As a rosacea gal with incredibly sensitive skin, I began with. 009% through Curology. Used it once a week on top of moisturizer for 6 weeks, then moved on to 2x week for 6 weeks, etc. When I was able to use it 6x week on bare skin, I upped the strength and went back to using it over moisturizer a couple times a week until I worked up again. Just throwing this out there for my sensitive skin sisters! It's been 3 years and I'm up to .50%. I LOVE what it's done for my 57 yr old skin and only wish I'd started sooner! Great video! ❤
@@gailsstation dont be nervous i just got tretinoin last week an i used it this whole week an never agitated at all or a difference. 0.01% they started me with i asked dermatologist already if i can move up
Excellent review! Being one of your older subscribers at age 54, I wanted to chime in and say that tretinoin is a game changer! I currently love my facial skin, and I am frequently complemented on the "flawless" appearance of it. I owe this new-found appreciation to tretinoin, which I began at the age of 46, coming from a background of chronic acne that began at age 8 and continued until I took Accutane at the age of 29. After the acne, the skin cancer began to surface in the form of BCCs. However, you would never know it now. To point out, I do apply tretinoin around my eyes, and I do not have static crow's feet thanks to the tretinoin. Additionally, the rest of my face is also free of fine lines and wrinkles, and the texture of my skin is smooth. Everything Abbey says in this video is accurate and helpful. Trust me, you absolutely will look forward to using your tretinoin for the rest of your life once you see with your own eyes what it can do for your skin. I also want to add that my skin care regime currently consists of a gentle cleanser with only tretinoin + moisturizer at night and moisturizer + sunscreen in the morning, and my skin looks amazing, so you do not necessarily need to include other things in your skin care routine to appreciate a pretty, healthy, youthful appearance. Just something to keep in mind. ❤
This is so encouraging! I am just entering my 40s and my skin story is similar to yours. Just started Tretinoin recently and wish I had started sooner. Hopefully after a few years I will feel similarly about my skin. Thanks for sharing.
What is BCC's? I took accutane at 15 twice, and it ruined my life. It stunted my growth and caused permanent autoimmune diseases. I was never sick until I met that dermatologist. I have an immigrant mom, he told her so many lies. I feel lucky I am even alive after that experience.
Thank you! This video was very helpful and super encouraging. I've just started my tret journey at age 37. I'm currently still in my purge phase on month 2 and it's so hard !!!! But I'm determined to get through it as I've had acne issues all my life and am just so done with it.
Hang in there! I started three years ago.. I went through the purge for about 3 months and after that is when my skin really started showing a difference. Not all scars are completely gone, but now I am hardly experiencing acne outside of my usual one or two during my period. THAT is doable for me compared to what I had prior! It gets better stay strong 🎉
Definitely hang in there. I eased in very slowly - one night a week for the first month, two the second month etc. I had flaking and purging on and off for at least six months. I'm glad I stuck it out. I'm fair skinned and possibly that's why the purging phase lasted so long for me. I've been using Tretinoin 0.05 six nights a week, for four years now, my skin is the best it's ever been. I started getting compliments on my skin at the 10 month point.
@@paulachristie7807 Thank you for sharing! 10 months is such a long time. I'm happy that it worked out for you in the end. I'm trying to stay strong. A lot of people around me are noticing the purge breakouts and it's not fun :(
I started Tret because of you! I had it with my skin postpartum and my skin is better than ever. Been using around a year, use agency and have worked my way to 0.1% as well. I’m going to switch to apostrophe!
I use spironolactone and tretinoin and together they saved my skin and my self-esteem. I know tatcha is expensive, but I also can't even begin to explain how much it also added to the success of the prescriptions. I use the deep cleanse, essence and dewy skin cream in the morning and my skin is 100% clear and the cream keeps the flakey skin from tret under control.
I waited to start Tret until I was done having my 3 babies and finished nursing all of them. So I didn’t start it until I was 36, but I feel like it was much more worth it to wait than to risk absolutely anything with my littles. Just my opinion on that point!
Hi Abbey, so two years ago my dermatologist put me on the strongest highest prescription of Tretinoin and I would break out all the time and I was so dry every time I would use it my skin was literally flaking off so then I went back and got on the lowest prescription and I can literally use it every day without an issue. My skin is intact sensitive and my skin is glowy and no breakouts! It wasn’t until I switched doctors and realized the first put me on the wrong prescription. Can’t live without my cream now though! Love it! I’m 40 and finally happy with my skin after years of so many breakouts and acutane. Your skin looks amazing!
I started my tret journey six years ago and can still only use the .05% strength three times a week, but I figure any way of incorporating tret in my routine is beneficial! A word about applying moisturizer under tret, as I do to avoid irritation: Make sure your moisturizer is silicone-free or your tret will pill and roll off. The one I'm currently using is The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors (the original one with HA).
My friend had that same issue and her doctor said that the strength really only affects how quickly you see results, not how much of an effect you see so if your skin only handles .05% then just stick with that! 😊
I've been on tretinoin for over 10 years. Every time I try to go to a higher percentage, I regret it because it just dries me out and causes irritation. It has taken me over 10 years to realize I can only do the .025% without any kind of issue. It's better to use a lower percentage consistently, then a higher percentage inconsistently. You may want to try a lower percentage, and I bet you will be able to use it nightly!
In the last years I have learned a lot from my hair coloring mistakes 😓 ie having a cool to neutral skin undertone and always asking for a color that ending up brassy and orange hair, that I believe is not in harmony with my skin. I have now tried to educate myself on what does look nice on me, as a “bright winter” and i’m motivated to improve the health of my hair so I can one day finally achieve the color I dream…!! In the mean time… watching your hair videos is stopping me from the impulse of further bleach and are inspiring me to love and care for the hair I do have. I see that you have changed the tone of yours from cool to warm and it looks beautiful on you!! Would you ever be able to guide us through choosing our best color and maintaining it??? I think it would help many others avoid constant coloring mistakes 🙈 If so.. thank you so much!
Oh my god are we Leo twins?? I am turning 29 on July 29th! I love hearing your perspective on skincare, I started using Apostrophe a year and a half ago, and I recommend it to everyone, it’s so great to be able to talk to an actual derm online and get my prescription adjusted as I need without going to a doctor’s office. I love it!
Have been using apostrophe and got the same formula as you tranexamic acid, spironolactone and Tretinoin and my skin has honestly never looked this good in my life. Thank you Abbey❤️
I get my tretinoin in spanish pharmacies over the counter. It costs around €20. I started with 0.5. My skin hated it at first and it was on fire for several weeks. My best advice is to use it on dry skin every other day. Now I use 1% and my skin looks great. Never use any kind of retinols/tretinoin if you‘re pregnant! Take care ❤
Thank you Abbey! You rock! I have been using Differing for about 2.5 years now and switching to Tret! Just ordered my Apostrophe prescription thanks to you! Thank you!!!!!!
So one thing I continue to be confused by... many RUclipsrs (especially those who promote "medical grade skincare" which we all know is not a thing unless it requires a prescription) insist that any product that causes inflammation/irritation is bad for you. And therefore, they promote using retoinoids/retanaldehyde instead of tretoin, and they say tretoin is terrible for your skin. While none of us want to peel/flake forever, is "some" mild peeling/flaking good for you because it gets rid of dead skin or skin that may be causing other issues? Or should the goal always be to have NO irritation? Thank you!
I have been using prescription tretinoinin for 9 years and it changed the texture of my hair 😢. I used to have extremely straight smooth hair and now it is curly and kinky. I have tried stopping using tretinoin for one year to see if my hair texture comes back, but it didn’t. I have read an article about oral forms of tretinoin causing this but nothing about topicals. Most articles say that topicals are not strong enough to cause these changes, but if enough is absorbed to cause teratogenic effect in fetus I don’t see why it would not be enough to effect other body systems. I have also found studies that suggest that excess vitamin A can cause hair defects. I am a redhead with very thin skin and presume that my skin was absorbing more of the tretinoin systemically than an average person’s skin would. If you have a thin skin like me, be careful with tretinoin.
