5 Surprising Things That Happened When I Quit Tretinoin

[@KellyDriscoll]

|| Discount Codes || YESSTYLE: *Use code KELLYDRIS to take 5% off your Yesstyle order (2% returning customers)* STYLEVANA: Use code SHOPKELLDRIS for 10% off your Stylevana order WISHTREND: Use Code KELLY15 for 15% off your Wishtrend order (some exclusions may apply) OLIVE YOUNG: Use Code KELLYDRIS1 for 5% off your Olive Young order STRATIA: Use Code KELLDRIS at Stratia Skin for 10% off your order || Chapters || 0:00 Intro 0:41 Why I Stopped Tretinoin 2:32 What I THOUGHT Would Happen 4:39 What Happened 4:51 Less Dryness 7:02 I Can Use More Actives 8:49 Simpler Skincare Routines 11:06 Less Breakouts 14:22 I Didn’t Get Old 17:23 Bottom Line and Why I’m Sharing this Experience || Social || TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kellydriscoll Instagram: instagram.com/kelldris Check out The Unpacking Beauty Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unpackingbeauty Recently Worn: shopmy.us/kellydriscoll/closet

[@Ricalitch]

I have tried and tried with Tretinoin, but I just find that with consistency with Azelaic Acid, Vit C & Retinol & peptides, niacinamide + Centella products, masking... has been great. I'm so glad to see you are doing well without it!! :)

[@fionac3578]

Imo the number 1 most important part of any anti-aging skincare regimen is keeping your barrier intact and reducing inflammation. You did the right thing Kelly ❤

[@nolankvn]

i'm a guy in his mid 30's and I just decided to stop tretinoin after 2.5 years because of the routine inflexibility + always super shiny skin, i feel like this video is perfectly timed for me! appreciated

[@skincarewithaustin]

I’m late 20s and been on tret for almost 10 years. I’ve considered stopping so many times because it makes my skin so shiny!! I guess some would consider it a ‘glow’, but I’m not sure men’s skin will ever be perceived as glowing… People just tell me I’m shiny all the time. 🙃

[@annikaknoche6362]

So refreshing to hear this! I live in a country( Sweden) where we can’t get tret anymore ( not even on prescription) and I use retinaldehyde instead. The majority of influencers that I follow on youtube always sing the praises of tretinoin… ” the gold standard” ” the gold standard” and it sometimes sounds like as if no other active ingredient is worth our time and efford…. Surely, tretinoin has existed for a long long time and lots of research has proven its benefits. But that’s just one ingredient. It’s now 2024 and there is so much more on the market. We jusr don’t know… maybe retinaldehyde and peptides are even more beneficial for well aging than tret is. Great video as always!❤❤❤

[@davidsentosa779]

Although it's well studied, it's not the only option that works. Also worth mentioning the irritating side effect is more likely with tret so it can't be for everyone. There are some influencers I know who chose to stop using it and switch to either retinaldehyde or retinol. Even there are people who think they don't need to use tret. Also dermatologists don't always prescribe it so there are derms who don't glorify it as it's the only great ingredient, they will look wether we actually need it or not. Btw may I know why is it not available anymore in Sweden? Is it totally banned?

[@annikaknoche6362]

@@davidsentosa779 Yes, right now it is not available at all and the only way to get it is via online services like Dermatica which is located in the U.K. You need to get an online consultation with a doctor first and upload photos of your skin. A friend of mine is using this service and sometimes it takes 3 weeks for the package to arrive. I’ve also ordered some tret from India once which got stuck in custom and I never received it. So it’s not that easy to get tret.

[@amberhamid6264]

In Sweden, you can use Dermatica to have a complete tret+other actives formula

[@barboradolejsova2156]

​@@davidsentosa779 I can't speak for Sweden, but in my country (Czechia) topical tretinoin is only available in a form of a gel (Acnatac) or a solution (Aknemycin plus) that combine 0.025 tretinoin with antibiotics and are only prescribed for severe forms of acne. Pure tretinoin is not available here either, it's perceived as medicine rather than an anti-aging holy grail. But different EU countries have different regulations.

[@JD-xd4sy]

Also Swede here. I "accidentally" starting using Tretinoin at the highest strength because that was the alternative I could get my hands on a couple years ago (some online pharmacy), but even though my skin is super sensitive to most actives and very reactive - for some strange reason it acclimated so fast to this particular ingredient! Then again, I always buffer it with cream and use it as the second to last step of a very lengthy routine :)

[@jennybee42]

My dermatologist told me it's far better to use whatever retinoid you can the most often. So if something is too strong to use 5 times a week, it would be better to use something weaker more often than using the strong product less often. I have found that Adapalene is a good happy medium for me. I wasn't seeing results with an inactive form. I've never tried Tret, I might in the future. I'm 41 and so happy with my skin, it is the best it's been in a long time.

