You basically put moisturizer on first, something very creamy and quenchy. Then layer the tret on top of the moisturizer, and maybe sandwich it under some more moisturizer to top it off with. This makes it far less irritating (though also arguably somewhat less effective) than putting it on freshly cleaned skin, before any moisturizer. I’ve been able to work myself up to the latter mode of use but it took time. And my skin is the opposite of reactive.
To whomever it might concern, I’m very pleased with 0.1% tret out of India. It has shrunk my pores, helped reduce the fine lines around my eyes, and even got rid of neck creepiness. I do a lot of other things so can’t give tret the full credit but I can absolutely tell a difference from just it.
You’re not meant to use retinoids daily, especially when starting out.
You would do it 3 days a week, with days off in between. Do it at night. Wear sunscreen during the day due to increased photosensitivity. Take days off if skin is irritated. Moisturize before applying to increase skin barrier.
The goal is to simply weaken what strength you have… layering it over something, like a rich moisturizer, will keep it all from getting to you at full strength. She described it perfectly
To begin, you might consider putting moisturizer on your face, and then taking less tret than you would normally use, maybe 1/4 of a pea amount, and then mix that with some lotion and spread it over your moisturizer…. that way the little bit spreads. Baby steps as you’ve learned. Even now, I sometimes overdue it and get flakey and then take a week off and go back in, and when I do, I’ll put a lotion on top help the cause… I don’t consistently use it on bare skin… I just have to be responsive to what I’m able to do from day to day.
Thanks @medaura and @Beth. I’ll give it a go with that method. I’m happy with the subtle improvements I’ve had just using it in fits and starts but I want more of course!