I switched to Apostrophe based on your raving review and had a terrible experience 😢. They gave me a combo of Tretinoin + Spironolactone + Clindamycin. I didn't have super bad acne, just a couple blemishes around my mouth/chin during my cycle. I was already previously using .05% tret, so I was somewhat accustomed to it. With the Clindamycin they gave me, per their instructions, I had to use a benzoyl peroxide wash in the morning to prevent gram negative acne. It completely damaged my barrier. I broke out in little pinpoint whiteheads everywhere. Hundreds of them. And developed weird texture underneath my skin. When I contacted them, they told me it was normal and just part of the purging process. I was so nervous it was fungal or gram negative bacteria. I finally stopped it shortly after. It took special soap and several weeks to get rid of it. I'm now back with Dermatica, and love it.
@@AbbeyYung my frustration came mostly from their response to the ordeal. But also, the BP in combo with the tret (even though it was at different times). Zinc pyrithione soap saved my skin! I'm not saying it'll work for everyone, nothing is a cure all, but it's worth looking into for those having similar issues.
@@smallcatbigmeowat night, I used a 2% pyrithione zinc soap. I'd let the soap sit for 3 minutes to get rid of the hundreds of little whiteheads. I don't think I did it daily, but I honestly don't remember how frequently I used it. Maybe every other night. I also went back to complete basics. Oil cleansing with Hada Labo, then washing with Glossier milky jelly cleanser (it's the only cleanser my skin handles well) or the pyrithione zinc. Pat dry, spray with Heritage Store Rosewater (it doesn't have extra stuff in it), moisturize with vanicream daily facial moisturizer, then slug with Vaseline (no extra stuff, vitamin e gives me contact dermatitis in most concentrations). During the day I rinsed my face with water, patted dry, then used rosewater, followed up with vanicream moisturizer, then sunscreen. It took a couple of weeks and I was able to slowly reintroduce tretinoin.
I got rid of my hormonal acne by taking DIM for a few years. But I didn’t figure that out until my mid 30’s and I am still dealing with dark spots on my chin and I’m 48 now. I also figured out about the same time that fluoride toothpaste also makes me break out. I only take dim or sulforaphane every once in awhile now. I started tretonoin in January and just got my 2nd step up. This video is very encouraging! I am starting to see some improvement I think but this definitely helps me believe I will see further changes in the next coming months.
This is amazing! I truly cant appreciate the effor you put in for this video, with detailed description and visuals really helped to understand the whole process. By the way, do you think its possible if you make a weekly routine of your skincare - AM and PM? This will really helps in understanding the whole structure of your routine to hopefully really get the skin result of yours, or even close to 🥺 Thank you so much Abbey!❤
Tret single handedly changed my skin and I contribute it to my #1 skincare item that continually makes people question how old I really am ;) As someone that does suffer from dry eye disease, tret was not a factor that contributed to this, at least for me.
Solid video thank you, answered some of the questions I had and good to learn from your experience. 29y guy here and going to see my doctor in like an hour and get a prescription for Retin-A 0,05%
For barrier repair I love the Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream. Saved my skin restarting tret, it’s great over and/or under. ❤ Much love to you Abbey
I’m not a scientist or a doctor so don’t listen to me without researching reputable sources BUT if you have struggles with sideburns or unwanted facial hair look into taking a zinc supplement. I take 50 mg every other day and I swear this helped me. I had sideburns for as long as I remember and I never cared about them too much but would shave them every now and then. I started taking zinc for facial hair in general and I realized that after 6 months or so my side burns stopped growing back. I also use tretinoin every night so either that doesn’t affect my facial hair or the zinc is enough to keep it at bay. This is a weird topic I’ve never talked out loud about but since it was brought up in the video I just wanted to add my anecdotal experience lol
I love this!! I learned so much about tret with your vid. I've been using it for more than a month and thanks to you I know that I have a long way down. Your videos are ALWAYS helpful, thank you for taking the time to research and test, I appreciate what you do! 🥰
Loved this video, I'm definitely gonna check out a dermatologist after summer for tretinoin! Since you tested a lot of products and are very knowledgable, could you please make a series about the best hair products for each category (i.e. pre shampoo hair oil, shampoo, conditioner etc) based on every hair type? For example, I have fine/wavy volumeless hair, that aren't super damaged but I like to hydrate my lenght and ends before washing: I'm always searching for light weight products that are hydrating and strenghtening, without weighing my hair down. You could do specific hair products routine for my hair type and oily hair, super curly/frizzy hair and so on. I think it would be super useful because I always have trouble picking the right products for me searching through a sea of different (but also similar) products... Lots of love from Italy!
I was using agency with great results. I’m 57 yo and using it for aging. Then I asked my pcp for a script of retin A and he gave it to me. No issues whatsoever but it’s only 0.025%. I’m going slow. It’s the 20 gram tube so I’ll get it once a month and with a goodrx coupon it’s $15.75 for me. Generic tret was way more expensive with goodrx. Of course my insurance won’t pay since I don’t have acne. I am pleased. I’m 100% in for life.
I've been on tret 14 months. It has not been easy. I've actually been taking a little bit of a break for the past week, and am thinking about going down in strength. I can never wear makeup. My skin flakes off even after over a year! I tried to add some moisturizing products to my routine to combat them and my skin FREAKED out. Everything was red and painful for a while, so I've stripped back everything to let it heal. I think it might have been the ginseng in all of the products. But DAMN.
@@Boudicaisback I use the cosrx snail mucin essence! I think it's one of the things that has kept my skin from being too bad, but it's still not perfect. It's a constant in my routine though. The Haruharu wonder black rice toner and cosrx snail mucin essence will be in my routine for a WHILE.
@@AbbeyYung It really is. I don't want to completely give up because I HAVE seen an improvement in my forehead wrinkles. I used to be self conscious of my 11 lines but I don't even notice them anymore.
I just started my tretnoin … from the first night my skin is loving it!!!! I’m obsessed … I use the RNW der ceramide serum it has copper and 5 ceramides and tons of peptides fatty acids colesterol it is absolutely amazing then my favorite Drmtlgy peptide night moisturizer… and top it with the tiniest amount of my .05 tretnoin … I was so afraid to start it I had it for weeks before I built up the courage to apply it lol and it hasn’t made me red or irritated at all I thought it was going to melt my face off 🤣🤣🤣 esp starting it now in early summer so thanks for all the tips!!!! I can’t wait to see even more results 🤍🤍🤍
From one Abby to another, thank you so much !! You are so insightful & have helped me in my taking care of myself journey - thinking about trying apostrophe 🤔 I’ll keep u updated ❤
I might need to try Apostrophe for my acne! I started following you a little over a year ago and you posted a video about tret…. So I started Curology since you gave so much insight on it and how to adjust your skin to it…❤. I’m so so glad I found your channel because it has made such a difference!!!! But since my skin was so sensitive they started me on 0.005% lol. Super low dose and now I’m using Adapalene otc lol. I made my way up to tret 0.02% but the next strength up that Curology offers is 0.035% which is too irritating for me. So I’m using adapalene for now. My Dr prescribed that so long ago but since it was so irritating and the purge was so bad I stopped using it. I’m so glad I can use it now tho because oh my goodness I have so much less texture and my oily skin isn’t as bad, less breakouts! I wish I was educated about this sooner! I started getting acne at age 10!!! Hit puberty young. Now I’m 37 and still get acne ughhhh I have so much scarring on my face. I’m not comfortable leavin my house without make up 😢
I finally took your advice with Tret and am eaaaasing into it, and it's working well so far! I am also seeing results from applying it on little dark spots or scars on my body. It did give me a touch of dry eye (even though I don't put it near my eyes) but I am willing to put up with that for now! Love your content Abbey and congrats on the Sephora Squad btw!!! Voted for you ;-)
Thank you Abbey! Just used your link for apostrophe! Waiting to get my prescription now :) crossing my fingers it works, my tret. Was not working for me anymore!