[@AnastasiaChekhova]

Your experience makes total sense, thanks for sharing. I’m three months in on tretinoin and my skin never looked better. For me it’s kind of backwards - I kinda think “why I spent years and astonishing amounts of money for all the actives, all the serums, all the steps if tretinion does it all for me and looks like does it better”. But I’m also super oily and having a drier skin is a new interesting experience for me. Also, I’m not a fan of mixing skincarec but I’ve tried your tip about adding Cicaplast in my evening moisturizer and it worked like a charm. Big thanks!

[@Desertxxrose]

Omg! Your routines have been almost like the core to mine. I started using them as a guide to introduce tret on my routine since 2021. I seriously cannot see myself without them! I was lucky enough to build up tolerance and now I'm able to do AHAs/BHAs and Vit C with no problem at all, all thanks to your wonderful reccomendations! ❤❤❤❤

[@KellyDriscoll]

That's amazing, so happy to help!

[@annlynngarviefinley5581]

I started tretinoin on 2/13/20 and it took me until this week, 9/30/24 to get to 0.1%. My compound formula contains the same other ingredients that Kelly mentioned in her previous formula. I’ve used the new formula twice so far this week and so far so good which actually really surprised me! But winter is coming so instead of using it 4 to 5 nights a week, I might need to scale it back a bit until Spring. Great video, Kelly!

[@KellyDriscoll]

Oh nice! It's really a slow game, we started around the same time and I got to .05%!

[@sarahhagen2051]

I used tretinoin for several years, but as I got deeper into menopause, my skin started reacting to everything! So, I stopped all actives tor about a year. I just started using a really gentle vitamin c, and so far so good. I do still peptides, but they haven’t caused me any issues

[@sebumpostmortem]

Have you tried encapsulated (slow release) retinAL? It' s soft and gentle like diaper rash cream✨, way more than retinOL, but as much effective as tret. Hope it helps🧛🏻‍♀️🖤

[@sarahhagen2051]

@@sebumpostmortem Thanks, I’ll look into it!

[@binabina6196]

​​@@sebumpostmortemCan you recommend good products with encapsulated RetinAl? Thx!

[@Megzeazez]

It is truly wild how everyone’s skin is different!! Tret gave me some of the worst eczema of my life despite doing all the things to try and mitigate the side effects. Luckily I am able to tolerate adapalene without the same issue, and I’ve decided it’s just not worth it to continue with tretinoin.

[@KellyDriscoll]

It really is! Sometimes the internet is great at showing us all the different skin experiences and sometimes not! But it's so good you found what works well for you!

[@skincarewithaustin]

Just reinforcing your point about everyone’s skin being different: my skin responds well to tretinoin, but adapalene flares my facial eczema to hell and back. 😮

[@janesmitson7404]

I think tretinion is one of those long haul things and basic to good skin care. Like brushing your teeth. Even if you use it 3x a week. But I'd never totally give it up. I think you'd see a difference in 20 years not using tretinoin to 20 years using it. It's as important as sunscreen to me, but that's just my opinion.

[@cheex8876]

Your skin looks amazing!! Better than ever

[@KellyDriscoll]

Awww thanks!

[@nelsonquinney2316]

Great Video Kelly

[@mbear278]

My skin has never been better since dropping Tretinoin and switching to retinal. I’m able to use more actives and control my acne better. For example I’m able to use 15% azelaic acid, salicylic acid and retinal all in the same routine with zero irritation every night 🙏 everyone is different and I don’t think Tret is the end all, be all

[@KellyDriscoll]

That's amazing! I think I had the same benefit, being able to use more gives me more control!

[@BarbaraT.]

Such a great video, Kelly. Thanks! I'm also giving up tretinoin (at least for now) and this video is very helpful to me. Personally, my tret journey started fine, but as I went up in dosage, I started experiencing dryness, peeling and then some. Above all, and this is entirely my fault, I wasn't able to stick to tret and build it up properly because of my lifestyle (lots of travelling, for instance). I've changed my routine slightly and am adding peptides atm. I'll soon go back to retinal, which I had been using regularly and without any issues before I started tretinoin. My skin has never looked better, just in case you were wondering 😊. Lots of love, take care of yourself. And if you can, spare a positive thought for me: life is going to test me hard in the next couple of weeks and I really need some positive energy coming my way ❤❤❤ Sorry for the long-winded comment.

