Skin update - After 3 months of tretinoin

I know my skin isn’t still quite what it has been – but it’s better and I’m starting to feel more and more like myself again.

Note: This is my personal 2016 experience, not medical advice. Acnatac is a prescription gel with clindamycin and tretinoin. Use it only as prescribed, be careful with UV exposure and sun protection, and ask a doctor or pharmacist before combining it with exfoliating acids. It should not be used during pregnancy, when planning pregnancy, or while breastfeeding unless your doctor advises otherwise.

My Acnatac/tretinoin results after three months

I wrote about my acne routine and the prescription gel earlier. I used Acnatac, a prescription clindamycin + tretinoin gel, for three months and now it’s time to check the results. So – did the tretinoin work? I think it did, but it didn’t make my skin perfect. It helped – a lot – but didn’t offer a quick solution to smooth skin. It helped me with inflamed pustules and closed comedones, but acne medication is personal, so talk with a doctor or dermatologist about whether it’s suitable for you.

It was a long three months using Acnatac every night as prescribed, especially through summer. I had to avoid unnecessary sun and be extra careful with sun protection. Oh – and my skin was actually sore. Especially the skin on my back was really sensitive to bras, and even the straps of my bags were a discomfort to my acne. My face was extremely dry and it produced more oil than I had ever imagined possible. I’m so glad it’s over!

Skincare after the Acnatac course

There are still some stubborn pimples on my face but I know they’re slowly dying. My face feels so much smoother and it looks better, and applying makeup is easier. After finishing the medication course, I planned to keep using BHA on my face in the evenings. I would not combine exfoliating acids with tretinoin/Acnatac without medical advice, but as a separate step after the course BHA has been useful for my oily skin.

One salicylic-acid product I liked at the time was The Body Shop’s Drops of Youth Concentrate. Here’s more on it: A serum, that actually makes a difference.

To all of you having trouble with acne: Even slow progress is progress. You’ll get there eventually.