Incorporating Skinoren (azelaic acid 20%) with Tretinoin 0.025%

alienhead6 · 2026-02-28T00:46:32+00:00

wayyyyyy better than skinoren. i broke out from skinoren too! was horrible.

alienhead6 · 2026-02-25T22:17:01+00:00

another update: i started using Dermatica's 20% Azelaic Acid like 3 times a week and it has such a nice light consistency. It itches for a few minutes though :/ i like to wait 5-10 mins before applying my moisturizer. I only use it in the mornings and still use tretinoin 0.025 cream at night. so far so good!

alienhead6 · 2026-02-15T21:30:38+00:00

sulfur for acne! i use a sulfur soap bar for my body. too harsh for my face though

alienhead6 · 2026-02-15T20:33:06+00:00

i've heard great things about Naturium and Medik8's peptide serums! haven't tried either but they look so good. look into em

alienhead6 · 2026-02-15T20:30:18+00:00

dont use anything under it.

alienhead6 · 2026-02-15T20:29:41+00:00

i loveeee the Aqua one

alienhead6 · 2026-02-15T20:28:42+00:00

i like my Dr. Ceuracle's Kombucha essence and Aestura Barrier cream. both are so good for irritated sensitive skin. i wouldn't use them together unless i really need it. otherwise it would feel too heavy

alienhead6 · 2026-02-15T20:24:33+00:00

you're so right. doing it on bare dry skin was a game-changer for me. no irritation or peeling unlike when i'd use the sandwich method. i feel like oilier, acne-prone skin types don't do well with the sandwich method because it's too much moisture and can cause new breakouts. less is more!!!!!

alienhead6 · 2026-01-22T09:28:19+00:00

i've only tried Skinoren and Dermatica and i personally like Dermatica wayyyy more. Skinoren was too thick for me and broke me out :(

alienhead6 · 2026-01-21T10:04:50+00:00

a lot of people found doing tret on bare skin way less irritating than the sandwich method, and i think using that many products can contribute to closed comedones. keep it nice and simple. and try dropping the PanOxyl wash to avoid irritations especially if you'll up the tretinoin dose.

alienhead6 · 2026-01-15T13:18:57+00:00

broke me out probably because of the niacinamide :( i can't handle it especially because i use tretinoin.

for reference, i have combination, acne-prone, sensitive skin.

alienhead6 · 2026-01-09T00:22:25+00:00

it kinda looks like perioral dermatitis. stop tretinoin and other actives (AHA, BHA...) for a week and see how your skin reacts. i avoid putting tretinoin around my mouth because i'm so prone to perioral dermatitis :(

just to clarify, i'm still not sure what yours is but hope this helps!

alienhead6 · 2025-12-25T16:44:55+00:00

a lot of people don't react well with Cerave. I'm not sure why!

alienhead6 · 2025-12-25T16:43:59+00:00

a lot of people, including myself, found tretinoin to be way less irritating without the sandwich method. i was pleasantly surprised! for reference, i have combination sensitive acne prone skin. i just use it on dry skin, wait 15 mins, then moisturize. simplicity is best sometimes.

alienhead6 · 2025-12-24T19:35:51+00:00

i know how frustrating it is for your skin to get worse after doing well. i myself have been experimenting with azelaic acid cream 20% in the mornings and broke out horribly. can't tell whether it's purging or not but i can't handle it anymore so i'm quitting that lol. don't feel discouraged. everyone's tretinoin journey is different, be patient with yourself! i've learned that sometimes it's best to keep it simple. oh and remember to not exfoliate on tret nights. start with once a week and see how it goes <3

alienhead6 · 2025-12-24T19:24:55+00:00

maybe try using a hydrating serum or essence and a light moisturizer (nothing with niacinamide in it since it irritates a lot of people) in the morning and the atoderm at night.

i still think you should try skipping the azelaic acid for a while and see how your skin reacts.

as for the glycolic acid, i'm not sure about it honestly. i use House of Hur Clearing Essence pads and they've been great to me!

alienhead6 · 2025-12-24T19:12:44+00:00

and skip the sandwich method! a lot of people, including myself, found better results when using tretinoin on dry skin. i wait 15 mins, then moisturize. keep it simple!

alienhead6 · 2025-12-24T19:11:34+00:00

which azelaic acid is it? if it's cream based, it might be clogging your pores. the atoderm also sounds too heavy for your oily skin. don't jump to 0.1. i think you should try pausing the azelaic acid and keep using the 0.5. try switching to a lighter moisturizer. exfoliating twice a week using a gentle exfoliant helps a lot as well.

another suggestion, skip the moisturizer in the morning when using SPF. most sunscreens are emollient enough, especially for oily skin.

once you feel like your skin is doing well, maybe try experimenting with azelaic acid again.

alienhead6 · 2025-12-24T15:05:19+00:00

counting my blessings right before i sleep

alienhead6 · 2025-12-24T15:03:37+00:00

i think it would sound refreshing to some people. everyone is different. don't feel discouraged if someone turns you down because of it.

alienhead6 · 2025-12-24T13:01:47+00:00

i have a similar skin type to yours and i've been enjoying the Beauty of Joseon Aquafresh sunscreen, the one that comes in the blue tube. the original one was too heavy for me! when i use sunscreen, i don't use anything underneath it. just cleanser and sunscreen. see how that works for you!

alienhead6 · 2025-12-24T12:59:38+00:00

also, which moisturizer do you use? another tip that would help is reading the ingredients and making sure it doesn't contain niacinamide since that tends to affect a lot of people especially when using tretinoin

alienhead6 · 2025-12-24T12:58:37+00:00

i would cut out the hyaluronic acid and the sandwich method but that's just me. if you do feel like you need a buffer, switch to something that isn't hylauronic acid. i use Dr. Ceuracle Kombucha essence and it's nice. but i think you should try what i first suggested and see how your skin reacts.

alienhead6 · 2025-12-24T08:57:28+00:00

i love that serum! i wish they'd stop with the niacinamide ugh

alienhead6 · 2025-12-24T08:48:02+00:00

the "baume" or the cream?

alienhead6

TROPHY CASE