r/tazarotene

I’ve used tretinoin 0.025 gel for almost two years now—I used it nightly. I’ve decided to switch to taz after hearing all the good stuff about it. So I started on 0.045 lotion (Arazlo) and I’ve read that it’s recommended to use the lotion by itself and not to layer it with anything else. I’m on day 3 (using it nightly), and I have some slight dryness that is visible when I put makeup on, basically my makeup separates in the dry areas. How do I up my moisturizer game without looking like a glazed donut in the daytime?

Here’s my current routine for reference

AM:

Oil cleanse using Softmyo deep cleansing oil

Wash face with cetaphil gentle cleanser for oily skin

A big ass dollop of vanicream

Kiehls beyond sunscreen UV serum

Makeup (just concealer and blush)

PM

Wash face with cetaphil gentle cleanser for oily skin

Wait for 30 mins to an hour waiting for skin to dry completely

Apply Arazlo lotion, pea sized amount

That’s it.
I know some of you may recommend that I dial back the frequency of arazlo since I’m just starting, but in my experience using retinoids, I flake wayyy more when I skip retinoids even for a day or two. Dryness and flaking is ironically minimized for me when I use it nightly.

If anyone has any recommendations about how I can increase my hydration and moisture without it feeling super heavy in the daytime, I’d really appreciate it. Thank you in advance ! :)

Hi, I (27f) used rentinol for a few years and was recently given some 0.1% tazarotene by my mother - who uses it daily.

I know this is a strong start so I’ve been taking it very slowly, 1x a week after moisturiser has soaked in, use a barrier repair serum and citaplast the day after.

It’s been four/five months and if I try to increase to 2x a week my skin stings the next day, and peeling starts.

Also feel my eye wrinkles and nose has got very sensitive even though I try to avoid those areas.

Am I using it wrong? Do I need to use it more? How do people (gently) exfoliate the peeling?