Best products from r/tretinoin

Hello!

I'm super new to skincare and I just wanted to know if this routine will be good enough for me. 20 year old male w/ acne prone skin for reference. Doc also prescribed amoxicillin for cystic acne


AM:

Cleanser: Hada Labo Tokyo Gentle Hydrating Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid

Moisturizer: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

Sunscreen: SKIN AQUA Super Moisture Milk Pink (SPF50 PA ++++)

Clindamycin



PM:

Cleanser: Hada Labo Tokyo Gentle Hydrating Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid

Wait 15-20 min

Tretinoin: 0.1%

Moisturizer: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream



Thanks :)

My all-time favorite cleanser is this one if you're interested. Don't order it right now though, it's usually $10 and the price will go back down

That Avene sunscreen is good on sun protection but has two major cons - it's expensive and it's gonna leave a white caste. If you have even a bit of melanin in you, trust me it's gonna leave a caste. Btw don't wear multiple sunscreens at once, there are some ingredients that don't work well together and can degrade each other. Pick one and apply liberally. A really great Japanese sunscreen that I recommend like this one is cheaper and will look much better on your skin. I also thought I couldn't access Japanese sunscreen because I didn't know I could order it on Amazon. I seriously couldn't recommend them enough. They're affordable, look better on the skin, and have FAR better sun protection.

You can order AA off Amazon. Melazepam Cream and here's a really informational blog post about it. I have been doing 2 nights tret alternated with 1 night AA for a few years and now and have great results, but my skin is on the sensitive side so you might be able to do it more frequently. Just remember you're using a strong active and go slowly.

I've also found that using a gentle BHA like theCosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid really helps. It's like the tret brings everything to the surface and then the BHA clears it out.

Agreeing with u/jademalachite but wanted to also add, I had to go down to a very basic routine with tret and stopped use of an bha/ahas and can only use 2-3 times a week or else my skin looks the same! I still buffer after years of using it as well. Once my skin gets dry that like I usually become over exfoliated and it takes weeks for me to repair my moisture barrier. I always hear good things about Ucerin urea repair cream and i recently bought it and really love it. In the past I have tried using Kiku Masamune, cosrx honey cermaide, vaseline, but this has worked better than anything. My only other tip is finger patting foundation with a light layer. Good luck!

Edit: Was putting on tret and forgot to add, if you aren't already, wait 20 minutes after washing your face before adding tret! This makes the biggest impact on whether or not my face gets dry and irritated.

Murad SPF50 I just got this this week and I’ve never found a sunscreen that has felt as good as this. It sucks cause it’s way too expensive but I stopped wearing any BB creams or makeup or anything since stating Tret, just Tret and sunscreen, so I guess it’s worth it to spend it on SPF cause it’s important? Idk that’s what I tell myself lol.

I don’t know maybe Tret is making my skin more iffy with sunscreens but nothing from Paula’s Choice worked without stinging, some Korean ones were decent but had fragrance, and Japanese ones although they feel great usually have ethanol’s, other then the Anessa Mild Milk SPF50 for sensitive skin, which I ordered as well to try. That one uses Tinasorb so I’m more inclined to try this one and hopefully like it. Anessa SPF50 Sensitive

I realized a while ago that I have to apply my moisture in layers. So yes I do use a ton of moisture products, but my skin has proper hydration and a consistent moisture barrier that no active has ever been able to penetrate.

OP I would stop washing your face unless maybe once at night, and only oil cleansing. Oil cleanses oil. Your face doesn’t need extreme cleansing or other cleansing products.

I would spray with a moisturizing toner (there are a million, choose one that you like) then layer 1-2 layers of a hyaluronic Acid over your face when it’s wet with Toner. I like Korean brands, like this one and this one. Then layer that with a snail mucus which sounds awful but it’s crazy hydrating, like this one. Layer that with a gel, like this. Then a cream like this one and finally a sleeping mask like this one. Bonus points for applying a wet sheet mask over it for 30 minutes.