I can’t get a higher percentage here in Australia than .05 percent. They start us on .025 percent … I asked about the .1 percent and was told they don’t prescribe that strength? Now Drs are claiming Trifarotine is better
Personally, Tret around my eyes/mouth doesn't bother me on a low dose. I also... put it on my lips. But I had to be *very* careful about this. Started *around* my lips so it would digguse, then used an eye Retinol, then low dose Retinol (Neutrogena for both), then eye Retinal, then regular Retinal (Avene for both), then tret. Each step I started it as a "mask", or short contact form, and only used every other time I used a Retinoid on my skin. I also *had* to hydrate my lips like crazy. Not just balm, because thise are occlusive, but a *hydrating* lip product. I used one with urea, its called Flexitol Lip Balm and I got it on Amazon. But if I had the money, I'd have tried the Paul's Choice Peptide Balm because it helps heal. None the less, I reapplied like crazy, used my hydrating skincare products on my lips before any other lip product, then the Flexitol, then used an occlusive at night. Sometimes a diaper rash cream so the zinc could sooth. I do get cold sores, but didn't during this process because I was *very* careful, and took it off if I felt one coming, then applied several layers of hydration and Quantum Health's Cold Stick, even reapplying through the night. I had to be diligent, and dedicated. I knew it was no joke. But, after using it for awhile, my lips are less chapped, peel less, the skin is more durable, and the skin itself is even thicker. And I honestly haven't felt a cold sore coming on for awhile. That sais, this is just MY EXPERIENCE. Do what is best for *you*. I took a huge risk doing this, and I was luckym
I'm at .14% right now, the only place I've noticed any difference in hair is my eyebrows. They are fuller, but I also get more strays too. It's actually filled in some of the damage I did in the early 2000s.
i would not let the hair growth keep you from using tretinoin. you can always shave it. acne is so much harder to deal with than facial hair!! i use tret and have not had any unwanted facial hair growth but i know that may not be the case for everyone.
Yep I got jaw and upper neck hair. :’) good times lol but, that’s fine. I‘ve been laser removing it. Worth it because my acne was awful. And the acne was on my jaw and neck so it makes sense. The Cerave healing ointment helped my skin so much during purging. ❤❤ I stopped using Tret about 3 months ago and now just use gentler retinoids/Retinals. It’s super expensive to stay on Tret forever. So, if anyone is interested to know, my skin has remained super nice since coming off Tret and doing this. It’s been over 1.5 years now since I started Tret. I have videos on my channel about my journey.
I’m dealing with really bad acne on jaw and neck too. Did applying tret on your neck made it worse? Every time I use it on my neck acne, the hyperpigmentation actually seems worse 😕
@@mudita3126 I have videos if you are interested in seeing my journey. With tretinoin I purged so badly for a while (it gets worse before it gets better) but it was so worth it. My skin is so clear now. It took about 2-3 months or so for it to look nice. What helped with the purging was using Cerave healing ointment on areas around the eyes, around the nose and around the mouth (because you do start to peel.) also, get a lip balm like Dermal therapy, that one saved me. I also would use the sandwich method, which is moisturiser before the tretinoin. Some people don’t have the purging be so bad. Mine was crap. But I pushed through it and don’t regret it one bit. :)
I used to dye my eyebrows, because they are pretty blonde and i need more contrast. When i started tret they got darker, i don't have to fill in with the pencil or dye them. I wasn't sure if it was because of sunscreen or tret, now i know its tret.
I watched your last video Abbey! I was really interested in the perfume and body mist you sprayed. Can you make us a body kists video? I already know you have good taste because you used the Pacifica body mist a few months back, please make us a video of all your favorites, especially sol de janeiro, precisely the 71 since its pretty controversial
Oh and since you’re familiar with Pacifica’s body mists, do you like their vegan ceramides line? LISTEN ABBEY this’s something you have to try, not enough reviews out there but enough to keep me wondering abt it
I started with treninton and after 6 month they upped it to tazortine 0.5 and have been on taz0.1 for 3 month Love love love my skin Total months using both 11 mths
Abbey, how long after applying serum do you apply your tretinion? Didn't know if you could put it on immediately after or if you need to wait a bit for it to absorb. Thank you!!💗
I just wait until the surface of my skin feels "dry". About 10 minutes. I dont like to wait too long because then my skin is just dry dry ya know. Vaseline at the end of my PM routine has had the greatest impact on my dry skin from tret! I immediately stopped breaking out on my cheeks!!
Yeah, I have to start using tretinoin again. I was using it for five months but it’s like $86 upfront which sometimes is hard for me to afford so I’m trying to be able to afford it again.
I’m so pissed at Apostrophe. I have been using them for a year and getting my oral Spironolactone from them. Everything was going great, I haven’t had any acne, or any negative side effects whatsoever since I started, then they tell me two months ago they’re not going to prescribe me the Spironolactone anymore, and I need to get them from my doctor if I want them. Then they prescribed me the topical Spironolactone which is 80 dollars for a small tube of it, compared to the oral which was half the price for a 90 day supply. So basically now my cost has tripled. Seems like a frickn marketing scam to me, to get people wanting the cream version which is outrageously priced for a tube of cream 🤬
Can you also use the ordinary copper peptide with tret at night? Only cause I want to keep using my vit c in the morning. Thanks! Btw, I’ve been able to tolerate .1% tret for a while now. And agree it does wonders for your complexion!
Hair question..have you heard of the brand la'dor? Any opinions on it or can you do a review? The ingredients for the ampoules and leave in sound really good, but I'm skeptical
Hi Abbey I'd like to ask what kinds of sunscreens do you use while you're on tretinoin? I often hear/read that it is advisable to use mineral/physical sunscreens as opposed to chemical ones for tretinoin users. But I honestly *_hate_* mineral sunscreens because most of them tend to leave a white cast on my face that I look like a ghost. I much prefer chemical sunscreens due to that reason. Do you have any recommendations for the best sunscreens for tretinoin users? Can I just use my usual chemical sunscreens or do I need to switch to mineral sunscreens? If it's the latter, can you help me recommend good mineral sunscreens that are easy to spread and won't leave a white cast on my face? Btw for consideration, I'm 41 y.o, I originally have oily skin type but ever since I've started my tretinoin journey a few weeks ago (I'm currently on the lowest concentration 0.025%), I've noticed that I have a few dry patches on my skin, esp. around the corners of my nose and mouth, but no irritation so far, and I've been using tretinoin using the sandwich method. Oh and I also notice that overall the skin on my face and neck looks a bit darker than the rest of my body but a dermatologist friend of mine says that it's normal in early stage of using tretinoin and he suggests me to keep on continuing my tretinoin use.
I tried Differin back in 2019 and it absolutely destroyed my skin… I used it for four months. I started slow so I used it once a week, I used a pea sized amount, I sandwiched it… I did everything to be safe. One thing that I didn’t do however was consistently wear sunscreen. I wasn’t out in the sun a lot but I know that’s still a big deal. However, I did jump from nothing to the Differin .1%. Do you think that using tretinoin .25% would be OK or do you think that it’s not worth trying. I have the little closed comedones on my face and I do get occasional cystic breakouts ever since switching birth control. I just feel like my skin is very temperamental, and I just want breakouts and texture gone once and for all. And I know everybody says go to the Derm… and I have where I live but there’s one option and to be nice, they’re not helpful! Anyways I just want your personal opinion of someone who has used all of the Retinoids before. Sorry for the rant, and thank you ❤
@@morningdawnstudio1364 I put on the tret first as it will clear out a path for better asorbtion of the azelaic acid. Wait for the tret to dry before applying the azelaic acid. I have prescription azelaic acid that is 15% but I'm working my way up to pairing that one with my tret. Right now I'm using over the counter 10% azelaic acid with my tret.
Hi Abbey, since you’ve said that tretinoin should be used pretty much forever to keep up the benefits - do you think that switching to retinal/any other lower strength retinoid, after using tretinoin for a while and having achieved the benefits of it, will also keep up the results of using tretinoin? Or will they only keep up if specifically tretinoin (and not any other form of retinoids) is being used. Much love to you :)
In terms of use around the eyes, I feel like the eyes are where most people want to see aging improvements. If I'm not applying it there, then it's lost its biggest benefit (for me).
Is it normal my skin didn’t experience any irritation with tretinoin? I’ve used adapalene in the past so I started using tretinoin at 0.050% and it felt like an extra moisturiser on my skin, nothing different
I have been using Tret .5 for at least 3 years and no matter WHAT kind of moisturizer I use with it it always results in my makeup sitting on patchy skin on my cheeks. I can exfoliate, moisturize, every tip I know of and nothing gets rid of the dry flakes. I don't even have particularly sensitive skin. Is this normal? Does it just never go away ?
Hi , I don’t know if it will help you but personally I use the cerave tub of cream first, then apply Tret and then reapply the cerave cream. Then I apply cicaplast balm (Laroche Posay) and end with 3 drops of squalene. With that combo I’ve never had any problem of dryness (even when increasing tret strenght)
I just signed up for apostrophe and they are sending me Tret all based on watching your videos! I do have a question though, their recommendation says to use moisturizer then the tret but in your video you say to use tret then moisturizer . Can you clear up the confusion?
