Should I go straight to Tretinoin for anti-aging if my skin isn’t bad?

Product Question

I am 33. My skin is “fine”- generally clear, maybe some clogged pores around my chin and nose, some redness around my nose and into my cheeks, fine lines on forehead and around eyes, and some dullness. I think I’m noticing pore size more often as well especially around my forehead. My skin is a little dry and maybe sensitive. I use pretty simple products right now (cereve/cetephil cleanser and Vanicream moisturizer) but have noticed in the past that introducing new products can leave me red and breaking out.

I started using retinol through a L’Oreal revitalift moisturizer, worked up to using it nightly, but I haven’t noticed much difference in my overall skin texture or look (using for about 6 Months). I just ran out and want to start using something else for anti-aging prevention and overall skin improvement. I’m reading so much about tretinoin- but wondering if that’s really where I should start when my skin isn’t too bad. Would I be better off trying something like a 1% retinol serum or the retinal formulation from Greek and Gorgeous and seeing if I get the results I’m looking for or going up to tret from there?

in 30PlusSkinCareby DipitySerene

88%

28d

LowFloor5208

28d

Best time to start retinol or tret is before signs of aging appear. It works better to prevent than to treat existing.

Nothing wrong at all with starting with otc retinol before moving to rx tret. Another thing you can do is use rx tret but sandwich it heavily with moisturizer and only start once or twice a week.

ChooChooBun

28d

I have sensitive skin and I jump straight to tret and doing fine. I started with 0.025% and still on it. My skin is normal, I don't have any problems, I have no pimples so I didn't purge. I have no wrinkle so I can't say anything yet.

I have some freckles that I hope would go away but I don't think they are.

DipitySerene

28d

How did you start with it in terms of frequency? Did you put on before or after moisturizer? Did you use straight tret or the tret “formulation” kind that some online companies provide (agency, apostrophe, mixed with things like niacinamine, etc.)?

ChooChooBun

28d

Once every 3rd day at the start. After moisturizer, I'm using the cerave PM. Straight tret, Retin-A (I think that's brand name?). It have this thick consistency that kinda hard to put on without anything else first.

Now once every other day, my skin can take daily but I have other products I wanna use that I feel like would be too much at once with the tret.

Check out r/tretinoin , they're pretty helpful.

Ok-Disaster4471

28d

I m considering starting it too. Could I ask how old are you and since when are you using it ? :D

tictacotictaco

28d

I started at 30, 32 now. I’m the same as the above. Very sensitive skin, no issues. 3 or 4x/week

sbocean54

28d

I started at 33 and am now 69. I highly recommend starting now. I think it’s a combo of good genes and the early use of retin A, but I’m very happy with my skin, I receive many compliments and some resentments.

ChooChooBun

28d

Early 30s, been about 6mths. No irritation but I'm being careful. Only a good moisturizer and tret on tret night. I'm thinking moving up to 0.05% but not anytime soon, maybe in my 40s 😄

DipitySerene

28d

What % are you currently using?

seaofstars22

28d

Tretinoin or retinoids in general really aren’t necessary for everyone and I honestly hate how much it’s pushed as a solution for everything on here. I started using tret very young (early 20s).While it did help with my skin quality as I got into my 30s, the irritation even on the lowest buffered dose was way too much for me. I’ve stopped after a decade. You can get just as good results as you can obtain with tret by replacing tret with a gentle exfoliant, some type of source to stimulate collagen ie red light therapy and a really good moisturizer that works on your skin barrier- ideally something with ceramides and peptides. Honesty 90% of aging is genetics anyways. I would not look at tret as the gold standard or end all be all. It is very effective for a lot of people but the way it is pushed as the only solution is really ignorant IMO

Needed to add an edit since I saw your comment about discontinuing a product after no results for 6 months- don’t expect fast results with tretinoin either. Research shows it takes years if not decades to see the full effects of retinoids on skin. It is really a slow burn. While someone with terrible skin might notice faster results- I’m guessing by your post that this isn’t you at all.

