r/tazarotene

I’ve been using Tret (and now Taz) for around 6 years now and epiduo for 10 years before that. I’ve tried adding azelaic, sandwich method, every other night, nightly, on clean dry skin. I’m no stranger to actives and I’ve been using them as long as I can remember for cystic and hormonal acne. I can’t seem to get rid of this irritation redness! I’ve been avoiding putting it around my mouth down to my chin since I peel so badly there and the peeling has subsided since I’ve moved to nightly with buffering. I just can’t get rid of this splotchiness. I’m sure it’s my barrier but I don’t want to get rid of Taz (I’ve got 8 tubes I stocked up on with nowhere to use them if I stop). After 6 years is it finally time to give up and switch to something less harsh? I can do lactic acid and monthly microneedling but I know Taz/Tret is king in anti aging.

Excuse the eyebrow in the 2nd photo. I’d had an eyebrow transplant 🤣. In the 2nd photo, I had already been on tretinoin for 3 years, but found my skin was still textured, dry and breaking out all the time. I switched to Tazarotene 0.1 just after this picture 4 months ago and the change has been unreal. I only have a few hormonal breakouts on my chin. I’ve just started HRT so am putting it down to that, but my skin is more reflective, hydrated and has really helped with wrinkles. I use taz every night and azelaic acid 20% in the morning. I’m one month off 45. No make up on either photos. I have lip balm on though

I used a rough brush on my face, which is normally meant to be for the body and I‘m trying to make the texture better

I‘m 2 months into Tazarene from Boderm 0,05% Dry Skin, I feel like it’s not doing anything and yes I’m using sunscreen, extra Niacinamide, atleast 6-8 hours later Azelaic Acid to not irritate my skin

Back then I’ve had good experiences when I used Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid with Ice-Cubes every morning, with Baume B5 & Cicalfalte but I feel like this routine doesn’t work as good as it used to

Can anyone tell me if it gets better or it’s even possible to fix my texture without cosmetic predatures?

On my last post people said my skin looks normal, yet I don’t wanna waste time when I could have the right routine or products, I also tried to look into EGF if it could do anything for me or eating food with collagen.

Picture was made after using aloe Vera gel with sunscreen at the afternoon, I also shaved my face today that’s why it seems more irritated.

I‘m using Tazarotene 0,05% for 2 months so far, can’t really tell if it got better or if I’m missing out on few products, I use the boderm one everyday, Niacinamide, sometimes Baume B5 or Cicalfate Avenue Creme Restauratrice (I don’t really like how it feels on the skin)

I don’t have real acne scars, pitted or ice pick scars
The only reason my skin texture got worse because I used a rough brush on my skin once and since then my skin gets irritated and got most of the texture issues

I’ll use all of the tube and then switch to 0.1% I just don’t know how the difference could be, I didn’t use any retinoid before, like not consistently

The few years I just tried to hide the texture issues by having Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid (with ice) then Barrier Cremes, i also have glycolic acid but I’m not too sure if it could do much, there was a time in 2024 where I also used it in my skincare everyday.

Beginning of 2022: (texture damage by brush)

October 2022: Odinary Niacinamide, Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid, Coffeine Serum Ordinary
(Using it in morning with ice) afterwards Cicalfalte + Baume B5

February 2024: Niacinamide + Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid (Satin naturel complex)
and glycolic Acid everyday at morning and night.

Those routines were used only for short time around 1-2 weeks, right now I’m not happy because my skin used to look better but it feels like those products don’t work as good for me anymore.

I can’t tell what my skin actually wants, I also bought Acelaid Acid 10% from The Ordinary and use it everyday just 4-6 hours after Tazarotene.

For reference I am a 45 year-old female who has used tretinoin on and off for years and used to use all sorts of acids because I had very resilient skin until I had kids in my late 30s, and my skin literally became insanely sensitive and reactive to everything. I used ALTRENO for a few years and while there was somewhat less irritation, I can't say I noticed anything mind blowing (although I know retinoids are a journey) My derm switched me to ARAZLO about a year ago (every other night) and while it does seem less irritating, I can't say I'm blown away with the results but I can definitely attest to the permanent dryness that I seem to have on my cheeks in particular. I feel like my skin never feels truly soft, smooth or supple. I def still see sun damage and cheek redness/capillaries but then again, I'll confess that I don't always wear sunscreen every single time I leave the house. I also feel like my skin has that "orange peel" look. ChatGPT (i know, dont judge me lol) says that its bc my skin barrier is damaged but I can't seem to repair it because every cream containing any sort of ceramides, fatty acids, etc. breaks me out. I even tried timeless hyaluronic acid and that broke me out. I was putting a thin layer of Vaseline on top of my moisturizer but was told thats too occlusive so i switched to Squalane. My skincare routine is pretty straightforward (as instructed by my derm)...

Morning
Neutrogena Hydroboost cleansing gel
AnteAge growth factor serum
Mist face with water
Honest beauty hydrogel cream mixes with a dot of glycerin
Drmtlgy physical spf 46 tinted

Night
DHC cleansing oil
Neutrogena Hydroboost cleansing gel
ARAZLO (every other night)
Paula's choice BHA 2% (every so often on a non-ARAZLO night)
Honest Hydrogel cream w/ dot of glycerin

*I also shave my face in a downward direction about once a week with a simple 3-blade disposable gilette razor

*I also recently got the CurrentBody Series 2 red light mask from the company's website but made the mistake of using it for the full 10 min the first time in the morning and used ARAZLO that night and holy heck, my face was suuuuper red and dry for days after so ive been afraid to try it again.

Ps- I've also tried a number of Asian essences/serums such as COSRX snail mucin, Anua Heartleaf 77%, RNW Der Renew Facial Treatment, Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis, and PYUNKANG YUL Facial Essence. I cant say I really saw a difference using them so i stopped but maybe I should revisit them?!

I guess what I'm wondering from those who successfully use Arazlo and are able to maintain a good skin barrier and achieve smooth skin with noticeable anti-aging benefits are which products do you use and how do you use/space them? (Including LED masks and microneedling)

Thank you in advance!!!!

good day, is this good moisturizer for sandwich method? thank you for reply