u/Hopeful-Fig9685

I’ve used tretinoin (altreno lotion 0.05%) since around August 2025. I’ve had really great results on the skin on my nose, forehead, and cheeks without much purging and a bit of flaking around the mouth here and there when I over do it.

The issue is my eyes. I keep the tretinoin FAR from my eyes. I’m talking way above the eyebrows and way below the cheek bone. But everytime I apply it i’ve been getting these nasty styes on my upper and lower lids. I apply barrier cream, I let my tret dry down completely, and I don’t wear eye makeup. Without fail everytime I apply tret this happens. I’ve also developed a scaley, irritated eczema patch on one of my upper eyelids. I never used to get eczema on my eyes, although I have it on and in my ears. Even when I take weeks-long breaks from tret the patch only improves slightly.

I also tried to use tret on the backs of my arms for KP, and started to get eczema on my inner elbow.

Anyone else have these issues? Is there an alternative retinoid you’ve had better luck with? Thank you!

I just finished my first semester of an ABSN program while working five days a week, around 3 hours every evening remotely in the industry I’m transitioning out of. While the money is good, I feel like things are only going to get harder to manage. I’ve also been trying to prioritize my relationship and mental health. My current job is not always conducive of that on top of the wild demands of my nursing program.

I know I’m in an extremely lucky position, and I’m not currently paying rent. But that’s part of the reason I have so much guilt about fully quitting. I would love to hear some perspective from folks who decided to fully quit working during nursing school. Was it worth it? Did quitting improve how you feel about going through the program?