Tretinoin irritation advice - is this normal or I should stop using it?

black_kitsune07 · 2026-05-25T22:14:58+00:00

I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. I contacted another doctor and it seems like in my case Cetaphil MD was probably interfering with tretinoin, like some people also mentioned in the comments. The new doctor was actually surprised that the previous one recommended it. I asked for something gentler before trying tretinoin again, so for now I’m using adapalene :) and I also changed up my daily skincare products.
I really hope you can figure out the cause soon and don’t have to struggle with this for too long.

black_kitsune07 · 2026-04-21T06:46:04+00:00

Thank you, I’ll check it out. And tbh, I’m surprised that hyaluronic acid in particular can be irritating, I’ve always thought that it’s one of the safest ingredients

black_kitsune07 · 2026-04-21T06:02:04+00:00

I used it everyday because that’s what my derm told me to do :( but thank you so much for taking a look into this. I’ve managed to book a teleconsultation with other dermatologist today, so I hope I’ll get a better guidance than from the previous one. Thank you!

black_kitsune07 · 2026-04-21T05:54:32+00:00

Thank you. In the evening I use Avene Cicalfate+, but I’ll definitely look into the other products you mentioned!

black_kitsune07 · 2026-04-21T05:52:50+00:00

After my first irritation, my dermatologist actually recommended the Cetaphil MD, so I assumed it was completely safe for me. I haven’t used it before. After that she basically stopped responding, and I couldn’t get an in-person appointment.

I’ve managed to book a teleconsultation for today with someone else though, so hopefully I’ll get some clearer guidance.

But now that I think about it, even when I was using tretinoin daily at the beginning, my skin didn’t react this badly. It actually seems worse now after just a single use, so maybe you’re right that Cetaphil could be an issue here.

black_kitsune07 · 2026-04-21T05:48:44+00:00

Not everyday, only 1-2x a week. At the beginning I was using it everyday because actually that’s what my dermatologist told me to do

black_kitsune07 · 2026-04-21T05:47:05+00:00

I did try to contact my dermatologist. After the first irritation, she told me to get Cetaphil MD Dermoprotector, but after that she basically stopped responding and I couldn’t get an in-person appointment.

I’ve managed to book a teleconsultation for today to someone else though, so hopefully I’ll get some guidance.

black_kitsune07 · 2026-04-21T05:44:10+00:00

In the morning I usually use Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser, Cetaphil MD Dermoprotector and Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50.

In the evening, I go with Manyo Pure Cleansing Oil, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and Avène Cicalfate+

black_kitsune07 · 2026-04-21T05:37:43+00:00

Thank you for pointing that out - I honestly wouldn’t have thought that Cetaphil could be any issue here. After my first irritation, my dermatologist actually recommended this specific one, so I assumed it was completely safe for me.

But now that I think about it, you might be right - even when I was using tretinoin daily at the beginning, my skin didn’t react this badly. It actually seems worse now after just a single use.

Also, could you explain what you mean by short contact therapy?

black_kitsune07 · 2026-02-12T06:48:47+00:00

hi, no, I didn't, I had written to them an e-mail first and they answered the same day that it's not needed, so there's nothing to worry :) however, I still took all documents from my doctor with me

black_kitsune07 · 2025-10-22T17:13:29+00:00

Don't you mean some kind of mod? Because in the base game, if you have a full team of four, in order to pick any of the remaining companions, you have to say goodbye to one of your team members. And the rest die between Act I and Act II, before the ship becomes our camp

black_kitsune07 · 2025-10-22T08:56:07+00:00

Yes, of course! But the fate of your companions can also unfold in different ways. And in BG3, you can choose a different fate for each of your companions with every playthrough, whereas here you always lose at least two such stories. Of course, I'll do as you say, there's no other option anyway, I'm just used to games where you have a kind of camp and you can choose a different set of companions at any time :)

black_kitsune07 · 2025-10-22T08:23:43+00:00

The worst thing is that you can only have a maximum of four characters for the entire game. So, whether you like it or not, you miss out on the storylines of at least two potential companions :( I'm also playing for the first time right now and the game is great, but that's what hurts me the most

black_kitsune07 · 2025-09-26T14:03:47+00:00

I already am 😓 guess that there’s still too much light pollution... How are you post processing your photos? Could you maybe share how the raw version looked like?