It seems absolutely extra and I personally wish I could slap on a moisturizer and call it a night but it’s the only way to truly hydrate and nourish the moisture barrier.

Instead of using petroleum on your face, these two items are the best for dryness. Mix a little oil with the cream. Instead of creating an occlusion on your skin, they help to heal the skin.

Joseon Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream to Fight Wrinkles, Dryness and Aging, 1.7 Fluid Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4GQO8W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_bnayWbOmYXNnK - make sure you buy from Cream Planet.

20 X The History of Whoo Sample Hwahyun Wild Ginseng Ampoule Oil Super saver than Normal Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J2AV33W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_djJi4dMbgMvEx - I have also purchased this in Ebay from Korea. You get a better price on Ebay, but it comes from Korea, so it may take a couple of weeks to arrive. Good luck!

Hi not OP... but did you mean cerave AM for the AM routine? It says PM.

I also use cerave AM as moisturizer and sunscreen. I find it keeps me moisturized but also kind of shiny. If I’m going to be home I stop there. Since I’m also on tret and skin is extra sensitive as it gets used to it if I’m going outside I put another sunscreen on top. I like this tinted sunscreen bc it dries matte, is water resistant (necessary for summer), has a nice tint for my skin tone, and isn’t expensive. Bonus: it takes care of the shiny the cerave AM leaves.

Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Tinted Face Mineral Lotion, Broad Spectrum, Water Resistant, SPF 50, 3 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M8G39OW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_lUGxDbD08YBYA

Well, I use an r/Asianbeauty moisturizing routine which usually consists of:

1. An essence: Corsx snail Mucin or sinic honey all in one or hadalabo premium hyaluronic solution which has 7 weights of hyaluronic acid!
   
   
2. Argan oil or fortify which is a perfect blend of all 3 omega fatty acids
   
   
3. Liquid gold which is a ceramide based serum
   
   
4. My night pack, which is occlusive heavy. Something like cerave in the tub or aquaphor.
   
   Essentially for optimal hydration from a moisturizer you want:
   
5. Emollient 2. Humectant 3. Occlusive
   
   And make sure your cleanser is PH balanced and gentle!

I used to be very inconsistent with my tret when I was first prescribed it in high school and I got okay results, when I started using it regularly (after building resistance due to using it sporadically for that first year), that's when the really good results kicked in. I second what the above comment stated and pick one day of the week that you give it a break and use it consistently the other 6 days of the week!

My tips to reduce irritation:

• Use a good moisturizer or even two with tret each night either before or after but whichever you choose (moisturizer or tret first), let it dry first before applying the other (I love Aveeno and the Cerave PM, but a lot of people have good things to say about the Hado Labo premium lotion and the Cerave in the tub or the Neutrogena fragrance-free Hydroboost, see the popular post from today with its many comments and diverse recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/tretinoin/comments/d7ak5k/can_i_please_have_your_best_moisturizer/)
  
• I've recently heard that mixing tret with a niacinamide serum helps with irritation like the one from The Ordinary
  
• Be RELIGIOUS about sunscreen every freaking day no matter the weather to reduce irritation
  
• I use a hydrating toner (this one: https://www.amazon.ca/Rohto-Hadalabo-Gokujun-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B00BSNBO9O) after using a cleanser just to calm and prep my skin, I wait to let it dry and then put on my tret. I don't know if this actually does anything since I feel like it's a placebo but whatever, it doesn't hurt

I prefer Japanese sunscreens. More elegant. I like Biore UV Bright Milk, Biore UV Kids Milk, Make Pr:em UV Defense Me, Japanese NIvea Water Gel, or Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk.

