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Before getting into how to use it, we gotta understand what tretinoin is and how it actually works.
“what is tretinoin and how does it work” :
Tret is an active derivative of vitaimin A, also known as all-trans retinoic acid. Unlike retinol, tret is already active, which basically means thst your skin doesnt gotta convert it before using it. Once tret gets inside a skin cell, it binds to Retinoic Acid Receptors (RAR-alpha, RAR-beta and RAR-gamma) and basically gives the cell new instructions on how to work. It aint gonna change your actual DNA, its just gonna change which instructions your skin cells follow (gene expression).
Tret—> binds to RARs—> changes gene expression—> changes how skin cells grow and shed
These Retinoic Acid Receptors are basically controlling cell turnover, tissue development, inflammation and collagen production in the skin.
So basically the binding changes the gene and speeds up cell turnover, prevents dead skin cell clogging pores and stimulates collagen production.
This whole mechanism will help with reducing fine lines and wrinkles and overall improve skin texture.
“how does that help with acne and why can it make your skin shit at first?” :
well, tretinoin isn't gonna kill the acne bacteria (like azelaic acid) its gonna change the way your skin work in a way that its gonna "train" it to not encounter acne later on. it basically helps your skin cells shed more evenly, which prevetns dead skin cells from sticking together and clogging your pores. these clogs are microcomedones, and they can eventually turn into blackheads, whiteheads or pimples.
Less microcomedones—> less clogged pores—> less acne
That’s basically why it will make your skin a bit dry or flaky during the first periods of usage, since it forces your cells to turnover faster than your moisture barrier can adapt and the clogs that were already there forming underneath the skin can reach the surface. (Thats why it’ll make your acne look worse before it looks better)
How to use it (simple routine + what to not do)
1st rule:
is do NOT apply in the morning except if you know that you're not going to expose yourself to sunlight. why? because the sun breaks down the active ingredient making it completely useless, not only that but if will fuck up your skin barrier completely and I can tell you from experience that you do not want that (sun burn, peeling, redness, hyperpigmentation, itchiness ...)
2nd rule:
is use is on dry skin after washing your face (use a clean towel or some cotton tissues and tap your face gently don't rub it like an idiot). using it on wet skin will make you absorb it more than you want to and can cause barrier damage
3rd rule:
start with a low concentration and go up overtime
4th rule:
more cream does not mean faster/better results , more cream = more irritation. so always use only a pea size more or less
you usually get the final and best results by stopping at 0.05%
routine:
pm (night time routine):
-wash it twice
-dry
-apply a PEA size amount over the whole face
-moisturise
-sleep
am (day time routine):
-wash once
-azelaic acid (kills acne causing bacteria and helps with darkspots)
-moisturise
-sunscreen
-go out
“what is tretinoin and how does it work” :
Tret is an active derivative of vitaimin A, also known as all-trans retinoic acid. Unlike retinol, tret is already active, which basically means thst your skin doesnt gotta convert it before using it. Once tret gets inside a skin cell, it binds to Retinoic Acid Receptors (RAR-alpha, RAR-beta and RAR-gamma) and basically gives the cell new instructions on how to work. It aint gonna change your actual DNA, its just gonna change which instructions your skin cells follow (gene expression).
Tret—> binds to RARs—> changes gene expression—> changes how skin cells grow and shed
These Retinoic Acid Receptors are basically controlling cell turnover, tissue development, inflammation and collagen production in the skin.
So basically the binding changes the gene and speeds up cell turnover, prevents dead skin cell clogging pores and stimulates collagen production.
This whole mechanism will help with reducing fine lines and wrinkles and overall improve skin texture.
basically tret changes the way your skin works and makes it produce more collagen,speedup cell turnover and prevents pore clogging. allots gon help with wrinkles, fine lines and skin tightening or acne
well, tretinoin isn't gonna kill the acne bacteria (like azelaic acid) its gonna change the way your skin work in a way that its gonna "train" it to not encounter acne later on. it basically helps your skin cells shed more evenly, which prevetns dead skin cells from sticking together and clogging your pores. these clogs are microcomedones, and they can eventually turn into blackheads, whiteheads or pimples.
Less microcomedones—> less clogged pores—> less acne
That’s basically why it will make your skin a bit dry or flaky during the first periods of usage, since it forces your cells to turnover faster than your moisture barrier can adapt and the clogs that were already there forming underneath the skin can reach the surface. (Thats why it’ll make your acne look worse before it looks better)
tret gon make your skin clear existing clogs, but its also gonna prevent new acne from forming in the future. and since its gonna change the way your skin works then you'll need a small period of adaptation before seeing the real results.
How to use it (simple routine + what to not do)
1st rule:
is do NOT apply in the morning except if you know that you're not going to expose yourself to sunlight. why? because the sun breaks down the active ingredient making it completely useless, not only that but if will fuck up your skin barrier completely and I can tell you from experience that you do not want that (sun burn, peeling, redness, hyperpigmentation, itchiness ...)
2nd rule:
is use is on dry skin after washing your face (use a clean towel or some cotton tissues and tap your face gently don't rub it like an idiot). using it on wet skin will make you absorb it more than you want to and can cause barrier damage
3rd rule:
start with a low concentration and go up overtime
4th rule:
more cream does not mean faster/better results , more cream = more irritation. so always use only a pea size more or less
| 0.025% | 0.05% | 0.1% |
| start with 2-3 times a week | start with 2-3 times a week | start with 2-3 times a week |
when your skin gets used to it  | when your skin gets used to it | when your skin gets used to it |
| 4 days a week (1day on 1 day off) | 4 days a week (1day on 1 day off) | 4 days a week (1day on 1 day off) |
| when your skin gets used to it | when your skin gets used to it | when your skin gets used to it |
| every day | every day | every day |
| move up to 0.05% | move to 0.1% | enjoy |
you usually get the final and best results by stopping at 0.05%
routine:
pm (night time routine):
-wash it twice
-dry
-apply a PEA size amount over the whole face
-moisturise
-sleep
am (day time routine):
-wash once
-azelaic acid (kills acne causing bacteria and helps with darkspots)
-moisturise
-sunscreen
-go out
Tret is the active form of vitaimin A. It binds to RARs and changes gene expression, basically changing how your skin cells grow and shed.
Tret—> less clogged pores + more collagen—> less acne, less wrinkles and less uneven texture
It might cause dryness, peeling or temporary purging while your skin adapts.
sun + tret = shit skin
how to use :
Night—> double wash—> dry skin—> pea-sized amount—> moisturiser
Morning—>wash—>moisturiser—> sunscreen
Start with 0.025% 2-3 times a week and slowly increase only when your skin gets used to it. More tret aint gonna give faster results, it's just gonna give you more irritation. Dont move to 0.05% or 0.1% unless you actually can tolerate it but you should get the best results with 0.05% anyways
Tret—> less clogged pores + more collagen—> less acne, less wrinkles and less uneven texture
It might cause dryness, peeling or temporary purging while your skin adapts.
sun + tret = shit skin
how to use :
Night—> double wash—> dry skin—> pea-sized amount—> moisturiser
Morning—>wash—>moisturiser—> sunscreen
Start with 0.025% 2-3 times a week and slowly increase only when your skin gets used to it. More tret aint gonna give faster results, it's just gonna give you more irritation. Dont move to 0.05% or 0.1% unless you actually can tolerate it but you should get the best results with 0.05% anyways
i love you saint cashcow
