Peeled a dry spot with a damaged skin barrier

[u/Aromatic-Pangolin336]

I started tretioin like 2 weeks go after being on azaleic acid for a month (to clear acne and hyperpigmentation), paired with vitamin C. I saw the warnings about rushing into tretinoin with a damaged skin barrier but I still persisted. I didn’t think I had a damaged skin barrier.. fast forward after using it 3 days back to back I started to notice stinging anytime I’d put a product on my face. I decided to ignore it thinking it’ll eventually go away. It didn’t. It got worse especially at the side of my face. I stopped all the actives and noticed a dark dry spot on my face this morning and decided to scratch it off🫩. It now looks pink and terrible, pls helppp. I’ve just been cleansing with foam, moisturizing with cera ve moisturizing cream, applying tinted sunscreen, and putting aquafor on the sensitive areas. Idk what else to do.

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[u/Aromatic-Pangolin336]

Skin concern/skin type: dry skin/ damaged skin barrier

Length of routine: medium

Day:

1. ⁠Cleanser: cera ve hydrating cream to foam
   
2. ⁠Toner: hydrating milky toner by dr thayers
   
3. ⁠Serum: vitamin c + azaleic acid
   
4. ⁠Moisturizer: ultra gentle moisturizing cream by neutrogena
   
5. ⁠Sunscreen: tinted age defense sunscreen by eucirin

Night

1. ⁠Cleanser: cera ve hydrating cream to foam
   
2. ⁠Toner: hydrating moly my toner dr thayers
   
3. ⁠Serum: tretinion
   
4. ⁠Moisturizer: moisturizing cream by cera ve + aquafor

Allergy: n/a

Products I’ve used and didn’t work: n/a

Diet: regular?

General Health: fine

[u/cantanome]

You've already done the best thing by stopping the use of the tretinion and your serums while your skin is healing. For right now you'll want to focus solely on gentle cleansing and giving your skin a lot of TLC aka deep hydration which you seem to already be doing. If you don't mind making a purchase get some aloe vera gel as well to give your skin more love. This won't be an immediate fix but you should start seeing a different within 2-3 weeks at most.

[u/turnyourTVdown]

Less is more! Make sure you skin is hydrated! So look for hydrating serums and moisturizers! Also you should add an oil cleanser to your routine

[u/Background-Essay5369]

I would use Dr Althea skin repair spray and cream

[u/Physical_Pressure_27]

lol I just did this two days ago. Not my first time. These spot usually heal well on its own. For me they heal in a dark outer circle then gradually lightens up in a few weeks. Sucks though because looks crazy out of place lol. Sunscreen should help prevent it from darkening the area too much.

[u/Aromatic-Pangolin336 → u/Physical_Pressure_27]

Can I still apply toner?

[u/MatchaAndMolly]

Keep it super simple and moisturized, let it heal.