[@lorainemcgillivray77]

Hi Kelly I had to stop tretinoin a few years ago due to rosacea and menopause. During perimenopause I was using tretinoin fairly successfully outwith a few flares of rosacea, but once I hit true menopause my skin just became too sensitive to tolerate it as the rosacea worsened. The complete lack of oestrogen made my skin much drier as well, so tretinoin became too strong and too irritating. I had been using it consistently for a few years prior to that point, but inflammation is actually really aging and I wasn’t even able to use it with any consistency anyway. I had been dabbling at that time with azelaic acid during my breaks with tretinoin (I could not use both together even at the other end of the day) and truthfully azelaic acid was working better for me in how my skin looked and felt (15% finnacea). I have dabbled with retinaldehyde since, but my main active is azelaic acid. I’m more concerned with skin that isn’t painful and inflamed than wrinkles, so it was an easy choice tbh. Azelaic acid as a bonus keeps my pores really clear and improves skin texture over and above the redness reduction I mainly use it for. I also use niacinamide and peptides and a milder AHA etc within my routine for some collagen boost hopefully 😂. It’s been a journey. Tretinoin is an excellent ingredient for many many people, but it’s not suitable for everyone and especially difficult to use with rosacea and eczema as I have. Best wishes x

[@KellyDriscoll]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Loraine! Especially interesting to take into consideration how menopause affects the skin!

[@dklfjladkjldjfkladskf]

Hey. That was interesting, thanks! I come from the other side to Retinaldehide. I went from Zero to the BoJ Retinal Serum and I use it every night now. My skin is already much brighter and also firmer. I‘m 42 and my biggest concern is sagging skin… The retinal definitly helps with that a bit and I‘ll soon add some peptides as well, which is easy, as my skin tolerates the BoJ Retinal very well. I think that the gentle way is a powerful way - even for aging skin.

[@connie6410]

Thank you for sharing your journey and results so far, Kelly. I currently use a compound formula with tretinoin, but I've been considering just switching to all OTC products. I'm so glad to hear your results have been so positive! ❤

[@KellyDriscoll]

Happy this was helpful, good luck!

[@elacampusano7341]

Your experience is very interesting, thanks Kelly 🌷

[@katiedemski2419]

I’ll share my experience- I found the compounded tretinoin products (curology/roDerm/etc) my skin couldn’t deal with. I never got past the red, flaky, “retinizing” phase. However- straight up Tretinoin- I use the .05 gel and have had great success. I think controlling what I layer it with probably helps. In my night routine I use a niacinamide serum, then a milky toner, let it sink in, treat, let it absorb, moisturizer. Five nights per week, then two lazy nights 😂

[@moisdawg]

Wow and here I am at 32 suddenly needing to go back and test cleanser/moisturizer combos so my little retinol is on pause (and all other actives) 😂 hope to work up my sensitive skin to your level!

[@LCL1979]

Just wanted to say that your face is just delightfully plump and fresh looking. Very noticeable in the shots when you are doing your skincare before you’ve applied makeup. I’d say whatever you’re doing is working very well. I’d also guess that your consistent attention and care to your skin is more important than any individual product or ingredient, not to say that ingredients, formulas, etc aren’t important.

[@joaogabriel1820]

i only disagree with the 2 point. 3 times a week of tretinoin has good evidence for results, so using more actives doesn’t necessarily mean = better, causa tretinoin itself can help with most of skin issues by itself

[@KellyDriscoll]

Yes it's clinically more proven but harder to get those results if you have to stop and start due to irritation.

[@joaogabriel1820]

@@KellyDriscoll yeah, i agree kelly. i don’t know if the climate plays a really big role, but i live in brazil, a hot and humid place. and had a relatively easy adaptation to tret. i guess that what really made the most difference for me was using the lowest concentration, using the cream form, and using it along side a good moisturizer like the cetaphil redness relief. i also think that we are to understand some irritation with tret is normal and self limited. this is just my opinion, not science based whatsoever (at least not that i know of) but i feel like using tret once a week for several months is prolonging the retinazation processes. 3 times a week seems like a good space to start with.

