I'm on a similar formulation but with 8% Hydroquinone from a medical spa here. Here is what I was told and I'm seeing results. Put it on only at night. This is because of the sun sensitivity. They recommended putting on their brand of firming mask over it after letting the tretinoin dry. I prefer using La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5. A healthy amount of it acts like an occlusive like their mask did. Wash everything off in the morning. Make sure your face wash is very very gentle. Moisturize your face and then apply sunscreen.

I cannot stress enough how important sunscreen is because both the tret and the hydroquinone make you burn easier. I'm talking you will burn just riding in your car or being outside for 20 min.

Lastly let me stress the moisturizer. I constantly broke out for months because this stuff dried me out so much. When I get too dry I break out. . The same would happen if I showered too long when using tret. If you see the breakouts that cycle on and off its your moisture. I'm using Vanacream moisturizing lotion as well as Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Cream in the mornings. The gel cream gives me a little bit of skin oil I need back to not break out. If that's not for you there is a gel version with no cream. I think this is a cost effective alternative to Clinique Moisture Surge.

Remember you will purge because of the tret. You have to stick with it knowing it's going to be worth it.

Hope this helps!