DipitySerene

28d

I mostly just feel like I haven’t noticed any difference at all in my skin and I know that percentage of retinol in this product is pretty low, so I wanted to up to something a little higher and wasn’t sure if I should go all the way up to tret or do a higher level retinol/retinal. I realize that wrinkle reduction takes a long time and/or is more preventative in nature, but it didn’t feel like it improved my skin quality overall at all, so it didn’t feel like it was getting the effects I was hoping for.

seaofstars22

27d

How long have you been doing your most recent skincare routine in total? I’ve had some form of skincare even when I was a preteen. Obviously it was age appropriate (just cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen as a kid) and then I moved into more actives as I got past age 20. It took me YEARS to see results no matter the method and I have pretty good skin.

If you’ve never used tretinoin im probably going to go against what everyone says on here and suggest you start with an over the counter retinol so your skin can adapt. You could go straight to tret but he aware most people have agitation. I didn’t have a purge at all from tret and from what I’ve seen that’s not the norm at all. The posts on here of people who had a purge made it sound like the acne tret gave them lasted weeks or months before it went away let alone before tret started “working”.

Besides the common purge you will experience on tret, it also can aggravate your skin by peeling/ flaking/ temporarily thinning your skin- although over time tret does thicken your barrier. In the short term the effects can be pretty unpleasant. Due to all this anyone using tret needs to be extremely careful of their skin barrier - ie spf 50 or spf 100 every single day (multiple times a day if in the sun), peptides/ ceramides night cream to repair your barrier etc. It’s a high risk potentially high reward scenario with tretinoin.

I personally saved up my money and I have gotten IPL and a red light mask and TBH they have done MORE for me FASTER than years of tretinoin ever did. The IPL was the equivalent of me using tret for 7 years in my face. All my discoloration vanished in a week and my skin evenness improved 100x. The red light therapy took me 3 months to see the results. I had the beginning of a fine line on my forehead and it’s gone. Also it made my pores not as visible and my skin is way more even. I know these have a cost barrier for a lot of people. However, if you save your money and use a good sunscreen for now and then in a few months or a year you’re able to buy a red light mask or get IPL or another laser treatment that will work much faster than tret and you won’t have the crazy side effects. Ofc you should do what you want to I am just very adamant that there are OTHER ways. Any time someone on here has a skin issue all the comments jump to tretinoin. There is hardly any comments about all the lasers and light therapies that actually work better and have less side effects and take less time🫶🏻

Edit: forgot to say but some retinol over the counter will have a % listed. Those are probably safer for you knowing how much you’re using and how much you can expect it to work. I’m pretty sure Paula’s choice lists the % retinol.

DipitySerene

27d

I’ve had a simple skincare routine for ages- it was some time in my twenties that I realized my face does better with simplicity. I tried more actives like lactic acid and niacinamine from TO and broke out or had sensitivity for quite a while (too long ago to remember exactly how long I stuck with it but I do think it was at least a few months). I’ve been doing a gentle cleanser (cetaphil or cerave) and a simple (but I think well hydrating/moisturizing) moisturizer (cerave and now Vanicream daily facial moisturizer) for years since that (probably at least 5 years). I’ve been wearing daily sunscreen since high school. I did the L’Oreal retinol moisturizer for about 6 months, til I ran out of my most recent container a week or two ago.

Your light mask recommendation is also one I’ve considered. I’m wondering if maybe bumping up to PC 1% or a G+G retinal formula is the way to go first. I didn’t do well on TO lactic acid but I’ve thought I would like to try an AHA as well.

seaofstars22

27d

I’ve heard good things about the Paula’s choice one!

kari2891

26d

I wish i could upvote 100000 times. Preach!!!!

seaofstars22

26d

🫶🏻

Me_meHard

28d

Good people of the reddits, where are you getting your tret? Edit- thanks for all the helpful replies 😊

Remarkable-Mind-3848

28d

Amazon clinic. Paid 30 for the consult and 45.00 for a 45 gram tube. I’m pretty sure that tube will last me over 6 months and I have one refill.

Unfair_Finger5531

28d

I was going to do an Amazon consult, but it was 80 dollars! I wonder why mine was so high:(.

licensed2creep

28d

You can do it for $40 with CallonDoc, and I think your first time is only $20 ($20 discount code for first appts). They send it to the pharmacy of your choice, same day. Could also try code APP15 to see if that’ll knock $15 checking out in the app, it might still work. You can request a specific format (gel vs cream) and percentage of tret when filling out the intake form for the “appointment” which is actually just them processing and filling your rx unless you specify that you want a live visit with a doctor.

I’ve had good experiences every time I’ve used them.

