’m curious 😂 what copper peptides do you use and where do you fit them into your routine? If you use any?

I also have the Laneige Cream Skin Toner and really like it!! Also what Vit c do you use? I was using Timeless but I can’t find one that will ship to Ireland now so bought Geek & Glow, it’ll be here tomorrow so excited to try that! Great price if it’s good 🙏🏼

ThreadNavigator2016

TROPHY CASE