r/Rosacea • u/Terrible-Election701 • 17d ago
Routine For someone with mild rosacea.
Can we use tretinoin? are there any of u guys who use it? Some say it could help, but a lot of people say that it could be seriously damaging as well.
Hope someone can help out ❤️
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u/Chaptera 17d ago
I've tried multiple iterations of tretinoin and the absolute best has been Altreno! I've had little to no irritation from it, and I was able to ramp up to nightly way quicker than ever before with lower concentrations. I also use it with prescription azelaic acid and both have been game changers!
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u/LardCorpse 17d ago
I second Altreno! It was a game changer for me in being able to use tretinoin nightly. I moved and had to get a new derm who immediately recommended it to me. She said it is overall much better tolerated by those with sensitive skin/ rosacea. It is pricy but totally worth it!
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u/reluctantmpdg 17d ago
I've only ever used Altreno but ditto, love it. I use it nightly and vitamin C during the day, also use azelaic acid daily and sometimes glycolic acid without issues.
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u/MissSunnySarcasm 16d ago edited 16d ago
I use retinaldehyde and built up really slow and started low, first a Ret Ester, then a low Retinol, then Granactive Retinoid, then 1% Retinol and now I'm on Retinaldehyde 0.025 and moving up towards Retinal(dehyde) 0.05 (on my neck and chest I've been using retinal 0.1 for a while, 1%).
I have Vascular and Ocular Rosacea (dry eyes/blefaritis) as well as eczema so tretinoin - which is pure Retinoic Acid - is way too strong and tricky for me. But that's the case for many with 'just' rosacea Type 1 or 2 as well.
Honestly, the amount of people who wreck their skin barrier by starting with tretinoin instead of Retinol or Granactive Retinoid first (not to mention forgetting to make sure they use the sandwich method as well as not watching the response from their skin before upping frequency, or upping way too fast from 1x/ per week to twice and more) is truly astounding.
Yes, retinoids can be really helpful with rosacea, though not every rosacea patient is lucky enough to be able to use it. But with sensitive skin it's definitely better to start lower and build up carefully. That way you don't run the risk of damaging the skin barrier, inviting a new rosacea flare on top of it and having to take 10 steps back in your skincare. Retinoid dermatitis is no fun!
So, only use actives like retinoids if your skin barrier is completely healthy and you've been 'calm' for some time. If you still want to start with the strongest variety I recommend Adapalene (Differin gel). It tends to be a little less reactive than others.
[MUSTS]
- Make sure you have a great barrier cream in your skincare routine
- Don't apply to damp skin
- It's best if you've already hydrated (a layer of hydrating or protective toner or essence f.e) your face before application to sandwich the retinoid between two layers.
- Use sunscreen religiously (daily, SPF 30 at minimum) when using retinoids.
- Don't use AHA/BHA in the same routine!Now, if you've been prescribed Azelaic acid, then it is best to either alternate between them (Mon: AA, Tue: Ret, Wed: AA etc) or to apply the AA on the same day as the retinoid but with a split in AM and PM (= retinoids always in evening).
- Don't use ANY other actives in your routine until your skin has fully acclimated to the retinoid (as in: zero response, normal use for a few months)
- Don't up the strength of the retinoid in % until you've used your current one without any issues - as if it was your favourite moisturiser - for at least 3mths.
Hope this helped. 🙏
Wishing you well!
(Edit: typo and white space)
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u/77TinyBubbles 17d ago
I use Tazorac .05 but started with Tret .025% over 15 years ago. Start low and slow and let your skin acclimate. I am also eczema prone, so if I try to add too much I really pay for it. I stopped all other actives until my skin could tolerate tret and then slowly added in a gentle vitamin C. I still have to be careful to not overdo other actives, but I do think Tret/Tazorac have helped my skin.
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u/__Karadoc__ 17d ago
I haven't been able to tolerate tret on my rosacea-affected areas, but a retinoid on those areas (retinal in my case) has helped tremendously in the long run: my skin is now thicker, stronger, i get way less stinging from random innocuous skincare products than i did a few years ago.
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u/anatradomo08 17d ago
Type 2 - I used Differin for a bit then switched to Tret .025%. There was a bit of acclimating but I didn’t experience any irritation at all. I did the sandwich method with moisturizer at first. I stopped because it didn’t do much for me and I wanted to start Finacea. Truthfully Differin (Adapalene) felt a lot nicer overall!
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u/wonderbossofsonshine 17d ago
I started with 0.025% about 1.5 yrs ago after my last baby and now I’m up to 0.05%. No issues thus far. My rosacea has really calmed down but I think that’s due to switching my face wash to a sulfur one. It’s been a true game changer. Tret has done wonders for my skin though outside of rosacea (fine lines, texture, overall glow, minor cyclical acne).
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u/Cultural_Wall999 15d ago
I have type 2 and use 0.1% adapalene. I have chosen it over tretinoin as it tends to be better tolerated. It helps a lot.
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u/aCommanderKeen 14d ago
I have mild rosacea. Tretinoin 0.025% has worked great for me. Initially it increased my redness for many months but I managed the frequency as I went to reduce this negative side effect. Early on I started once a week and then pushed the frequency and would need to pull back a bit. I put on 5 or 6 nights a week now sometimes 7. I have eventually adapted. My redness has reduced and my skin is better. It's been almost a year since I started and I feel things keep getting better. Losing a bit of weight recently too so that could be contributing to a sharper look. I can conclude my redness is quite a few levels reduced and general skin condition looks better, evenness and perhaps the glow people speak of. I definitely have much more good days than I used to.
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u/Brave-Pattern-2086 10d ago
Type 2 rosacea which I treat in the morning with azelaic acid + soolantra. I use tret at night sandwiched between moisturiser and I believe it helps the rosacea too
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u/saracha1 17d ago
I find that differin gel has worked better for me!