Hi Abbey! I noticed that tretinoin made your face pale. Or did it lighten your skin? I saw your face without makeup. Your skin is glowy. The one they call glass skin but I noticed your face has lighten or it is pale? Maybe it's just me. I cannot wait to have that smooth skin too❤
Hi abbey , thank u so much for ur videos . I just want to ask u , so u use tretinoin in summer?? Am scared it will make my skin so sensitive and make everything worse. I use sunblock but still scared , especially if i want to go to the pool .
Does Apostrophe have gel formulations available? Any cream or lotion can break me out 😢 I would hate for the base formula / vehicle for delivery to be the reason why I give up on tretinoin. This is literally why I haven't jumped on the bandwagon 😢
I’ve been using 0,5 tretinoin for about 5 months now and my acne has gotten a bit better (after the purge) but I still get a lot of pimples and my texture is still not the way I want I’m using it every single night on my face and neck without any problems (I’ve started pretty slow and worked my self up to using it every night) Should I just be more patient or what should o do?
If Tretinoin isn't significantly helping your acne after that long, especially at .05%, there is probably a bacterial or hormonal element to it that isn't being addressed. Ask your doctor if they think it could be either of those things. They might give you an antibiotic cream to use for a while or put you on something like spironolactone to see if that helps. If nothing else works, they might eventually have you go on a course of Accutane, but that's usually a last resort from my understanding, because it's quite harsh. Best of luck!
I get dry eyes from my tret too :( My derm keeps telling me tret doesn't cause dry eyes if I don't put it underneath the eye area. Sometimes I think he doesn't know what he's talking about.
Yes, me too and I get a condition on my eyelids called Blepharitis, which is like eczema on the eyelids but with swelling (and I never used tret on my lids). My eye doc believes it does effect the meibomian glands, so I stopped using it. I’ve added red light therapy instead in hopes to stimulate collagen.
@@sashagemini7623 i saw my optometrist yesterday and she used to use it too but it also gave her dry eyes and she would have to drink 2 gallons of water a day to help lubricate her eyes so she stopped using it.
@@lkessler1 there seems to be a lot of anecdotal evidence that it affects your meibomian glands. i’ve stopped using it for just a week and already see improvements.
So im new to tret ive seen how ur skin looks from now to then but i have a question, who can use tret??? Does it have to be prescribed to you? I have no acne , never struggled with acne , i have a little bit of texture , my skin is a bit dry but not dry dry if that makes sense,it use to be very dry in my early 20s but in my mid 20s its not that dry like it use to be , i guess what i can really say is that my skin is very dull looking, i dont have blackheads no acne no dark spots , i do wish for my skin to be more moisturized, bright, smooth and clear looking skin💫 ! I have been slacking on skin care for quite some time now smh i just use a face wash daily and thats it 😬😬😱🫢 i dont even know where or what to start with 😩 someone please help!!! ❤
Well, crap! I believe it was Dr Dray who specifically rec’d using CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide…with Tretinoin and I see it has dimethicone (aka a kind of silicone) so does that mean the Tret is going to pill? I put SO much research into picking a basic moisturizer. I haven’t started using tret yet as I want to make sure I have the right moisturizer so I’m going to hold off in hopes that you may see & respond to this. Otherwise, I will go with what my dermatologist and also what the agency recommended, which was applying Tret directly to dry sky and then apply moisturizer after. Honestly, this is really becoming more trouble than it’s worth. Doctors disagreeing with doctors, advising me differently, trying to find a reasonably priced serum (Timeless is having a big sale but I can’t reach anybody to get a recommendation, etc.) i’m sure you’re not gonna see this so I don’t expect to hear back but fingers crossed. Thank you!!
I liked tretinoin more or less but discovered it was the source of my insomnia. Have tested it a few times now. This is also a side effect with Accutane. I wonder if using a less potent retinol will be okay but haven't tried.
Im so frustrated that tretinoin isnt available in Sweden. Im currently on epiduo + azelaic acid 20% and both of them irritade the fuck out of my skin, especially azelaic acid. Slowly working my way up to tolerate epiduo. I tolerate retinols so well tho! If someone wouldve told me that a tube of differin was a regular moisturizer, i would believe it! Litteraly no side effects. Not strong enogh though. Most other topicals for acne and acne scars irritate my skin post accutane…If anyone here is from a nordic country and able to get tretinoin from a derm (for a reasonable price) I would love to know how!
I’ve been on it for a few months and I’m struggling with hormonal acne like chin soooooome cheeks acne and acne scarring not red one but like kind of dark >_< luckily I have freckles everywhere so people assume is that but I know it’s not, will those marks from the acne fade away with tretinoin? I was recommended to do red light therapy too
As a rosacea gal with incredibly sensitive skin, I began with. 009% through Curology. Used it once a week on top of moisturizer for 6 weeks, then moved on to 2x week for 6 weeks, etc. When I was able to use it 6x week on bare skin, I upped the strength and went back to using it over moisturizer a couple times a week until I worked up again. Just throwing this out there for my sensitive skin sisters! It's been 3 years and I'm up to .50%. I LOVE what it's done for my 57 yr old skin and only wish I'd started sooner! Great video! ❤
I want to try it, but I am nervous. I was thinking maybe trying it this Fall. I would have to start very mild because my skin is sensitive too.
@@gailsstation dont be nervous i just got tretinoin last week an i used it this whole week an never agitated at all or a difference. 0.01% they started me with i asked dermatologist already if i can move up
Between skin and hair care advice you have done wonders for me Abbey!
Meeee too.
Yay!! I'm so glad xoxo
Absolutely same with me 👍🏼💯👏🏼😍
What is her hair care? I might be starting one
@@AbbeyYungi am on accutane rn. I just wanted to know if I can use tretinoin cream after my treatment is completed. And will it cause purging , ?
Excellent review! Being one of your older subscribers at age 54, I wanted to chime in and say that tretinoin is a game changer! I currently love my facial skin, and I am frequently complemented on the "flawless" appearance of it. I owe this new-found appreciation to tretinoin, which I began at the age of 46, coming from a background of chronic acne that began at age 8 and continued until I took Accutane at the age of 29. After the acne, the skin cancer began to surface in the form of BCCs. However, you would never know it now. To point out, I do apply tretinoin around my eyes, and I do not have static crow's feet thanks to the tretinoin. Additionally, the rest of my face is also free of fine lines and wrinkles, and the texture of my skin is smooth. Everything Abbey says in this video is accurate and helpful. Trust me, you absolutely will look forward to using your tretinoin for the rest of your life once you see with your own eyes what it can do for your skin. I also want to add that my skin care regime currently consists of a gentle cleanser with only tretinoin + moisturizer at night and moisturizer + sunscreen in the morning, and my skin looks amazing, so you do not necessarily need to include other things in your skin care routine to appreciate a pretty, healthy, youthful appearance. Just something to keep in mind. ❤
Wow I love hearing about your skincare journey! ❤
This is so encouraging! I am just entering my 40s and my skin story is similar to yours. Just started Tretinoin recently and wish I had started sooner. Hopefully after a few years I will feel similarly about my skin. Thanks for sharing.
@@dearally4787 I wish you the best of luck! ❤️
@@AbbeyYungThanks, Abbey! I appreciate all that you do for us! ❤
What is BCC's? I took accutane at 15 twice, and it ruined my life. It stunted my growth and caused permanent autoimmune diseases. I was never sick until I met that dermatologist. I have an immigrant mom, he told her so many lies. I feel lucky I am even alive after that experience.
Thank you! This video was very helpful and super encouraging. I've just started my tret journey at age 37. I'm currently still in my purge phase on month 2 and it's so hard !!!! But I'm determined to get through it as I've had acne issues all my life and am just so done with it.
Hang in there! I started three years ago.. I went through the purge for about 3 months and after that is when my skin really started showing a difference. Not all scars are completely gone, but now I am hardly experiencing acne outside of my usual one or two during my period. THAT is doable for me compared to what I had prior! It gets better stay strong 🎉
@@nikkirichard4819 Thank you for the words of encouragement !!!
Definitely hang in there. I eased in very slowly - one night a week for the first month, two the second month etc. I had flaking and purging on and off for at least six months. I'm glad I stuck it out. I'm fair skinned and possibly that's why the purging phase lasted so long for me. I've been using Tretinoin 0.05 six nights a week, for four years now, my skin is the best it's ever been. I started getting compliments on my skin at the 10 month point.