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I've tried the first four. Ordering fifth soon. Guess I'm collecting sunscreens now. :D

Elta MD UV Clear. Oily skin, super acne prone. No pore clogging ingredients. I actually think it helps mineral makeup go on really nicely too. It's awesome.

http://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-Clear-SPF-48-Gram-1-7/dp/B002MSN3QQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418143443&sr=8-1&keywords=elta+md&pebp=1418143445416

I've bought them online & in person at Target. Some people have strong feelings about which kind is best, so you might have to try a few types

Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch

Rael Acne Pimple Healing Patch

Nexcare Acne Cover

Welly Face Saver Clear Spot Bandages - 36ct

Clearasil Rapid Rescue Healing Spot Patches 18ct

This one is really good too

https://www.amazon.com/My-Beauty-Diary-Hyaluronic-Moisturizing/dp/B01H4VZ5WA/ref=lp_17944170011_1_1_a_it?srs=17944170011&ie=UTF8&qid=1541102081&sr=8-1

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It's very wet . I prefer the Neutrogena ones I spoke of above to these but these are great as well. They are very wet and paper . I like the Neutrogena over these because of the gel mask vs. paper which I feel stays wet longer but I bought a silicon mask to go over all of these so it doesn't matter too much.

https://www.amazon.com/Daiso-Reusable-Silicon-Prevent-Evaporation/dp/B00JIN8BTW/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1541102177&sr=8-4&keywords=face+mask+cover

My only issue with this is I think I have a big head so it's a bit tight and the ear holders will start to feel uncomfortable after a bit so I bought this clip thing from Academy. It's a string with two clips at the ends . I forget what it was for but I use it to hold back the ear pieces.

It's like this but with a string and not coil.

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coiltether.com%2Fphoto%2Fps11988237-customized_pink_color_spring_string_coil_lanyard_w_metal_clips_on_two_ends_as_dental_clip.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coiltether.com%2Fsale-7912402-customized-pink-color-spring-string-coil-lanyard-w-metal-clips-on-two-ends-as-dental-clip.html&docid=Z9ffiv8AE4RV2M&tbnid=9om9-xmC3LaPRM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwif7Pni_bPeAhVNhOAKHUeAAp8QMwjhASgWMBY..i&w=500&h=749&bih=938&biw=1920&q=string%20with%20two%20clips%20at%20end&ved=0ahUKEwif7Pni_bPeAhVNhOAKHUeAAp8QMwjhASgWMBY&iact=mrc&uact=8

Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen SPF 50 Tinted Face Mineral Lotion, 3 Fl Oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M8G39OW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_s8vRCbQP69B85

This is a mineral sunscreen, so it will protect from UVA and UVB. It works well on its own or under makeup. Not sure if you would want tint or no tint.

Steer away from chemical sunscreens. Many have been shown to break down into unsafe and even carcinogenic compounds and the FDA removed all of them in February from their list of generally considered safe and useful ingredients. Only zinc and titanium dioxide are still considered safe.

My face has mostly adjusted, but when it was peeling I would use these AHA Neogen peeling pads. I like the green one because it’s better for sensitive skin. But they have wine and lemon as well.

I should preface this, I mostly go for Asian Beauty products...

AM:
Water
Gigi Bioplasma Azelaic 15% **added this in after ~1mo
Wait 15 min
Benton Propolis Gel
Hada Labo Premium HA Lotion and I'd mist water all over my face - makes it REALLY hydrate my skin.
Biore Brightmilk SPF

PM:
Vanicream Cleanser
Just started adding in Glycolic Acid here intermittently to shrink SF's, will report back after I have results
wait 20 mins
Tret Gel 0.05%
try to wait 15 mins, but, ya know...
Hada Labo Premium HA Lotion and I'd mist water all over my face
Hada Labo Plumping Gel Cream - again mist water all over face

Hada Labo Gokujyun bulk mask packs. It's basically Hada Labo Premium in a mask and they're so soothing for angry skin. The fit could be better, but the price is right and I love them. Here's a link to them on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074F1GHLD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

have you tried a primer? primer's or really anything skincare related can be very YMMV but it may help to add it as a prep before you apply your foundation. do you have a sephora nearby where you could get samples of a couple and see how it feels and looks on your skin? a good one imo is the YSL Touche Eclat blur one but any silicone primer i think would have the same effect. Also, what foundation do you use? you may need a more moisturizing one maybe