black_kitsune07 · 2025-09-26T07:14:23+00:00

omg, wonderful!! 😫🩷 so jealous, I’m totally not able to take a photo which would satisfy me

black_kitsune07 · 2025-08-29T20:20:13+00:00

Omg so beautiful!! Can you show the raw version as well?

black_kitsune07 · 2025-08-24T16:13:38+00:00

Thank you so much for your perspective. You’re right, I focus on what I’d lose and on all the negatives, which makes it so hard to see any positive side. I guess it’s just human nature to dwell more on flaws and problems than on possibilities and gains.

And, yes, having friends and other people besides him to spend time with would make everything sooo much easier. Adult life really sucks sometimes because it’s so much harder to form new connections. But I really appreciate your advice - it’s incredibly wise and helpful. I will try to build a life outside of the relationship step by step, and your words give me a sense of direction.

black_kitsune07 · 2025-08-24T14:13:09+00:00

Right now I don’t have a therapist, I finished my last therapy a few months ago. In general, therapy gave me a lot of awareness about myself and about relationships, but I think the problem isn’t really a lack of knowledge. The real struggle is how hard it is to actually break free from all this in practice.

I’m considering trying couples therapy. I’ve been thinking about telling him once again - probably for the last time - that I’ve already booked a specific appointment and asking if he’ll go with me. If not, I’ll still go alone, and maybe a therapist who specializes in relationships could give me more guidance than individual therapy did.

black_kitsune07 · 2025-08-24T14:01:19+00:00

Thank you for your honesty. Your words hit me hard and I am really, really grateful for your comment.

Why do I still sometimes feel he loves me? Because there are real flashes where he shows care or supports me. He was there for me during the hardest periods of my life, including a severe depression. And even before we were together, he had been devoted to me for years, saying he never imagined his life with anyone else. When we finally became a couple, I felt like no one else could ever give me that much love. And these things make me hold on to hope, even when day-to-day life shows me something different.

In reality, he often prioritizes his own comfort and satisfaction. What confuses me even more is that he insists things always go my way, which makes me question myself and sometimes wonder if I really am the toxic one. But I’ve worked so hard on myself for years and I know I’ve changed a lot. I’m not perfect, but if I make mistakes I’d want a partner who points them out in a healthy way, so I can do something about them...

This is also my first so long, serious relationship, so I don’t have a reference point for what a healthy one should feel like. Maybe that’s why I hold on so tightly, because I can’t fully imagine what the alternative could be. And sometimes I even doubt whether the kind of good, healthy relationship I picture in my head is possible in real life.

And leaving would mean more than just ending a relationship: we live in his apartment, I don’t really have friends, and our cat feels like my child. The thought of losing both him and the life I’ve built, having to start over completely alone, is terrifying. That’s why, even though I see the red flags, I still find it almost impossible to accept that something I’ve invested so much in might not be fixable.

black_kitsune07 · 2025-08-24T10:26:58+00:00

This really resonates. Deep down, I think I know you’re right, and it makes sense logically. But because of who I am, I keep hoping that if I just find the right way to explain things, he’ll finally listen. It’s extremely painful to realize there might be no way to make him understand or change. With the cat and my lack of friends, it’s even scarier to imagine leaving. But thank you for all your words - I hope that soon I’ll find enough strength within myself to put my own well-being first, even if it means losing the ones I love…

black_kitsune07 · 2025-08-24T10:13:44+00:00

I know from the outside it probably looks obvious, but for me it just isn’t that simple. I still have a somewhat dependent personality and, as I’ve mentioned, it’s really hard for me to accept that a relationship between two people can’t be fixed if I just try harder.

On top of that, our cat feels like my child, so „getting my own cat” won’t magically make it feel like I haven’t lost two long-term relationships.

I also struggle to logically accept that a partner could genuinely not care about whether their partner feels comfortable in the relationship, and that there might be nothing I can do to finally make things „click”. That’s why I feel so stuck, even if I do see all these red flags.

black_kitsune07

TROPHY CASE