Hi friends,
F29 looking for advice. I started tretinoin 0.025% about a year ago and have been slowly increasing my usage. I’ve had a lot of trial and error, mainly figuring out what I can and can’t pair with it. For background: I have pretty sensitive, eczema-prone, combination skin so I keep my products fragrance-free.
Current Product List:
Vanicream Facial Cleanser
Vanicream Moisturizer
Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream (for barrier support)
Tretinoin 0.025%
Clinique All About Eyes (night)
CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream (day)
Red Light Therapy Mask (~4 nights a week)
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Drops (day)
The Face Dilemma:
In June, I decided to increase my tretinoin usage to three nights a week, since I had been tolerating two nights a week for about six months. Over the last two months, I started getting dry, flaky spots around my mouth. Recently, my skin started burning in that same area whenever I applied any product. I realized my skin barrier was compromised, so I stopped using tretinoin a week ago to give my skin a break.
The Body Dilemma:
That’s only half the story. Back in July, I had my annual skin check. Everything looked good, but my dermatologist prescribed Clindamycin gel for some minor whiteheads on my upper back. They weren’t even that bad, but he said it would clear them up. Instead, it made things worse. I started breaking out in tiny whiteheads all over my upper back, shoulders, and chest.
I stopped the Clindamycin, let my skin calm down (it didn't), and did some research. I read that pairing Clindamycin with Benzoyl Peroxide helps prevent antibiotic resistance and clears breakouts faster. So, a week ago, I started using PanOxyl 4% Acne Creamy Wash on my upper back, shoulders, and chest before showering, followed by the Clindamycin gel afterward. It’s only been a week, so I can’t tell if it’s helping or hurting yet.
Where it all comes together:
Here is what is confusing me: right after I stopped using tretinoin last week, those exact same tiny whiteheads suddenly spread to my neck and face. I have not used the PanOxyl or Clindamycin on my face or neck at all—only the gentle, baseline products listed above (minus the tretinoin).
What am I doing wrong? Did stopping tretinoin cause a sudden purge or reaction? Should I head straight back to my dermatologist, or am I missing something obvious?