@@paulachristie7807 Thank you for sharing! 10 months is such a long time. I'm happy that it worked out for you in the end. I'm trying to stay strong. A lot of people around me are noticing the purge breakouts and it's not fun :(
I started Tret because of you! I had it with my skin postpartum and my skin is better than ever. Been using around a year, use agency and have worked my way to 0.1% as well. I’m going to switch to apostrophe!
Yay! I'm so glad to hear that and hope you love Apostrophe!
I use spironolactone and tretinoin and together they saved my skin and my self-esteem. I know tatcha is expensive, but I also can't even begin to explain how much it also added to the success of the prescriptions. I use the deep cleanse, essence and dewy skin cream in the morning and my skin is 100% clear and the cream keeps the flakey skin from tret under control.
I waited to start Tret until I was done having my 3 babies and finished nursing all of them. So I didn’t start it until I was 36, but I feel like it was much more worth it to wait than to risk absolutely anything with my littles. Just my opinion on that point!
I'm 21 and I'm starting tret. Can't wait till when and IF I'm having kids
@@ElizabethUkeh that’s great! Doctors just advise you stop use when you get pregnant. My OB specifically advises this.
@@ElizabethUkehif you want to have kids you absolutely have to stop retinols. Your babies will be born with defects.
@@ElizabethUkehoh you’ll be fine! Just stop if/when you get pregnant.
Hi Abbey, so two years ago my dermatologist put me on the strongest highest prescription of Tretinoin and I would break out all the time and I was so dry every time I would use it my skin was literally flaking off so then I went back and got on the lowest prescription and I can literally use it every day without an issue. My skin is intact sensitive and my skin is glowy and no breakouts! It wasn’t until I switched doctors and realized the first put me on the wrong prescription. Can’t live without my cream now though! Love it! I’m 40 and finally happy with my skin after years of so many breakouts and acutane. Your skin looks amazing!
What tret brand do u use
I started my tret journey six years ago and can still only use the .05% strength three times a week, but I figure any way of incorporating tret in my routine is beneficial! A word about applying moisturizer under tret, as I do to avoid irritation: Make sure your moisturizer is silicone-free or your tret will pill and roll off. The one I'm currently using is The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors (the original one with HA).
My friend had that same issue and her doctor said that the strength really only affects how quickly you see results, not how much of an effect you see so if your skin only handles .05% then just stick with that! 😊
@NatalieJ22 yeah, that's what I had to do. I tried going to the .1% strength and my face about fell off the following day, every time. 😆
@@rosej9686 oof lol that’s rough. I’ve been really bad about applying it lately so I’m just sticking with the .05% for a while
I've been on tretinoin for over 10 years. Every time I try to go to a higher percentage, I regret it because it just dries me out and causes irritation. It has taken me over 10 years to realize I can only do the .025% without any kind of issue. It's better to use a lower percentage consistently, then a higher percentage inconsistently. You may want to try a lower percentage, and I bet you will be able to use it nightly!
You and Dr Dray are like the only people I watch on utube lol
In the last years I have learned a lot from my hair coloring mistakes 😓 ie having a cool to neutral skin undertone and always asking for a color that ending up brassy and orange hair, that I believe is not in harmony with my skin. I have now tried to educate myself on what does look nice on me, as a “bright winter” and i’m motivated to improve the health of my hair so I can one day finally achieve the color I dream…!!
In the mean time… watching your hair videos is stopping me from the impulse of further bleach and are inspiring me to love and care for the hair I do have.
I see that you have changed the tone of yours from cool to warm and it looks beautiful on you!! Would you ever be able to guide us through choosing our best color and maintaining it??? I think it would help many others avoid constant coloring mistakes 🙈
If so.. thank you so much!
Oh my god are we Leo twins?? I am turning 29 on July 29th!
I love hearing your perspective on skincare, I started using Apostrophe a year and a half ago, and I recommend it to everyone, it’s so great to be able to talk to an actual derm online and get my prescription adjusted as I need without going to a doctor’s office. I love it!
I'm a cancer!! but identify with more leo traits than cancer I think hahaha
Have been using apostrophe and got the same formula as you tranexamic acid, spironolactone and Tretinoin and my skin has honestly never looked this good in my life. Thank you Abbey❤️
omg this makes me so happy xoxo
Now I'm sitting here wondering if I should add tranexamic acid instead of the azaelic acid combo I have 🤔
Will ask at my followup in a few months
How much does it cost?
@@peightonsmith4224 it’s $75 every 3 months
I get my tretinoin in spanish pharmacies over the counter. It costs around €20. I started with 0.5. My skin hated it at first and it was on fire for several weeks. My best advice is to use it on dry skin every other day. Now I use 1% and my skin looks great. Never use any kind of retinols/tretinoin if you‘re pregnant! Take care ❤
Thank you Abbey! You rock! I have been using Differing for about 2.5 years now and switching to Tret! Just ordered my Apostrophe prescription thanks to you! Thank you!!!!!!
So one thing I continue to be confused by... many RUclipsrs (especially those who promote "medical grade skincare" which we all know is not a thing unless it requires a prescription) insist that any product that causes inflammation/irritation is bad for you. And therefore, they promote using retoinoids/retanaldehyde instead of tretoin, and they say tretoin is terrible for your skin. While none of us want to peel/flake forever, is "some" mild peeling/flaking good for you because it gets rid of dead skin or skin that may be causing other issues? Or should the goal always be to have NO irritation? Thank you!
I have been using prescription tretinoinin for 9 years and it changed the texture of my hair 😢. I used to have extremely straight smooth hair and now it is curly and kinky. I have tried stopping using tretinoin for one year to see if my hair texture comes back, but it didn’t. I have read an article about oral forms of tretinoin causing this but nothing about topicals. Most articles say that topicals are not strong enough to cause these changes, but if enough is absorbed to cause teratogenic effect in fetus I don’t see why it would not be enough to effect other body systems. I have also found studies that suggest that excess vitamin A can cause hair defects. I am a redhead with very thin skin and presume that my skin was absorbing more of the tretinoin systemically than an average person’s skin would. If you have a thin skin like me, be careful with tretinoin.
I switched to Apostrophe based on your raving review and had a terrible experience 😢. They gave me a combo of Tretinoin + Spironolactone + Clindamycin. I didn't have super bad acne, just a couple blemishes around my mouth/chin during my cycle. I was already previously using .05% tret, so I was somewhat accustomed to it. With the Clindamycin they gave me, per their instructions, I had to use a benzoyl peroxide wash in the morning to prevent gram negative acne. It completely damaged my barrier. I broke out in little pinpoint whiteheads everywhere. Hundreds of them. And developed weird texture underneath my skin. When I contacted them, they told me it was normal and just part of the purging process. I was so nervous it was fungal or gram negative bacteria. I finally stopped it shortly after. It took special soap and several weeks to get rid of it. I'm now back with Dermatica, and love it.
I'm so sorry to hear that! Thanks for letting me know. My skin also reacted terribly to Clindamycin when I used it with Tret from a different service
@@AbbeyYung my frustration came mostly from their response to the ordeal. But also, the BP in combo with the tret (even though it was at different times).
Zinc pyrithione soap saved my skin! I'm not saying it'll work for everyone, nothing is a cure all, but it's worth looking into for those having similar issues.
How did you fix your barrier after apostrophe product damaged it
@@smallcatbigmeowat night, I used a 2% pyrithione zinc soap. I'd let the soap sit for 3 minutes to get rid of the hundreds of little whiteheads. I don't think I did it daily, but I honestly don't remember how frequently I used it. Maybe every other night. I also went back to complete basics. Oil cleansing with Hada Labo, then washing with Glossier milky jelly cleanser (it's the only cleanser my skin handles well) or the pyrithione zinc. Pat dry, spray with Heritage Store Rosewater (it doesn't have extra stuff in it), moisturize with vanicream daily facial moisturizer, then slug with Vaseline (no extra stuff, vitamin e gives me contact dermatitis in most concentrations). During the day I rinsed my face with water, patted dry, then used rosewater, followed up with vanicream moisturizer, then sunscreen. It took a couple of weeks and I was able to slowly reintroduce tretinoin.
