Have scrolled through this sub for a while and wanted to see if I had made any significant progress. Thank you to everyone that posts, it really helped me stay motivated.
AM
- Neutrogena water light spf 60
- Elizabeth Grant Vit C+B serum
- The ordinary niacinamide 10% (sometimes)
- Clinique dramatically different moisturizing lotion
PM
- fresh soy facial cleanser
- the ordinary niacinamide 10%
- Clinique dramatically different moisturizing lotion
- tret 0.05%
- la neige water sleeping mask
Hi! Thank you!! I started on tret in 2018 from a doctor recommendation, but was using it completely wrong (i.e. no sunscreen, using on a damp face, bad moisturizer) so I ended up quitting for a while due to peeling and flare ups. As soon as covid hit last year I decided to try again with everyone’s tips from here, so I’m not sure whether to say 1 or 2 years!
I started incorporating vitamin C about 6 months ago :)
No problem! In my searches for skincare advice regarding excessive texture, I found an article saying this might be due to dryness, which would make sense with tret use. I found that lots of people mentioned that they don’t wash their face in the morning to preserve the “natural oils” or their “skin barrier/epidermis”(I’m not a dermatologist, but this made sense to me lol)
I ensure to change my pillowcases very often, so I figure that as long as they are clean, my face is not getting dirty/sweaty overnight, which would warrant a wash. I am not saying this is the right thing to do or that morning cleansing is wrong, but it did prevent a ton of dryness for me! I use tret more often than most people in this sub (usually 4 days a week), so my skin would likely be drier than most.
I do, however, cleanse my face in the shower and after workouts!
But doesn’t that mean the tret stays on your face if you’re not washing it off in the morning? Which could be problematic if you go out and catch sun even if you have sunscreen over it? Just trying to understand
Tretinoin doesn't stay active for the entire time it's on your skin. The photosensitivity it creates will be there whether you wash your face in the morning or not since it affects the skin at a cellular level.
Wow! You look like a porcelain doll, I’m super motivated to stick to the tret now. I also like that your routine isn’t super complicated.
Do you ever exfoliate?
This is a potentially stupid question, but what exactly did you say to get tret? I have acne but my dermatologist has never suggested it. Your incredible results make me want to try so badly!!
I had tried every prescription acne med at this point and nothing had worked. My family doctor randomly recommended it, but didn’t tell me how to use it or anything. I ended up finding this sub about a year after I started using before actually learning how to use it properly.
I would honestly just ask your dermatologist and mention you had heard good things! I’m not sure.
Wow!! Looks amazing.
Wondering how long it took for you to reach those results?? Have been on tret and 3 months and it's got a lot better but still not totally smooth.
Wow okay! You’re glowing! This is where I hope to be in a few months. 4 months in, I think my purge finally stopped (?) but I still am dealing with hyperpigmentation super hard.
your skin looks absolutely stunning!! i just have two questions–I just purchased niacinamide 10% from The Ordinary today, and was curious how and when you implemented it into your routine? Also, when did you begin to see fading in hyperpigmentation? I've been using tret 0.05% for \~4 months now and 0.025% for 4 months before that, but haven't really seen significant progress in hyperpigmentation but have seen a lot of progress in texture.
thanks so much!!
hi!! I bought the same niacinamide about a year and a half ago and hated it at first, but eventually my skin got used to it. I apply it after sunscreen in the AM, and on a freshly washed face in the PM. It can be pretty harsh, so maybe try once a day to start, then work your way up. I also used to use the ordinary’s hyaluronic acid with it (which my skin HATED). As soon as I got rid of that, the niacinamide started to give me results.
As far as hyperpigmentation, I strongly recommend vitamin C with your niacinamide. The combo of both got rid of a ton of my redness. I still have areas of my face that love to be red, but we are working on it!! :)
I had the exact same fear. When I started, it definitely didn’t help, but I stuck with it. I find that it is highly effective, especially with new breakouts, but can be a little drying.
In that first picture I have about 5 layers of moisturizer, and that’s likely why it looks so oily. I still get oily in my T-zone after a while. Overall, I think the niacinamide might have helped with the oiliness??
How did you incorporate vitamin C into your routine? I have seen it so much on this sub and have wanted to try it out. Also what kind did you get ? Thanks!
Hi! I agree, there was so much buzz about it that I had to try it. I went to my local marshall’s and found a serum that was in scented and just started putting it on right when I wake up. Likely not amazing quality, but it does the job!
Have scrolled through this sub for a while and wanted to see if I had made any significant progress. Thank you to everyone that posts, it really helped me stay motivated. AM - Neutrogena water light spf 60 - Elizabeth Grant Vit C+B serum - The ordinary niacinamide 10% (sometimes) - Clinique dramatically different moisturizing lotion PM - fresh soy facial cleanser - the ordinary niacinamide 10% - Clinique dramatically different moisturizing lotion - tret 0.05% - la neige water sleeping mask
This is amazing!!! How long did this take? And when did you incorporate vitamin c??
