Let's talk tretinoin routines! When it comes to this topic, I haven't come across that much MISinformation, but I do see a lot of MIXED information, which is why this topic can be so confusing. The truth is, there are many different ways to incorporate tretinoin into your skincare, and the rationale for each of these methods almost conflict with one another. It may take some trial and error to find the method that works best for you. So, let's start with the points that everyone agrees on, and then we can start diving into how each method differs.

These are details that pretty much everyone agrees on:
TIMING: Always in the evening, never in the morning
DURATION: Continue to work in the product until fully absorbed
FREQUENCY: Once a night *at most*
AMOUNT: Pea-sized amount, spread out thin and evenly
REGION: Entire face, *avoiding *eyelids and lash lines
SUN PROTECTION: Everyday, throughout the day
MOISTURIZER: Yes, do it
EXFOLIANTS: Eh, best not to include in the same routine
OCCLUSIVE: Optional, but could be a life saver. Apply before tretinoin, to areas where you don't want tretinoin to migrate

Okay, now here are some of the different tretinoin routines and methods that I've come across, which don't break any of the "rules". You might want to sit down for this, it's a lot!

1. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS
Cleanse the face and wait until skin is completely dry before applying tretinoin. In theory, ingredients don't penetrate as deeply on dry skin, so the reduced/slowed penetration should help reduce irritation. Wait 15-30 minutes before applying moisturizer on top. This applies to all 3 tretinoin vehicles, whether it be cream, gel, or microsphere.

2. BUFFERING
I don't know who came up with this term or what the original meaning was, but it's been abused, so now there are different definitions! Anyways, the idea behind it is to slow or reduce ingredient penetration, but with a boost of moisture to combat the side effects.
A) After cleansing, apply skincare products, including moisturizer. Wait 15-30 minutes to absorb, then apply tretinoin. A lot of dermatologists recommend this method.
B) With your usual amount of moisturizer and a pea-size amount of tretinoin, mix them together your hand before applying. Dermatologists are not in agreement on whether this is advisable, but most prefer if you don't do this (you know, in case you do a poor job of mixing creams, and you end up with "hot spots" instead of a nice consistent layer).
C) Similar to A, but no wait step. In my opinion, it's more like B, but you're mixing directly on your face instead of between your fingers. Some dermatologists are okay with this, although it's considered to be slightly more irritating since the skin is wetter than if you had waited. 
Note: there is mixed information as to whether you should do this with microsphere gel. Some sources say it would interfere with the microsphere technology, but they never explain why. To be honest, I think they just say that because it's a newer technology, and all the research on microsphere drug delivery was done without buffering. My opinion is that it can still work, even if you buffer.

3. SANDWICH METHOD
Same as above, but add an extra moisturizing step at the end. Reason: to provide an extra layer of protection against TEWL, without further hindering the penetration of tretinoin. Strictly speaking, you'd also have to wait 15-30 minutes before applying this final layer of product over tretinoin, otherwise the layers of your sandwich start to blur together (which, if it does, might not even matter).
You can also use an occlusive in place of a moisturizer for this final step, but there have been mixed reviews on this. Some say it helps prevent dryness, while others say it makes the skin feel even more raw in the morning because it "pushes" the tretinoin deeper into the skin. Could not find science to support this as the reason, but just be aware that it may make things worse.

4. TRET ON WET (#tretonwet) 
This is where things get interesting, and I wouldn't be surprised if this method originated from Reddit. As you've probably guessed, this is the application of tretinoin on wet skin, usually directly after cleansing. Some people think tretonwet also includes the application of tretinoin immediately after hydrating toners. The purists don't think so; they'd consider that to be buffering. Either way, tretonwet goes against both the instructions and dermatologist advice. So, why are some people seeing better results and less irritation with this technique? It could be that the dampness provides better glide for more even application, and in turn reducing the amount of tretinoin needed to coat the skin. It could be that the penetration is actually desirable in reducing irritation caused by residual tretinoin sitting on the top layer of skin. It could even be the simple fact that applying your products on wet skin helps trap water in your skin, which is necessary for a healthy moisture barrier, and a healthy moisture barrier holds up much better against side effects. But there are no clinical studies yet, so no one can say for sure. 
This method can work for all 3 tretinoin vehicles, but the best one to try it with is the microsphere gel. I doubt anyone will fight you on this, since it's going to release slowly either way. Might as well cut out the waiting period.

5. SHORT CONTACT THERAPY
Apply tretinoin and leave on for 30min, 1 hr, or 2 hrs, before rinsing it off. Continue with normal skincare routine. Reason: Minimizing the exposure to tretinoin greatly reduces risk of irritation, while maintaining efficacy for the treatment of acne. No guarantees that this will work as well on other skin concerns, such as aging, melasma, texture, etc. This method is pretty rare, and I've only seen it recommended to beginners who for whatever reason are starting at high dose. I don't think this method makes much sense to use with microsphere gel, since tretinoin is being released slowly. I don't know the actual numbers, but just as an example, you may need to leave tretinoin microsphere gel on for 4 hours to get the same amount as you would from tretinoin cream/gel that is left on for 30 minutes. That's why I don't think it makes sense to use SCT for microsphere gels.

I hope you found this helpful! If you have to remember just one thing, remember that there are a lot of different "correct" ways to apply tretinoin. I encourage you to experiment to find the best method for your skin. 

❤️

✨Tretinoin: Seven Ways ✨

It leaves a slightly occlusive film, which may not be right if you&#39;re looking for a summer daytime moisturizer and you&#39;re already oily skinned.

Fragrance-free, emollient, no harsh ingredients, affordable, easy to use... Need I say more? This is one of those moisturizers you can use just about anywhere on your body, no matter the season, no matter how dry&#47;oily your skin is, and your skin will just breathe a huge sigh of relief and give you a healthy glow in response. I use this every night on my face after applying tretinoin and it does the best job at keeping those drying side effects at bay.

I wish the dropper were easier to use. It&#39;s hard to get the last few milliliters.

This is a must-have for anyone building tolerance to tretinoin. I was suffering from peeling dry skin until I incorporated this into my routine. It&#39;s extremely rare that I get any flakiness now. It comes out of the dropper looking very thick and gooey, but the moment I start spreading it, it takes on a thin almost velvety texture that makes it spread so easily, then moments later it sinks in and plumps my skin. Just divine!

It&#39;s not cheap, and the thing is, no one really needs a clay mask in their routine. They don&#39;t offer any long term benefits, and this mask is no exception.

I used this this product up a while ago, but back when I had it, I&#39;d apply a thin layer each morning. It didn&#39;t dry tight like most clay masks, but instead supplied some nourishing hydration while absorbing some excess oil. It has just the right amount of floral scent to add to the overall experience. So delightful!

tretface