@@genevievemarie_ thank you for the detailed response☺️💗
I was prescribed this about 3 weeks ago and had never really researched it. Thank you for this video, as well as your others on the subject.
I got rid of my hormonal acne by taking DIM for a few years. But I didn’t figure that out until my mid 30’s and I am still dealing with dark spots on my chin and I’m 48 now. I also figured out about the same time that fluoride toothpaste also makes me break out. I only take dim or sulforaphane every once in awhile now. I started tretonoin in January and just got my 2nd step up. This video is very encouraging! I am starting to see some improvement I think but this definitely helps me believe I will see further changes in the next coming months.
You mentioning that you did not purge switching form differin to tret makes me wanna go on tret even more!
This is amazing! I truly cant appreciate the effor you put in for this video, with detailed description and visuals really helped to understand the whole process.
By the way, do you think its possible if you make a weekly routine of your skincare - AM and PM? This will really helps in understanding the whole structure of your routine to hopefully really get the skin result of yours, or even close to 🥺
Thank you so much Abbey!❤
Tret single handedly changed my skin and I contribute it to my #1 skincare item that continually makes people question how old I really am ;) As someone that does suffer from dry eye disease, tret was not a factor that contributed to this, at least for me.
Solid video thank you, answered some of the questions I had and good to learn from your experience. 29y guy here and going to see my doctor in like an hour and get a prescription for Retin-A 0,05%
For barrier repair I love the Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream. Saved my skin restarting tret, it’s great over and/or under. ❤ Much love to you Abbey
I second this. I can't live without illiyoon
I’m not a scientist or a doctor so don’t listen to me without researching reputable sources BUT if you have struggles with sideburns or unwanted facial hair look into taking a zinc supplement. I take 50 mg every other day and I swear this helped me. I had sideburns for as long as I remember and I never cared about them too much but would shave them every now and then. I started taking zinc for facial hair in general and I realized that after 6 months or so my side burns stopped growing back. I also use tretinoin every night so either that doesn’t affect my facial hair or the zinc is enough to keep it at bay.
This is a weird topic I’ve never talked out loud about but since it was brought up in the video I just wanted to add my anecdotal experience lol
I thought Tret helped Menoxadil penetrate better..? But I DO know it doesn't change peach fuzz to thick hair.
I used your code Abby. You’re the best. You saved my hair. Now you’re saving my skin.
I love this!! I learned so much about tret with your vid. I've been using it for more than a month and thanks to you I know that I have a long way down. Your videos are ALWAYS helpful, thank you for taking the time to research and test, I appreciate what you do! 🥰
Loved this video, I'm definitely gonna check out a dermatologist after summer for tretinoin! Since you tested a lot of products and are very knowledgable, could you please make a series about the best hair products for each category (i.e. pre shampoo hair oil, shampoo, conditioner etc) based on every hair type? For example, I have fine/wavy volumeless hair, that aren't super damaged but I like to hydrate my lenght and ends before washing: I'm always searching for light weight products that are hydrating and strenghtening, without weighing my hair down. You could do specific hair products routine for my hair type and oily hair, super curly/frizzy hair and so on. I think it would be super useful because I always have trouble picking the right products for me searching through a sea of different (but also similar) products... Lots of love from Italy!
I was using agency with great results. I’m 57 yo and using it for aging. Then I asked my pcp for a script of retin A and he gave it to me. No issues whatsoever but it’s only 0.025%. I’m going slow. It’s the 20 gram tube so I’ll get it once a month and with a goodrx coupon it’s $15.75 for me. Generic tret was way more expensive with goodrx. Of course my insurance won’t pay since I don’t have acne. I am pleased. I’m 100% in for life.
I've been on tret 14 months. It has not been easy. I've actually been taking a little bit of a break for the past week, and am thinking about going down in strength. I can never wear makeup. My skin flakes off even after over a year! I tried to add some moisturizing products to my routine to combat them and my skin FREAKED out. Everything was red and painful for a while, so I've stripped back everything to let it heal. I think it might have been the ginseng in all of the products. But DAMN.
I had the same skin flaking issue with tretinoin until I added 2 products... cosrx snail mucin essence and moisturizer!
The journey is so real with tret!!!
@@Boudicaisback I use the cosrx snail mucin essence! I think it's one of the things that has kept my skin from being too bad, but it's still not perfect. It's a constant in my routine though. The Haruharu wonder black rice toner and cosrx snail mucin essence will be in my routine for a WHILE.
@@AbbeyYung It really is. I don't want to completely give up because I HAVE seen an improvement in my forehead wrinkles. I used to be self conscious of my 11 lines but I don't even notice them anymore.
I just started my tretnoin … from the first night my skin is loving it!!!! I’m obsessed … I use the RNW der ceramide serum it has copper and 5 ceramides and tons of peptides fatty acids colesterol it is absolutely amazing then my favorite Drmtlgy peptide night moisturizer… and top it with the tiniest amount of my .05 tretnoin … I was so afraid to start it I had it for weeks before I built up the courage to apply it lol and it hasn’t made me red or irritated at all I thought it was going to melt my face off 🤣🤣🤣 esp starting it now in early summer so thanks for all the tips!!!! I can’t wait to see even more results 🤍🤍🤍
Overall, this video is a must-watch for anyone interested in tretinoin. It provides clarity, dispels myths.
I know you’ve read this over and over from me but I LOVE spending my Sunday mornings with you girl!!!
I'm so glad to have you here on Sundays 🥰
From one Abby to another, thank you so much !! You are so insightful & have helped me in my taking care of myself journey - thinking about trying apostrophe 🤔 I’ll keep u updated ❤
You're STUNNINGGGGG :) I just started Tretinoin a few days ago.
I might need to try Apostrophe for my acne! I started following you a little over a year ago and you posted a video about tret…. So I started Curology since you gave so much insight on it and how to adjust your skin to it…❤. I’m so so glad I found your channel because it has made such a difference!!!! But since my skin was so sensitive they started me on 0.005% lol. Super low dose and now I’m using Adapalene otc lol. I made my way up to tret 0.02% but the next strength up that Curology offers is 0.035% which is too irritating for me. So I’m using adapalene for now.
My Dr prescribed that so long ago but since it was so irritating and the purge was so bad I stopped using it. I’m so glad I can use it now tho because oh my goodness I have so much less texture and my oily skin isn’t as bad, less breakouts! I wish I was educated about this sooner! I started getting acne at age 10!!! Hit puberty young. Now I’m 37 and still get acne ughhhh I have so much scarring on my face. I’m not comfortable leavin my house without make up 😢
Ugh I'm so sorry to hear that I have totally been there. But so happy to hear you've found some help through my videos ❤
@@AbbeyYung aww thank you so much! 🥰🥰
I finally took your advice with Tret and am eaaaasing into it, and it's working well so far! I am also seeing results from applying it on little dark spots or scars on my body. It did give me a touch of dry eye (even though I don't put it near my eyes) but I am willing to put up with that for now! Love your content Abbey and congrats on the Sephora Squad btw!!! Voted for you ;-)
Love your videos Abbey! I just started my Tretinoin journey in January and it’s going so well but I’m taking it sllllooooooowww 😊 You look amazing ❤
I love this palette of colors from makeup to clothes, that champagne to chocolate colors so elegant ❤
Thank you Abbey! Just used your link for apostrophe! Waiting to get my prescription now :) crossing my fingers it works, my tret. Was not working for me anymore!
I can’t get a higher percentage here in Australia than .05 percent. They start us on .025 percent … I asked about the .1 percent and was told they don’t prescribe that strength?
Now Drs are claiming Trifarotine is better
This was so helpful!!! Also can we get the breakdown on this makeup look?! It’s stunning for a summer glow look
i love apostrophe! you can tell them if you want topical medication only that way if you don’t want to take pills they will honor your wishes (:
I'm 26 years old, and I've only been taking tretinoin for 3 months and,, will my face stay young when I regularly use tertinoin?
Personally, Tret around my eyes/mouth doesn't bother me on a low dose. I also... put it on my lips. But I had to be *very* careful about this. Started *around* my lips so it would digguse, then used an eye Retinol, then low dose Retinol (Neutrogena for both), then eye Retinal, then regular Retinal (Avene for both), then tret.