ETA--you can add moisture to your skin by using a hyaluronic acid serum or product before your moisturizer too. For example the Hada Labo lotion [(http://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Hadalabo-Gokujun-Hyaluronic/dp/B00BSNBO9O] or Indeed Labs Hydraluron serum [(http://ca.indeedlabs.com/products/hydraluron-serum]. Skin on tret is so dehydrated that sometimes you just need to add more layers of moisture for it to not look so dehydrated

https://www.amazon.com/My-Beauty-Diary-Imperial-Emolliating/dp/B01H4QEW4W/ref=lp_17944170011_1_13_a_it?srs=17944170011&ie=UTF8&qid=1541020085&sr=8-13

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My favorite! Super hydrating.

Be very, very, very patient. Improvements will probably not be seen until after 6 weeks. Also take it slow.

I use Cetaphil Gentle Facewash in the morning, followed by a couple of layers of Hada Labo Lotion/Toner, then a gel moisturizer, then SPF. I don't wear anything less than SPF 50.

In the PM, I use an oil cleanser, then Cetaphil, then tret. Then I use a few layers of the same Hada Labo toner before sealing in with my evening moisturizer mixed with a few drops of rosehip. I also usually apply a layer of Papaw ointment (basically fruity vaseline) which helps a lot

Stratia LG

And lots of asian beauty options:

Kikumasamune Sake Skin Lotion High Moist (it's a toner, amazon), emulsion (light liquid cream, amazon) or cream, amazon; Mebika moisture lotion (toner), Rosette ceramide gel, Dr. Jart+ ceramide products (there are balm, cream, toner), Cezanne High Moist Lotion (toner, amazon), Meishoku Ceracolla lotion, milk, or gel on amazon, Holika Holika Good Cera toner, emulsion and Cream

Tons of reviews on /r/AsianBeauty

I've tried LG, Kiku emulsion, Cezanne and Dr Jart ceramidin Liquid. They are all light but moisturizing, but get the job done. Never tried Cerave though, so can't compare. But they all should be lighter then Cerave oitment for sure.

I use these: Rael Acne Healing Patch

They stay on really well and have great schlurping power.

Okay YOU appear to be somewhat factually incorrect. Why does no one share sources?

https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA is the dominant tanning ray/aging ray and UVB is the dominant burning ray.

So the best question is, what sunscreen protects against both? Broad-spectrum protection sunscreen. I searched Amazon and this one seemed the cheapest and most highly rated.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MSN3QQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_M7bCCb9FMHCP8

Is this pink one the same?

SKIN AQUA Super Moisture Milk Pink (SPF50 PA ++++) 40mL 2019 new version https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NGQK3YV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LP3RCbS2A4KJ8

Or is the blue the one we all need?

If you're in the US, you don't need a prescription for azelaic acid.

I personally recommend Cos De Baha 10% Azelaic Acid Serum, but they're out of stock on Amazon. However, they're in stock on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Facial-Serum-Azelaic-Acid-10-B3-Face-Rosacea-Acne-Pimple-Pigmentation-Blackhead/133035195369. That is the Ebay seller that I used, and it took 1 week for them to deliver it from South Korea to California.

Melazepam 20% is also available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ecological-Formulas-Melazepam-Cream/dp/B001WUEJ4U/.

I've used two -

5% cream
https://www.amazon.com/Eucerin-Skin-Replenishing-Cream-Urea/dp/B000KU93FS/

I ran out and forgot to reorder so I used this one I already had for winter dry skin

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/eucerin-professional-repair-concentrated-lotion-for-extremely-dry-skin/ID=prod6258436-product

Body lotion that doesn't specify but in other countries I've seen is 10%? Ingredients checked out on comodegenic ratings and my face likes it.

They are sold lots of places, including Amazon, Target, CVS. I bought these off Amazon most recently because they are relatively cheap.

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I know some people just buy hydrocolloid bandages at the pharmacy (in the first aid section) and cut to fit, the price point/laziness trade-off isn't there for me.

Not OP, but this one is 20% AzA. It works well. The Ordinary also offers a 10% AzA product.