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Its just enough to get that smooth, glowy payoff without putting my skin into a meltdown.

angela trakoshis selfie before using tretinoin rotuine and after

Angela Trakoshis

No overachieving, no stressjuststrategy.

Let me break down the schedule that finally made tretinoin work for me, not against me.

Whats my skin like?

cleansing oil in branded white bottle with white pump on light gray background with red and white 2024 allure best of beauty seal

My skin 6 weeks before starting my tretinoin routine.

A better question would be, what is my skinnotlike?

My skin 6 weeks before starting my tretinoin routine.

My skin 6 weeks after starting my tretinoin routine.

cleanser in branded white bottle with cap on light gray background with red and white 2024 allure best of beauty seal

What even is tretinoin?

To keep it simple, tretinoin is a prescription retinoid.

Tretinoin is the gold standard for improving skin texture and fine lines, says board-certified dermatologistAzadeh Shirazi, MD.

Ma:nyo Bifida Biome Complex Ampoule brown serum bottle with white dropper cap on light gray background

Thats why its often prescribed not just for fine lines but also for acne.

Youve probably also heard of retinol, and maybe youre wondering how its different.

Youre probably thinking of the word prescription and the way healthcare (unfortunately) works in our country.

AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream white tube on light gray background

Between costs and bandwidth at dermatology offices, it could be nearly impossible to obtain.

The higher the percentage, the faster it might work, but also the more irritating it can be.

I use 0.05%, and Ive stuck with that since I started using it in early 2024.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic Creamy Cleansing Oil orange tube on light gray background

Whats that, you ask?

), and a thickmoisturizer.

Its step one of my double cleanse.

Olehenriken 10% AHA Lemonade Smoothing Scrub blue tube with cartoon lemons on it on light gray background

After this is when I apply my tretinoin.

The goal of this routine: Use tretinoin effectively while minimizing irritation and dryness.

Adding these layers of hydrating and soothing products before and after the tretinoin helps buffer and support my skin.

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Serum in branded white bottle with silver and black pipette on light gray background

Again, this second cleanser ensures my skin is fully clean while being mild and non-drying.

Plus, the strawberry lemonade scent issogood.

After ths, I use the same Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream as above.

Let me be cleareveryone’s skin is different, and what works for me may not work for you.

Then, just wait for your prescription-strengthretinoidto be delivered straight to your door.

Once you’ve discovered your tretinoin skin-care routine, you’ll never look back.