(Part 3) Top 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 :)

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.

AM:

La Roche-Posay Hydrating Cleanser, sometimes on a konjac sponge if I need exfoliation

La Roche-Posay Double Repair Moisturizer

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Shaka Fluid SPF if I'm going out

PM:

Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water -- I use this as my standalone cleanser if I'm not wearing sunscreen. If I am, I follow it up with the LRP morning cleanser.

Tretinoin gel 0.1%

LRP Double Repair Moisturizer

LRP Cicaplast Baume B5 over my whole face as a final occlusive layer just like you use. One of the best skin purchases I've ever made and I'll never use vaseline again lol.

---------------

I feel like I've tried everything... Cetaphil and Cerave gave me the worst breakouts of my life, Vanicream dried out my skin, Sebamed didn't do anything, Eucerin made my face hot, FAB has the worst smelling products EVER (seriously why is nobody talking about that smell) etc. I've wasted so much money over the years. The biggest waste of time/money was trying to do a k-beauty multistep routine, I never saw any results from those products.

LRP is my HG but I know how expensive it is. My close second HG are the basic Neutrogena products, specifically this cleanser and this moisturizer, plus I like their sunscreens. If I'm ever having to budget more, I'll go back into Neutrogena's arms for sure lol. Garnier micellar water too, which I see you use.

I hope that helps, it sounds like we have similar skin reactions to several brands and less is more for us. I know how it is to be extremely frustrated, I've spent years researching and experimenting and blahblahblah almost nothing has worked for me but azelaic acid, tret, and now the cicaplast. I'm thinking of incorporating azelaic acid again a few times a week because it really does smooth out the skin, but otherwise that's it, I'm done lol.

Coconut oil is known to clog pores in a lot of people. Were you double cleansing or just oil cleansing?

The Paula's choice one has vitamin e and coconut oil, both of which can clog pores, it also has a lot of added ingredients.

If you are okay with using one that doesn't emulsify (rinse off with water) then mineral oil or squalane is good. You could use this before a regular milk or foaming cleanser at night.

https://www.amazon.ca/Snow-River-32-Ounce-Wood-Oil/dp/B00280MY7M

^mineral oil

If you're familiar with the ordinary, they have cheap squalane. I've never used an already made oil cleanser because my skin is very sensitive but if you search up oil cleansers on this sub, I'm sure there are some recommendations.

You would have to use something like a warm, wet microfiber towel to take the oil off before using your second cleanser if it doesn't rinse off. I use any clean cotton t shirt I don't mind staining. I would only do this in the pm.

Hmm you might be missing something in your routine to keep that acne at bay. Tretinoin should be working, what worked for me was incorporating a BHA 2% wash from neutrogena. I am currently on month 3 and completely clear but still taking Doxycycline 100mg (1 pill a day). Ive also heard about the stories of getting off Doxy but honestly dont believe it- Doxy is made to lessen the "purge" while Tretinoin is exfoliating the skin to clear all closed comedones. My Derm said the best strategy to use for Doxy to avoid backfire is to take your Doxy in the morning and at night take a refridgerated probiotic with 5mill lacto bacillucus to build that good bacteria in the gut. That way when you do stop taking Doxy- your gut is in overall great health and all the bad bacteria is greatly reduce- continue taking probiotics to keep it that way forever. This is the probiotic I take:

https://www.amazon.com/GoodBelly-Strawberry-Plus-Shots-2-7/dp/B0032JJSWW/ref=pd_sim_540_1?_encoding=UTF8&ppw=fresh&psc=1&refRID=VTNJXV4HXM6QESY8YYWN

Bummer!

Here is the most effective stuff I have found yet. My wife uses it and had me try, works really well.

A bit spendy and no spf, but just great for moisturizing.

Dermalogica Active Moist, 3.4 Fluid Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AZVRII/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BMMyzbSPBH3NM

Yes, and I would also advise avoiding any area that holds a lot of moisture... since they're never really relatively "dry" (1cm radius from corners of nose, 5mm radius from corners of eyes, 5mm radius from corners of mouth). I also slather a thick layer of lanolin balm/wax on my lips before bed to ensure the tretinoin does not transfer from my face, to my pillowcase, and then onto my lips.

 

I am not 100% certain on this, but the wetter the skin is, the more permeable it is. You would think that it would be advantageous to apply tretinoin to damp skin for greater effect but it's never ended well for me, and I definitely pay the price within 2-3 days if not the immediate next morning.