Each step I started it as a "mask", or short contact form, and only used every other time I used a Retinoid on my skin. I also *had* to hydrate my lips like crazy. Not just balm, because thise are occlusive, but a *hydrating* lip product. I used one with urea, its called Flexitol Lip Balm and I got it on Amazon. But if I had the money, I'd have tried the Paul's Choice Peptide Balm because it helps heal.
None the less, I reapplied like crazy, used my hydrating skincare products on my lips before any other lip product, then the Flexitol, then used an occlusive at night. Sometimes a diaper rash cream so the zinc could sooth.
I do get cold sores, but didn't during this process because I was *very* careful, and took it off if I felt one coming, then applied several layers of hydration and Quantum Health's Cold Stick, even reapplying through the night. I had to be diligent, and dedicated. I knew it was no joke.
But, after using it for awhile, my lips are less chapped, peel less, the skin is more durable, and the skin itself is even thicker. And I honestly haven't felt a cold sore coming on for awhile. That sais, this is just MY EXPERIENCE. Do what is best for *you*. I took a huge risk doing this, and I was luckym
Can I use tretinoin on my back, neck and leg??.... Basically more than half of my body.. Please let me know
This is Gonna b so Insightful Abbey🔥🔥🔥👍n Happy Sunday😀….
Thank you Abbey. Really informative video. Your skin looks amazing!
I'm at .14% right now, the only place I've noticed any difference in hair is my eyebrows. They are fuller, but I also get more strays too. It's actually filled in some of the damage I did in the early 2000s.
I'm so jealous hahaha
I love my Tretinoin. I get my prescription from Agency along with my dark spot formula. Thanks for all your great content. 😂
😮ooooh now that you mentioned that, Ive noticed my brows growing back quick and longer lol, also facial hair 💀
i would not let the hair growth keep you from using tretinoin. you can always shave it. acne is so much harder to deal with than facial hair!! i use tret and have not had any unwanted facial hair growth but i know that may not be the case for everyone.
Yep I got jaw and upper neck hair. :’) good times lol but, that’s fine. I‘ve been laser removing it. Worth it because my acne was awful. And the acne was on my jaw and neck so it makes sense.
The Cerave healing ointment helped my skin so much during purging. ❤❤
I stopped using Tret about 3 months ago and now just use gentler retinoids/Retinals. It’s super expensive to stay on Tret forever. So, if anyone is interested to know, my skin has remained super nice since coming off Tret and doing this. It’s been over 1.5 years now since I started Tret. I have videos on my channel about my journey.
I’m dealing with really bad acne on jaw and neck too. Did applying tret on your neck made it worse? Every time I use it on my neck acne, the hyperpigmentation actually seems worse 😕
@@mudita3126 I have videos if you are interested in seeing my journey. With tretinoin I purged so badly for a while (it gets worse before it gets better) but it was so worth it. My skin is so clear now. It took about 2-3 months or so for it to look nice. What helped with the purging was using Cerave healing ointment on areas around the eyes, around the nose and around the mouth (because you do start to peel.) also, get a lip balm like Dermal therapy, that one saved me. I also would use the sandwich method, which is moisturiser before the tretinoin. Some people don’t have the purging be so bad. Mine was crap. But I pushed through it and don’t regret it one bit. :)
ruclips.net/p/PLXkGqfP8aSA2KvWfNQguJ87VgGBHWoG7q
I used to dye my eyebrows, because they are pretty blonde and i need more contrast. When i started tret they got darker, i don't have to fill in with the pencil or dye them. I wasn't sure if it was because of sunscreen or tret, now i know its tret.
I watched your last video Abbey! I was really interested in the perfume and body mist you sprayed. Can you make us a body kists video? I already know you have good taste because you used the Pacifica body mist a few months back, please make us a video of all your favorites, especially sol de janeiro, precisely the 71 since its pretty controversial
Oh and since you’re familiar with Pacifica’s body mists, do you like their vegan ceramides line? LISTEN ABBEY this’s something you have to try, not enough reviews out there but enough to keep me wondering abt it
I use tazortine (tazorac)
It works faster and I am obsessed 0.01
I use all your skincare choice and my skin has looked so good
I started 08-23-22
Tell me more, please! Did you start with Tret? Where do you get prescription? And if you’re at 0.1% Tret, do you switch to same strength of tazortene?
Wow!! so amazing
I started with treninton and after 6 month they upped it to tazortine 0.5 and have been on taz0.1 for 3 month
Love love love my skin
Total months using both 11 mths
And I use every single product Abbey recommends
Hello! I’ve been using tretinoin and my skin is starting to get flaking and dry, is it good if I use the cerave renewing gel oil?
If you get older you skin changes too. I had light acne till i was 30 and then it went away finally. So it's not always about creams or serums.
Abbey, how long after applying serum do you apply your tretinion? Didn't know if you could put it on immediately after or if you need to wait a bit for it to absorb. Thank you!!💗
I just wait until the surface of my skin feels "dry". About 10 minutes. I dont like to wait too long because then my skin is just dry dry ya know. Vaseline at the end of my PM routine has had the greatest impact on my dry skin from tret! I immediately stopped breaking out on my cheeks!!
I just got my first apostrophe shipment yesterday! Was using differin before, hoping for some great results!
Yay! Hope you love it
How much did your tret cost?
so so excited for this video!!
In germany I can only get tretinoin from a dermatologist. The thing is: i have no idea which product is good. We dont have american brands in germany
Yeah, I have to start using tretinoin again. I was using it for five months but it’s like $86 upfront which sometimes is hard for me to afford so I’m trying to be able to afford it again.
I am using 0.05% however it is not working for my acne .I am using benzoyl peroxide 0.05% also in day Time let's see
I’m so pissed at Apostrophe. I have been using them for a year and getting my oral Spironolactone from them. Everything was going great, I haven’t had any acne, or any negative side effects whatsoever since I started, then they tell me two months ago they’re not going to prescribe me the Spironolactone anymore, and I need to get them from my doctor if I want them. Then they prescribed me the topical Spironolactone which is 80 dollars for a small tube of it, compared to the oral which was half the price for a 90 day supply. So basically now my cost has tripled. Seems like a frickn marketing scam to me, to get people wanting the cream version which is outrageously priced for a tube of cream 🤬
Maybe they’re being affected by the current legal back and forth about trans people? Oral spironalactone is one of the main medications for trans HRT.
Can you also use the ordinary copper peptide with tret at night? Only cause I want to keep using my vit c in the morning. Thanks! Btw, I’ve been able to tolerate .1% tret for a while now. And agree it does wonders for your complexion!
My trey gel is soo gritty and pills no matter what :( I have 0.1 micro and it’s so hard to use. Any tips??
Hair question..have you heard of the brand la'dor? Any opinions on it or can you do a review? The ingredients for the ampoules and leave in sound really good, but I'm skeptical
Hi Abbey I'd like to ask what kinds of sunscreens do you use while you're on tretinoin? I often hear/read that it is advisable to use mineral/physical sunscreens as opposed to chemical ones for tretinoin users. But I honestly *_hate_* mineral sunscreens because most of them tend to leave a white cast on my face that I look like a ghost. I much prefer chemical sunscreens due to that reason. Do you have any recommendations for the best sunscreens for tretinoin users? Can I just use my usual chemical sunscreens or do I need to switch to mineral sunscreens? If it's the latter, can you help me recommend good mineral sunscreens that are easy to spread and won't leave a white cast on my face?
Btw for consideration, I'm 41 y.o, I originally have oily skin type but ever since I've started my tretinoin journey a few weeks ago (I'm currently on the lowest concentration 0.025%), I've noticed that I have a few dry patches on my skin, esp. around the corners of my nose and mouth, but no irritation so far, and I've been using tretinoin using the sandwich method. Oh and I also notice that overall the skin on my face and neck looks a bit darker than the rest of my body but a dermatologist friend of mine says that it's normal in early stage of using tretinoin and he suggests me to keep on continuing my tretinoin use.
I tried Differin back in 2019 and it absolutely destroyed my skin… I used it for four months. I started slow so I used it once a week, I used a pea sized amount, I sandwiched it… I did everything to be safe. One thing that I didn’t do however was consistently wear sunscreen. I wasn’t out in the sun a lot but I know that’s still a big deal. However, I did jump from nothing to the Differin .1%. Do you think that using tretinoin .25% would be OK or do you think that it’s not worth trying. I have the little closed comedones on my face and I do get occasional cystic breakouts ever since switching birth control. I just feel like my skin is very temperamental, and I just want breakouts and texture gone once and for all. And I know everybody says go to the Derm… and I have where I live but there’s one option and to be nice, they’re not helpful! Anyways I just want your personal opinion of someone who has used all of the Retinoids before. Sorry for the rant, and thank you ❤
Azelaic Acid is a great pairing for tret once you get your skin adapted to the tret. Azelaic acid is also pregnancy safe and good for rosacea!
