| Beauty
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⏱ 1 min read
💡 TLDR
Tretinoin isn’t a magic fix—it’s made the user’s skin rough, bumpy, and break out more, leaving them stuck in a messy skincare limbo.
Ugh, finally someone said it: tretinoin is not a magic eraser for your skin. I’ve been using it for 9 months and my face is still a disaster—thick, bumpy, and still breaking out like it’s throwing a party. I switched from Panoxyl because I thought “long-term” meant “no more redness,” but now I’m questioning if I just traded one problem for another.
The Purge Phase Was Just the Beginning
I know the purge phase is a thing, but my skin didn’t just “adjust”—it started acting like a toddler at a buffet. Tiny bumps popped up on my cheeks, and every pimple left a dark spot that’s like a permanent tattoo. I tried hydroquinone, adapal, and azelaic acid, but nothing helped the texture or the breakouts. My routine is a mess of Eucerin, Vaseline, and sunscreen, but it’s not working. The only thing that ever cleared my acne fast was Panoxyl, and now I’m stuck in this weird limbo where my skin feels like it’s fighting me.
💫 Tretinoin is like a relationship—sometimes it works, sometimes it’s a mess, and sometimes you just need to call it quits.
Long-Term Use Is a Double-Edged Sword
Tretinoin is cheaper and easier to find, but maybe it’s not the right fit for my skin type. I started with 0.025% and upped it to 0.1%, but my face is still a disaster. The texture is so rough, it feels like I’ve been sandpapering my cheeks. I’m tempted to go back to benzoyl peroxide, but I’m scared it’ll just come back with a vengeance. The key is to start low, use moisturizer, and be patient—something I didn’t do. Is there a middle ground? Or should I just admit I’m not a tretinoin person?
Tretinoin is like a relationship—sometimes it works, sometimes it’s a mess, and sometimes you just need to call it quits.
So, what’s your story? Did tretinoin work for you, or did it turn your skin into a war zone? Drop your truth below—no judgment, just real talk.
❓ People Also Ask
How does tretinoin affect skin texture?
Tretinoin can make skin feel rough and bumpy, like sandpaper, as the user described. It often causes breakouts and dark spots, especially during the purge phase. The texture improvement is gradual and requires patience, along with proper moisturizing and sun protection.
Why does tretinoin cause breakouts?
Tretinoin can trigger breakouts during the purge phase as the skin adjusts. This is due to increased cell turnover and potential pore clogging. The user experienced persistent breakouts and dark spots despite using additional treatments like hydroquinone and adapal.
Can tretinoin be used long-term?
Long-term use of tretinoin is possible but comes with challenges like ongoing breakouts and texture issues. The user found it difficult to maintain results and faced a trade-off between redness and new skin problems. Starting low and using moisturizer is key to managing long-term use.
Is tretinoin suitable for all skin types?
Tretinoin may not be suitable for all skin types, as the user found it ineffective and problematic. It can cause thick, bumpy skin and breakouts, suggesting it might not be the best fit for everyone. Alternatives like benzoyl peroxide or other treatments might be better for some individuals.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📰 Source: Reddit Skincare