Unfair_Finger5531

28d

Thanks so much! I used doctor on demand last time, and they completely messed up my prescription.

Remarkable-Mind-3848

28d

80.00? That’s high. I just went on and noticed the consult fee varies by state. Perhaps that’s why.

Unfair_Finger5531

28d

Ah, so that’s it. Damn.

NickiDMoe

28d

Curology

fearandsarcasm

28d

I just bought 3 tubes of 0.1% gel for $21. 00. They charge 20$ shipping. My total bill was $41 usd! Took a couple of weeks for delivery but that wasn’t a problem. A few years ago I bought one tube from a drs rx and it was over $200. Will not be doing it that way again.

youknowwhatever99

28d

That’s great but you didn’t even share where you got it from LOL

fearandsarcasm

28d

I did but edited it as I didn’t know if it was against the rules. Alld*ychemist 😊

youknowwhatever99

28d

Oh I didn’t know that was against the rules either!! Apologies - and thank you for sharing :)

fearandsarcasm

28d

So happy to share, Hope everyone can find a good deal!

80sbabyin60smercedes

27d

Alldaychemist for the past 10 years. Comes from India - no prescription. Only downside is takes a long time to deliver. I stock up and plan ahead.

espressomartinipls

28d

Typically you want to use products before you need it. It’s significantly easier to proactively address concerns than retroactively.

Classic26

28d

This logic is tough for me to wrap my head around because then how will you know you need it if you don’t have the concerns yet? It sounds like an expensive undertaking.

kerodon

28d

I would still just work up to it at a premium pace. Start with a retinal, go to adapalene, and then see if you want to increase to tret. You might decide to stop earlier than tret to balance the efficacy with the comfort.

Retinoid reccs and guide https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/qtodqu/routine_help_how_to_cleanse_once_a_day_when_you/hkp4w8t/

Strangeandweird

28d

Basic drugstore retinol got rid of quite a few lines for me so I'm a huge fan of starting at a lower dosage especially if you don't really need help in other areas.

somewhereisasilence

28d

May I ask what was your drugstore retinol product of choice?

Strangeandweird

27d

Kind of embarrassing but my first retinol was the one from boots 😭. But it got rid of my laugh lines so it was worth it for me.

_Underwold_9781

28d

33 is a great time to start. I did that and my skin got flaky and oily for like 6 months then settled down and was worth the trouble, as it totally prevented signs of aging so far. I’m on 0.025% every other night and plan to stay there because supposedly that’s enough for anti-aging.

adrdoster

28d

100% I’m 37, no huge visible signs of aging. I asked my derm for a Tret prescription and he said sure, we love Tret, especially for prevention

Pure-Improvement-738

28d

Honestly, the best skin decision I’ve ever made; I wish I would have started sooner (like closer to 30)! Started at 35 after I noticed “rapid” aging in my skin. Mainly, fine lines, skin texture, and fat loss. Tret can’t address fat loss, but it has made a world of a difference for my fine lines and texture, especially in my nasolabial folds. Now, figuring out the right products that worked for me with this topical was a bit of a journey, but now that I have it my routine down I feel like I’ve put a pause on that rapid aging I was experiencing. Plus, I no longer have hormonal breakouts around my chin! It’s been 2 years, I’ve worked my way up to .1% about 5-6x a week.

sincerelyansell

28d

I say start tret! I started around age 27-28 and very slowly worked my way up to nightly use and now at 32 I’m so glad I started it when I did. I also had issues with occasional breakouts and horrible hyperpigmentation afterwards so the tretinoin has evened out my skin tone tremendously.

I’m not a dermatologist though I am a physician, and all the studies have shown that the best concentration for anti-aging efficacy is 0.05% so that’s what I’ve always used and will continue to use.

Eternalcaddygirl

28d

I started at 43. I’ve been on tret for a month. I’ve never had acne but my skin is normal-dry and sensitive. I started on 0.025% every other day no issues or purge as of yet. I’m hoping purging doesn’t affect me. I don’t have wrinkling at all but I do have smile lines which seems to be disappearing everyday. I think you should go for it.

nodoggity

28d

No advice but how do you request tretinoin for anti aging? Do you just straight up ask your primary dr?