There's a biore aqua people love thats Korean. YUMERIA Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence 50g, Sunscreen, SPF50+ PA++++, Latest Package, Set of 2 with YUMERIA Original Sakura Compressed Hand Towel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D8QMBPS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_egfCCbNQ438XK I like sunbum. Sun Bum Signature Mineral-Based Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion, Clear, SPF 50, 3oz Bottle, 1 Count, Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection, Zinc Sunblock, Hypoallergenic, Non-Migrating https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006OOLDG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_a.eCCb76Q11RG i would say it's not a oily type lotion. It dries more matte. Another one I've used is this. GAONDODAM PURE SUN CUSHION, Broad Spectrum Sunscreen UVB/UVA SPF 35, PA+++ Soft cream application with a pad instead of spray or lotion (12 g / 0.42 oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FQY786V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qbfCCbQBBPTHY it's really just for the face and no silicone. I ordered another brand that hasn't come in yet. I really prefer a 50 for the face. Many like foreign sunscreen. My face is dryer now so I'm using sunbum on my body (i only buy the black bottle) but not my face as much because it dries non oily.

It's just the regular aquaphor tub. https://www.amazon.com/Aquaphor-Advanced-Therapy-Ointment-Protectant/dp/B006IB5T4W

It's lighter than Vaseline because it doesn't have as much concentration of petroleum jelly. It also has lanolin in it which will help cracked things. I never put it straight on my face, there is always cream between it so it hasn't clogged any of my pores.

Day time is harder. I use Cerave cream or Nivea Soft cream after my shower. Then I put on Biore perfect uv milk sunscreen. The sunscreen makes my face look matte and I don't usually have a problem. If I don't put sunscreen on, I usually just have to blot my face with a paper towel in the middle of the day. I don't really care about looking oily so I don't do much to prevent it.

I would start with trying the aquaphor and maybe something else in the morning. Your skin is over producing oil to compensate for the lack of moisture so once you fix that, it's easier to help the oilyness. Otherwise you'll just be putting product after product on without fixing why your skin is oily

I've been using it since the beginning of october. I started w/ once every three days. After three weeks, I added back in my vit C, then had to switch up my cleanser, so I only just went up to once every two days.

Skin-type: Sensitive. What sensitive means for me: sometimes my face will just burn and sting even with the same routine i've had for months. I can get really dry on my cheeks no matter how much I moisturize.

AM:

1. Wash: Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash I prefer this to Cerave Hydrating cleanser because I felt like Cerave just wasn't washing my face. I could wash my face three times with Cerave and still have makeup come off on my towel. Simple doesn't do that. It also doesn't dry out my cheeks like other cleansers have.
   
   
2. Clindamycin topical on affected areas (prescription)
   
   
3. Vitamin C I like this one because it's made fresh when you buy it (they even write the date on the label). I keep it in my fridge. It was made on Aug 31 and it has yet to oxidize.
   
   
4. Cerave Moisturizer
   
   
5. Silky and Light Sun Milk sunscreen So far the only Asian sunscreen that hasn't broken me out. It's a bit shiny, has a fragrance, but is really easy to apply and makes my skin feel soft. No white cast.
   
   Morning Routine usually takes about ten/fifteen minutes
   
   PM:
   
   
6. Wash
   
   
7. Tretinoin on a tret day (buffer w/ moisturizer on cheeks only right after wash, then wait 15 min prior to applying)
   
   
8. Moisturize
   
   
9. Petroleum jelly (thin layer) on tret day
   
   Night routine takes less than five minutes on a regular day, +15 min on a tret day

I started taking a DHT blocker this Spring to deal with thinning hair. To my astonishment it also seems to have kept me from developing a single cystic nodule since I started taking it, too. Normally I would have developed one, maybe two under my jawline by now but not a one. Perhaps a DHT blocker might help you?

EDITED to add link to product that I'm taking:

DrFormulas DHT Blocker for Men and Women | HairOmega Advanced Hair Growth Supplements with Biotin 5000 mcg | Hair Loss Vitamins Pills, 45 Day Supply https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041JIANA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_cZtw8c353jQlD

i use and love anne marie borlind for lips https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016IZ1HM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this great stuff and affordable.

Have you tried using Benzoyl Peroxide in your routine? PanOxyl and this stuff work well for me.

Also, I hear tret needs like 6 months to work.

Combo skin.


Physical: Alba Botanica 30 mineral


Highest PPD (38-39) La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatric SPF50+ Lotion 300ml


Elegant: Hada Labo UV Creamy Gel SPF50PA+++

And a couple more that I haven't try from Missha.

They are completely different ingredients. Niacinamide has a proven track record of mitigating the irritation. HA just hydrates the skin. You can use the HA in the morning or night but it's not going to address this problem.

There are several inexpensive serums on Amazon. This is the one I used. Squeeze out the tretinoin then put a few drops on the same fingers and mix before you apply by patting all over your face then massaging it.

Yes, this is the kind I used: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019LWU2K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1FhXCbHS8VE5Q

You could try the Hada Labo Gokujyun Gel layered under Vaseline.

I use CeraVe in the tub and an occlusive.

Woops sorry, I meant Eucerin Baby Eczema Body Cream

And the adult version, which only differs in packaging

try an aqua peel before applying makeup, it helps a lot and gets rid of dead skin. I use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VK4FSLX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1