Hey everyone!

I am 19 years old and a few weeks ago, my dermatologist prescribed me Retin-A Micro 0.08% gel...I wanted to know what I was getting myself into before I started it so I read about 100 different reviews about people's experiences. I was TERRIFIED. The main things that stuck out to me in every review were 1) dry skin all the time 2) an awful initial breakout and 3) no makeup!  I decided to give it a chance anyway, so I figured I would post updates of my experience and any tips I have to those on (or starting) Retin-A! 

At the bottom of my post is my daily routine, with this routine I am able to wear makeup without it flaking off or looking strange!

So far my experience has been a LOT less scary than I anticipated, I have high hopes for this product and my skin!

If you have any comments, questions, advice, or want me to upload pictures, feel free to let me know! I hope this post helps someone out or makes them realize that not all experiences on Retin-A Micro are scary! 

Description of skin prior to starting Retin-A Micro 0.08% gel:
-Forehead is covered in hundreds of small bumps (closed comedones) and blackheads. Looks really rough. Without makeup on, the bumps are slightly red and irritated.
-Nose has blackheads and large pores, nothing too noticeable though.
-Cheeks are also bumpy from comedones, not nearly as bad as forehead though. 
-Nothing much on chin.
-I would rarely get pimples, the small bumps over my face were the main reason I started the treatment...so unflattering!

Week 1
I apply a very small amount of the medication all over my face (avoiding eyes, corners of mouth and corners of nose) prior to going to bed every night. Every morning I apply Cetaphil lotion all over my face. By the end of the week I do not notice any differences in my skins appearance. Skin has not started flaking. It's hard to tell but I don't think any new bumps have appeared.

Week 2
My skin has started to get a flakey and dry, especially on my chin. I have definitely noticed that my forehead looks a lot less bumpy than it did at the start of the treatment, yay! No pimples have formed and my skin is looking healthier already. I have figured out a good routine that gets off my dry skin and hasn't left my skin feeling too dry or stiff (Routine will be at the bottom of this post)

Week 3
...Start of the initial breakout. (I think!) I barely every get pimples but a couple formed these last few days and my skin looks like more bumps have formed again. I have a bad habit of squeezing anything that appears on my face, which I have learned is a bad idea on Retin-A. When I squeeze a blackhead or a pimple, the skin around it is so thin and delicate that it peels off, leaving little scabs on my face
-I am still mid week 3 so if I have any updates I will add to this)

Daily routine
-Wake up and take a shower
-In the shower, after washing my hair and body, I put a pump of Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser on an expholiating sponge. I scrub my face thoroughly for a minute or two until I feel like all the dead skin is taken off. 
-After drying off I applying Cetaphil Moisturizer all over my face
-I allow the moisturizer to soak into my face for 45 minutes or so while I dry and style my hair
-I do my full makeup (foundation and everything)
-At night I take off my makeup with a makeup removing wipe and splash my face with water
-When face is COMPLETELY dry, I apply a very small amount of Retin-A Micro all over my face (avoiding eyes, corners of mouth and corners of nose)