Do you need a referral to a dermatologist and then flat out ask or do you have to say you need it for other things instead?

licensed2creep

28d

I mentioned upthread, but I’ve gotten mine via CallonDoc app, by the just selecting “skin issue” and requesting the exact formulation I wanted. They sent it to my pharmacy that night. $40 for the appt but the first one was only $20 with the “first visit in app” promo code, I’m pretty sure that was automatically available in my account to use. Super easy.

rsbih06

28d

I didn’t need a referral but I believe it depends on your insurance. I simply asked for it during a mole check actually and he prescribed it.

Yelloejello

28d

Just ask your primary for it. Mine gave it to me no problem.

Allllliiiii

28d

My skin was 'fine' when I started tret and now it's so much better!

Jolly-Yellow7369

28d

If you can’t stand the idea of getting temporary flaking and purging or you can’t give up your other actives while your skin gets used to tret, maybe you shouldn’t try it just yet. Even foundation can get irritating. Also be patient you need at least 3 skin cycles after you start applying consistently to start seeing a difference and for many people the purging lasts longer than they would want to.

Tret can be very drying and irritating at first , it makes your skin look worse before making it look better . It will bring up all the debris that is currently buried under your skin. I honestly loved the purging phase of my retinization process, it made me feel I was cleaning my skin at a deeper level. The purging cysts went away quite fast. I also got drier skin which made my laugh lines and crowfeet more pronounced for a while. All those things were temporary to me.

Why don’t you test it first?

Drop all your skincare except your cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen ( a mineral sunscreen will be less irritating for the initial stage of retinization ) Get a .025 strength cream. Apply it for just Half an hour every 72 hours for two weeks. Don’t leave it all night just yet.

Week 1 Monday, Thursday , Sunday

Week 2 Tuesday, Friday, Monday

If all goes well and you aren’t getting major symptoms increase frequency to every other day. Use your nights off tret to up your moisturizing game. Don’t add azelaic or vitamin C or any other active until your skin gets used to tret.

You will likely notice a smoother and glowy skin in about 2 skin cycles ( 8 to 12 weeks) despite the purging but overall be patient because the real anti aging benefits won’t come until after 8 to 9 skin cycles. And you may need tret paired with another active. I’ve been applying consistently since July last year along with setria glutathione and it’s been only recently that my hyperpigmentation started to clear and that was when I added weekly Lactic acid. You can check my pictures on my profile.

But again, if you have relatively clear skin now and can’t stand the idea of some ugly cysts (as temporary as they could be) don’t start tret just yet.

Most importantly and you won’t get this info frequently: avoid the sun between 10 am And 3 pm . It’s even In the instructions of your spf that no one reads. No sunscreen covers 100 % UVA light and there are more studies claiming tret makes you photosensitive than studies that disregard this notion. Just in case don’t risk it. Up your sun protection game.

licensed2creep

28d

Interesting on the skin cycles timing and increased benefits. Didn’t know that detail

Jolly-Yellow7369

28d

With tretinoin you wouldn't need half of your skincare, this is why many people actually sabotage tretinoin newbies with bad advice, so when they run into trouble they have to buy a LRP or cerave product.

DipitySerene

28d

This is super helpful! Do you think my risk of purging is the same even though I don’t typically get acne? Will I decrease this risk by working up to Tret by first doing something like Retinal or higher retinol?

Also helpful reminder about sun exposure! I do religiously wear sunscreen daily, but I live in MN and tend to be a bit of a sun baby and soak up as much of it as I can in the summer months when they arrive. I’ve been trying to do better about covering up/wearing hats/being in the shade/reapplying sunscreen- but would you say Tret puts you at a higher risk level of sun damage compared to a retinol or retinal? If that’s the case, it might be better for me wait for fall to bump up to Tret and stick to retinol/retinal this summer?

Jolly-Yellow7369

28d

Yes, the risk of purging is there, because you don't know what's buried deep in your skin. I don't believ in retinals or retinols because tretinoin is a pharma product and pharma products are highly scrutinized by health authorites world wide. I buy my tretinoin abroad at very low price knowing full well that the health authorites of many countries are taking care of the quality. But retinols and retinals are skincare and most skincare companies can get by disclosing the wrong ingredients in their labels. In other words, I either go full tretinoin or any other pharma retinoid or skip retinoids altogether. most or my topicals are pharma: finaceas, amlactic, retin a. I don't believe in retinols but that's just me. No retinol has the strenght of low tretinoin. 0.25 is how I started.