[@ironglaciers1988]

I started using 0.05% tretinoin cream earlier this year and my skin hasn't been this good since the 90s. 😅 I use it 4 times a week. I'm oily and dehydrated, so it's very odd for me to have to use heavier moisturizers now, but I'm also 36 and I don't get *quite* as oily as I used to. Still pretty oily if I get dehydrated, though. One note - I find I get more irritation with the gel formulas of tretinoin than I do with the cream formulas. I also buffer it with moisturizer. It's still been very effective.

[@KellyDriscoll]

A good moisturizer is a savior with tret, even for oily folks! I'm so happy it's working well for you!

[@fujikokun]

My skin unfortunately just never got used to tretinoin. My skin was overly sensitive and I couldn’t use anything else.

[@ownsbytessa]

i went from tret to retinaldehyde to retinol because most retinaldehyde either made my face yellow or it has niacinamide in (i have niacinamide sensitivity). when i was searching for the right retinol for me, the oil texture in most retinol product kinda scares be a little bit because i'm afraid that the oil will be too heavy and make me feel greasy. thankfully i ended up choosing cosrx 0.5 retinol. the price is affordable, the product itself is easily accessible and the most important, the oil texture is very light and easily absorbed by my skin. i'm glad i made the right choice

[@renataparker2824]

I am on week 3 of adapalene gel and loving it My goal is to keep my skincare as simple as possible My skin is fine with 2% BHA exfoliant 1x a week when not using adapalene 2 nights I do active free routine

[@noname-of2yl]

Just started watching this video but I switched from tret to tazorac cream after 8 years because my skin never wasn’t irritated on tret and it’s insane how much gentler and effective taz is. I always thought it was the harshest but so many people switched and found it gentler on the tret subreddit so I tried it and sure enough, totally different experience. Something to consider if you want to ever try in the future!

[@maryv9832]

I would love an update after or during winter. I’m so curious how your skin responds. I’m thinking of reducing the number of days I use tretinoin this winter. I hydrate and moisturize to the max, but still wake up with skin feeling so thirsty and dry!

[@mollyapteros]

I just started 2 weeks ago so this should be interesting!

[@KellyDriscoll]

Good luck, it's an amazing ingredient!

[@Bookoscopy]

Mine is opposite, my face can’t tolerate Ahas and Bhas but handles tretinoin so well . I only use my enzyme exfoliant to exfoliate twice a month

[@sideeffect2]

My skin has never looked better since quitting tret, and I faithfully used it for 6 years. I use 20% azelaic acid for breakouts and it works WAY better than tret! Now my skin is clear and most importantly CALM 😊

[@stina9659]

I have used it 7 years, then i got a Lupus attack on the skin and then I stopped, Ill never stop again, the acne was back, the scars came, no no no. I dont handle even mild AHA or Vitamin C well, so for me, my doctor really know what I needed when they gave me the vitamin A cream.

[@monye9963]

I use a strong retinol, or retinaldehyde plus differin, because I can use exfoliating acid with it, when I used glycolic acid with tretinoin, it made my face feel like it was on fire.

[@KellyDriscoll]

🔥🔥🔥🔥 I relate!

[@kennethAmos8929]

If you haven’t tried Isntree 8% AHA please do…… my skin have no problem with it. I have tried so many brands, But Isntree 8% AHA is the only one my skin can tolerate 😊

[@sasfishadventures9729]

Yeah I'm so done with the dryness and flaking from tretinoin 🎉

[@jcjccmz]

Kelly! I'm at the 3.22 mark and just need to chime in about agreeing that with tret, I do really have to curtail other actives. I never use exfoliants anymore, and really have a hard time deciding in the mornings (since I use tret at night) whether to use copper peptides or vitamin C (and only the THD cream from Peter Thomas Roth) or my Finacea (rx azelaic acid) gel cream. For me, I'm staying with tretinoin!

[@sharonscott1776]

I’m 48 and started Tretinoin 0.05 a year ago. We can only get that strength here in Australia. I never had the purge, the dr never told me to use a moisturizer with it so I hated that dry feel at night. But I’ve been using Dr V Rattan CeraPep moisturizer after Tret 5 nights a week. I use lactic acid Saturday night, and just moisturizer and eye cream on a Wednesday night.

[@sussiprapakranant8023]

Really interesting video! I just started Tretinoin a week ago after using a retinaldehyde serum (before that various retinol serums for about 4 years, and one tube of adapalene). Will be interesting to see if any noticeable changes 🙂

[@KellyDriscoll]

Good luck!