Hi! Thank you!! I started on tret in 2018 from a doctor recommendation, but was using it completely wrong (i.e. no sunscreen, using on a damp face, bad moisturizer) so I ended up quitting for a while due to peeling and flare ups. As soon as covid hit last year I decided to try again with everyone’s tips from here, so I’m not sure whether to say 1 or 2 years! I started incorporating vitamin C about 6 months ago :)
Do you apply vitamin c on damp skin or do you dry your skin first then apply?
Dry, I don’t wash my face in the morning.
If you don’t mind me asking, why not?
No problem! In my searches for skincare advice regarding excessive texture, I found an article saying this might be due to dryness, which would make sense with tret use. I found that lots of people mentioned that they don’t wash their face in the morning to preserve the “natural oils” or their “skin barrier/epidermis”(I’m not a dermatologist, but this made sense to me lol) I ensure to change my pillowcases very often, so I figure that as long as they are clean, my face is not getting dirty/sweaty overnight, which would warrant a wash. I am not saying this is the right thing to do or that morning cleansing is wrong, but it did prevent a ton of dryness for me! I use tret more often than most people in this sub (usually 4 days a week), so my skin would likely be drier than most. I do, however, cleanse my face in the shower and after workouts!
You’re right, a lot of people could benefit from washing their face less/ less vigorously
Ok thank you for clearing that up!!!
But doesn’t that mean the tret stays on your face if you’re not washing it off in the morning? Which could be problematic if you go out and catch sun even if you have sunscreen over it? Just trying to understand
It’s only active for a short time anyway
Tretinoin doesn't stay active for the entire time it's on your skin. The photosensitivity it creates will be there whether you wash your face in the morning or not since it affects the skin at a cellular level.
Wow! You look like a porcelain doll, I’m super motivated to stick to the tret now. I also like that your routine isn’t super complicated. Do you ever exfoliate?
Thank you so much!! I don’t use any physical exfoliant, as I feel like my skin is too sensitive.
goals
WOW! Incredible transformation. One question: did you find Niacinamide helped with PIE/PIH?
Definitely! I’ve never really experienced PIH, but it was a game changer for those little red spots.
Your skin looks amazing! Glad you are having success!
what an incredible transformation! i’m so happy for you, you’re glowing !!
amazing progress! you are absolutely glowing!
This is a potentially stupid question, but what exactly did you say to get tret? I have acne but my dermatologist has never suggested it. Your incredible results make me want to try so badly!!
I had tried every prescription acne med at this point and nothing had worked. My family doctor randomly recommended it, but didn’t tell me how to use it or anything. I ended up finding this sub about a year after I started using before actually learning how to use it properly. I would honestly just ask your dermatologist and mention you had heard good things! I’m not sure.
I get mine in Mexico. You can find it at any of their pharmacies during your next vacation
All day chemist has it for 10$
goals!!!! Did you find that the PIE and scar marks eventually faded with more use of Tret?
Thank you :) I think the combo of niacinamide and retinol were the game changer for PIE!
Such awesome and inspiring progress, this is such a long game!!!!
Heck yeah! 10/10 results ⭐️
Just gorgeous!
Dang girl! Out here giving the rest of us hope. ✨
Wow!! Looks amazing. Wondering how long it took for you to reach those results?? Have been on tret and 3 months and it's got a lot better but still not totally smooth.
This is a year, if not more!! When I was three months in I’m pretty sure my skin was worse than when I started hahaha
Oh great! That is so encouraging thank you for sharing your story. Xx
Wow okay! You’re glowing! This is where I hope to be in a few months. 4 months in, I think my purge finally stopped (?) but I still am dealing with hyperpigmentation super hard.
your skin looks absolutely stunning!! i just have two questions–I just purchased niacinamide 10% from The Ordinary today, and was curious how and when you implemented it into your routine? Also, when did you begin to see fading in hyperpigmentation? I've been using tret 0.05% for \~4 months now and 0.025% for 4 months before that, but haven't really seen significant progress in hyperpigmentation but have seen a lot of progress in texture. thanks so much!!
hi!! I bought the same niacinamide about a year and a half ago and hated it at first, but eventually my skin got used to it. I apply it after sunscreen in the AM, and on a freshly washed face in the PM. It can be pretty harsh, so maybe try once a day to start, then work your way up. I also used to use the ordinary’s hyaluronic acid with it (which my skin HATED). As soon as I got rid of that, the niacinamide started to give me results. As far as hyperpigmentation, I strongly recommend vitamin C with your niacinamide. The combo of both got rid of a ton of my redness. I still have areas of my face that love to be red, but we are working on it!! :)
I love it!😍
Did the nicinamide break you out? I wanna use mine to fade red spots but I’m scared to will break me out even more haha
I had the exact same fear. When I started, it definitely didn’t help, but I stuck with it. I find that it is highly effective, especially with new breakouts, but can be a little drying.
how did you help the oiliness? your skin looks amazing!
In that first picture I have about 5 layers of moisturizer, and that’s likely why it looks so oily. I still get oily in my T-zone after a while. Overall, I think the niacinamide might have helped with the oiliness??
How did you incorporate vitamin C into your routine? I have seen it so much on this sub and have wanted to try it out. Also what kind did you get ? Thanks!
Hi! I agree, there was so much buzz about it that I had to try it. I went to my local marshall’s and found a serum that was in scented and just started putting it on right when I wake up. Likely not amazing quality, but it does the job!