If you are afraid of purging maybe instead of retinoids try a BHA or AHA, somebody already recommended glycolic. I would also try finaceas which is pharma azelaic acid. In any case go to a derm for advice.

Sun in MN as long as it isn't between 10 am and 4 pm is fine whether on tretinoin or not. JUST check the UV index dayly. Anything above 2 requires that you stay indoors, but anything 2 or below just a good tinted mineral sunscreen and a lot of hats, balaclavas and seeking shade will do.

Classic26

28d

Talk to a dermatologist, otherwise how can you guarantee that the people giving you advice on Reddit didn’t just learn everything they know from teenagers on TikTok?

You are smart to ask this question. I read an article by a dermatologist that speeding up cell turnover is ultimately just taking you faster down that aging road. Apparently these products can also thin your skin, which can also show wrinkles worse as you age. Average people with no acne using these intense products is a relatively new thing and there is simply not enough research for any of us to know and be able to answer this question. Only a dermatologist can look at your skin and weigh pros and cons with you.

redandblack17

28d

I started using Adapalene 0.3% at 16 and I’m over 30 now. I regularly get mistaken for a teenager! I will never forget what my derm said to me when I got it - “You are going to use this for the rest of your life, no joke. It’s for acne as well as anti-aging. You HAVE TO wear sunscreen every day.” And she was not wrong…..

FinalBlackberry

28d

I’d probably start with Retinol first.

TawnyMoon

28d

Yes.

beautynbags

28d

Anyone know where we can get tret in canada?

lclives

28d

I just went to a walk in clinic and asked for it and he just gave it to me w no questions lmao. A bunch of types have been discontinued here tho but I was still able to get 0.025% but only in the gel. They told me cream is discontinued by all the companies here. Idk that’s what my pharmacy said because the doc gave it in cream form and they had to call and have him change it

beautynbags

28d

Oh noo really? Ive heard mixed things about the gel form, that its not as good :( How do you find it?

lclives

27d

I only started a couple weeks ago so I’ve only applied 4 or 5 times? At first I was annoyed because I found even with everyone’s suggestions it literally does not stop pilling if I try to put moisturizer on after. It just doesn’t work even if I wait an hour for the tret to dry (and it feels like it dries almost instantly). There was the tiniest bit of peeling after the second application but nothing since. I put moisturizer on before I apply the tret (I have a heavy moisturizer imo so it’s a thinner layer than I normally would) and then apply just the tret and nothing else. On my off days I do what I normally do and apply moisturizer AND castor oil before bed. And haven’t had any issues so far. Just a couple spots but they do seem to heal faster and honestly it’s not much more than I normally get

MartiniL80

28d

I started using Retin-A at 40. Timeline was right for me

maestrita

28d

Have sensitive skin and jumped straight to tret. Had issues with it in college when I used it for acne, so I started very slowly, sandwiching with moisturizer and alternating days. Still use a ton of moisturizer, but I use it nightly unless my skin is sensitive for other reasons.

COuser880

27d

Yes

kari2891

26d

I don't use tret nor retinols. At 42 my skin is perfectly fine without them. I'm honestly baffled at how its pushed/normalised (also Botox) but to each their down. Spf50, eating well, exercising and living a good, purposeful, meaningful life is more important to me than adding another MUST do to my skincare routine. Our mothers, grandmothers etc were fine without tret (my grandmothers had stunning skin and the most lovely, affordable, basic skincare routine).

labellavita1985

28d

Just get on Tretinoin. It's never too early. I started at 28. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment.

ja13aaz

28d

Also 33F and started tret for anti-aging. I love it and I’m never going back. My pore size has visibly decreased and my 11’s are basically gone.

peasarelegumes

27d

I found it was a miracle there too. My elevens were COMPLETELY erased in under 6 months of 0.025. I started early 30's too.

Blessedone67

-2

28d

Also if your skin is sensitive or dry you could add prescription retinol to a face, or excema cream! I DIY my skincare, refuse to pay $100 and up for a cream with minimal retinal! Also Beverly Hills skincare line is great, and (hence the name) expensive. I’m no chemist., but I actually sat through a 45 minute presentation and I must say I’m impressed. The people that made up the formulas are certified dermatologists, and the stuff really works!! Also, you can use it sparingly, I make it last for months.