[@reesea7988]

I recently just started my tretinoin Use again (over used it the first time last year and damaged my skin barrier BAD) I’m using it every 3rd night and the BOJ retinal on one and a rest day/exfoliation on another. I think it’s suiting me alright for now but I guess I’ll just have to see and wait !

[@KellyDriscoll]

This sounds like a solid plan, the BOJ is a really nice gentle addition to help bridge the gap between tret uses!

[@erickab2992]

Tretinoin absolutely obliterated my face so badly...I thought I was purging and discovered that I was actually having a severe reaction to it blew my face up so bad that it spread to my neck all over my forehead you know all the usual places I wouldn't normally break out and cause my lymph nodes to get very swollen

[@CopperCatchfly]

Tell us your new routine!!

[@KellyDriscoll]

These videos show it: Cycling through 3 actives: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIapqXSBjJujY7c Retinal PM Routine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioK5n2qYq99mqac

[@CopperCatchfly]

@@KellyDriscollooh perfect, thank you ❤❤

[@heathersargent289]

I'm using the Medick8 retinal the low dose one. Finally getting to where I can up my application to 2 days a week. I wish I could use Trent I tried so hard and spent a lot of money on it having it delivered every month with curology and not even being able to use what I had. Maybe I'll try again after the retinal adventure for a good portion of a year and after I go up in dose, I can never seem to keep it up but I'm really trying this time and being patient.

[@dianemagnussen3138]

What are your peptide serums of choice and glycolic acid of choice? I am 54 have collagen damage and would love to know what you’re using. I’ll use a retinaldehyde. Medik8, 10. I’m always so appreciative of your honesty, your authenticity, and your generous intelligence.

[@susanmeredith4957]

I use Vit c in morning and tretinoin at night

[@davidsentosa779]

Thank you for sharing this Kelly. I learned from this as I plan to build a more potent well-aging routine but without tretinoin. Also what AHA product are you using?

[@KellyDriscoll]

I'm happy it helped! I'm currently using the Dr. Idriss Major Fade Flash Mask (15% glycolic and 3% lactic acid).

[@Labrexa]

🐝

[@jcjccmz]

2nd comment -- I cannot believe you said you're in your mid-30s! You look like you're in your early 20s, and the only reason I thought you might be 25 - 28 is because I've been subscribed to your channel for so long and also because you're smart (which we increasingly become with every year, don't we? haha)

[@Undefinedinc]

I 🤍 retinal

[@sebumpostmortem]

I suffered an accidental 2nd degree burn with boiling oil on my cheek in January, hellow, 2024😵‍💫... Obviously, I had to quit tret, my one and only 360° active. FYI: female, 50 yo, cycle still working like a clock. My skin stayed exactly the same until April-May, when sun damage dark spots started to become darker and darker. In July, they were fully themselves again😓. Wrinkles, all ok, I' m extreamly oily so I just don' t have any. Firmness?🥴😱 OMG, in August my jowls were belly dancers shimmy-shimmying like no tomorrow. My derm allowed to start retinAL🌚 and depigmentant 🌝 (ONDO) one month ago but it' s too soon to evaluate anything. If you were constantly peeling, it seems that tret was not for you, my dear. Your sensitive acne prone skin screams retinAL: high tolerability and antibacterial properties. Tret' s son is the real deal😉. 🧛🏻‍♀️🖤

[@KellyDriscoll]

OMG that sounds like a fantastic way to start the new year! /s glad to hear you're able to work some new stuff in to address your skin concerns!

[@sebumpostmortem]

@@KellyDriscoll It was a nightmare but I totally agree: sometimes things happen for a reason and this accident has proven that it had a purpose. Take care, querida 🧛🏻‍♀️🖤.

[@roselilly2086]

Hi kelly, please suggest me whenever i use tretenoin cream it makes me more oily snd more closed comodones on forehead. So should i try gel form or its not for me?

[@fenecofeneco19]

How is 3 times a weak a lot?🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Storm411z]

You know, now that you mention it… my skin was also clearer when I was on “lesser” retinoids, specifically adapalene 🤔 my derm started me on 0.025% tret (level 2/4) and I’ve had to stop and restart so many times because of irritation from other ingredients, most often the hydroquinone she also started me on! Ulta has Differin on sale rn so I was already thinking about picking up a small tube to try “stepping down” to it, and after watching your video I think I will! I’m 28 so my main concern is breakouts anyway, which is what adapalene is primarily indicated for, and my skin did great with it!

[@KellyDriscoll]

Never hurts to run a skin experiment and find out! It's not the common experience that people talk about but sometimes the highest strength isn't always the best! Good luck!