The Ordinary: Granactive retinoid 2% emulsion

Well… for retinoids it can take up to 6 weeks before you see any form of irritation (flakiness, dryness). This one from TO is the one I prefer best based of Dr Michelle from Lab Muffin Recommendation as the more photostable retinoid of TO. I actually use retinoids almost every night except when I am lazy. I keep dryness and flakiness at bay my using the moisturizer sandwich method. Moisturizer retinoid moisturizer. Back when I had oily skin, retinoid was the thing that kept my skin not oily. When I use retinoids at night I avoid using Vit C, AHA and BHA. If I understand what you mean that means you want to alternate AHA and Retinoids every other night? if so then I think it should be okay. Just listen to your skin if there is irritation and you can skip a day or two between them.

I would suggest doing every other night at least for a couple of weeks. My skin was fine at first too so I just went for it until it started feeling tighter and kind of tingly. I took a break and then started again - now using every other night and my skin is happy. Everyone's skin is different but it's better to do things gradually than have to remedy the mistakes later (I've learnt my mistake!)

Don't start to use Lactic Acid too early. I would suggest, wait a bit and then try to slowly introduce products. Preferably, not in one routine since aha and retinol are usually strong itself, but together they can give even better results

Perhaps use it alternate nights first? Or thrice a week? I used this twice a week & it was too much for my skin. I had painful zits- thankfully, recovery was fast! I'm following you on IG. I'd appreciate if you followed me too 💕 @blueskies8whiteclouds

it did nothing for my skin except working as a stepping stone towards a mild retinol