How do you incorporate both tret and azelaic acid in your skin care routine?
@@morningdawnstudio1364 I put on the tret first as it will clear out a path for better asorbtion of the azelaic acid. Wait for the tret to dry before applying the azelaic acid. I have prescription azelaic acid that is 15% but I'm working my way up to pairing that one with my tret. Right now I'm using over the counter 10% azelaic acid with my tret.
Oh! And this is a nighttime routine. You could also do azelaic acid in the morning and tret in the evening to gradually add both in your routine.
What I’ve heard from Dr D here on youtube is that shrunken meibomian glands can be treated, but there is still a point which you can’t come back from.
Hi Abbey,
since you’ve said that tretinoin should be used pretty much forever to keep up the benefits - do you think that switching to retinal/any other lower strength retinoid, after using tretinoin for a while and having achieved the benefits of it, will also keep up the results of using tretinoin?
Or will they only keep up if specifically tretinoin (and not any other form of retinoids) is being used.
Much love to you :)
In terms of use around the eyes, I feel like the eyes are where most people want to see aging improvements. If I'm not applying it there, then it's lost its biggest benefit (for me).
Is it normal my skin didn’t experience any irritation with tretinoin? I’ve used adapalene in the past so I started using tretinoin at 0.050% and it felt like an extra moisturiser on my skin, nothing different
I have been using Tret .5 for at least 3 years and no matter WHAT kind of moisturizer I use with it it always results in my makeup sitting on patchy skin on my cheeks. I can exfoliate, moisturize, every tip I know of and nothing gets rid of the dry flakes. I don't even have particularly sensitive skin. Is this normal? Does it just never go away ?
Before makeup, try using an OIL cleanser. I swear by it. It takes my flakes right off. Then proceed with moisture, makeup, etc. I use Tret .05, also.
Try jojoba oil, no flakes at all!
Hi , I don’t know if it will help you but personally I use the cerave tub of cream first, then apply Tret and then reapply the cerave cream. Then I apply cicaplast balm (Laroche Posay) and end with 3 drops of squalene. With that combo I’ve never had any problem of dryness (even when increasing tret strenght)
Wish I had your channel when I was 29 😣
I just signed up for apostrophe and they are sending me Tret all based on watching your videos! I do have a question though, their recommendation says to use moisturizer then the tret but in your video you say to use tret then moisturizer . Can you clear up the confusion?
Hi Abbey! I noticed that tretinoin made your face pale. Or did it lighten your skin? I saw your face without makeup. Your skin is glowy. The one they call glass skin but I noticed your face has lighten or it is pale? Maybe it's just me. I cannot wait to have that smooth skin too❤
I just started .05% tret about 3 weeks ago. I was wondering why I was getting chapped lips in summer!! This video was so helpful 🫶🏼
Hi abbey , thank u so much for ur videos . I just want to ask u , so u use tretinoin in summer?? Am scared it will make my skin so sensitive and make everything worse. I use sunblock but still scared , especially if i want to go to the pool .
Does Apostrophe have gel formulations available? Any cream or lotion can break me out 😢
I would hate for the base formula / vehicle for delivery to be the reason why I give up on tretinoin. This is literally why I haven't jumped on the bandwagon 😢
A very beautiful job, Abbey!❤❤
Do you put Tretinoin on your neck?
I use Apostrophe and love love it❤
I’ve been using 0,5 tretinoin for about 5 months now and my acne has gotten a bit better (after the purge) but I still get a lot of pimples and my texture is still not the way I want
I’m using it every single night on my face and neck without any problems (I’ve started pretty slow and worked my self up to using it every night)
Should I just be more patient or what should o do?
If Tretinoin isn't significantly helping your acne after that long, especially at .05%, there is probably a bacterial or hormonal element to it that isn't being addressed. Ask your doctor if they think it could be either of those things. They might give you an antibiotic cream to use for a while or put you on something like spironolactone to see if that helps. If nothing else works, they might eventually have you go on a course of Accutane, but that's usually a last resort from my understanding, because it's quite harsh. Best of luck!
Tretinoin caused dry eyes for me :( So now I only use it in certain areas
I get dry eyes from my tret too :( My derm keeps telling me tret doesn't cause dry eyes if I don't put it underneath the eye area. Sometimes I think he doesn't know what he's talking about.
Yes, me too and I get a condition on my eyelids called Blepharitis, which is like eczema on the eyelids but with swelling (and I never used tret on my lids). My eye doc believes it does effect the meibomian glands, so I stopped using it. I’ve added red light therapy instead in hopes to stimulate collagen.
@@sashagemini7623 i saw my optometrist yesterday and she used to use it too but it also gave her dry eyes and she would have to drink 2 gallons of water a day to help lubricate her eyes so she stopped using it.
@@lkessler1 there seems to be a lot of anecdotal evidence that it affects your meibomian glands. i’ve stopped using it for just a week and already see improvements.
@@lkessler1 I had the same happen to me
So im new to tret ive seen how ur skin looks from now to then but i have a question, who can use tret??? Does it have to be prescribed to you? I have no acne , never struggled with acne , i have a little bit of texture , my skin is a bit dry but not dry dry if that makes sense,it use to be very dry in my early 20s but in my mid 20s its not that dry like it use to be , i guess what i can really say is that my skin is very dull looking, i dont have blackheads no acne no dark spots , i do wish for my skin to be more moisturized, bright, smooth and clear looking skin💫 ! I have been slacking on skin care for quite some time now smh i just use a face wash daily and thats it 😬😬😱🫢 i dont even know where or what to start with 😩 someone please help!!! ❤
You can’t use tretinoin while doing a laser treatment for eliminating facial hair growth, right? That would delay using it for about a year 😢
I've been trying to change my comment and my phone is flipping out.
I really am going to switch Apostrophe just seems a lot better.
For people that get pregnant and had to stop using it what do u do in place of it while pregnant to control acne?
What’s the lip combo for this video? It’s perfect!😍
Well, crap! I believe it was Dr Dray who specifically rec’d using CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide…with Tretinoin and I see it has dimethicone (aka a kind of silicone) so does that mean the Tret is going to pill? I put SO much research into picking a basic moisturizer. I haven’t started using tret yet as I want to make sure I have the right moisturizer so I’m going to hold off in hopes that you may see & respond to this. Otherwise, I will go with what my dermatologist and also what the agency recommended, which was applying Tret directly to dry sky and then apply moisturizer after. Honestly, this is really becoming more trouble than it’s worth. Doctors disagreeing with doctors, advising me differently, trying to find a reasonably priced serum (Timeless is having a big sale but I can’t reach anybody to get a recommendation, etc.) i’m sure you’re not gonna see this so I don’t expect to hear back but fingers crossed. Thank you!!
Which brand better ? Agency or apostrophe ?
I liked tretinoin more or less but discovered it was the source of my insomnia. Have tested it a few times now. This is also a side effect with Accutane. I wonder if using a less potent retinol will be okay but haven't tried.
Hi, same thing happened to me with adapalene. Now I use it around 5 to 6 pm and this prevents insomnia. Can't take it too close to bedtime.
Im so frustrated that tretinoin isnt available in Sweden. Im currently on epiduo + azelaic acid 20% and both of them irritade the fuck out of my skin, especially azelaic acid. Slowly working my way up to tolerate epiduo. I tolerate retinols so well tho! If someone wouldve told me that a tube of differin was a regular moisturizer, i would believe it! Litteraly no side effects. Not strong enogh though. Most other topicals for acne and acne scars irritate my skin post accutane…If anyone here is from a nordic country and able to get tretinoin from a derm (for a reasonable price) I would love to know how!
I’ve been on it for a few months and I’m struggling with hormonal acne like chin soooooome cheeks acne and acne scarring not red one but like kind of dark >_< luckily I have freckles everywhere so people assume is that but I know it’s not, will those marks from the acne fade away with tretinoin? I was recommended to do red light therapy too
When you first started tretinoin did you also start using a antibiotic cream such an clindamycin or did you just use the tret?